YouTube has introduced its new mobile app called ‘YouTube Create’. This app offers an easy way for creators to edit their videos right from their phone. YouTube Create is currently in beta on Android in select countries, including India, with support for iOS coming in 2024.
“We’re excited to introduce the beta version of YouTube Create, a brand new app that gives mobile creators the tools they need to take their videos to the next level,” the company said on September 21.
introducing YouTube Create a new easy-to-use editing app that helps you make high-quality vids & can publish to YouTube now in *beta* in 8 countries on Android we want your feedback download in Play Store: https://t.co/eV3LZP8N2b more info: https://t.co/HnbJhl8oR7 pic.twitter.com/1tCyKAYvtu
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) September 21, 2023
With YouTube Create, users can easily make high-quality videos with editing tools, effects, filters, and transitions all in an easy-to-use interface – without the need for complicated editing tools or desktop software.
Also read: YouTube Playables will let you play games, just like in Netflix app
“We’ve been building YouTube Create with great feedback from creators in India and Singapore during our early tests, and now we’re excited to start getting this beta version of YouTube Create into the hands of creators in the U.S., UK, France, Germany, South Korea, and Indonesia,” the company said.
Also read: Google will add new vertical live feed on YouTube for mobile viewers
YouTube Create is a free of charge app which offers a handful of features and tools for mobile creators, helping them to elevate their videos and make content that their viewers will love.
Below are a few features that YouTube Create offers:
Audio cleanup: This feature helps to remove unwanted background noises.
Auto-captions: It automatically adds captions to the videos in English, Hindi, and Spanish.
Filters/effects/transitions: You can easily add filters, effects, and transitions to make the videos pop.
Royalty-free music: Get access to thousands of royalty-free songs and sound effects—all within YouTube Create. These music tracks and sound effects are copyright-safe and can be freely used in videos you monetise.
Publish directly to YouTube: Easily create and publish both Shorts and longer videos directly to your YouTube channel with just the tap of a button.
“This is just the start of all the amazing features we have planned for YouTube Create, so stay tuned for even more tools & features to come!” the company said.
You can download the new YouTube Create beta by heading to the Google Play Store.
Vivo has confirmed the launch date (not publicly) of the upcoming V29 series. The brand has made the Vivo V29 microsite live, where the colour variants, as well as some more information, is mentioned. According to the Vivo V29’s official microsite, the smartphone series is coming to India on October 4. However, the launch date is not very easy to find on the microsite. On the Vivo V29 series microsite, there’s a small banner that says “Know more”. When you click on it, a rectangular box will appear that reads “Stay Tuned till We Meet on October 4”.
Vivo launched the first Vivo V29 series model last month, the Vivo V29e. Now the Chinese brand is all set to launch two more smartphones that are the Vivo V29 and V29 Pro. Vivo will feature the 3D-curved display in the Vivo V29 series. Apart from that, the smartphone series will also feature 3D particle technology on the back. Vivo also confirmed that the Vivo 29 will weigh 186 grams and the Pro variant will weigh 188 grams. Furthermore, there will be three colour options; Majestic Red (with colour changing back panel), Himalayan Blue, and Space Black.
Also read: Vivo V29 series could launch under ₹40,000: Camera details and colour options tipped
Now talking about the specifications, the Vivo V29 is already available in other regions. Let’s see what the global variant Vivo V29 packs.
The Vivo V29 is equipped with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate. Moreover, the smartphone ships with FuntouchOS 13 skin which is based on Android 13 OS.
Also read: Vivo V29 5G spotted on BIS certification website, as Vivo confirms V29e
The smartphone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor coupled with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It is powered by a 4600mAh battery with up to 80-watt fast charging support.
Speaking of the camera, it has a 50-megapixel OIS main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel monochrome sensor. On the front, it has a 50-megapixel camera.
Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp has announced that it is making it easier for Indian users to complete a purchase directly in the chat. Users can now add items to their cart and send a payment using the method of their choice from all supported UPI apps, debit and credit cards, and more.
“Today at our global Conversations event in Mumbai we’re introducing several new features that will help speed up how to get things done with businesses in a WhatsApp chat,” the company announced today in a blogpost.
Also read: WhatsApp Channels now available in India: How to create your WhatsApp Channel?
Starting today, users in India can add items to their cart and send a payment using the method of their choice from all supported UPI apps, debit and credit cards, and more. WhatsApp has partnered with Razorpay and PayU to make paying for something as simple as sending a message.
Also read: WhatsApp will soon let you initiate group calls with up to 31 participants: Know more
The company also announced Meta Verified Businesses on WhatsApp which will make it possible for businesses to receive verification from Meta. This will help users to know that they are chatting with the right business.
“To become Meta Verified, businesses demonstrate their authenticity to Meta and in return receive a verified badge, enhanced account support and impersonation protection,” the company said.
Meta Verified will offer additional premium features to businesses including the ability to create a custom WhatsApp page that is easily discoverable via a web search, and multi-device support so multiple employees can respond to customers.
Meta Verified Businesses on WhatsApp will be tested soon with small businesses using the WhatsApp Business app.
In addition, the company launched Flows so businesses can offer more experiences like quickly choosing your train seat, ordering a meal or booking an appointment – all without leaving the chat. With Flows, businesses will be able to provide rich menus and customisable forms that support different needs. Flows will be available to businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform in the coming weeks.
Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company Neuralink has announced that it has received approval to start recruiting humans for its brain-implant trial.
“We are happy to announce that we’ve received approval from the reviewing independent institutional review board and our first hospital site to begin recruitment for our first-in-human clinical trial,” the company announced in an official blogpost on September 19, 2023.
Also read: Neuralink all set for human trials in 6 months, according to CEO Elon Musk
The PRIME Study (short for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) – an investigational medical device trial for the Neuralink’s fully-implantable, wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) – aims to evaluate the safety of the company’s implant (N1) and surgical robot (R1) and assess the initial functionality of Neuralink’s BCI for enabling people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts.
During the study, the R1 Robot will be used to surgically place the N1 Implant’s ultra-fine and flexible threads in a part of the brain that controls movement intention.
Once in place, the N1 Implant is cosmetically invisible and is intended to record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes movement intention.
The initial goal of the company’s BCI is to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.
“The PRIME Study is being conducted under the investigational device exemption (IDE) awarded by the FDA in May 2023 and represents an important step in our mission to create a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs,” Neuralink said.
The company further mentioned that those who have quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify.
According to a report by the Guardian, the company's announcement comes after months of receiving regulatory approval for a trial. Its prior animal testing is under scrutiny due to reports of trials causing unnecessary suffering.
AMD, after having unveiled their 4th Gen EPYC processors last year, has further solidified its lineup with the introduction of the EPYC 8004 Series processors. This launch culminates the 4th Gen AMD EPYC CPU family, which until now had general purpose processors based on the Zen 4 microarchitecture, codenamed Genoa. AMD had previously unveiled Genoa-X processors which brought V-Cache technology to their EPYC lineup and now, the 8004 series is all about cost and power optimised processors targeted at edge nodes. AMD EPYC 8004 series, codenamed Sienna, is also based on the same Bergamo family but with core counts capped at 64 instead of 128.
“The new EPYC 8004 Series processors extend AMD leadership in single socket platforms by offering excellent CPU energy efficiency in a package tuned to meet the needs of space and power-constrained infrastructure,” said Dan McNamara, senior vice president and general manager, Server Business, AMD. “AMD has delivered multiple generations of data centre processors that provide outstanding efficiency, performance, and innovative features. Now with our 4th Gen EPYC CPU portfolio complete, that leadership continues across a broad set of workloads – from enterprise and cloud, to intelligent edge, technical computing and more.”
AMD EPYC 8004 "Zen 4c" Processors
The new AMD EPYC 8004 processors have been built primarily for single-socket platforms. They boast of up to 64 “Zen 4c” cores coupled with 6 channels of DDR5 memory, all fitting on a much smaller footprint in the form of the new SP6 socket. The SP6 socket is meant for CPUs with 4844 pins which is significantly lesser than SP5 which has 6096 pins. As for physical footprint, the SP6 socket takes up the same amount of space as the SP3 socket i.e. 58.5 x 75.4 mm. The combination of these specs makes the new Sienna platform a good choice for applications that have restrictions on space and power consumption. Speaking of power consumption, the new EPYC 8004 processor family has a minimum configurable TDP of 70 Watts going all the way up to 255 Watts.
The entire range of AMD EPYC 8004 processors are listed below:
One of the application areas where the EPYC 8004 series is designed for is in edge deployments. These setups, often characterised by smaller server nodes, stand to gain substantially in terms of energy efficiency. Several major OEMs and partners have already rolled out solutions, specifically tuned to exploit the new EPYC 8004 processors' unique capabilities. Dell Technologies, for instance, has debuted with the PowerEdge C6615 server. Ericsson, working on telecom solutions for Cloud RAN computation acceleration, especially crucial in managing the deluge of mobile network traffic, is also coming out with solutions.
Lenovo, on the other hand, has unveiled its premium edge-centric server, the ThinkEdge SE455 V3, aiming squarely at next-gen AI applications at the edge. The EPYC 8004 series is also being utilised by Microsoft Azure for sectors such as retail and manufacturing. Supermicro also unveiled the Supermicro H13 generation of WIO Servers utilising the EPYC 8004 series processors.
Google has announced that it is rolling out the redesigned Fitbit app. The redesigned app features a new three-tab structure to help users easily access the curated health and fitness content.
“The redesigned Fitbit app starts rolling out today. The new, simplified app is now easier to use and organized around three tabs — Today, Coach and You — to bring the health and wellness information you care about front and center,” the tech giant said in a blogpost on September 19, 2023.
Also read: Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4, and Inspire 3 announced: Know their specs and software situation | Digit
According to Google, the new Fitbit app is designed to help you reach your goals. “We are committed to continuously improving the Fitbit platform and app to work toward our goal to help make the world healthier,” the company said.
Below are five ways to make the most out of the redesigned Fitbit app:
Track your physical activity — with or without a device
With the redesigned app, you can get more accurate step counts. Also, you can now track a walk, run or hike using just the Fitbit app on your phone– even if you're not wearing a Fitbit device or Google Pixel Watch.
To get started, connect your phone to the Fitbit app to automatically track steps or track your exercise directly from the Today screen.
Customise what stats you see
To customise what stats you see, tap edit at the top of the Today tab. Then you can choose your focus based on personal goals. There are several goals, for example, to move more, sleep better, manage stress or anything in between. And you can also see the most important stats.
Easily find a workout for you with the new Coach tab
You can now quickly filter workouts based on workout type, duration, required equipment, instructor and more with the new Coach tab. There is also fresh content to pump up your routine.
Easily understand your health and wellness information
Fitbit app’s charts now include easy-to-understand information about metrics and highlight patterns, helping you make sense of your health and wellness data. To view your exercise trends, Active Zone Minutes, or track how well you slept, tap on a metric to learn more about what it means for your health and wellness.
Handle your health data with easy-to-use privacy controls
You can control what's saved and shared with a simple, secure app experience backed by Google’s privacy and security features. You can review and manage your data right from the app. “And, as always, your Fitbit health and wellness data won't be used for Google ads and will be kept separate from Google ads data,” Google explained.
Google has announced that users can now find, install and use third-party add-ons directly within the video communication service Google Meet.
“You can now find, install, and use third-party applications all without having to leave Google Meet,” the tech giant said in a Workspace Updates blog post on September 18.
Also read: Google Meet users can get captions in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and more Indian languages
Moreover, since the add-ons open directly in Meet, you can share your screen with all participants, even those who don’t have the add-on or are on an unsupported platform.
The ability to find, install and use third-party apps within Google Meet is currently rolling out to all Google Workspace customers
How to find and install third-party apps within Google Meet?
Step 1. Open Google Meet and click on the “Featured add-ons” category at the top of the activities panel. Step 2. Now select the third-party app that you want to install. Once downloaded, you can start using it.
Also, you can use the “Get add-ons” button to open the Google Workspace Marketplace to browse additional add-ons for Meet. It’s important to note that in some cases, admins might have pre-installed add-ons for you or have turned off access to certain add-ons, according to Google.
Also read: How to record a Google Meet session in 5 easy steps
Last year, Google introduced the Miro integration within Google Meet – at that time, Miro would open in a separate tab with Google Meet in the sidebar. Now, the tech giant announced that Miro will open directly in Meet, allowing you to leverage Miro’s rich capabilities designed for innovation without leaving Meet. You can access the Miro integration with Meet by installing the Miro add-on in the Google Workspace Marketplace.
Earlier this month, Google Meet gained expanded language support for captions. Captions in Google Meet now support Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi & more Indian languages. For those who are unaware, captions in Google Meet allow users to view captions as everyone speaks during a meeting.
Apple announced the latest operating system for their iPhones, iOS 17 during WWDC 2023 event. Now, after three months, the tech giant has finally rolled out the iOS 17 for end-users. You can download the iOS 17 update if your iPhone is equipped with the A12 Bionic chip or better. To update your phone to iOS 17 simply navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. Once you've got iOS 17 installed on your phone, here are some cool features that you can check out.
StandBy Mode
StandBy mode is a rather simple feature added to iOS 17 and it has the ability to turn your iPhone into a smart clock. If you put your smartphone horizontally on a Magsafe wireless charger, it could turn into a smart clock that will display time, calendar, alarms, and more.
Live Voicemail
Live Voicemail can provide you with someone’s voicemail in text. This will be the real-time transcription and the feature can also decline spam calls automatically.
Voicemails
Voicemails have also been added to FaceTime audio and video calls. So if you don’t want to pick up a call, the caller can simply send you a voicemail and you can also reply through voicemail.
Also read: 5 iOS 17 features that you won’t be able to use right now
Contact Poster
This one is a really cool feature. It allows users to make their own profiles with pictures, emojis, and more. This profile will display on both the caller’s and receiver’s iPhones, something like WhatsApp calling. The calling interface has also been changed.
AirDrop upgrades
The iOS 17 has added two new features to AirDrop; Namedrop and SharePlay. NameDrop will be used to share your contact details by just tapping both of the Apple devices. It can be used on iPhones and Apple Watches. SharePlay will also do the same but it will share files like pictures, videos, etc.
The Music App
The Music App now enables you to make a collaborative playlist with your loved ones. The Users can also use SharePlay in the Music App to pick their choice of songs playing in a car.
The Message App
The Message App has been upgraded with some cool things. Apple has added some more emojis in the iMessage App. Along with that, you can now transcribe any voice message sent to you through iMessage.
Also read: iOS 17 beta 2 lets you NameDrop contacts between iPhones: How it works
Autocorrect upgrade
There are some words that the system corrects automatically even though the words are correct. With iOS 17, you can now write whatever you want but it needs to be an actual word. Additionally, your iPhone will learn how you type to make typing easier.
Check In
I always forget to inform my family and friends when I leave from somewhere or reach somewhere. In those situations, the Check In feature could be quite useful. This will help you in informing your family or friends that you have reached your destination. If you stop moving during your journey, it will send your location, battery level, and cell service status to the other person.
Journal app
With the new iOS 17 update, you will be able to access the new Journal App. This app will allow users to store their memories in a more unique way. Using machine learning, the Journal App will suggest unique ways and ideas to help us cherish our memories. Just like we usually make journal entries, the Journal App will make you do the same thing but on an app this time. You can journal based on things such as photos, music, workouts, and a lot more.
During the Worldwide Developers Conference 2023 (WWDC 2023) in June, Apple announced watchOS 10 alongside many other software-related updates for the entirety of Apple's products. Rollout of the new software releases were meant to happen in a staggered manner and the watchOS 10 update has now become available to all. This means that Apple Watch users can download and install it onto their compatible smartwatches without having to be beta testers.
The new watchOS 10 update brings a new visual language to apps enabling users to see more information at a glance. These include a new Smart Stack to show relevant widgets right when they’re needed, new watch faces, and much more.
Also read: Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2: India price and new features
New visual design and Smart Stack
With watchOS 10, Apple Watch apps such as Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, Messages, World Clock, and others, now utilise more of the Apple Watch display to showcase more information with each glance.
There is also a new Smart Stack containing widgets that display timely information that adapts to the user’s context. For example, at the beginning of the day, the Weather app will show the forecast, or, when travelling, the Smart Stack app will show boarding passes from Wallet.
Moreover, Control Center is now accessible using the side button, making it easy to quickly open it at any time, over any app.
New watch faces
The watchOS 10 update introduces five new watch faces: Snoopy, Palette, Solar Analog, Nike Globe, and Modular Ultra for Apple Watch Ultra.
Cycling
When a cycling workout session is started from the Apple Watch in watchOS 10, it will automatically show up as a Live Activity on the iPhone and, when tapped, will utilise the full screen. Workout Views, such as Heart Rate Zones, Elevation, Race Route, Custom Workouts, and a new Cycling Speed view, have been optimised for the display size of the iPhone, which can be mounted to a bike’s handlebars for convenient, easy viewing during a ride.
Also, with watchOS 10, the Apple Watch can now automatically connect to Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories, such as power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors.
Compass
With the watchOS 10 update, the Compass app on Apple Watch automatically generates two new waypoints when available: A Last Cellular Connection Waypoint will tell the last place with cellular reception, which might be useful for checking messages or making a call. In case of emergencies, a Last Emergency Call Waypoint will estimate where on the route the device had the last connection to any available carrier’s network so that an emergency call could be made.
Mental Health
With the Mindfulness app in watchOS 10, users can log their momentary emotions and daily moods. Users can turn the Digital Crown to scroll through engaging, multidimensional shapes to choose how they are feeling, select what is having the biggest impact on them, and further describe their feelings.
In the Health app in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, users can see valuable insights to identify what might be contributing to their state of mind.
Support for Group FaceTime audio
With watchOS 10, users can now initiate playback of a FaceTime video message and view it directly on Apple Watch. Additionally, Group FaceTime audio is now supported on Apple Watch.
Availability
The new watchOS 10 update is available for Apple Watch Series 4 and later, and requires iPhone XS or later running iOS 17. “Not all features are available on all devices and in all regions,” Apple noted.
Microsoft's AI team has made a huge blunder by leaking 38 TB of the company’s private data. A report has revealed that this data contained confidential information such as passwords for Microsoft services, secret keys, and over 30,000 internal messages from more than 350 Microsoft employees using Microsoft Teams.
According to a report by Wiz, the tech giant’s AI team has made a collection of training data public, which consisted of open-source code and AI models used for image recognition. After that, a link from Azure was provided to people who visited Github storage that can be used to download these models.
Also read: CoWin breach: What sensitive data of yours may be part of this leak?
Things went south when the link provided by the Microsoft AI team gave the random people access to not just check what was in the Azure storage account, but also gave them access to disrupt the system, including the ability to make changes like uploading, overwriting, or deleting files.
Further, the report revealed that the Shared Access Signature tokens, an Azure feature, was the root of this problem. It provided the special links that could be used to access Azure storage data, but the problem here was that this particular link was meant to give full access to the user. Typically, there may be some restrictions and limitations in the links.
Also read: WhatsApp data leak has 500 million accounts’ info up for sale on dark web
It was also mentioned in the report that Microsoft’s private data was exposed back in 2020 but the professionals informed the company on June 22, 2023. Afterwards, these Shared Access Signature tokens were reportedly taken care of within two days. The problem was fully resolved by Microsoft in August, according to the report.
Microsoft also gave assurance to the people that no private data of customers and the company was leaked.
Google has announced a new ‘live pointers’ feature for its presentation app Google Slides. This new feature aims to boost collaboration in Google Slides. It allows multiple people to see each other’s mouse pointers in real-time.
“To boost collaboration in Google Slides, we’re introducing live pointers, a new feature that allows you and your colleagues to see each other’s mouse pointers in real-time,” the tech giant said in a Workspace Updates blogpost on September 18.
Also read: How to use Google Docs, Slides and Sheets in Offline mode
With this update, co-creators can easily point out specific text or visual elements within a Slide in order to highlight important information and content.
The live pointers feature will help to build connections when you're collaborating in real-time with others.
If you haven't received this feature yet, just wait a little more as it is currently rolling out.
How to use live pointers in Google Slides?
This feature is off by default, so you have to enable this feature by following the below steps.
Step 1. Open Google Slides.
Step 2. Go to View.
Step 3. From the drop-down menu, select the Live pointers option.
Step 4. Then click on show my pointer.
Alternatively, you can turn the feature on by using the pointer icon in the toolbar.
It’s important to note that live pointers will remain visible across all slides until you turn them off.
To hide collaborator pointers for the current session, navigate to the present mode, or go to View > Live pointers > show collaborator pointers.
In our opinion, as the new live pointers feature facilitates real-time collaboration among multiple users working on the same presentation by allowing collaborators to see each other's mouse pointers, it makes it easier to communicate and coordinate while editing or presenting Google Slides.
Earlier this month, Google introduced new zoom keyboard shortcuts for Google Slides on web to help you zoom in, zoom out, or scale to 100 per cent. Additionally, you can now smoothly zoom in or out in Slides using the trackpad or mouse wheel with a modifier key (cmd/ctrl), making it easier to control your view of Slides.
Last week, Apple launched the most awaited iPhone 15 series along with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra second generation. As usual, the tech giant has rolled out four models in the iPhone 15 series. They are the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Similar to last year, the iPhone 15 Plus appears to have been sidelined by the users. On the contrary, it seems that the iPhone 15 and the high-end Pro Max have become the favored models in the series. Let's take a look at which iPhone 15 models are the most and least popular among users.
According to Google Trends, the iPhone 15 is the one that has been searched by most people. However, some users might also use the “iPhone 15” term to look for other models if they are not familiar with the specific names. Additionally, The Economic Times revealed in a report that the new iPhone 15 series has won many hearts. If compared to last year, then about 20-25 percent more pre-bookings have been done this year.
Also read: Why you should buy the iPhone 15 or skip it altogether and save your money
The iPhone 15 gave all the reasons to users to love it. Being the standard model, the smartphone is offering a lot this year, and that too at the same prices as last year. However, the iPhone 15 is not the only favourite smartphone among users. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is also expected to be sold at an increased amount this year. Apple is also said to have increased launch stock up to 3,00,000 units.
Also read: Get the iPhone 15 for as low as ₹12,100 with the Apple Trade-in program
Now let’s get to the least popular iPhone 15 model. Being the middle child, this could be the iPhone 15 Plus. Why? Because people either look to purchase the standard model or the high-end variants. The iPhone 15 Plus is the same smartphone as the iPhone 15. The only difference is that it has a bigger battery and display on which even I don’t want to spend ₹10,000 more.
OnePlus has finally confirmed its first budget tablet - The OnePlus Pad Go. The Go will succeed the OnePlus Pad which is a high-end tablet. The Chinese brand rolled out its first tablet in India on the 25th of April and is now set to drop another tablet in the country. The brand has confirmed the launch date of the upcoming OnePlus Pad Go as October 6th. Additionally, along with the launch announcement, the company has also revealed the first look of the tablet, which shows a lot of resemblance in design with its predecessor.
The OnePlus Pad Go shares a lot of design elements similar to the previously launched tablet. It will have a curved-edge design and a circular camera module right at the centre of the back. Next up, there are two different textures on the back, matte and glossy. OnePlus revealed the Pad Go in the ‘Twin Mint’ colour. This colour option is very similar to the one we have seen in the OnePlus Pad.
Also read: OnePlus Pad Go first look: OnePlus India teases new tablet to launch soon
As for the specifications, the brand has not revealed much except that it would feature a 2.4K resolution display with a 7:5 aspect ratio, confirmed the OnePlus COO, Kinder Liu. The COO further confirmed that the OnePlus Pad Go will run on OxygenOS 13, which is based on the Android 13 operating system. However, there are rumours afoot that it might launch with an Android 14-based skin out of the box.
Kinder Liu also talked about the Content Sync feature. This will help users to share files between OnePlus tablets and smartphones. Furthermore, for multiple device compatibility, there will be a shared hotspot that can help in data sharing, screen mirroring, notification syncing, and call management.
Also read: OnePlus finally reveals the price of the OnePlus Pad on April 25 as promised
Talking about price and availability, the price details are still not officially disclosed but it is speculated to launch around ₹20,000. That being said, it will sell through Flipkart in India, as confirmed by the OnePlus Pad Go’s microsite.
Music streaming service YouTube Music gained an ‘activity’ bar with mood filters back in 2020. This bar provides users with a dedicated personalised homepage full of playlists perfectly suited for the selected mood. Now, many users are noticing new mood filters in YouTube Music.
According to a report by 9To5Google, YouTube Music has gained five new mood filters. The new filters are: Cry, Party, Romance, Feel good and Sleep.
Also read: YouTube Music In India: Ten steps for mastering the new music streaming app from Google
After receiving the new mood filters, several users shared them on Reddit.
Similar to the existing filters – Commute, Energize, Focus, Relax, and Workout – selecting multiple filters will give you a mix of all the selected filters.
The new mood filters are starting to appear on mobile apps and the web client, but have not yet been widely rolled out. The usual timeline for such feature rollouts is about 2-3 weeks.
Last month, YouTube introduced a new personalised music discovery feature for YouTube Music. According to the company, the Samples tab is a seamless feed of short-form video segments to get you to your new favourite music. Powered by the world’s largest catalogue of music videos, this personalised feed explores the depths and breadth of the YouTube Music library so that there’s always something new to listen to. Moreover, with each sample, you can quickly add the song to your collection, share it with friends, create your next favourite playlist, kick off a great new radio station, watch the full video, visit the album page, or even use the song to create your own Short. And for artists, the Samples tab provides another way to find a new audience and build a community on YouTube.
Not only does the HP Omen 16 improve upon its previous design flaws but it does so with a clear focus on maintaining the laptop's famous cooling performance. The use of the AMD Ryzen 7840HS processor further expands the usability of HP Omen 16 in terms of efficiency. And on top of that HP's engineering and design capabilities keep it competitive to other identically specced gaming laptops and even surpassing them in terms of thermal efficiency. The easy-to-use HP Omen firmware, a highly colour-accurate display, and a great keyboard trump the fact that its quad-speaker setup and trackpad are what my Gen Z neighbour would call "mid" by modern standards.
In the dynamic landscape of gaming laptops, where flashy designs once ruled the roost, subtlety, and elegance are emerging as the defining traits. The AMD-powered HP Omen 16, priced at Rs 1.31 lakh, is a testament to this shift, offering a sleek, understated look that veers away from the stereotypical gamer aesthetic. Beneath this polished exterior lies a powerhouse, equipped with the formidable AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, ensuring a gaming experience that's both immersive and smooth. Its versatility is further highlighted by an ample selection of ports, making connectivity a breeze, and a design that facilitates easy repairs. However, is everything about the Omen 16 is praiseworthy? Potential buyers might be slightly deterred by some lackluster additions to the laptop. As with any product, the Omen 16 presents a blend of the impressive and the imperfect, warranting a closer look for those in search of a gaming laptop that balances performance with aesthetics.
HP Omen 16 Review: Design, Keyboard, Trackpad And I/O
HP's redesigned Omen 16 showcases a deeper base and forward-positioned lid hinges, introducing a "trunk" at the rear, reminiscent of designs by Lenovo and MSI. This trunk, primarily for exhaust, centralizes ports like HDMI 2.1, 2.5Gbps RJ45 Ethernet, and 5Gbps USB-A 3.0. Sides feature expanded vents, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 3.5mm jack on the left, and another USB-A on the right. HP omitted the SD card reader in 2023's model, making a Thunderbolt dock a potential solution.
The laptop, with Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E (Intel or Realtek based on configuration), allows easy headset pairing. Its all-black matte finish enhances the RGB keyboard and adopts a brand badge over the previous Omen logo. While sturdy, some parts feel less rigid. The reimagined port trunk aids cable management.
Front-facing speakers ensure clarity, while a top-bezel webcam, upgraded from 720p to 1080p, caters to modern needs but might be underwhelming for professional streamers. The absence of an IR sensor for Windows Hello might irk some. The keyboard remains consistent with the prior model. While HP's flat, chiclet-style keycaps aren't my favorite, I admire the layout and font. Navigation keys are conveniently grouped, with shortcuts to the Omen and Calculator apps. My version has per-key RGB lighting, enhancing key lettering, adjustable via the Omen app. I effortlessly typed extensive content on this platform. The spacious spacebar, profound key travel, and solid actuation are commendable. The previous Omen 16's touchpad had a less satisfactory click, but this issue seems resolved. The touchpad, though slightly smaller, is accurate and gives a sturdy click. Although the laptop's primary focus is gaming, its keyboard and touchpad configuration also suit professional use.
Also read: HP Omen 16 Gaming Performance Review
HP Omen 16 Review: Display And Speakers
The HP Omen 16 I reviewed comes with an FHD 16:9 aspect ratio display with 165Hz maximum refresh rate support. In the previous generation, HP offered at least a QHD display in high-end Victus laptops priced at around Rs 1.15 lakh. So is this screen a downgrade? Well, not exactly. Even though this screen does not support QHD resolution it is highly colour accurate instead thanks to a Delta E score of just 1.5. You can easily use this screen for graphic designing and colour correction in videos and photos, provided you're creating content in the sRGB colour space.
Speaking of that, the screen sports 98% sRGB and 75% DCI P3 colour space coverage, which has become pretty standard across gaming laptops in general. The screen peaks at 303 nits of brightness which is slightly more than advertised at HP at 300 nits. The viewing angles of the screen are also good and the HP's use of an anti-glare coating on the screen is another really helpful addition.
The laptop houses front-facing dual speakers on its wedge base, angled to ensure clarity even when placed on a desk, protected by a perforated grille. An additional grille between the keyboard and screen seems more for thermal management than audio. The stereo speakers, while not matching the volume of the quad speakers on the Alienware x16 R1, still offer decent balance. However, the sound quality diminishes during gaming because of the prominent fan noise.
HP Omen 16 Review: Performance And Gaming
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS the HP Omen 16 flexes its muscles with high Performance Per Watt and a high TGP RTX 4060 GPU. I started the performance test with the Cinebench R23 multicore test and the HP Omen 16 scored 17681 with a throttle difference of just 1495. For comparison, the Lenovo Legion 5i had dropped the lowest performance during throttle tests, followed second only by the HP Omen 16 for a high-end processor.
In the PC Mark 10 extended test though, the HP Omen 16 bested the HP Victus 16 and the pricier Lenovo Legion 5i Pro with a combined score of 9494 points. However, the Gen 4 SSD on board the HP Omen 16 is slightly slower than the one found in the other two laptops. But I reckon the real-world difference will be negligible as I noticed no measurable difference in real-world gaming scenarios.
Speaking of gaming, the HP Omen 16 is neck to neck compared to the Acer Nitro 5 which also has the exact same configuration. The HP Omen 16 takes the lead from the Acer Nitro 5 in games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. But the Nitro 5 bests the HP Omen 16 in Civilization and Dirt 5. So it is a mix-match game where both these performers come within spitting distance of each other. But one clear advantage the HP Omen 16 has is in terms of thermal performance.
In the Acer Nitro 5, the fans spin at maximum speed even when set on auto and are noticeably louder than the ones on the HP Omen 16, despite, as we have seen, offering similar performance. But that's not to say that the fans on either of these laptops are not objectively loud. They are, just like fans in every other high-end gaming laptop. Additionally, the HP Omen does have a MUX switch allowing you the option to switch between hybrid and discreet display modes. And you do notice the performance difference when you switch between these two.
I also tested Bethesda’s latest Sci-Fi adventure Starfield on the HP Omen 16 and despite the game’s stupendously high hardware requirements, the laptop ran the game at 40-50FPS at medium settings. Keep in mind that it is a game that even the Xbox Series X is only able to run at a locked 30FPS. Moreover, Nvidia is yet to release a DLSS update for the Starfield and it will definitely improve the game’s performance a lot more.
Also read: Exclusive: HP Omen Transcend 16 Leaks Show Team Up with HyperX for Game-Changing Innovation
HP Omen 16 Review: Verdict
In the evolving realm of gaming laptops, where brash designs once dominated, refined elegance is now the benchmark. The HP Omen 16, priced at Rs 1.33 lakh, epitomizes this evolution with a sophisticated aesthetic that deviates from traditional gamer flair. Under this refined shell, the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU work in tandem to deliver a gaming experience that's seamless and engrossing. While its design modifications, including a rear "trunk" and centralized ports, elevate functionality, the laptop's high-quality display offers impressive color accuracy ideal for design work. However, its speakers, while balanced, can't outshine competitors' volume and are affected during intense gameplay due to fan noise. Performance metrics highlight its competitive edge, rivaling the Acer Nitro 5 closely, albeit with superior thermal performance. With an undeniable focus on balancing aesthetics and power, the HP Omen 16 presents itself as a compelling choice, with certain areas excelling and others requiring some reconsideration for those discerning in their gaming laptop selection.
During the 'Wonderlust' event on September 12, Apple unveiled not only the most awaited smartphone series of the year, the iPhone 15 series, but also introduced the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2. The new Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 come with significant upgrades. Notably, Apple introduced a double tap gesture feature that enables a truly hands-free experience, utilising both the index finger and thumb. It’s worth noting that this feature is already available in older Apple Watch models -- sort of.
According to ZDNET, to use hand gestures, you need an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, Apple Watch SE, or Apple Watch Ultra, or newer running on the latest version of WatchOS.
Also read: Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2: India price and new features
How to enable hand gestures in Apple Watch?
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
Step 2: Find the Accessibility option by scrolling down and tap on it.
Step 3: After that tap on AssistiveTouch and enable it.
Step 4: Then select the Hand Gestures option and enable it to turn on the feature.
Now, you will see a list of four hand gestures on the screen that the Apple Watch recognises. The four hand gestures that the AssistiveTouch capability recognises are: Pinch, Double-pinch, Clench and Double clench.
At Digit, we tested out these hand gestures on Watch Series 8, and they worked well.
Also read: Apple iPhone 15 Series: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
How is AssistiveTouch different from the new double-tap gesture feature?
AssistiveTouch originally emerged as an accessibility feature, designed to empower individuals who face challenges in physically interacting with their Apple Watch's touchscreen. This feature enables users to operate their wearable device using the same hand they are wearing it on. It extends its functionality beyond mere double-tapping, incorporating various hand gestures like a single tap using the pointer finger and thumb, and fist clenching once or twice.
Meanwhile, the double-tap feature on Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 serves as a versatile control mechanism. This double-tap gesture allows users to manage the primary button in an app so it can be used to stop a timer, play and pause music, or snooze an alarm. The gesture can be used to answer and end a phone call, and even to take a photo with the Camera Remote on Apple Watch. This double tap gesture is enabled by the faster Neural Engine in Apple Watch Series 9, which processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor with a new machine learning algorithm.
With the release of the Pixel 6, Google unveiled its first Tensor chipset, aiming to grow independent of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon. Interestingly, these Tensor chips were developed in collaboration with Samsung and incorporate certain elements from Google, while drawing substantial inspiration from Samsung's Exynos chips. According to a recent report, this will remain the same, extending into the development of the forthcoming Tensor G3 and Tensor G4 chips.
According to a report by Android Authority, citing a “Google insider”, Tensor G4 in the Google Pixel 9 won’t be a very big upgrade.
Also read: Google may pray for AI to save Tensor G3 chip’s reputation in Pixel 8 phones
While Tensor G3 is known as “Zuma,” Tensor G4 is codenamed “Zuma Pro,” according to the report.
Also read: Smartphone or digital thermometer? Google Pixel 8 Pro will be both!
Google's minot Tensor G4 chip upgrade and beyond
The new chip is expected to still be semi-custom and co-designed with Samsung. Also, it will likely be a minor upgrade than initially planned. This is similar to how Tensor G2 was a small update over the original Tensor.
The report further mentioned that Google has also started working on the next-generation fully-custom Tensor chip codename “Laguna Beach” for 2025 Pixels, and the development board for this chip is codenamed “Deepspace.”
Google initially had plans to introduce its 2024 Pixel series featuring a "fully custom" Tensor SoC, codenamed "Redondo," built using a TSMC process node. However, due to a missed deadline, the chip arrived too late for inclusion in the 2024 Pixel 9 series.
Earlier, it was rumoured that the upcoming Tensor G3 chipset won’t have as good a performance as its other flagship counterparts. This could be a potential deal breaker, if true. But that’s not all, rumours also suggested that this Google chip will be coming with top notch AI under the hood, which would allow Google to still showcase some never-before-seen applications on the Pixel 8 smartphone later this year – and save its reputation.
Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp is reportedly testing a feature to initiate group calls with up to 31 participants, along with minor improvements to the calls tab. It is currently being tested on Android, as per the report.
According to a report by a known WhatsApp tipster publication, WABetaInfo, the messaging platform is rolling out a 31-people group calling feature, along with a revised interface for the calls tab.
Also read: WhatsApp to verify security codes for end-to-end encryption: Why it matters?
Credit: WABetaInfo
With the new changes to the calls tab, WhatsApp users will likely no longer see call links on this screen. Also, the floating action button is expected to be updated with a plus icon.
Meanwhile, the 31-person group calling feature is expected to help users easily connect with a larger group of participants.
Also read: WhatsApp will let you swap your face with cool avatars in video calls: Here’s how
While the messaging platform already allowed group calls of up to 32 participants in the past updates, users were only able to select 15 contacts while initiating a call.
The 31-person group calling feature, along with minor improvements to the calls tab, is currently available to a limited number of beta testers on Android, according to the report.
In our opinion, the ability to initiate group calls with up to 31 participants will allow for more extensive and inclusive group conversations. This can be especially useful for business meetings, virtual family gatherings, or connecting with a larger circle of friends.
Last week, it was reported that WhatsApp had started testing a new video avatar calling feature. This feature is expected to allow users to replace themselves with avatars during video calls. Given that WhatsApp is owned by Meta, it's worth noting that Meta introduced the real-time avatar calling feature for Instagram and Messenger in July. Hence, it was only a matter of time before WhatsApp would incorporate such a feature on the platform.
Apple is starting the pre-ordering of the iPhone 15 series today at 5:30 PM IST. Just some hours before the pre-order, Apple announced the trade-in offers for iPhone 15, which you can avail of by exchanging your iPhone, starting from iPhone 7. These trade-in offers are giving super exciting values that can be used to buy the iPhone 15 at a much lower price. This trade-in program has been lifted off to drive the iPhone 15 sale. Here’s how you can take advantage of this offer to buy the iPhone 15 at just ₹12,100.
Also read: Why you should buy the iPhone 15 or skip it altogether and save your money
Apple iPhones available for trade-in
Apple has offered some estimated amounts on its previous generation iPhones which start from the iPhone 7 for up to ₹6,080. Here they are:
iPhone 7 for up to ₹6,080 iPhone 7 Plus for up to ₹7,990 iPhone 8 for up to ₹8,550 iPhone 8 Plus for up to ₹10,690 iPhone X for up to ₹12,950 iPhone XR for up to ₹13,800 iPhone XS for up to ₹16,740 iPhone XS Max for up to ₹17,900 iPhone 11 for up to ₹21,200 iPhone 11 Pro for up to ₹27,030 iPhone 11 Pro Max for up to ₹30,900 iPhone SE (2nd Gen) for up to ₹10,520 iPhone 12 Mini for up to ₹21,000 iPhone 12 for up to ₹27,400 iPhone 12 Pro for up to ₹38,800 iPhone 12 Pro Max for up to ₹41,300 iPhone 13 Mini for up to ₹34,400 iPhone 13 for up to ₹38,200 iPhone 13 Pro for up to ₹53,200 iPhone 13 Pro Max for up to ₹55,700 iPhone SE (3rd Gen) for up to ₹21,450 iPhone 14 for up to ₹40,000 iPhone 14 Plus for up to ₹42,500 iPhone 14 Pro for up to ₹64,500 iPhone 14 Pro Max for up to ₹67,800
Now assuming you exchange your iPhone 14 Pro max while buying the new iPhone 15, you can get a discount of up to ₹67,800. The iPhone 15 has launched in India at a price of ₹79,900. This means you can jab it for ₹12,100 only.
Also read: iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14: What's New and Improved?
How to avail of the offer?
To avail of this offer, you need to do a little question-answering with Apple regarding your current device’s condition. Then the company will give a date and time of when you would be taking the delivery of your new iPhone and exchanging the old one. When your new iPhone arrives, the courier person will check your old device whether it has any internal or external damage. Once done with this process, the new iPhone will be handed over to you and the old one will be taken.
Google is reportedly working on a new ‘Organize Tabs’ feature for Google Chrome. This feature is expected to help users manage the chaos of multiple open tabs.
According to findings by browser researcher Leopeva64, the recent release of Chrome 119 in the Canary channel hints at Google experimenting with a new ‘Organize Tabs’ feature, reports Android Police.
Also read: Google Chrome getting new look for its 15th birthday: Check new updates
The exact workings of this feature are currently undisclosed. Although full specifics are yet to be revealed, Leopeva64 suggests that it could potentially be a revamped menu offering users improved options for reordering tabs, transferring them to other windows, or conveniently grouping them together.
First images of Chrome's new "Organize Tabs" feature (Canary):https://t.co/WCOZx0956Y .https://t.co/W7xKdSx5Te pic.twitter.com/x4pqIJHGPR
— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) September 13, 2023
The introduction of the Organize Tabs feature could potentially bring several benefits to users. Users will likely find it easier to manage their tabs, especially when dealing with a large number of open tabs. Also, the ability to reorder tabs, move them to different windows, or group them together could enhance productivity. By tailoring their browsing experience to their specific needs, users might also be able to create a more streamlined and efficient workflow.
Moreover, the feature is expected to help users reduce the clutter in their browser interface, making it easier to find and navigate to specific webpages.
Last week, Google announced a new look for Chrome on desktop. “Based on our Material You design language, we’ve refreshed Chrome’s icons with a focus on legibility and created new colour palettes that better complement your tabs and toolbar,” the tech giant said.
Google also introduced other improvements that make it easier to use Google Chrome, like a more comprehensive menu for faster access to Chrome extensions, Google Translate, Google Password Manager and more. Additionally, users will now see the same Material You style in the Chrome Web Store, making it easier to discover helpful extensions.
In addition to getting a fresh, modern interface, the store now also features new extension categories like AI-powered extensions and Editors' spotlight.
French regulators have ordered Apple to stop the sale of iPhone 12 devices due to concerns that they exceed the European Union's permissible limits for electromagnetic radiation emissions. However, the company disputed the findings and said that the device adheres to regulatory standards.
According to a report by The Associated Press, the French government agency responsible for overseeing wireless communication frequencies issued this order following the iPhone 12's recent failure in one of the two tests for electromagnetic waves that can be absorbed by the human body.
Also read: Apple iPhone 12 Review : The iPhone of choice for 2020
The reasons behind the phone's failure in the latest round of tests and why it was only that specific model, which was launched in late 2020, remain unclear.
France’s digital minister said that the radiation levels emitted by the iPhone 12 are still significantly below the levels identified by scientific studies as potentially harmful to users. Furthermore, the agency conducting the tests also itself acknowledges that their assessments may not accurately reflect typical phone usage conditions.
Earlier this week, the National Frequency Agency called on Apple, urging the tech giant to "implement all available means to rapidly fix this malfunction”. Additionally, the agency stated that it would closely monitor device updates. If these updates fail to address the problem, “Apple will have to recall” smartphones that have already been sold.
“The agency recently tested 141 cellphones and found that when the iPhone 12 is held in a hand or carried in a pocket, its level of electromagnetic energy absorption is 5.74 watts per kilogram, higher than the EU standard of 4 watts per kilogram,” the report said.
According to Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s minister in charge of digital issues, the iPhone 12’s radiation levels are “slightly higher” than EU standards but “significantly lower than levels where scientific studies consider there may be consequences for users. But the rule is the rule.”
