Category: Tech Talks

The Big Interview at CES ft. Gary Shapiro and Kaushal Nevrekar

CES is the heart of innovation, where technology titans converge to shape the future! Like every year, we dived into the dynamic world of tech at CES and got the opportunity to interview Gary Shapiro, the visionary President of the Consumer Technology Association, and Kaushal Nevrekar, the maestro orchestrating tech brilliance at Reliance Digital Retail Ltd. North India. So, let’s get organised for a riveting conversation as these industry leaders unravel insights, trends, and the pulse of the ever-evolving tech landscape.

 

Ramesh: Could you provide an overview of the scale of CES 2024?

Gary: CES 2024 experienced remarkable growth, particularly in the aftermath of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We witnessed substantial expansion across all metrics, achieving double-digit growth. To put this into perspective, the event covered an expansive 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space, equivalent to approximately 30 American football fields. In comparison, last year’s exhibit space was 2.28 million square feet, reflecting an increase of 300,000 square feet. The total attendance surpassed 130,000, with one-third of the participants hailing from international locations.

 

Ramesh: What notable changes have occurred since the previous year?

Gary: The most significant evolution lies in the transformation of CES from solely a consumer technology showcase to a substantial business-to-business event, constituting approximately 30 to 40% of its scope. This shift is evident in the participation of key industry players but non-traditional brands, such as L’Oreal, Hyundai, and Siemens, that are now prominently featured on the exhibition floor. The overarching theme of sustainability permeates the event, with companies actively aligning themselves with the sustainability movement. This emphasis extends beyond the presentation of innovative products, including a commitment to environmentally responsible practices, reflecting a dual focus on product excellence and sustainability footprint.

 

Ramesh: What stands out as the most groundbreaking technology you’ve encountered at CES 2024?

Gary: CES 2024 showcased an array of innovative solutions addressing critical challenges in healthcare and technology. The global shortage of doctors, nurses, and technicians has prompted a shift towards remote healthcare. COVID-19 underscored the feasibility of conducting medical consultations, diagnoses, and even treatments remotely. This capability enables individuals to gauge the urgency of seeking emergency assistance. With people living longer, there’s a growing emphasis on caring for individuals in their homes. Families can remotely monitor their loved ones, ensuring medication adherence and detecting potential falls through specialised devices. In mobility, CES, recognised as the world’s largest auto show, featured over 500 companies presenting not only automotive products but also advancements in air taxis, flying devices, electric drones, boats, and agricultural aids.

 

Ramesh: Kaushal, what technological innovation has impressed you the most at CES this year?

Kaushal: The most captivating technologies contribute to an improved quality of life. This includes transparent screens that cater to both B2B and B2C needs, sensors enhancing driving capabilities beyond human perception, and the integration of AI into various aspects of daily life. Our chairman recently highlighted AI as an all-encompassing force, making innovative products even smarter. Walking the exhibition floor has been a phenomenal experience, witnessing the continuous evolution of technology. There’s still much to explore and discover.

 

Ramesh: How do you envision technology influencing retail for consumers?

Kaushal: While our previous discussion focused on the impact of technology on consumers (B2C), it’s equally important to consider its role in enhancing the productivity of retail spaces. Being at the forefront of driving technology in India, we leverage big data and AI to optimise store layouts. Understanding consumer behaviour—such as their path within the store, time spent, and product preferences—enables us to create a more productive and personalised shopping experience. We allocate budgets annually to make our stores technologically oriented, with big data playing a central role. Robotics, once viewed as tools for task automation, are now seen as companions aiding decision-making and even exhibiting emotional elements. This evolution positions them not just as automation tools but as consumer products, a trend we hope to see on our shelves.

 

Ramesh: Which companies should we be closely following this year?

Gary: With a plethora of companies at CES, it’s akin to having 3000 children, and selecting standout ones can be challenging. However, keep an eye on those demonstrating agility in reaching the market swiftly. Companies focusing on generative AI are particularly noteworthy for their potential impact. Additionally, those capable of pivoting quickly and halting initiatives that prove ineffective are likely to stand out. I was particularly impressed by Walmart’s CEO, who shared insights into their innovative use of apps. By allowing consumers to showcase clothing options to friends, receive feedback, and virtually try on different choices, Walmart seamlessly integrates in-store and at-home shopping experiences. This offers consumers choices and honest feedback, reducing the likelihood of product returns—a prevalent issue in the United States. Another significant trend I observed on the floor addresses the challenge of retail theft. Numerous solutions aim to identify and prevent theft while preserving shoppers’ privacy, a critical concern in declining retail profitability worldwide due to theft issues.

 

Ramesh: With the enhanced 5G and broadband penetration in India, how is Reliance Digital capitalising on this technological wave?

Kaushal: Gaming has seen a remarkable surge in India, aligning with our nationwide 4G and 5G deployment, which is the fastest in the country. The demand for gaming PCs has risen significantly as people upgrade their systems. With the advent of a pan-India 5G network, gaming is poised to become a critical application. Reliance Digital is strategically positioning itself as the go-to destination for all things gaming, encompassing console and desktop gaming, laptop gaming, and mobile gaming.

 

Ramesh: Gary, do you perceive a significant global trend in gaming, with sustained growth?

Gary: Gaming remains robust, occasionally experiencing cyclical shifts with the introduction of new platforms. Notably, there’s a noticeable shift towards mobility, encompassing smartphones, tablets, desktops, and laptops. Interestingly, the TV set has regained prominence due to its affordability, serving as a central hub for streaming content and fostering greater sharing and interactivity among users, both in-person and online.

 

Ramesh: So, Sony has introduced Affila in partnership with Honda, Xiaomi has entered the automotive market, and Apple is actively developing a car. Is CES instrumental in propelling these brands into the automotive industry?

Gary: Well, I wouldn’t say we are solely responsible. Our role is to act as a catalyst in the marketplace for driving efficient innovation. The landscape has evolved in recent years, not just in technology but also in business. Success in business now hinges on collaboration and partnerships. The paradigm shift requires the ability to work in teams, across diverse cultures, and with partners, fostering win-win situations. This shift is what CES embodies. With over 4,000 exhibitors, the event becomes a hub where deals are struck and intellectual property is shared. No single entity possesses all the ideas; innovation often arises from the convergence of diverse technologies and ideas. In other noteworthy developments, chip companies are making significant strides, particularly in advanced chips that power various applications. We’re witnessing advancements in quantum computing, robotics, and the pervasive influence of 5G technology, enabling a spectrum of applications from cryptocurrency to cybersecurity. The spotlight at the show is on generative artificial intelligence, a transformative force that learns about individuals, shaping a meaningful synthesis of information. This serves as a productivity tool and factory enhancement and propels advancements in healthcare and personalised medicine. The potential to discern what works based on individual genetic code, biology, location, gender, and life experiences, including dietary habits, is revolutionary. Imagine your car seat alerting you to potential health issues and suggesting preventive measures like taking vitamin B12 or recommending vaccinations.

 

Ramesh: Do you anticipate a significant disruption in the automotive space, particularly with tech companies like Apple, Vivo, Oppo, and Samsung entering the market with a focus on all-electric cars?

Gary: That’s indeed an intriguing question. I see significant disruption, particularly as we move towards self-driving cars, transforming the car environment into a versatile space, be it an office, an entertainment hub, or even a place for relaxation during commutes. This shift not only alleviates pressure on the healthcare system but also empowers the elderly and individuals with disabilities. While the global shift towards electric cars is undeniable, there may be challenges ahead. First, there’s a reliance on essential elements with limited availability, often tied to China. Second, concerns arise about the source of electricity for electric cars, as it frequently relies on fossil fuels. Despite the growing focus on solar and wind power, coal-burning plants continue to be constructed in China. Although electric cars are undoubtedly part of the future, I believe a hybrid approach might gain popularity, especially in regions like the United States, where concerns about charging infrastructure and expensive repairs persist. Challenges include issues with fires and battery maintenance, making it imperative to address these aspects as we progress, considering the current limitations in electricity supply and charging infrastructure.

 

Ramesh: If you had to identify a technology poised for disruption in 2024, what would it be?

Kaushal: I’ll opt for the clichéd choice of AI. It continues to evolve, enhancing smart products across various domains. Whether it’s improving driving experiences, refining picture viewing on transparent LEDs, or personalising audio preferences, AI’s impact is pervasive.

Gary: I concur with the emphasis on AI, specifically generative AI. Its transformative nature is already evident, as demonstrated by CIOs in a major American city who shared their excitement. The rapid generation of reports in two hours instead of three months, the ability to pivot swiftly, and the leveraging of customer information for unprecedented outcomes showcase the transformational power of generative AI. I’ve encountered many hyped trends over the years, such as the Metaverse or 3D TV, but I am genuinely enthusiastic about artificial intelligence. I believe it will fundamentally change the world.

 

OnePlus Pad Go: GO and GET it!

I’ve been observing OnePlus’s moves since they first surfaced in 2013. They have a proven track record of releasing great products at a great price right from the start. 10 years later and things haven’t changed much, except for a few competitors sprouting up. The OnePlus Pad Go is a new budget tablet which is very reminiscent of its elder sibling, The OnePlus Pad. With differences in aspects like the processor, camera, battery and charging, let’s find out if it’s worth the 19,999 price tag that’s almost half when compared to its predecessor. 

Display: 

The first display aspect that caught my eye was the crisp 2.4K resolution IPS screen which combined with the sharp and vibrant calibration provides a very immersive content viewing and gaming experience. I highly trust that this helps the OnePlus Pad Go shine in its segment. The only minor inconvenience that came to my geeky attention was the refresh rate being at 90Hz instead of 120Hz but to people who don’t bother much for refresh rates, this shouldn’t be of much concern.

Design:

Whether it’s the metallic finish, the tactile buttons or even the overall sturdiness of this device, I like it. The glossy strip of plastic near the camera module adds a level of freshness to the age-old tablet design i.e the industry standard. Audio enthusiasts will also appreciate its quad speakers that provide ample bass, well balanced mids and clear treble. Movies, music and frequent video calls are handled really well by the OnePlus Pad Go.

However, nothing comes perfect in our imperfect world and what that means here is no 3.5mm headphone jack. For a device that positions itself as a media machine, this is a small disappointment. The seamless bluetooth 5.2 connectivity does try to make up for it but wired users will have to resort to a dongle. 

While we are on the topic of missing basic features, there’s no fingerprint scanner which means you’ll have to rely on the face unlock. Come on OnePlus, it’s 2023, everybody prefers biometric authentication over gimmicky facial recognition. 

Camera:

The camera performs decently in fair to good lighting conditions. The 8MP resolution both in the front and back is sufficient. You won’t find yourself complaining during zoom calls or the occasional tablet photography session. I was a little surprised to see the omission of a flash in the rear camera module, but I guess they have to cut costs somewhere. 

Performance:

It performs best when presented with everyday tasks but falls short when pushed to its limit in heavy games and other processor intensive tasks. The Helio G99 is definitely capable of handling all games but not so much if you like playing them on the highest settings for long periods of time. That said, navigating through multiple apps or browsing the web is as seemless as it gets. 

Battery and Charging:

With a 33W adaptor and an 8,000 mAh Li-Poly battery, the Pad Go shines in this department. A solid 2+ day life is easily expected and a respectable 1.5 day life if you decide to really push it. 

Software:

What I really enjoyed in the software department is the ease with which I was able to navigate, multitask and get things done in general. OnePlus seems to have customized Oxygen OS and made it more user friendly on a larger screen. I hope they add the option for using a split keyboard soon though, this addition will make it a complete experience. 

Verdict: 

The OnePlus Pad Go excels in several key areas, including its high-resolution display, versatile audio capabilities, tactile buttons, multitasking optimization, and premium build quality, making it a compelling choice in the slow Android tablet market. It’s a great choice for a younger family member or an avid OTT enthusiast all while proving worthy for individuals who love multitasking. 

Rating: ★★★★

In Conversation With Sajjan Kumar, MD, Nikon India

Nikon recently introduced its latest mirrorless camera the Z8 in India which boasts a number of impressive features and capabilities. The camera sports a powerful 45.7-MP full-frame sensor and an advanced EXPEED 7 image processor which guarantees exceptional image quality in a wide range of shooting conditions. Nikon Z8 is specifically crafted to meet the needs of professionals seeking superior image quality.

During the launch of the latest Nikon Z8, we had a quick conversation with Nikon India MD, Sajjan Kumar. Our conversation was based around the launch of the Z8 but we also discussed the Indian imaging system market and where Nikon stands out. Check out the conversation below –

In conversation with Nikon India MD, Sajjan Kumar

ex: Firstly congratulations on the launch of the Nikon Z8, It truly looks like a powerhouse of a camera. It has a number of features which it so skillfully boasts so what do you think is the Z8’s best feature? 

We are equally excited to bring Z8 to our customers. We call it a true hybrid camera in a way that it is good for video and stills at the same time. While it is difficult for me to pinpoint a specific feature, it’s got 12-bit RAW video shooting with 4K 60FP or 120FP which is one feature I’d pick. 

ex: You’re nearing 15 years in Nikon joining in as a Vice President and five years as the Managing Director of Nikon India. How do you think the camera market has evolved over the years in India? 

You’re absolutely correct in your finding! For the last one and a half decades, I’ve been associated with Nikon and this experience has been enriching for me. We’ve seen the industry change from the compact era which used to be our main product and was used majorly by customers and we’ve seen the DSLR era to now the DSLR and mirrorless era. Over the years, consumers have shifted from still photography to videography. The current generation is more interested in the video front which pushes us to change our camera specifications to be more video-centric. Our latest offering Z8 also stands on the same principle. 

ex: As a pioneer in the photography industry, you understand the technological curve of imaging systems better than most of us. What is your vision about the future of the Indian imaging market? 

I am happy, excited and honoured about the fact that the Z8 promotional AV which is released worldwide features a big chunk of content shot by Indian creators. Be it weddings, fashion or wildlife photography/videography, there is a lot of content shot by Indian creators and we cannot ignore today where our country stands. 

ex: We live in the social media era, meaning people want to share the content they shoot immediately on the internet. Do you think we will have a ‘smart camera system’ in the future to allow us to edit and post images/videos from the camera itself? 

It is difficult to comment on what type of specifications can be added to a camera in the future.  It is definitely getting more connected as a device. Currently, the file size of videos and photos is large which complicates things. We need to see what is hidden in the future. On the other end, the built-in AI  algorithm is making the product smarter and smarter. For now, it is possible for creators to shoot content easily having to focus only on shot composition as opposed to the camera settings. 

ex: Nowadays we see many major camera companies tie up and collaborate with smartphone makers to enhance their photo-capturing capabilities. Do you think Nikon will ever have such collaborations or is something already on the horizon?

Certainly, as a brand which is over a hundred years old and still meaningful to the consumers and to the market, it is very difficult. Even for me having spent 15 years with Nikon, we’ve seen many ups and downs as an organization which prompts us to keep evolving. Optics is our core strength and we always offer our customers what they’re looking for, be it specifications or the touch & feel of the product. We will continue to meet customer expectations with our offerings. 

ex: Gen-Z is obsessed with documenting their lives and sharing it on social media but the majority of them cannot really afford to drop in a huge amount for the same. Do you envision Nikon creating an imaging system for younger kids at a considerably cheaper rate in the future? 

If we’re talking about Gen-Z then we already have the Z series! The Z series not just has high-end cameras like the Z8 but we also have the Z30 which starts at just Rs 30K. That camera is specifically designed for content creators with ease of shooting and singlehanded usage. We keep adding new lenses in that category too specifically for young content creators to get the best of what they’re shooting. We think for everyone and not just professionals. 

ex: India is pacing fast towards entering the top 3 performers for Nikon globally. The healthcare expansion of Nikon is also moving at a rapid pace. With double-digit growth projected in FY24, what do you think is making Nikon stand out from the competition? 

You’ve rightly picked that we, Nikon India is currently at No. 5 globally for the Nikon group, and we soon will be touching No. 3. The credit goes directly to our customers and also our country which provides ample opportunities for us to shoot. Be it our culture, festivities, or heritage, all of it deserves to be captured on the camera. This sets us apart from the rest of the world. Given the population of our country and the kind of opportunities we provide, it is a small number still and we’re optimistic about the future!

“Digital Payments Is The Future” Says Paytm CPO Shreyas Srinivasan Addressing UPI Lite

UPI payments have become a conventionally important part of our banking experience. UPI has enabled the country’s people to carry out transactions easily. However, the UPI payment system does come without its cons. One of which is a cluttered bank passbook containing even the littlest transactions like buying a bottle of water or even a piece of chewing gum. Another restriction is the cap on the number of transactions one user can make in a day. To solve the issues related to small UPI transactions, the Reserve Bank of India launched UPI Lite to facilitate faster and easier transactions in September 2022.

Homegrown Paytm Payments Bank was the first digital payments platform to offer UPI Lite with the service crossing 2 million users with over half a million daily transactions recorded in a short amount of time. There are no second thoughts about UPI Lite being a runaway hit, so, what exactly is it? I was lucky enough to get a briefing about UPI Lite from Paytm’s Chief Product officer followed by an interaction where we discussed the challenges and future of digital payments in India. Firstly, here’s everything you need to know about UPI Lite –

What is UPI Lite?

UPI Lite is a digital account designed to make low-value transactions easier and quicker. It comes with a maximum balance limit of 2000. The maximum balance limit can be added to the account twice daily enabling transactions up to 4000 in a day. The maximum value allowed per transaction is Rs 200. It can be regarded as a compressed version of UPI that is designed for low-value transactions from Re 1 to Rs 200.

UPI lite comes with its own sets of advantages above the standard UPI system. Transactions made using UPI Lite do not clutter users’ bank passbooks. The statement only comprises of top-up transactions done during UPI Lite decluttering the passbook. Another main advantage is having no cap on the number of transactions made. Whereas, users are also not required to enter their 4 or 6-digit pins using UPI Lite. During my briefing session, Paytm CPO Shreyas Srinivasan emphasised on banking industry evolving to become a technological industry and UPI Lite seems to lessen the gap between the two. Here’s Exhibit’s exclusive conversation with Paytm CPO Shreyas Srinivasan –

EX: Firstly, congratulations on the success of UPI Lite. Being a spearhead in digital payment technology in India, what challenges does Paytm face on a daily basis?

Shreyas: I think on a daily basis, our challenges are customer challenges. We work hard to make sure our customers don’t face any challenges but since we have millions and millions of people using our payment systems we have issues like failed transactions, soundbox not playing when a transaction is made and similar are some of the issues we grapple with every day. New users who are new to mobile and digital payments not knowing how to activate UPI is also one of the challenges we work on every day.

EX: What is your goal with the UPI Lite service in a country that is as financially diverse as India?

Shreyas: I think more than UPI Lite, our overall motivation is to make sure 100% success rates on all our transactions. I think everything we do is a movement in that direction, UPI Lite increases success rate along with all the work we’ve put in making Paytm banks the first digitally native bank which supports millions of transactions is towards that goal. Every time you want to pay, it should be a successful transaction.

EX: What do you think is the future of digital payments in India?

Shreyas: I think it is the future! I think digital payment is the future, we’ve seen digital payments bring millions of people into the mainstream economy. Users who did not previously have a banking profile or banking history were previously forgotten on the edge of the mainstream economy. We’ve seen millions of them come to the forefront because of digital payments. Tools we’ve built like the soundboxes have now enabled small merchants to become savvy and accept digital payments. Be it a small merchant selling coconut by the street or any merchant selling things on the highway, all of them are now accepting digital payments. Paytm’s mission and vision are to bring 500 million users into the mainstream economy and we’re enabling them with the form of digital payments.

EX: We think digital payments are also bringing the country together…

Shreyas: YES! Trust improves trade and trade improves GDP. In fact, a lot of progress of a country is built on trust and this is the first time that users can see the person they’re paying along with their banks while making a digital payment. I think it really is building a fabric of trust when it comes to payments in the country which definitely brings the country together and makes our growth possible at a faster rate.

Auto news from CES 2023

Every year, the world gathers for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which is kind of like the Auto Expo for electronics and technology. Although we typically get a sneak peek at upcoming technology, several automakers frequently use CES to reveal their newest technology, concepts, and even new models. The top auto news stories from CES 2023 are listed here. This year’s CES is no exception when it comes to some crazy mind boggling concepts and other automotive news.

Sony Afeela

The Japanese technology behemoth Sony will produce EVs, although this is not really surprising given that Sony has already shown off two prototypes at prior CES conferences. The Afeela, however, is a brand-new sedan that was created in collaboration with Honda this time. Although the Afeela’s technical specifications are all secret, we do know that deliveries will start in 2026 and that the sedan will come equipped with cutting-edge technology, including AI assistance and autonomous capabilities.

Volkswagen ID.7

The ID.7, Volkswagen’s first electric sedan, has been presented with its camouflage still on. It will join the brand’s wide range of electric vehicles in 2023. The vehicle will compete against Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 and Tesla Model 3 with a potential range of about 700 kilometres. The ID.7 will have the longest range of any Volkswagen EV when it is introduced. In addition to these technologies, the sedan has augmented reality heads-up and a 15-inch touchscreen with all the necessary functionality.

BMW i Vision Dee

One of the most daring proposals from the German company has been introduced by BMW. According to BMW, the I Vision Dee (Digital Emotional Experience) is a car that can converse with its owners and even convey feelings. It also has body panels that can instantly change colours, enormous kidney grilles with built-in displays, and a windscreen that serves as a sizable display. The new concept car is packed with features, and it may represent the direction the company will take in terms of technology and design.

Volvo EX90

At CES 2023, Volvo unveiled the EX90 flagship electric SUV and said that deliveries will start in early 2024. It will be available with a 111kWh battery pack that has a 600 km maximum range and 517 PS maximum output (WLTP). It has a 14.5-inch touchscreen inside that supports 5G and has Google OS preinstalled. The EX90 receives a variety of safety features like eight cameras, a radar system, and LiDAR in typical Volvo flair and as the company’s flagship EV.

Nvidia GeForce Now Cloud Gaming For Cars

We’re not sure how to react to the news that cars will soon be able to use Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming services. To offer a complete gaming experience to cars, the brand is collaborating with automakers including Hyundai, BYD, and Polestar. Technical details are being kept under wraps, but Nvidia claims that while waiting inside the car or while the car is charging, passengers may use a controller to play more than 1000 games, including AAA titles. In essence, this implies that you can play The Witcher 3 while your car is charging.

Dodge Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept

Dodge unveiled its Ram 1500 Revolution Battery-electric Vehicle (BEV) Concept at CES 2023, which offers a view into the future and highlights how the sector’s top truck brand can once more transform the pickup truck business. Innovative features that will be found in future Ram trucks, and in particular on Ram’s electrification journey, are on full display in the cutting-edge Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept.

In order to better serve its customers, Ram will distinguish itself by delivering a variety of fully electric alternatives, including the Ram 1500 BEV in 2024, which will redefine the market. In the upcoming years, the complete Ram line-up will provide electrified solutions with ground-breaking, cutting-edge technology.

 

Tech This Week – November 12, 2022

This was one of the most interesting weeks in the tech world with major headlines breaking almost every day! And of course, we’re here to bring them to you in a nice little package in the form of ‘Tech This Week’ From layoffs to new launches, we’ve got you covered! 

Major layoffs in the tech industry 

This week saw major tech industries laying off their employees. While Twitter laid off half of its workforce, which included 90% of its Indian workforce, Facebook-parent Meta let off 11,000 of its employees. This was one of the largest layoffs ever witnessed in the tech industry. Whereas, major tech players like Microsoft and Amazon are also reported to fire a chunk of their workforce. 

 

MediaTek Dimensity 9200 launched

After a month of rumours, MediaTek has finally launched a new chipset for flagship smartphones – the Dimensity 9200. The latest flagship chipset is based on the TSMC N4P node and is the first SoC with ARM’s Gen 2 architecture with new cores. The newly launched chipset promised to offer better performance as compared to its predecessor, Dimensity 9000.

Realme Dizo launched

Another affordable smartwatch is on its way, this time from Realme’s TechLife brand Dizo. The company officially launched the Dizo Watch D Plus in India, which will be available on the e-commerce platform Flipkart from November 15th. The new wearable from the house of Chinese electronics maker Realme comes with a big immersive display, an aluminium frame and offers the most reliable tracking of health and fitness.

RTX 4080 rebrand 

Nvidia recently paused the launch of the 12GB RTX 4080 graphics card last month as it received a lot of backlash from fans over the naming and pricing. It is now being reported that the 4080 will be making its return to the market as the RTX 4070 Ti in Jan 2023. It will be interesting to see how fans react to this relaunch as they were vocal about their disappointment over the RTX 4080. 

Volvo EX90 unveiled 

Volvo recently unveiled the EX90 SUV that will go on sale globally in 2024. Volvo says it is the safest car ever produced and is banking on the car’s safety features to be its USP. This will mark Volvo’s third electric model promising a range of 600KMS. It supports bi-directional charging. It is also 5G-capable for over-the-air updates. One of the key features of the car is that its interior sensors can gauge eye concentration to warn about driving while being distracted or drowsy. 

iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max shipments to take a hit

It was back in October when news about a COVID-19 outbreak in the world’s largest iPhone manufacturing plant hit the internet. A surge in COVID-19 cases at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou, China site lead to a complete lockdown at the factory as a measure to curb the spread. As a result, several factory workers were seen fleeing the facility citing poor working conditions and a lack of basic resources. News outlets around the world also focussed on individual stories where workers from the factory shared their experience of being under the strict lockdown and finally making their way to the world. Foxconn’s Zhengzhou plant employs about 200,000 people and produces the maximum number of iPhones for  Apple across the world. Thus it was expected that the production of iPhones will take a hit due to this outbreak.  Apple this week confirmed that delays in the shipment of iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will indeed take a hit! 

Oculus founder builds VR headset that kills you if you die in-game!

Palmer Luckey, one of the founders of Oculus has designed a new VR headset that can literally take your life if you die in-game! Technology and dystopia go hand-in-hand and with this new development, humanity has gotten a little bit if not too close to the sci-fi show ‘Black Mirror’ The VR headset draws inspiration from the Sword Academy Online Anime! However, it is not a product that will be making its way to the market anytime. 

Crypto market’s big fall

The crypto market recently witnessed a big drop with the entire market’s cap now sitting below $1 trillion, at $914 billion. Binance’s proposed purchase of FTX is likely the reason behind this volatile market move. As of now, Ethereum witnessed a 17% drop and Bitcoin is fairing a little better with a 10% fall.

Tech This Week – November 5, 2022

You already know what time it is! It’s time for Exhibit’s weekly tech roundup, Tech This Week. Similar to every week until now, There are of course new and exciting things happening in the world of tech! And we’re here to serve them to you in a plate full of delights. So without further ado let’s begin! 

WhatsApp new features 

Whatsapp has been adding new features under its kitty and this week the messaging app announced three new features. Now, users can add up to 1024 members in a group chat! That sounds like a village! However, there are also new changes in the video call feature where now 32 members can be added up to a call. Whatsapp will also be soon rolling out the option where users will able to text themselves. 

Big changes to Twitter 

We were surely excited when Elon Musk took over the command of Twitter. But things went sour quickly when the hip CEO announced that users will have to pay a monthly fee of $8 in order to stay verified on the platform. It was also noted that the use of racist slurs on Twitter like the N-Word had grown exponentially by 500% after Musk took command. Twitter employees were also seen sleeping in the office in order to meet the tight deadlines by Musk. It is to be seen whether this change in Twitter will lead it to become a better platform or lead to its eventual irrelevance. 

Google’s language AI model 

Google is one of the pioneers in AI technology and has now announced a single AI model that will support around 1K of the most spoken languages in the world! Google believes that by creating a model of this size, it will make it easier to bring various AI functionalities to languages that are poorly represented in the online space. 

iPhone 14 production affected 

China’s Foxconn area in Zhengzhou went into a lockdown in recent times which made major headlines. However, the lockdown did not stop Foxconn from halting production of the iPhone 14 as it ordered workers to live in the factory complex and work on the production during an active covid outbreak. However, many workers were then seen fleeing the area, climbing fences, and walking around the Foxconn vicinity which has led to the iPhone 14 production getting affected. 

Netflix is now cheaper than before! 

The OTT giant Netflix has now launched its basic ad-supported platform in several countries. Under this plan, users will be able to stream 720P content that will be limited to a single device support only. Netflix states that users will get 4 to 5 minutes of ads per hour of content. However, the ad-supported plan has not been introduced yet in India. 

Amazon Founder Sued

Amazon owner and billionaire – Jeff Bezos was sued by a former housekeeper who claims that she was subjected to racial discrimination by his staff. The former housekeeper also accused that they were forced to work 10 to 14 hours a day in unsanitary conditions without rest or meal breaks. The former housekeeper now seeks back pay and benefits as well as monetary damages. 

iPhone India users to get 5G from next week 

Apple will soon be rolling out the much-awaited software upgrade for the 5G network in India next week. The service will be made available with the iOS 16 beta software update. With this update, users of iPhone 14, 13, 12, and SE will be able to experience 5G. 

Windows 11 Moment 2 update

Microsoft recently released new features on Windows 11 with the Moment 1 update. The company has decided to move away from major updates and focus on smaller updates over shorter periods of time. The rumor mill has it that the Moment 2 update is just around the corner. 

AMD Radeon RX 7000 GPUs

Finally, AMD officially announced its next-gen Radeon RX GPUs today. The rumors about this new lineup of GPUs were making rounds on the internet for a long time. The first two Radeon RX 7000 GPUs are called Radeon RX 7900 XTX and the Radeon RX 7900 XT. The latest series will be using AMD’s latest RDNA 3 Graphical architecture. With the support of DisplayPort 2.1, the GPUs will support higher refresh rates on even 4K and 8K resolutions! 

Tech this week

What time is it? It’s time for some tech news. Did you know that Google, the name is actually a product of a hasty spelling mistake? Larry and Sean aimed to register Googol, a mathematical term for the number 1 followed by a hundred zeros. Sean accidentally registers the word Google, and it is what it is. Let’s get to the news. 

Elon finally bought Twitter

On Thursday night, Elon Musk finally bought Twitter, and reports say many top management authorities at Twitter are now searching for new jobs. These include the CEO, CFO, people who mislead the number of bots on the platform and the one authorizing Donal Trump’s account ban. The hip entrepreneur entered the Twitter office with a bathroom sink, symbolizing the term “let that sink in” and also twitted “ the bird is freed”. 

Global price increase 

Apple is silently increasing its hardware and software solution prices. Subscription services have seen an inflation in their charges across Apple services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+ and Apple One. Some countries have also witnessed price increases on iPads and Macs. Nothing ear (1), the first product from Nothing, has also seen as much as a 50% price increase in some markets right before the launch of their Nothing ear stick, a relatively new and affordable variant with a different form factor. I hope they stick to the pricing in the future. Steam, a popular gaming service, has also increased its regional pricing in some parts of the world to almost 450% hike in game prices. As if PC gaming was not an expensive hobby with insane GPU prices! Global price increase needs to be combated with a global pay increase. Share this with your company heads. After blocking 4K content on Youtube to Premium users, Youtube has increased the prices of Youtube Premium subscriptions in some countries. What is happening to the world? 

WTF? There’s a new Nvidia 3060

After the backlash on RTX 4080 and Nvidia pulling out in time, RTX 4090 has witnessed some insane claims. One of the only cards to enable high fidelity 4K and 8K gaming, the power connector cannot handle the amount of power required to juice tasty frame rates from the 4090, burning some connectors across the globe. Nvidia has addressed a couple of buyers who posted this on social media, but a 1.55 lakh rupee card with burnt connectors is not cool. In another news from Nvidia, some countries witnessed a soft launch of Nvidia’s popular 3060 variants with an 8GB VRAM 128-bit bus rate instead of the usual 12GB 192-bit bus rate. This move comes as competition to Intel’s newest ARC GPU releases earlier this month or maybe an offering to gamers on a budget. Whatever it is, thank you, Intel! 

Shutterstock partners with OpenAI DallE 2 

Did you know that Gettyimages recently banned the use of AI-generated images? Contrary to their move, Shutterstock has partnered with OpenAI DallE 2, and soon users will be able to generate images based on text commands. Shutterstock has also agreed to pay creators a certain sum of money for training the AI when creating newer images. Not too long ago, a similar AI won an award for the best image creation on a platform, and now it is time for Shutterstock to come up with crazy DallE2-created images. What is your take on AI-generated art? Is it still art if thousands of algorithms created it?

Gaming improves cognitive performance in kids

A recent study on the JAMA network performed by ABCD Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development on 2217 children has shown that kids who regularly play video games are better at problem-solving, memory management, impulse reactions and many other tasks, including academic achievements, as compared to kids who do not play video games. Allowing kids to play video games and other games profoundly impacts their brain development. Only if this study were done during childhood would we not be scolded as much over gaming. Kids watching this video, share this news with your parents. 

Xbox Series S – Limiting frame rates for everyone 

Some game developers are not happy developing games for the Xbox Series S. According to them; the limited capabilities are hindering them from providing more performance in games being developed for the Xbox Series S. Microsoft has made it mandatory for developers to make games compatible with both the Series X and S. Gotham Knights is a prime example of this shortcoming, as the developers clearly stated in a tweet that the game runs on 30FPS even on the more powerful Series X only to ensure compatibility with the Series S. What’s the point of upgrading to a having a massive 4K high refresh rate display when the games are being limited by one puny console?

Photonic chip – the fastest internet chip as of now

A single photonic chip has made a world record by transferring 1.84 petabytes of data per second over a 7.9Km fibre optic cable. That’s like moving all the files across the globe in less than 10 mins! I am still stuck with a few hundred megabytes per second here in India. Researchers from Japan, Denmark and Sweden, managed to split infrared signals into multiple light sources and then combine them together as one on the receiving end.

Amazon data centres in the UK and Ireland get new diesel generators.

Following an energy crisis in UK and Ireland, Amazon data centres in Dublin are installing 105 high-power diesel generators as backups. It is estimated that this data centre is responsible for over 14% power consumption of the entire Dublin. 

Intel’s 13th generation i9 breaks an 8-year-old frequency world record 

AMD FX 8370 set a world record back in 2014 by overclocking to an insane 8722.78Mhz. Intel’s latest i9-13900K managed to set a new world record by overclocking to a mind-bending 8812.85Mhz, nearly double the core clock speed offered in the retail packaging. Finally, after taking a beating from similar retail-priced AMD competition, Intel has managed to garner a win in some departments. Good job, Intel, on making something such powerful and power-hungry. 

Samsung has started development on a smart ring.

Smart wearables come in all shapes and sizes. Samsung is currently developing a smart ring with all the necessary features of a fitness tracker snuggly packaged in a neat ring. Be careful to accept a proposal as a smart ring, as it could spike your heart rates and trigger an emergency service SOS. Would you wear a ring when the occasion calls for dressing neat, well time shall reveal. 

Stadia’s service ended, but the gaming did not. 

After Google announced that they were pulling the plug on Stadia streaming services, people playing games on the platform are backed by game developers. As a piece of good news, game developers are offering free copies with free save backups for everyone playing their games on Stadia as a platform. These free copies are provided to all the Stadia gamers based on their choice of gaming platform, and also cloud saves are offered as transferable entities to continue gaming on the platform of your choice. Do we even trust Google with anything with the rate at which they keep shutting down services? 

These were all the happenings of the week. Let us know what you think about the tech happenings across the globe. Stay tuned as we bring more tech news next week. 

 

OnePlus Nord Buds CE – Review

Do you remember those days when people used to get obsessed with Airpods, and everyone dreamt of having one of them? The expensive gadget ruled for a couple of years, and then we were introduced to budget-friendly TWS earbuds from several other companies. Being one of the pioneer tech companies in the world, OnePlus has won our hearts already with their phones, and now they’re serving our ears with their TWS earbuds.

I’ve been using OnePlus Nord Buds for the last few months, and I don’t have any complaints regarding the product. The Nord Buds are currently priced at ₹2,799, and honestly, they are nothing less than pocket dynamite. The Nord Buds were a massive success for OnePlus, and to gain more advantage of the hype, the company recently launched Nord Buds CE, a more budget-friendly option from the Core Edition lineup.

OnePlus Nord Buds CE – Quick Details

  • Price – ₹2,299*
  • Weight – 3.5 gms each
  • Bluetooth version – 5.2
  • Sound pressure level – 128dB/mW
  • Available Colors – Misty Grey & Moonlight White

The newly launched OnePlus Nord Buds CE are the cheapest TWS earbuds yet launched by the company. They are priced at ₹2,299, but they are only available for sale in India. I’ve been using them for the last few weeks alternately with their old sibling OnePlus Nord Buds, and I’ve observed the little brother has very few features to offer. Let’s see whether they’re worth buying or not!

Design

The Nord Buds CE arrives in compact cardboard packaging, and the earbuds hidden in a case have a classic earbud-style design, almost reminiscent of the Apple AirPods. The earbuds and their relatively small oval-shaped charging case are made of plastic but appear premium. The long stalks of the earbuds do not support in-ear detection for automatic play/pause, but they do have a capacitive touch surface to control the happenings.

Comfort

The comfort of the earbuds totally varies from person to person and the shape of your ears but out of all my colleagues who tried Nord Buds CE, most of them were not happy with the comfort it offers. Compared to the Nord Buds, they’re lighter, but they don’t provide a fairly secure in-ear grip and the fear of losing them while walking down a busy road haunts you throughout the walk. No wonder the classic-shaped earbuds are out of fashion.

Software

The features of the Nord Buds CE are directly accessible on OnePlus Phones, while for other devices, you have to download an app called, HeyMelody. Being a native product, Nord Buds CE is a failure, as the options to change the settings of the earbuds are planted far too deep within the Bluetooth settings of the OnePlus phones. The HeyMelody app makes the journey easy for people with phones other than OnePlus.

Sound Quality

I would say, listening to the music on the Nord Buds CE is a pain in the rear situation due to its open-back design. When you’re in a quiet place, they’re satisfactory, but once you enter a place full of blusters, the surrounding noise will creep in, and you’ll have to increase the volume up to 80% for better listening. The overall sound quality of the Nord Buds CE is above average but not the best in the segment.

Battery & Charging

With the 27 mAh battery capacity per earbud and the 300 mAh capacity charging case, the Nord Buds CE is said to offer continuous playback for up to 4.5 hours, and along with the charging case, the number goes up to 20 hours. In my testing, they lasted above the official playback time, but it isn’t outstanding as the earbuds don’t have features like ANC. The flash charge feature takes 15 minutes to charge the buds up to 60%.

Verdict

The Nord Buds lose the game mostly due to their semi-in-ear design and elder sibling, which offers many features. They’re one of the best-sounding earbuds in the price segment but definitely not a top choice as similarly priced Realme Buds Air 3 Neo provides up to 7 hours of continuous playback and 30 hours of total endurance with the case. I would suggest spending a few more bucks and getting OnePlus Nord Buds, a fair deal.

In Conversation with Mridul Jain – Director (Sales), BizCom at Sennheiser Electronics India

Exhibit: There’s humongous competition in the audio segment, what is Sennheiser India’s strategy?

Mridul Jain: The one thing that I feel is, and it has been stated in our vision document as well, is our passion for sound. I understand there is a lot of competition and a lot of clutter in the market in terms of the UC products but what we bring on the plate is something that makes us different. Sennheiser primarily has been a pro audio company, and we are focused on a very premium or niche segment. We have a collaboration with Microsoft on the Microsoft Teams rooms environment, and that is where we see ourselves. Also, we’re very clear in terms of the audio quality, which we do not want to play around with, and we want our customers to feel that the meeting is really important, and the spoken word goes through. That is where we see ourselves. If you look at Unified Communication, people are coming up with products of various kinds of all the things in a single box, whereas we are focused only on the audio side of it. Also, you would appreciate that we are focused on the audio side of the meeting, which is probably the experiential side of the meeting as well.

Ex: The pandemic taught us something or the other what were your learnings?

MJ: On a very holistic level, I believe we, as a human race, adapt and evolve. Basically, when you talk about Sennheiser, we had a ceiling microphone well before the pandemic. The basic idea was flexible meeting rooms then, but when we came down to the pandemic side of it, we understood touchless is something we are giving to the world with our products. The Team Connect ceiling, as I mentioned earlier, shows the innovation side of Sennheiser. It is something which I also now personally believe that there is always something better to look at. Pandemic was a torrid time, from an economic point of view and a mental point of view. Everyone was stressed, but it helped us understand that we need to bring out, come out with products that help the usability part of it, the ease of use, and find out the right fit for the environment. I learned a lot about understanding the human psyche during the two years of the Pandemic, and I’m still learning.

Ex: What do you think is the future of wireless audio?

MJ: Huge, extremely huge if you talk about the future of wireless audio, but at the same time, it is a category that is evolving. There are a lot of challenges when you talk about wireless. It’s been twelve years now that I have been in this industry and I’ve seen many products which have come up earlier. Due to this, I understood that earlier, whenever you had to sync a transmitter and receiver, it used to take 90 seconds or something, but now when you look at our Speech Line wireless series, it takes not more than 30 seconds. You just have to push two buttons, and you’re good to go. This shows the ease of use one is looking at. Wireless ultimately is the future and is a big game-changer, but I understand when you look at higher data translations and all, wireless is still evolving as a field. There is a lot of research going on in the market, and many new things on the wireless front have come up.

Ex: So, what are the challenges and opportunities ahead?

MJ: If you look at it from a purely factual perspective, the Pandemic 2020 was one of the most challenging years for everyone economically. I can probably say that we came back to our 2019 levels in terms of the business. And what I heard earlier was the pundits of the market were saying that it would take at least three years for the companies to come back to their normal scale. Though, I believe there are a lot of opportunities and that the pro-audio-video market specifically has a fantastic scope. The government has also put in a lot of money in terms of that infrared development because we need to also look at our GDP levels. Employment rates are soaring high. Things are moving in the right direction. A lot of funding from foreign companies is also coming in. Companies like Google and Facebook have also set up shops in India. If I talk purely about the pro-AV market, many big integrators who are huge names in the US have also started setting up shops in India. So that shows the amount of opportunity that is there. So, yes, that is one thing which we feel that there is a lot of scope for the pro-audio-video industry in India, and we believe that we can play a significant role and a very important part in the entire growth story of India. The biggest challenge is probably a very niche segment when you talk about challenges. India inherently has moved towards a lot of consumerism as of now. And a lot of focus generally tends to go into the consumer feed, which is a good thing and has a lot of scopes in terms of growth in India.

Ex: What are your expansion plans, and how are you strengthening Biscom?

MJ: BizCom globally has come out as a separate segment some years back, but now the focus is on India. We have three offices in India, and we’ve got four excellent service centres in India. So that shows the amount of investment Sennheiser has already put into India, and I can probably say we are probably the only company in India that’s got three offices and four service excellence centers. That also helps emphasize the point wherein we are passionate about the sound and the experience we provide to our partners and our customers. And for us, experience is not just about that meeting. The experience starts from the day when we start discussing the requirement. Right from the presale part to the post-sale wherein the product has been sold and we behave like a family together. So that is where we see ourselves putting in. And I think we are going in the right stead, and we believe a lot of things will happen in the future.

Ex: With digitalization gaining rapid significance, which products, according to you, are selling like hotcakes?

MJ: Hybrid workflows and teleconferencing are here to stay. As I mentioned earlier, we’ve got three clear-cut business segments on which we are focusing our energies – The Government, Corporate installations and higher education solutions. Also, if you look at it, the majority of the audio requirement comes down to either a presentation or lecture room or a meeting or a conference room. This is where people congregate together and have a discussion across the globe. Digitalization is playing its part in terms of bringing people together.

Ex: What does Sennheiser bring on the plate?

MJ: We bring the audio quality required to have that experience, that world-class experience that we pride ourselves on. The basic premise of using our products is we want people to feel who are even on the far end to be a part of the meeting room, that they are within that meeting room when they are having that discussion. A couple of product lines such as our Team Connect family, the Team Connect Ceiling two, a ceiling microphone for 20 packs or above room size, and the Team Connect Intelligence Speaker, which is launching today for six to ten people room. The mid-size rooms are the game changes that I feel will bring a lot of value not only on the monetary side to the company but also on the experience side of our end customers. There is a Speech Line Digital wireless series, which we have in our portfolio. We’ve got a lot of products in that particular family, which is on the wireless side and the Team Connect family is on the wired side. Additionally, this is gaining a lot of traction because of the things you’re bringing to the plate. We’re bringing out AES 256 encryption on a wireless side, remote monitoring, and control as per the increase in demand. If you’ve got a large installation, probably 200 wireless microphones sitting down together, you would require at least three or four supervisors to take care of the entire facility. But now you don’t need that as everything is on the network, so you can manage it and control it correctly and without the hassles of running around the rooms, with 18 hours of battery backup. These are some of the things we are bringing onto the plate. Technology and feature-wise, probably Sennheiser is doing a lot to make life easier for the end-user and all the stakeholders involved in managing a facility. We feel are the product lines that will help us gain ground.

Ex: What’s your unique formula for work-life balance?

MJ: Since we’re talking about work-life balance, I think it’s a very cliched thing that you need to find time for your family, and the past two years have taught me a lot on that front. During these two years, I changed my entire schedule, so I started getting up at 05:30 in the morning. I have enough time to spend with my kids. I make it a point that we play together on weekends, where all the stress goes out.

Ex: Some productivity apps or gadgets you use in your daily life?

MJ: I am a big fan of the Apple Health app that helps me control the daily steps I take, and again I think these two years of covert have taught me a lot about health as a subject. And again, it’s not just about physical health; it is also about mental health. So that health app, just one app, has given me a lot of insights about what I’m doing and how am I doing it. That is something which I did. I’ve been doing a lot of workouts over the past two and a half years. I lost about 16 kg. So that’s something that is keeping me going. So I’m not more of an app or a techie guy, but I like to keep things simple, just how it helps me and those changes have to be visible, so that’s more or less of it. I’m not much of a techie guy, and that’s why probably I’m delighted to meet people face to face after such a long time. I’m probably the happiest person now since the restrictions have been lifted.

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