Star Trek: Lower Decks – arguably the best Star Trek series, if its flawless ratings from critics are anything to go by – will make its final voyage later this year. The show will come to a close after its next season, its fifth, which is expected to air later in 2024.
But there’s some solace for Star Trek fans, as Stark Trek: Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a fourth season. If a fifth season is the streaming equivalent of the red uniform that indicates one of the teleported team isn’t coming back, that means Star Trek: Strange New Worlds should still be around for at least one more season after that.
The news of Star Trek: Lower Decks’ cancellation comes via show creator Mike McMahan and co-producer Alex Kurtzman. In a message shared with the Star Trek website, they wrote: “We wanted to let you know that this fall will be the fifth and final season of Star Trek: Lower Decks. While five seasons of any series these days seems like a miracle, it’s no exaggeration to say that every second we’ve spent making this show has been a dream come true.”
Stay tuned for the “hilarious” fifth and final season
According to the duo: “We’re excited for the world to see our hilarious fifth season which we’re working on right now, and the good news is that all previous episodes will remain on Paramount+ so there is still so much to look forward to as we celebrate the Cerritos crew with a big send-off… We remain hopeful that even beyond season five, Mariner, Boimler, Tendi, Rutherford and the whole Cerritos crew will live on with new adventures.”
Fans of the show will be disappointed. It’s been consistently great, with season four currently sitting at an impressive 100% on Rotten Tomatoes – that’s higher than even the first season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which has 99%. As Rolling Stone put it: “Next Generation and Deep Space Nine took a while to find themselves, and so did Lower Decks” – the fourth season has “become a highlight of this current phase of TV Trek”.
Hopefully it’s some consolation that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been renewed for another season. It’s currently sitting with a 98% rating based on 99% for season one and 97% for season two. CBR says “it’s shows like Strange New Worlds that confirm there is plenty of life in the venerable science fiction franchise, giving fans plenty to look forward to every Thursday for the exciting adventures of Captain Pike and his Enterprise”, while The Mary Sue says that “Strange New Worlds shows that there’s still plenty of life left in the classic Star Trek format.”
All the seasons so far of Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds are streaming on Paramount Plus.
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The global smartphone market has seen a major increase in sales over the first three months of 2024, new figures have claimed.
In the first calendar quarter of 2024, 289.4 million smartphone shipments were made during Q1 2024, up from 268.5 million during the same period of 2023 – equivalent to a 7.8% year-on-year increase.
The data fromthe latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, the figures also indicate a shift away from iOS, noting fewer shipments of Apple devices and Samsung’s retake of first place after several quarters.
Samsung leads the way
Both Apple and Samsung shipped fewer smartphones in Q1 2024 compared with Q1 2023, however they also switched positions. The most recent figures suggest that Samsung claims a 20.8% market share, with Apple taking a smaller 17.3% slice.
The figures also reveal the power and scale of the Chinese smartphone market, with Xiamo shipments rising 33.8% year-on-year to 40.8 million and Transsion shipments shooting up by a staggering 84.9% to 28.5 million.
Ryan Reith, Group VP with IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers, commented: “While IDC expects [Samsung and Apple] to maintain their hold on the high end of the market, the resurgence of Huawei in China, as well as notable gains from Xiaomi, Transsion, OPPO/OnePlus, and vivo will likely have both OEMs looking for areas to expand and diversify.”
A separate Canalys report regarding Q4 2023 also noted the impact of improving macroeconomic conditions in the APAC region, pushing up consumer demand for new models.
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Sanyam Chaurasia, Senior Analyst at Canalys, added: “Transsion and Xiaomi have benefited from these strong mass-market rebounds, achieving remarkable year-on-year growth in the fourth quarter.”
Looking ahead, the smartphone market shows no signs of slowing. Nabila Popal, research director with IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team, revealed that the average selling prices are on the up as consumers seek more expensive models.
The exciting times are yet to come as we witness how what Popal calls a “shift in power” plays out against continuing geopolitical tensions, but one thing’s for certain, says Popal: “The smartphone market is emerging from the turbulence of the last two years.”
When it comes to the best smart rings currently available, Oura has to be in the conversation: its 3rd-gen model was launched in October 2021, and in our Oura Ring 3 review we praised its sleep monitoring and heart rate tracking, with a design we described as “smooth and comfortable”.
As the 4th-gen Oura smart ring looks likely to arrive this year, we’re keen to see how it’s going to improve on the current model – particularly with the Samsung Galaxy Ring going on sale later this year. While we don’t know everything there is to know about the Galaxy Ring yet, it certainly seems like a strong Oura rival.
We haven’t heard anything official about the Oura Ring 4 yet, but it shouldn’t be too far off now, considering we’re now several years on from the Oura Ring 3. Here we’ll take you through all the leaks and rumors swirling around the smart ring, together with the new features we want to see – and we’ll be updating this guide regularly, so check back often.
Oura Ring 4: release date and price
The Oura Ring 3 is due a successor (Image credit: Future)
Unlike some consumer gadgets – such as the best smartphones, for example – the Oura smart ring isn’t refreshed every year around the same time. However, there is something of a pattern: we had the Oura Ring 1 in 2015, the Oura Ring 2 in 2018, and as we’ve already said, the Oura Ring 3 launched in 2021.
That suggests the Oura Ring 4 is very much due in 2024, but there hasn’t been any official word from Oura that a new model is in development. Speaking to Tom’s Guide, Oura CEO Tom Hale would only mention “new features” for the year ahead, not new hardware. And we haven’t seen any leaks or rumors around an imminent launch yet either.
As for pricing, the Oura Ring 3 currently starts at $299 / £299 (about AU$460). That matches the pricing of its predecessor, so we’re hoping that the next model stays at the same level – though with various market forces to contend with, it might cost slightly more.
Oura Ring 4: leaks and rumors
We haven’t seen a huge number of leaks around the Oura Ring 4 yet, but there have been some hints about what to expect: Oura’s acquisition of digital identity company Proxy in May 2023, for example, suggests there might be something to do with digital payments in the offing. Might the next Oura Ring offer contactless payments?
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That’s not certain, but what we do know is that Oura has recently launched a beta software program for those who want to try out new features first (though at the time of writing, it’s only available on iOS). It’s called Oura Labs, and it shows the company’s commitment to getting even more insights out of the data collected by its smart ring.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring has given Oura something else to think about (Image credit: Samsung)
The first feature to be tested in Oura Labs is Symptom Radar, which monitors a variety of biometrics logged by the ring to pre-emptively warn users about potential issues – so if you’re starting to show a lot of fatigue, you might be advised to get more rest in, for example. It’s a feature that might debut in full with the Oura Ring 4.
Otherwise, the biggest indicator that a new Oura ring is on the way is the expected launch of the Samsung Galaxy Ring in July 2024. We’ve only seen a prototype so far, but it’s going to offer some advanced, AI-assisted sleep insights, and Oura is going to want to keep pace with both the hardware and the software offered by Samsung this year.
Oura Ring 4: what we want to see
The Oura Ring 3 is good… but it could be better (Image credit: Oura)
The years of experience the TechRadar team has had with the Oura Ring 3 mean we’ve got a pretty good idea of where the device works really well, and what it still needs to improve on. If anyone from Oura is reading, here are the improvements we’d like to see from the next generation of the smart ring.
1. Easier fitting
Getting the right Oura ring for you isn’t the most straightforward process, because you first need to try on a selection of plastic mock-ups, to find the right size for your fingers. The good news is, Oura knows it’s a bit tedious, and says that it’s “always looking for ways” to improve the process – may we suggest an augmented reality smartphone app?
2. Greater accuracy
We didn’t have many complaints in our Oura Ring 3 review, but the device did occasionally have an issue in terms of correctly identifying workouts – with cooking or hair brushing sometimes counting towards our daily goals. With more data pouring into Oura’s algorithms every day, hopefully this can be improved upon with the Oura Ring 4.
3. More stats
The Oura Ring 3 excels in terms of collecting stats relating to heart rate and sleep quality, but if you’re someone who already relies on one of the best running watches, the tracking in this regard isn’t quite up to par. That’s due in part to the limitations of the smart ring as a device, but we’re hoping the Oura engineers can make some improvements in this area.
4. Refined design
There’s no doubt a smart ring is less obtrusive and more comfortable than a smartwatch or even a fitness tracker – especially when it comes to wearing a device in bed – but as rings go, the Oura Ring 3 is a little on the chunky side. We’re hoping for a lighter and thinner model next time, and perhaps made out of a more durable material too.
5. Cheaper subscriptions
We understand that Oura needs to turn a profit, but we also know users are overwhelmed with digital subscriptions for their software and their hardware – and to get at the most advanced insights offered by the Oura Ring 3, you need to pay $5.99 a month in the US. It’s not a huge amount on its own, but it all adds up.
Outside the US, it’s $6.99 a month, about £5.50 or AU$10.75. If Oura could shave a little off the monthly cost, we’d appreciate it, or perhaps it could offer one or two months free, if you sign up for the year. To be fair, the Oura Ring 3 came with six months of premium membership free, and we’re hoping it’s the same with the Oura Ring 4.
We were promised more AI video updates at Adobe Summit 2024 – and here’s the first. Adobe has offered a sneak peak at generative AI video tools coming to Premiere Pro.
Powered by Adobe Firefly, the new AI tools are set to give professional video editors new ways to add post-production polish. Early comments appear broadly positive, likening the tools to a VFX powerhouse After Effects – but we’ll have to wait until May to see how that comparison holds up.
We took a look at what’s new from Adobe and how the new non-destructive Firefly AI tools could change the way you edit videos.
A useful tool for when the narrative needs that extra beat, Generative Extend is the definition of ‘fix it in post’. The AI here adds additional frames to clips, giving editors more to play with. According to Adobe, the “breakthrough technology creates extra media for fine-tuning edits, to hold on a shot for an extra beat or to better cover a transition.”
2. Adding and removing objects
A familiar set of tools for genAI users, Object Addition and Object Removal are making their debut on Premiere Pro. In Adobe’s preview video, we’re shown a case of diamonds. As with any AI art generator, by selecting an area of the frame and writing a text-to-video prompt, users will be able to add to the scene. In this case, more diamonds. Other uses highlighted are adding or removing unwanted props, set dressing, brand logos, and crew, which may lead to a dangerous drop in IMDb-listed goofs.
3. Third-party support
This is an intriguing proposition for any video pro currently using other AI tools. Adobe Firefly’s Premiere Pro will let users use models from third-party sources, including Pika, Runway, and Sora from OpenAI to find the best shot for the project. These last two examples will use text-prompts directly inside Premiere Pro, creating variations that can be added straight to the timeline. Adobe are calling these ‘explorations,’ and since Sora itself is still very much in beta, expect this one to develop over time.
4. VFX workflows
As soon as Adobe revealed the tools, the inevitable comparisons to After Effects came tumbling in. From what we’ve seen, there’s no denying the tools are effectively light visual effects tools. Ok, it doesn’t quite look like an alternative to After Effects just yet. But the tools add an extra level of VFX, letting users tidy up footage without jumping between software.
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5. Audio workflows are changing too
Alongside the headline-grabbing video tools, the company is introducing a handful of generative AI audio tools – also set for a May release. Expect interactive fade handles, automatic AI tagging to categorize music, ambience, sound effects, or dialogue, and redesigned waveforms that should make it quicker to ‘read’ the project.
Bonus: Content credentials
Alright, it might not radically alter anyone’s workflow, but since Firefly’s introduction, Adobe has been championing more transparency around AI usage media. With Content Credentials, users can see if AI was used, and which training model, in the creation of the footage.
“Adobe is reimagining every step of video creation and production workflow to give creators new power and flexibility to realize their vision. By bringing generative AI innovations deep into core Premiere Pro workflows, we are solving real pain points that video editors experience every day, while giving them more space to focus on their craft,” said said Ashley Still, Senior Vice President, Creative Product Group at Adobe.
Samsung is going all in on ultra-large-screen TVs for 2024, with 98-inch screen sizes found across its 8K and 4K ‘Neo QLED” mini-LED and regular QLED series sets. This year’s new 98-inch models from those lineups are already available, but Samsung today announced a new 98-inch model, the Samsung DU9000 Crystal 4K TV.
The 98-inch DU9000 costs $3,999 and is available now at Samsung.com and select retailers. If that price seems surprisingly low for a Samsung 4K TV at this size, that’s because it is. By comparison, the 98-inch version of the new Samsung QN90D mini-LED is priced at $14,999.
Many of the best TVs are getting supersized – 98-inch is the new 85-inch in 2024. But bigger screens mean bigger pixels in the TV’s display panel, and that factor can reveal picture noise and other flaws that might not be visible on smaller-screen TVs. To address this, Samsung’s new ultra-large TVs, the DU9000 included, feature the new Supersize Picture Enhancer. According to Samsung, this feature reduces noise and increases sharpness on a per-pixel basis for both 4K and upscaled sources, so you’ll get a good, consistent viewing experience even when watching on a mega-size screen.
Gaming is also a focus of Samsung’s 98-inch DU9000. The company’s press release for the new TV was light on specs, but the CU9000 series TVs Samsung released in 2023 featured 3 HDMI inputs with 4K 120Hz support – a feature we look for in the best gaming TVs – and the new DU9000 series will presumably offer the same.
Looking beyond connectivity, the 98-inch DU9000 will have the Tizen smart TV interface found in other Samsung TVs, which features the Gaming Hub for cloud-based gaming from apps including Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now, Utomik, and more. Samsung’s updated Game Bar 4.0 menu now provides an AI Auto setting that adjusts picture and sound settings based on the game genre and mini-map auto-detection to enhance gameplay.
Samsung’s 98-inch DU9000: your dream gaming TV?
As someone used to viewing with a 4K projector on a 100-inch screen, I can confirm that bigger screens are way better for watching movies. I also once played Xbox on a 120-inch screen, and the vast sense of visual immersion the setup provided seriously boosted the gaming experience.
At $3,999, the 98-inch Samsung DU9000 is a great deal for a screen that size. But the DU9000 is part of the company’s Crystal TV lineup, and those models omit the quantum dot display and full array local dimming backlight found in the company’s higher-end QLED and Neo QLED TV lines. When TechRadar reviewed a 75-inch Samsung CU8000 TV, the step-down version of the DU8000 in Samsung’s Crystal TV family, we found its peak brightness and black uniformity lacking. That’s not to say the same performance characteristics will necessarily carry over to the DU9000 series, but quantum dot tech and full array local dimming do make a substantial difference – something we confirmed when we compared the CU8000 to the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED, a budget TV that provides those features.
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High peak brightness helps 4K movies with HDR look their best and uniform blacks help shadows in images to look solid and deep. For movie fans, those performance aspects of a TV are important and worth investing in, which is a good reason why you’d want to consider paying considerably more for a mini-LED model like the Samsung QN90D.
Gamers may not be as fussy about HDR highlight detail and shadow definition in images as movie fans, though they may want the sense of visual immersion that an ultra-large TV provides. At $3,999 for a 98-inch screen, the Samsung DU9000 with its strong gaming feature set could be the ultimate gaming TV, and we’re hoping it will look good with movies as well.
Despite being Samsung’s most expensive phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 isn’t available in very many colors, so once you’ve decided you want to spend big on a flagship foldable, you’re quite limited in your shade selection. So far, it looks like the same might be true of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
While none of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 colors have been confirmed just yet, we have seen some leaks about the possible options, including one source who specifically claims there will be just three Galaxy Z Fold 6 shades.
This would largely be in line with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, except on top of that there are two Samsung.com exclusive colors, bringing the total to five. So we’re hopeful that will happen again this year. For now though, we’ve heard of four possible colors, all of which you’ll find below.
Dark Blue
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in blue (Image credit: Samsung)
Our main source of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 color information so far is Ross Young (a leaker with a decent track record), who listed three shades the phone will apparently be sold in, one of which is Dark Blue.
We don’t have any images of this, but it might look similar to the blue Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, pictured above, though given the name it might be a bit darker. This is likely to be a smart shade, but one that will stand out a little more than other smart shades like black might. No word yet on whether a color-matched frame will feature, either.
Light Pink
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 in Pink (Image credit: Samsung)
Ross Young also mentioned a Light Pink shade, which once again we don’t have a picture of, and hasn’t – to date – featured as a color choice across existing Galaxy Z Fold devices, meaning this could be a truly new option.
That said, we have seen Samsung use pink on other phones, including the Galaxy Z Flip 3, which you can see in a pink shade above. So it’s possible the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6’s rumored Light Pink shade will be similar.
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Silver
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 in Phantom Silver (Image credit: Samsung)
The final color rumored by Ross Young is Silver, which is a classy, conventional, and enduringly popular shade, yet it’s one that Samsung hasn’t offered with the Z Fold line since the Phantom Silver Galaxy Z Fold 3, pictured above.
It’s possible then that if the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is offered in Silver it will look similar, but either way we’d expect this will be one of the most popular colors.
Phantom Black
A leaked render of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: @OnLeaks / SmartPrix)
The final rumored shade comes from a different source, as leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 from SmartPrix and @OnLeaks (a leaker with a great track record) show the phone in a Phantom Black shade, as you can see above.
It’s not clear whether this color is just for illustration or might actually be offered, but since the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available in five colors, we’d expect more than three for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, so it’s certainly possible.
Black is also an obvious choice, as it’s such a popular smartphone shade, and it’s one that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is also available in. However, if this shade is offered on Fold 6, then it might be exclusive to Samsung.com, since it’s not among the three shades leaked elsewhere.
Other possible colors
Given that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available in five colors, there’s a good chance the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be too, yet only four have leaked so far. So what could the other one be?
Well, it’s possible this phone will inherit some of the Z Fold 5’s colors, which for reference include Icy Blue, Phantom Black, Cream, Gray, and Blue. Now, Phantom Black is already rumored, as is a Dark Blue, so we wouldn’t expect a standard Blue to be offered in addition. Arguably Gray might also be a bit too close to the rumored Silver shade.
So that leaves Icy Blue and Cream as options, and we’d say Cream is more likely, since although Samsung offered two blues last year, we’re not sure that’s a habit it would get into, and Cream is almost white, which itself is a popular smartphone color.
Of course, there’s every chance we’ll see a different fifth color altogether, or that there won’t be five colors this year. We’ll likely find out for sure in late July, as that’s when the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is rumored to launch.
The US, where estimates suggest 40 percent of adults currently hold crypto assets, is expecting to see a rise in tax evasion cases. The US’ Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is already gearing up to handle these cases. The information was disclosed by Guy Ficco, the chief investigating officer of the IRS in the US. Ficco was speaking at the Chainalysis Links event in New York. As per the IRS official, the agency has already been seeing a rise in the number of ‘pure crypto tax crimes’ — that are separate from instances of fraud, money laundering, and scams.
The US reportedly levies taxes ranging from zero percent to 20 percent on long term capital gains. Entities that made up to $44,626 (roughly Rs. 37.2 lakh) in profits from crypto activities in 2023 will not need to pay any long-term Capital Gains Tax. Short-term capital gains, however, are taxed by up to 37 percent, depending on the profits accumulated in the US.
US nationals who knowingly lie about their crypto profits while reporting taxes are charged under the Title 26 tax code in the US. Currently, the IRS is trying to identify and crack down on this category of people.
“This could be purely not reporting income generated from crypto sales, it could be hiding the true basis in crypto. So that’s an area that we’ve seen an uptick and I anticipate there’s going to be more charged Title 26 crypto cases this year and going forward,” Ficco told CNBC in an interview.
Arming up to tackle this expected rise in crypto tax evasion cases, the IRS in the US is already forging partnerships with different divisions of law enforcement to improve the criminal identification process.
In addition, the IRS has also teamed up with Chainalysis, a blockchain analysis firm. With the help of Chainalysis, the US IRS is looking to understand the loopholes in Web3 protocols or settings that cyber criminals could exploit to get their way.
While the US is preparing to deal with crypto tax evaders, shocking details on international tax evasion cases were reported in 2023 by Divly, a Sweden-based tech research firm. The research platform, at the time, had claimed that only 0.53 percent of global crypto holders paid taxes on their crypto incomes in 2022.
As per the Divly report, at the time, Philippines had the lowest percentage of crypto taxpayers at just 0.03 percent. India had ranked third last on this index with just 0.07 percent crypto holders who had paid their crypto taxes.
In India, where all crypto profits are taxed by 30 percent, crypto players are integrating taxation services to their platforms so that their users can compute the amount and pay the government. Indian Web3 community believes that if it shows discipline and consistency in adhering to government laws, authorities could become more responsive to their needs and offer stronger support to the growth of the sector.
In July last year, Taxnodes, a crypto taxation firm, had announced that it would offer complimentary NFTs to people paying their crypto taxes through its platform.
Samsung Galaxy C55 5G could be heading to markets soon. While its launch date remains a mystery, a recent alleged Geekbench listing has offered a glimpse at its possible hardware details. The listing suggests Snapdragon 7 series chipset on the upcoming Galaxy C series handset. It appears that the handset will come with 8GB of RAM and Android 14 operating system. The Galaxy C55 5G is expected to debut as a rebranded version of the Galaxy F55 and Galaxy M55.
MySmartPrice has spotted the Samsung Galaxy C55 5G on the Geekbench benchmarking platform with model number SM-C5560. As per the listing, the phone has a chipset codenamed ‘Taro’. The chipset has a tri-cluster architecture with a prime CPU core clocked at 2.40Ghz, three cores capped at 2.36GHz and four cores with 1.86GHz speed. These CPU frequencies and the codename indicate that the handset will draw power from Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC.
The listing further shows 6.90GB of memory on Galaxy C55 5G. This could translate to 8GB RAM on paper. The benchmark listing also suggests the phone running Android 14 operating system. These details are in line with a previous report. It has scored 1,026 in single-core and 2,384 in multi-core tests.
A couple of weeks back, Galaxy C55 5G surfaced on the Google Play Console with model number m55xq. The listing indicated 6.67-inch a full-HD+ display with 1,080×2,400 pixel resolution and 450ppi pixel density on the device. It could get a triple rear camera setup, led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor. It is rumoured to pack a 5,000mAh battery supporting 25W fast charging.
The listing indicates that Samsung is planning to bring back the Galaxy C series. The Galaxy C55 5G is speculated to debut as a rebranded version of the Galaxy F55 and Galaxy M55.
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Xiaomi Smarter Living 2024 event will be held in India soon. The company announced the date and teased the launch of four new products in the country on the given day. However, the products have not yet been confirmed. We may know more about them closer to the day of the launch. For now, there is online speculation surrounding the items that are expected to launch in India. Xiaomi is expected to debut personal technology items and home appliances at the event.
In a post on X, Xiaomi India confirmed that the Smarter Living 2024 event will take place in India on April 23. The post includes a link to a microsite which teases the launch of four new products. The teasers are blurred out and therefore cannot be confirmed yet. It is speculated that the new launches would include one tablet, one true wireless (TWS) earphone, one robot vacuum mop and one hairdryer.
An earlier leak suggested that the Chinese tech giant is gearing up to launch a new Redmi Pad model, new TWS earphones with active noise cancellation (ANC), and a self-cleaning vacuum cleaner in India. However, the leak also did not share any details about the expected models.
It is being speculated that the likely TWS earphones could be the Redmi Buds 5 Pro, a premium version of the Redmi Buds 5 which were launched in India earlier this year in February at Rs. 2,999. The earphones come with 12.4mm dynamic drivers, 46dB ANC support and are claimed to offer up to 38 hours of total battery life from a single charge.
The rumoured tablet to see an India launch could be the Redmi Pad SE, which was unveiled in Europe in August 2023. Starting at EUR 199 (roughly Rs. 18,000) for the 4GB + 128GB option, the tablet comes with a 6nm octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of eMMC 5.1 onboard storage. It ships with Android 13-based MIUI Pad 14, features an 11-inch full-HD+ (1900 x 1200 pixels) LCD screen and is backed by an 8,000mAh battery with 10W wired USB Type-C charging support.
Notably, the Redmi Pad Pro was also recently introduced in China, starting at CNY 1,499 (roughly Rs. 17,300) for the 6GB + 128GB option. It includes a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, a 10,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support, a 12.1-inch 2.5K LCD panel, Xiaomi’s HyperOS and 8-megapixel front and rear cameras.
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WhatsApp was reported to be working on a new interface for its Web client with a sidebar and a dark mode last year. Now, according to a new report, the revamped design has started to roll out to some users. The new WhatsApp Web feature is said to be available to some of the users who have signed up for the Web client’s beta programme. This also hints that a public rollout may not be too far off. Notably, last week, WhatsApp also began rolling out Meta AI to some users in India.
According to a report by the WhatsApp update tracker WABetaInfo, the instant messaging platform has begun shipping out the new interface to some users. The report highlights that not all users who have signed up for the beta programme are getting the feature as the company is likely conducting a limited test currently. The new interface does not add new features but rather rearranges the position of different sections of the platform in a neatly designed area on a sidebar.
WhatsApp Web redesigned sidebar Photo Credit: WABetaInfo
Based on the screenshots shared by the publication, the new WhatsApp Web interface also comes with a dark mode, which will offer better readability for some users who prefer the black-background-white-text format. The icons for Chats, Communities, Status Updates, Channels, Archived Chats, Starred Messages, and even Broadcasted messages can be seen on the sidebar. This also offers improved navigation for Starred messages and Archived chats as the current version does not have single-click access to them.
With the new interface shipping out to beta testers now, the report also states that the feature can roll out to all users in a few weeks. Meta has been working on several features for WhatsApp. Last week, Gadgets 360 spotted the new Meta AI chatbot on WhatsApp for users in India. Later the feature also appeared on Instagram and Messenger, and a Meta spokesperson reportedly confirmed that the company was testing the feature in new regions.
Earlier, it was reported that WhatsApp was working on a link privacy feature where users would get the option to turn off link previews. The feature was designed to hide any overt information the thumbnail and the short description could show to those who might be prying over the chats.
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