Archives 2024

Redmi Note 13 series, which was unveiled in China in September 2023, is confirmed to launch in India on January 4. The lineup consists of three models – the Redmi Note 13 5G, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, and the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. All of the handsets in the lineup include 6.67-inch 1.5K full-HD+ AMOLED screens and 16-megapixel front cameras. The phones have already been confirmed to be available in the country through Amazon and Flipkart. Ahead of the lineup’s India debut, the likely price points of the models have surfaced online.

Tipster Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) shared a list that shows the colour options, RAM and storage configurations and prices of the Redmi Note 13 5G models. Notably, he also warns that he is not sure about the accuracy of the information, therefore, the following details must be taken with a pinch of salt.

Expected India price of Redmi Note 13 5G series
Photo Credit: X/ @yabhishekhd

According to the leak, the base Redmi Note 13 5G will likely be priced at Rs. 20,999 for its 6GB + 128GB option, while the 8GB + 256GB and the 12GB + 256GB options could be marked at Rs. 22,999 and Rs. 24,999, respectively. It is expected to be available in Prism Gold, Arctic White, and Stealth Black shades

The Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, on the other hand, is said to start from Rs. 28,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, whereas the 12GB + 256GB option could be priced at Rs. 32,999. The leak shows that this Pro model will likely be offered in Arctic White, Coral Purple, and Midnight Black colours.

The top-of-the-line Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, is expected to be available in three configurations. As per the leak, the 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB variants will likely be offered at Rs. 33,999, Rs. 35,999 and Rs. 37,999, respectively. This model is said to launch in India in Fusion White, Fusion Purple, and Fusion Black colourways.

The Indian variants of the Redmi Note 13 5G models are expected to get similar specifications as their Chinese counterparts. In China, the base model is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC, while the Pro and Pro+ models respectively come with Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra chipsets.

---

CES 2024: The countdown to the highly anticipated Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 has begun, promising a spectacle of groundbreaking tech innovations set to unfold in Las Vegas starting January 9. This year, the spotlight is firmly on Artificial Intelligence (AI), with industry giants like Amazon, Asus, Dell, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel converging to showcase their latest offerings.

Unlike the previous years, where generative AI technology simmered beneath the surface, CES 2024 is gearing up to be a game-changer. Last year, the CES landscape seemed almost primitive compared to what’s expected this time. The unveiling of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022 has created an AI arms race that is set to reach its zenith at CES 2024.

We are now on WhatsApp. Click to join.

CES 2024 Transforms into an AI Bazaar

Anshel Sag, a principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, aptly describes the AI influx, stating, “If you thought it was a wave last year, it’s going to be a tsunami this year,” as reported by Wired.com. Brace yourselves for an AI takeover, as CES transforms into a bustling bazaar of tech, with new gadgets, prototypes, and startups.

AI is set to find its way into cars, scooters, headphones, cameras, speakers, and televisions. The evolution of ChatGPT-style question-and-response services will be on full display, offering seamless interaction. Moreover, companies like Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD are expected to unveil chips supporting on-device AI services, enabling tasks like computer vision and voice-to-text services to feel more instantaneous.

As AI dominates CES 2024, Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, suggests that, like the internet, AI will become an inherent ingredient, eventually fading into the background as it becomes commonplace.

While AI may steal the spotlight, it’s not the sole trend to watch for at CES. As the stage is set for a technological extravaganza, CES 2024 promises to be the epicenter of innovation, where industry trends are shaped, and the future unfolds before our eyes.

iPhone 16 series is expected to succeed the iPhone 15 lineup which was launched in September 2023. The series included four models – the base iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The upcoming series has previously been suggested to feature larger displays, alongside other improved specifications. Complete dimensions of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models have been earlier suggested. A new report reiterates that the iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to carry larger screens than preceding models. 

A MacRumors report suggests that the purported iPhone 16 Pro‌‌ model is likely to sport a 6.27-inch (159.31 mm) display, while the ‌‌iPhone 16 Pro‌‌ Max is likely to get a 6.85-inch (174.06 mm) panel. This is bigger than the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch panels of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, respectively.

The report states that the iPhone 16 Pro model may measure 149.6mm x 71.45mm x 8.25mm in size and weigh 194g. The older iPhone 15 Pro model measures 146.6mm x 70.6mm x 8.25mm and weighs 187g. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, on the other hand, is tipped to measure 163mm x 77.58mm x 8.25mm and it is said to weigh 225g, whereas the preceding iPhone 15 Pro Max weighs 221g and measures 159.9mm x 76.7mm x 8.25mm. Previously, leaked CAD files of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max as well as DSCC analyst Ross Young also suggested larger screens.

An earlier report also suggested that the iPhone 16 Pro Max model may launch with an ‘Ultra’ branding for the first time in the lineup’s history. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are tipped to be equipped with tetraprism telephoto lenses, similar to the one featured in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

All iPhone 16 models have also been previously tipped to get in-house A18 chipsets and ship with the iOS 18 operating system. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has also suggested that a new dedicated button for taking a video, called a ‘Capture Button,’ will be featured in the upcoming iPhone 16 models. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models have also been tipped to get the Action Button, which is now available exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro models.

---

WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will allow users to search for others on the platform by their usernames, eliminating the need to share phone numbers. The new feature is currently in development for WhatsApp Web and it is expected to be rolled out to mobile users as well in a future update.
The feature was previously made available to some users for testing on its Android app.Once it is available, users will be able to search for other users by their username, phone number, or name.
“It will be possible to search for users by entering their username into the search bar, in a future update of the web client,” said a report by WABetainfo.
“This username-based search feature will enhance user experience by eliminating the need for phone numbers, providing a convenient and privacy-conscious method for users to discover and connect with others within the WhatsApp ecosystem,” it added.
Feature available on Telegram
The username-based search feature is similar to a feature that is already available on Telegram, a competing messaging app. This will make it much easier to connect with people you know without having to share your phone number with them – a major privacy improvement for the messaging app, which has long been criticised for requiring users to give up their personal contact information in order to connect with others.
Other WhatsApp features
WhatsApp is also said to be working on various other features, including one that will allow users to create usernames from the WhatsApp Web application and a feature that will allow users to change their WhatsApp username at any time. These new features are all part of WhatsApp’s effort to make the app more user-friendly and more privacy-focused.

As per an online report, a clinical researcher in Pune has fallen prey to an online investment scam, resulting in a substantial financial setback of Rs 2.1 crore. The fraudulent scheme revolved around a fictitious share market investment platform that cunningly appropriated the identity of a well-established US-based venture capital fund. This incident stands out as one of the most significant online frauds experienced in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad in recent memory.
What is an investment scam
An investment scam is a fraudulent scheme that entices people to invest money with the promise of high returns, but with the intention of stealing their money instead.Scammers use various tactics to deceive investors, including:
Making unrealistic promises: Offering guaranteed high returns with little to no risk is a classic red flag. Remember, the higher the promised return, the higher the risk involved.
Creating a sense of urgency: Scammers might pressure you to make a quick decision before you have time to do your research. Don’t let anyone rush you into an investment.
Using fake or misleading information: Scammers might lie about the investment itself, the potential returns, or even the qualifications of the people involved.
Targeting specific groups: Scammers often prey on retirees, seniors, or people with limited financial knowledge. Be extra cautious if you are in one of these groups.
Common types of investment scams include:
* Ponzi schemes: These schemes pay early investors with money from new investors, creating the illusion of success. Eventually, the scheme collapses when there are not enough new investors to pay everyone.
* Pump-and-dump schemes: Scammers artificially inflate the price of a stock through false or misleading information, then sell their own shares at a high price before the price crashes.
* Phishing scams: Scammers send emails or text messages that appear to be from legitimate financial institutions, tricking you into revealing your personal or financial information.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from investment scams:
* Never invest in anything you don’t understand. Do your research and ask questions before investing any money.
* Be wary of unsolicited offers. If someone you don’t know calls or emails you about an investment opportunity, it’s probably a scam.
* Don’t be pressured into making a quick decision. Take your time and do your research before investing any money.
* Get advice from a trusted financial advisor. A qualified advisor can help you evaluate investment opportunities and make informed decisions.

India’s ISRO launched its first satellite, XPoSat, on Monday to study black holes as it seeks to deepen its space exploration efforts ahead of an ambitious crewed mission next year. The spacecraft, named X-ray Polarimeter Satellite, was propelled into an orbit of 350 kilometers from an island near India’s main spaceport of Sriharikota, off the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, according to S. Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. The XPoSat satellite, weighing about 470 kilograms, will carry out research on X-rays emanating from around 50 celestial objects with the help of two payloads built by ISRO and a Bengaluru-based research institute.

NASA launched a similar mission, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, in 2021 to answer questions such as why black holes spin and build on the findings of its flagship telescope Chandra X-ray Observatory that blasted off more than two decades ago. China’s National Space Administration launched the country’s first X-ray space telescope to observe black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts in 2017.

India’s upcoming projects include its first launch of astronauts on a crewed mission, named Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2025. After a successful spacecraft landing near the lunar south pole last year, India is planning to develop a next-generation launch vehicle and a new launchpad, with the goal of landing people on the moon by 2040.

The country is also seeking to tie up with other space majors to further its ambitions. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson visited India in November ahead of a joint US-Indian Earth-observing mission scheduled for launch in 2024.

Xiaomi is all set to launch its new smartphone series in India in the new year. The company has confirmed that it will launch the Redmi Note 13 series of smartphones in the country this week.
The Chinese smartphone maker will launch the Redmi Note 13, Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ smartphones in India. The company has scheduled a launch event for January 4, where it will launch all the three smartphones.Xiaomi has already launched the three smartphones in China and it’s expected to bring the same variants to the Indian market.
Redmi Note 13 series expected price
Multiple online leaks suggest that Redmi Note 13 will be the most affordable smartphone of the series. The Redmi Note 13 is tipped to come with a starting price tag of Rs 20,999. On the other hand, the price of Redmi Note 13 Pro and Note 13 Pro+ is expected to start from Rs 28,999 and Rs 33,999 respectively.
Redmi Note 13 series specifications
All three smartphones share a common 6.67-inch AMOLED panel featuring a rapid 120Hz refresh rate. Notably, the Pro variants take exclusivity a step further by supporting an impressive 1.5K resolution. Distinguishing themselves under the hood, the Redmi Note 13 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset, while the Pro model operates on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 mobile platform. The top-tier Pro+ model boasts the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC, elevating its performance capabilities.
In the photography domain, the standard model employs a dual rear camera setup, while the Pro model enhances the experience with a triple rear camera arrangement. The Redmi Note 13 showcases a 100MP primary sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 16MP front-facing camera. In contrast, the Pro and Pro+ variants step into professional-grade photography with a robust 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP3 primary rear sensor featuring optical image stabilization (OIS). They are complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP macro unit, and a 16MP front sensor for capturing stunning selfies.
Turning attention to battery capacity, both the standard and high-end Pro+ variants house a robust 5,000mAh battery, while the Pro model slightly edges ahead with a 5,100mAh battery. Charging capabilities exhibit a hierarchy, with the Redmi Note 13, Note 13 Pro, and Note 13 Pro+ supporting 33W, 67W, and an impressive 120W fast charging, respectively. All three models are poised to operate on the MIUI 14 operating system, based on the robust foundation of Android 13.

Google Maps, a ubiquitous navigation app, not only helps you find your way but also allows you to share your live location with friends, family, or colleagues. Whether you’re meeting up with someone, coordinating travel plans, or simply letting loved ones know you’re safe, sharing your live location on Google Maps is a straightforward process.
Here’s a general guide on how to share your live location using Google Maps:

Open Google Maps:

Based on the rumors that we’ve come across so far, it looks as though the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is going to bring with it the most significant upgrades when Samsung launches its next batch of flagship phones – and that apparently covers video recordings too.

Well-known leaker Ice Universe (via Notebookcheck) has hinted that the Ultra model will be able to record footage at a 4K resolution and up to 120 frames per second (fps). That’s impressive – but the tipster does note that this feature is still in “testing” and may not ultimately be included.

iPhone 15 series can now be bought at significantly lowered prices in India. Retailer Vijay Sales has announced its Apple Days sale, where several Apple products are listed at discounted rates. The sale is valid from December 31, 2023, to January 7, 2024 in the country. Users can earn loyalty points during the purchase of iPhone 15 series phones, multiple iPad and MacBook models, and AirPods during this sale. Select bank card holders may also be eligible for additional discounts, which helps lower the effective price even further.

The iPhone 15 series was launched in September 2023 with four models – iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Including an instant discount offer of Rs. 3,000 on HDFC credit and debit cards, the 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage variants of the top-of-the-line iPhone 15 Pro Max can be purchased at Rs. 1,46,240, Rs. 1,61,900 and Rs. 1,69,990, respectively via the Vijay Sales website.

Meanwhile, the 128GB option of the iPhone 15 Pro can be bought for as low as Rs. 1,22,900, including HDFC card offers. Including the same offers, the 256GB, 512GB and 1TB variants can be purchased at Rs. 1,32,240, Rs. 1,48,900 and Rs. 1,59,990, respectively.

The iPhone 13 is available during the ongoing Apple Days sale starting at Rs. 50,820, which includes an instant discount of up to Rs. 1,000 on HDFC Bank cards. Customers will earn 0.75 percent loyalty points on all purchases of Apple products via the online site or offline stores during this sale, Vijay Sales confirmed.

The retailer is also offering the iPad (9th Generation) starting at Rs. 27,900, while the iPad (10th Generation) can be purchased at Rs. 33,430. During this sale, the iPad Air (5th Generation) starts at Rs. 50,680, whereas the iPad Pro starts at Rs. 79,900. These prices include an instant discount of up to Rs. 4,000 on HDFC Bank cards.

Among other Apple products offered at discounted rates, the MacBook Pro with M3 chip starts in India from Rs. 1,47,910, while the M3 Pro chip model is available from Rs. 1,74,910. The MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip, on the other hand, can be bought for as low as Rs. 2,82,910 and the MacBook Pro model with the M2 chip starts at Rs. 1,10,270. MacBook Air models with M2 and M1 chipsets are respectively listed to start from Rs. 96,960 and Rs. 74,900. These prices include a flat instant discount of Rs. 5,000 on HDFC cards.

Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Series 8 and Watch SE (2nd Gen) start from Rs. 36,310, Rs. 32,620 and Rs. 25,690, respectively, including an instant discount of up to Rs. 2,500 HDFC cards. AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) can also be bought for as low as Rs. 18,990 inclusive of a flat Rs. 2,000 instant discount on HDFC Bank cards.

---