LG shows off the future of display technology with high-definition stretchable screens

It looks like we’re close to the future than we initially thought. With the world moving towards more powerful smartphones and other devices, display tech is the next to receive a big upgrade. Sure, we’ve got foldable phones and such but truly stretchable screens? Well, LG Display is set to answer that question. The company just announced its prototype 12-inch stretchable screen in Seoul on November 8. The display is essentially built using free-form technology that enables it to be extended, folded, and twisted without distortion or damage. The display is based on a highly resilient film-type substrate made of special silicon used in contact lenses. The freaky thing about it is that it can be stretched from a 12-inch screen to a 14-inch one. 

LG Display announces stretchable display 

The Stretchable display uses a micro-LED light source with a pixel pitch of less than 40μm, securing a high level of durability to withstand significant external impact. Unlike the conventional linear wired system, the Stretchable display’s flexible S-form spring wired system’s optimal structure can endure repetitive changes to its form, giving it its unique stretching properties. The applications of this kind of tech are limitless. These screens can be layered on clothing, furniture etc; Basically, anything that can have a display slapped on it. 

Soo-young Yoon, Executive Vice President and CTO at LG Display stated, “We will successfully complete this project to enhance the competitiveness of Korean display technology while continuing to lead the industry’s paradigm shift.”. 

There have been a number of companies that have tried their hand at stretchable displays but this does seem like the right step forward for display tech. Think of it as volume one of a product that will be refined as time goes on. 

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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Microsoft DirectStorage 11 with GPU Decompression: How does the feature improve game load times

Microsoft's DirectStorage 1.1 is releasing this week and is expected to reduce game load times significantly. DirectStorage came out earlier this year to minimise CPU overhead but did not include the feature that is supposed to help run games on modern PCs. However, the company has added the long-awaited feature with the latest DirectStorage 1.1. 

What is GPU Decompression and how does it work?

In a blog post dated October 13, 2022, Microsoft mentioned that it was in the final stages of development and would release Decompression for developers by the end of 2022. Adding to it, the company says that this is one of its most highly requested features. But what is GPU Decompression, after all? 

Computer games require vast amounts of data to build immersive, interactive worlds. Every video game's landscape, object and character have certain "assets" that describe its characteristics like shape, lighting and colour. 

Combined, all the assets add up to hundreds of gigabytes of data, which is compressed to reduce the overall size of a game. When players run a game, these assets containing data are transferred to system memory, where the processor decompresses and copies the data on the graphics processor, CPU Decompression—this decompression and transfer of data results in extended load times.

While DirectStorage 1.0 improved the data transfer aspect of the process, DirectStorage 1.1 moved the decompression of the assets directly to the GPU, eliminating the step where the CPU processes the data and then copies it to the GPU. This method of moving the decompression of the assets to the GPU is called GPU Decompression. 

DirectStorage 1.1 will improve the Windows gaming experience

Usually, graphics cards are more efficient in conducting repeated tasks and combined with the bandwidth of a high-speed NVMe drive, GPU Decompression on DirectStorage 1.1 reduces the time it takes to load an asset in the game, which improves overall playability. Microsoft showed that scenes can be loaded nearly three times faster with GPU Decompression than with CPU Decompression.

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Apples extended reality headset to enter mass production in early 2023: Report

If you’ve been following the Cupertino-based tech giant Apple, you must be aware of the purported AR/VR headset the company is developing. Although the product has been behind the curtains, several reports about the specifications and release timeline have been published. 

Apple’s mixed reality headset could launch in 2023

A report by DigiTimes claims that the headset will enter mass production in March 2023. It corroborates previous reports that suggested that the mixed reality headset won’t be ready for production until next year. In addition, the report also provides a decent idea about the pricing and release timeline of the product.

Per the report, Apple is currently crafting its first extended reality headset, codenamed N301. The headset will be exclusively assembled by Apple’s partner Pegatron. Since the product might enter mass production by March 2023, it could be in the final stages of development and come out later that year. Although, the pricing of the product could obstruct its way to the masses as it could cost around $2,000 to $2,500 USD, which roughly translates to over INR 2,00,000, equivalent to what Apple’s flagship MacBooks cost. 

The report adds that the extended reality headset targets commercial markets. Additionally, its shipment quantity is limited. While previous speculations suggested that the product shipment could reach 2.5 million units, new estimates “place the annual shipment at around 0.7 to 0.8 million units.”

The company is also working on an affordable headset

For those scratching their head over the extended reality headset’s price, Apple reportedly had another “consumer friendly” headset in the pipeline, slated for release in or around 2024. Nevertheless, enthusiasts and fans eagerly await what Apple has to offer. That is all the information the report contains. 

In our opinion, Apple’s AR/VR headset will set a benchmark for the industry to follow, including established players such as Meta. Although the company has been late in picking up trends, like always-on display or a high-resolution primary camera, its implementation is always a cut above the rest.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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Snapchats Director Mode: What is it, how to use it to edit Snapchat All features explained

Snapchat is rolling out Director Mode to more people. Earlier this year, the social platform announced the Director Mode as a feature that gives more control over the content they create using Snapchat. Starting October 27, 2022, Snapchat is rolling out the feature for all iOS users, with limited availability for Android users worldwide. 

How to use Snapchat’s Director Mode?

Essentially, the Director Mode is a suite of video-making and editing tools on Snapchat. Let's find out more about Snapchat Director Mode, how to use it and what tools it has. To access the Director Mode, open Snapchat and tap on the plus sign from the options available towards the right. Select Director Mode, and you will see a screen with multiple options such as Flip Camera, Sounds, Dual Camera, Lenses, Green Screen, Speed, Timer, Flash and Import Media. 

All these tools will help you create a piece of content, be it a Snapchat Story, video Snap, or short content for other platforms. Starting from the top, the Flip Camera tool allows you to switch between the front and the rear cameras, depending on what you want to shoot. The second option, namely Sounds, lets you add a music track from Snapchat's library to your creation.

Edit your Snaps using Snapchat’s Director Mode

The third option from the top is Dual Camera. It enables users to record the video feed from both the front and the rear cameras at the same time. Further, it also provides four layouts, including vertical, horizontal, picture-in-picture and cutout. Try experimenting with the tool before using it. Then there's the Lenses tool that uses Snapchat's AR capabilities to change the subject's appearance. Below Lenses, you have the Green Screen that lets you add a background to your video or record a video.

You can even decrease or increase the speed of your video from 0.5x to 2x. Using Director Mode, you can either record a single clip of 60 seconds or use multiple clips to create a video of the same duration. Those who have used Instagram Reels or TikTok will find the Director Mode somewhat familiar. 

Snapchat is trying to push content creation on its platform so that more people watch the Spotlight posts, which can drive more advertising revenue for the platform. Snapchat's CEO, Evan Spiegel, wants 30% of Snapchatters to watch videos on Spotlight every day in 2023.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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Google preparing to challenge Competition Commission on Indias anti-competitive directives: Report

Last week, the Competition Commission of India imposed a heavy penalty of Rs. 1,338 crores on Google for "abusing its market dominant position." The CCI had considered five relevant markets to investigate Google, wherein it found that the Alphabet-owned company is dominant. The regulatory authority also released a set of guidelines for the company, including the manufacturer's right to choose which Google service they wish to ship with the phone. 

Google is preparing a legal appeal against CCI’s directive

While the search giant was still in shock, the CCI imposed yet another penalty of Rs. 936 crores for "anti-competitive policies" on the Play Store. In total, the company has to pay Rs. 2,274 crores. However, a report by Reuters suggests that Google is planning to challenge the CCI legally. 

The news agency's source informed that Google was concerned that the CCI's ruling could increase regulatory pressure in other parts of the world. Hence, the company plans to present a legal appeal to "block implementation of the antitrust directive" within weeks. 

Reiterating its statement from last week, Google said that the decision was "a major setback for Indian consumers and businesses, opening serious security risks ... and raising the cost of mobile devices for Indians." The lead counsel for Google before the CCI, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, tweeted recently that "inherent & patent infirmities" in the directive make a challenge inevitable. 

Google is facing global scrutiny

This is not the first time that Google has faced such criticism and monetary penalty. In 2018, the European Commission ruled that the company abused its dominant position by compelling smartphone makers to pre-install its apps, including Google Search and Chrome. Although the company appealed to the EU as well, it lost the appeal and has to pay $4 billion. However, the Indian order takes it even further, imposing restrictions on various Google apps such as YouTube, Maps, Gmail and more. 

If Google complies with the CCI directive, it might come up with a new revenue model wherein the company could charge a licensing fee from smartphone manufacturers. The manufacturers will, in turn, charge this cost from consumers by increasing the prices of their smartphones. Such a model is already in place in Europe.  

On the other side, CCI's order is welcomed by platforms such as the Indus App Bazaar, a local online app store that provides thousands of apps in regional languages and in English. Nevertheless, it looks like Google will prepare an appeal and try to reduce the fine amount as much as possible. 

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Apple faces backlash due to Casino ads on App Store product pages, takes it down

On October 25, Apple started displaying more advertisements at the bottom of app listings and in the Today tab on the App Store. After the ads went online, multiple developers complained about getting gambling ads under their "You Might Also Like" section when they had never installed any of that application.

Marco Arment, one of the developers, posted a screenshot on Twitter showing gambling advertisements on the App Store page for his podcast app Overcast. Other developers reported having the same issue and clarified that they weren't okay with casino ads on their product pages. As a result, Apple has told MacRumors that it has paused the ads related to gambling and a few other categories on App Store product pages. However, it is unknown when Apple will resume the service.

MacRumors noted that people had criticized Apple for serving casino ads as a whole and not just because they are within app listings. Florian Mueller, FOSS Patents blog, argued that by putting ads in app pages, Apple forces developers to buy those ad spaces, as competitors could use them and take potential customers away if they don't purchase them. 

Apple has sold ads in the App Store for years, but the ads space in the Today tab is limited to a curated list of recommendations from Apple's editorial team. Meanwhile, the "You Might Also Like" section contained suggestion cards for similar apps, where ads display at the bottom of listings. In addition, since Apple allows advertisers to target categories different than their own, casino ads can show up just about anywhere on the App Store. 

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New reports suggest that video games help in improving the understanding performance in children

According to a report by the National Institute of Health, video games help with a better understanding performance in children. The researchers found that the children who were playing video games were faster and more accurate when compared to the children who don’t play video games. Let’s take a detailed look at the report shared by NIH. 

How do video games affect children?

Scientists separated about 2,000 children into two groups, the ones who don’t play video games at all and kids who play games for three or more hours per day. It was found that those who reported playing video games for three hours per day or more performed better on cognitive skills tests. 

These tests involved impulse control and working memory compared to children who had never played video games. According to the researchers, these patterns stem from practising tasks related to impulse control and memory while playing video games. These can be cognitively demanding, and these changes lead to improved performance on related tasks. 

“While we cannot say whether playing video games regularly caused superior neurocognitive performance, it is an encouraging finding, and one that we must continue to investigate in these children as they transition into adolescence and young adulthood,” said Bader Chaarani, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont and the lead author on the study. 

“Many parents today are concerned about the effects of video games on their children’s health and development, and as these games continue to proliferate among young people, it is crucial that we better understand both the positive and negative impact that such games may have.”

While a lot of prior studies have reported that video gaming in children leads to an increase in depression, violence, and aggressive behaviour, this specific study did not find that to be the case. 

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Clean Energy Charging on iOS 161 explained

With the recent iOS 16.1 update, Apple has finally started to roll out a whole bunch of new features. The update has brought features like iCloud Shared Photo Library, third-party support for Live Activities, Apple Fitness Plus and more. Along with that, Apple has also added the Clean Energy Charging feature, which a lot of users seem to be not aware about, so let’s check out how does this new feature work and what does it do!

Clean Energy Charging: What does it do?

With this new feature, your iPhone can try to reduce the carbon footprint by selectively charging when lower carbon-emission electricity is available. If the feature is enabled on your iPhone, then as soon as you connect your iPhone to a charger, your iPhone gets a forecast of the carbon emissions in your local energy grid and uses it to charge your iPhone during times of cleaner energy production.

As of now, this Clean Energy Charging feature is only available to iPhone users in the United States and is turned on by default after you update your iPhone to iOS 16.1. In case you wish to turn the feature off then, you can simply do that by going in Settings, then in the Battery section, by going in the Battery Health & Charging and just turning off the Clean Energy Charging toggle.

Clean Energy Charging: How does it work?

Clean Energy Charging works together with Optimized Battery Charging to learn your charging habits. This feature engages only at the places you spend the most of your time and regularly charge your device for long periods of time. For example, it detects if you’re at your home or at the place of work and only engages then. 

In case, you’re travelling or have visited someone else’s place and you charge your device, then the feature doesn't engage as it detects that you're in a new location. Because of this and to get the carbon-emission forecast for your area, some location settings must be turned on in order to use Clean Energy Charging. 

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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Indian regulatory authority fines Google 133776 crores for anti-competitive practices

An Indian regulatory body has fined alphabet-owned Google Rs. 1337.76 crores for anti-competitive practices. It is a major setback to the company as it has been proactive in the region for the past couple of years. As per Counterpoint, 97% of India's 600 million smartphone users are operating on Android devices. It is also important to note that the company has pumped a massive fortune into Indian companies functioning in the country, like Jio and Airtel. 

CCI devised five markets to investigate Google's dominance

The Competition Commission of India considered five relevant markets to investigate Google and set up an inquiry for the same. During the assessment that began about three and a half years ago, the body has concluded that Google is dominant in all the relevant markets and has imposed a penalty of Rs. 1337.76 crores on the California-based search giant. For your reference, the relevant markets investigated by the CCI are mentioned below. 

The market for licensable OS for smart mobile devices  The market for app store for Android smart mobile OS  The market for general web search services  The market for non-OS specific mobile web browsers  The market for online video hosting platforms (OVHP) 

Further, CCI has also issued a set of guidelines for the company. The guidelines state that manufacturers should have the right to choose from Google's proprietary apps that are preinstalled on smartphones. Second, the body says that licensing of Play Store should not be linked with preinstalling Google search services on a smartphone. Third, CCI says that Google shall not deny its Play Services' API access to competitors, developers or OEMs. Additionally, the company cannot incentivise or obligate OEMs to sell devices based on Android services. 

Here is how the regulatory authority defines Apple's business in comparison to Google

Readers will find it interesting that the Competition Commission of India defines Apple's business. The regulatory authority states, "Apple's business is primarily based on a vertically integrated smart device ecosystem which focuses on the sale of high-end smart devices with state-of-the-art software components." Isn't that too sweet? On the other hand, the authority found Google's business "to be driven by the ultimate intent of increasing users on its platform so that they interact with its revenue earning service," which is Google Search, where the company earns by showing ads. 

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Google announces 10 new features for Messages built upon RCS

On October 20, 2022, Google announced 10 new features for its instant messaging service, Messages. The features enable users to reply to individual messages in a group chat, react to SMSs from iPhone users with emojis and watch YouTube videos in the Messages app itself. It is clear that the developers of Android are pushing their RCS-based messaging service harder than ever, giving users more features every now and then. 

Google flaunts new RCS features in its blog

As always, Google takes a hit on Apple for not supporting RCS with iMessage, saying, "we're doing what's possible to improve messaging between Android and iOS, like adding support for reactions." After that, it goes on to explain all the new features that will be available to Google Messages users in the coming weeks. The features were announced via a blog post on the official Google blog. 

Google Messages users can now react to individual messages in a group

First up, Messages users will be able to reply to an individual message in a group chat when RCS is enabled. The feature makes it easier for users to communicate and respond to an older thread. Previously, Google Messages showed emoji reactions from iPhone users on Android phones, but with the recent feature drop, Android users can now react to SMS texts from iPhone users as well. 

Google Messages users will also be able to quickly transcribe a voice message into text as the app makes Voice Message Transcription more accessible. The feature will be available on the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, all the phones in the Pixel 6 series, the Samsung Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Another helpful feature is the inclusion of Reminders directly in Messages. As mentioned by Google, users can remember important stuff without "navigating across several apps" on their phones.

Watch YouTube videos and mark important messages with a star

Other features include the ability to watch YouTube videos within the Messages app and star messages that contain important information like addresses, bank account details, and passwords. The Messages app will also be able to recognise text and suggest quick actions such as starting a Meet call or adding calendar events. 

In some parts of the world, the platform is also testing chatting with businesses so users can message companies directly. Last but not least, Messages has partnered with United Airlines to enable users to message on United flights using RCS. If that's not enough, users will also see a new Messages icon in the coming weeks, which better reflects the modern messaging experience and complements Google's other products. 

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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iQOO Neo7 and TWS Air announced

The Neo7 features a 6.78-inch FHD+ Samsung E5 AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1500 nits. It will run on MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ SoC with a significant 4013mm² VC cooling, 167% larger than the predecessor. It also has Multilayer graphite heat dissipation. Furthermore, the self-developed intelligent temperature sensing algorithm combined with nine temperature sensors can detect and monitor the temperature in real-time at different locations and at other times. 

Iqoo Neo7 Price and Specifications

The phone has dual under-screen press-sensitive controls for gaming and dual X-axis linear motors, and the phone offers 4D game vibration. It sports a 50MP rear camera with Sony IMX766V sensor, OIS, 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro camera, and a 16MP front camera. The phone carries a 5000mAh dual-cell battery which will support 120W fast charging.

Iqoo TWS Air: Features and Specification

TWS Air is iQOO's true gaming wireless earbuds designed for a smooth audio-visual experience. In addition, the device comes with an all-around lightweight and ergonomic design. It has a 14.2mm bio-carbon fiber moving coil composite diaphragm drivers and a high magnetic NdFeB magnetic circuit system for high-quality audio.

The TWS earbuds are designed with fluid mechanics vents that offer unrestricted airflow in and out of the sound cavity for audio clarity and noise reduction. The device is also IP54 water and dust-resistant. Further, iQOO TWS Air TWS features Golden Ear Acoustics Lab Tuning, which incorporates DeepX 2.0 Stereo Effect and comes with Professional Audio Mixing, which offers strong bass, clear voice, treble, and tuning features. 

The calling feature of the earbuds sports a dual-beamforming microphone that accurately collects human voices. In addition, they have an AI called noise reduction algorithm that accurately locks the human voice source and can restore the clean human voice after noise removal in a noisy environment.

The case of IQOO TWS Air has a waistline from the front to the back at the entrance, inspired by astronomy's planetary rings. iQOO TWS Air is equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 technology and offers up to a 25-hour battery life thanks to ultra-low-power wireless chips and comprehensive power management optimization. 

The iQOO TWS Air Gaming earbuds will cost 199 yuan (roughly Rs.2,275), and the pre-orders start today, while the open sale begins on October 31, 2022. In addition, customers who pre-order can get earbuds for 169 yuan as an introductory offer, and customers who buy the iQOO Neo7 can get them for 119 yuan (roughly Rs.1,361).

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Google Family Link now shows parents when their kids leave school premises: Heres how that works

Google has announced new updates to Family Link, which offer a range of options and help keep families safer online.

The new updates have already been rolled out and will be completed over the next few weeks.

In a new update to the "Location tab", parents can see all of their children on the same map with their device location. Also, parents can turn on notifications to be alerted when their child arrives at or leaves a specific destination like school or soccer practice, the company said in a blogpost.

Moreover, the "Highlights tab" will allow the parents to track the usage of their child's device by showing a snapshot of their child's app usage, screen time and recently installed apps.

"We're also adding resources from trusted partners like Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely and the Family Online Safety Institute to help parents navigate conversations around online safety at home," the company added.

For parents and children, Family Link will also be available on the web. With this, parents will be able to access online features even when they are away from their phones or don't have the app.

For children, the Family Link web experience will help them better understand their parental control settings.

Additionally, the "Controls tab" enables parents to monitor children with the ability to set screen time limits for individual devices or specific apps, as well as set content restrictions.

(Except for the headline and cover image, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

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SpaceX cannot pay for the Starlink services in Ukraine anymore, writes letter to Pentagon asking seeking funds

On October 14, 2022, CNN reported that SpaceX’s charitable contributions to the Ukrainian army could end. The Starlink division of SpaceX has warned that it will stop providing broadband service in Ukraine unless the United States military and Pentagon take over the funding. Recently, Musk’s peace plan for Ukraine and Russia received criticism, not only from netizens but from Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky. 

SpaceX’s official writes to Pentagon seeking funding for Starlink services in Ukraine

As per documents obtained by the publication, SpaceX’s director of government sales wrote a letter to the Pentagon last month. In the letter, the official writes, “we are not in a position to further donate terminals to Ukraine or fund the existing terminals for an indefinite period of time.” 

Bad reporting by FT. This article falsely claims that Starlink terminals & service were paid for, when only a small percentage have been. This operation has cost SpaceX $80M & will exceed $100M by end of year. As for what’s happening on the battlefield, that’s classified.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2022

Clearing out the timeline, Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, after which several nations worldwide sent help to the country in eastern Europe. In March 2022, SpaceX’s Starlink announced that it had sent thousands of satellite internet kits to Ukraine to “ensure people are still communicating,” said company president Gwynne Shotwell.

How much did it cost for SpaceX to send satellite terminals to Ukraine?

After Russia’s invasion, SpaceX sent Starlink satellite terminals as aid to the Ukrainian military. Since then, Ukraine’s military has relied heavily on the bandwidth provided by Starlink for its ground operations. Initially, the United States provided $3 million to Starlink for the cause; the Musk-led company has been bearing all the expenses. 

On October 7, 2022, Musk tweeted in reply to a FT journalist that the Ukrainian Starlink operation has “cost SpaceX $80M & will exceed $100M by end of year,” and could cost as much as $400 million for the next 12 months. Musk also highlighted that only a “small percentage” of the terminals and services provided to the affected country was paid for by other organisations. 

By June 2022, SpaceX had sent over 15,000 Starlink kits to Ukraine, which had been extremely useful for the country’s officials. At the moment, the Ukrainian sky has about 20,000 Starlink satellites. However, contrary to Musk's tweet, the CNN report says that “the vast majority of the 20,000 terminals have received full or partial funding from outside sources, including the US government, the UK and Poland.” 

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Apple AR headset may use iris scan to identify people

San Francisco, Oct 15 (IANS) Tech giant Apple's upcoming AR (augmented reality) headsets may use iris scan instead of Face ID or Touch ID to identify people.

In the company's forthcoming AR gadgets, iris scanning is likely to be used to recognise a user when they put on the headset, reports AppleInsider.

"The capability will make it easier for multiple people to use the same device and allow them to quickly make payments inside the headset," quoted in the report.

"Just like iPhones, it allows people to confirm payments using scans of their fingerprints or faces", it added.

It is expected that iris scanning will enable Apple Pay use, if it is used as a new biometric method for user authentication.

The design of the upcoming AR device is expected to feature mesh fabrics, aluminium, and glass. It is likely to be thinner and lighter than Meta's new Quest Pro.

The screen of the headset will be able to function at low refresh rates, much like the iPhone and Apple Watch, which have always-on screens. It would be specifically for battery conservation in the case of the headset.

It is rumoured that the company is working on three different AR headsets.

One of the headgear is likely to launch in 2023. It might cost up to $3,000 and include a pair of 4K OLED panels as well as 15 side-facing camera modules.

(Except for the headline and cover image, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

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RBI explores benefits and risks of digital currency: What is e-Rupee and why do we need it

On October 7, 2022, the Reserve Bank Of India released a detailed concept note that puts forward the “objectives, choices, benefits and risks” related to legalising the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). India’s digital currency will be referred to as e₹ or digital Rupee. It comes as a critical development in developing a digital version of the Indian currency. While you might come across several rumours or misinformation about the e₹, here is everything you should know. 

What is Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) or e₹?

The concept note defined CBDC or e₹ as “new variants of central bank money different from physical cash or central bank reserve/settlement accounts.” When the central bank releases CBDC, it will be considered equivalent to the physical sovereign currency. It should be accepted as a payment medium on par with legal tender. 

Additionally, the citizens will be allowed to store value in the form of the CBDC. The paper issued by RBI also mentions that the e₹ will be freely convertible against cash, considered a fungible legal tender and will lower the cost of issuance of money. 

Why is the government making efforts to release a digital currency?

The Indian central banks are facing a problem with the lesser usage of paper currency. Further, several countries are restricting the physical movement of cash, promoting digital modes of payments that are faster and more convenient. Last but not least, the central bank seeks to “meet the public’s need for digital currencies,” which is currently represented in privately managed virtual currencies, better known as cryptocurrencies. 

Overall, the e₹ will be a centralised virtual form of the Indian currency. Quoting the concept note, “the e₹ system will bolster India’s digital economy, enhance financial inclusion, and make the monetary and payments systems more efficient.” In retrospect, India already has affordable, accessible and convenient digital payment systems in place, and they could be tweaked to support e₹. 

RBI proposes to release two types of e₹ for retail and commercial purposes

At the moment, the central banks seem to have a consensus about releasing two types of e₹ “based on the usage” and the purpose. These include CBDC-R for retail which could be available for everyone in the private sector, non-financial consumers and businesses. In contrast, the CDBC-W could be available for financial institutions. 

Indian financial institutions are also figuring out the best way to issue and manage the digital currency, whether CBDCs should bear interest and if they should be account-based or token-based. However, it is essential to remember that while RBI has just published a concept note about the Indian digital currency - the digital currency itself has not been released yet. 

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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EU makes USB-C charger mandatory for all devices including Apple iPhones

602 lawmakers voted in favor of introducing a USB-C charging port for all the devices, and 13 voted against the decision. This decision of the Members of Parliament of the European Union will compel the companies like Apple to introduce a common charging port.

On Tuesday, in Strasbourg, during the final debate, the lead negotiator in the European Parliament, Alex Agius Saliba, held up a bundle of power adapters and stated, “We are replacing this pile of chargers with just this,” holding up a single USB-C cable."

All the phone, tablet, and camera companies have until the fall of 2024 to introduce these norms. After that, the Laptop companies will have longer to make the shift. Bloomberg reported that Apple is testing the USB-C charger for its iPhone models to replace its lightning cable. The EU's decision has not been pleasant for Apple.

The final signature of the EU member states is still pending and will be written in the law by the beginning of 2023. The deal was agreed upon in June between the commission and the European Union’s 27 countries. 

The single charger policy will affect Apple more than its rivals but will be an ease for the users who have regularly complained about switching between adapters for their phones. 

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Google October Event 2022: Heres everything expected to launch at the event

Google is hosting its hardware launch event on October 6. The October event is supposed to showcase the Pixel 7 series along with a bunch of other new products. Earlier this year, Google first showcased the Pixel 7 series at its 2022 I/O event, although they did not reveal all the details at that time.

Google October 2022 Event: Expectations

 

As of now, Google has confirmed that along with the Pixel 7 series, the Pixel Watch and the Pixel Buds would also be unveiled. Further, according to reports, the Google Nest Smart Home devices like the new Nest Mini and Nest Hub Max could also be launched. 

The Pixel 7 Pro is expected to come with a 6.7" 1440p 120HZ OLED display. The device will be powered by the newer Tensor 2 chipset. In terms of optics, the device could come with a 50MP main camera, a 48MP 4x zoom with a 12MP Ultrawide camera as well.

Meanwhile, the regular Pixel 7 will come with a much smaller 6.2" 1080p 90Hz OLED display. It’ll be powered by the same Tensor 2 chipset, however, instead of the triple camera setup on the 7 Pro, the device will only come with a 50MP main and a 12MP ultrawide camera.

How do I watch the Google October Event?

While the Google launch event will take place in the Williamsburg neighbourhood of NYC, the in-person event is limited to the press only. However, people can tune into the live event at the Google Store which is available in the United States, Great Britain, and Australia. If you are looking to watch the event outside of one of those countries, check out the live stream here.

The event will take place on October 6 at 10 a.m. ET. Timings for other countries are mentioned below:

Delhi, India — 7:30 p.m. IST Shanghai, China — 10 p.m. CST  Dallas, Texas — 9 a.m. CDT  Honolulu, Hawaii — 4 a.m. HAST  Hong Kong — 10 p.m. HKT  San Francisco, California — 7 a.m. PDT Halifax, Canada — 11 a.m. ADT  Berlin, Germany — 4 p.m. CEST  Dubai, United Arab Emirates — 6 p.m. GST  Seoul, South Korea — 11 p.m. KST   

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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Apple Store Online in India has announced festive offers, and a lot more: Know what they are here

As India enters the festive season, Apple Store Online has announced several attractive offers on its new product line-up of iPhone 14 series, Watch Series 8, AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and more for the fans in the country, along with free customised engraving on devices and 'Today at Apple free educational sessions.

The consumers can get Rs 7,000 instant savings on orders over Rs 41,900 across all products with HDFC Bank or American Express credit cards.

This season, Apple is offering more flexible ways to pay. When you use eligible HDFC Bank credit cards and American Express cards, you'll get 7 per cent instant savings up to Rs 7,000 across all products.

The users also have low monthly instalments options with EMI and can get upfront savings to cover interest with 'No Cost EMI' for three or six months.

"And, if you're buying a new iPhone, you can exchange your current smartphone for instant credit" according to the Apple Store Online in India.

Customers can also personalise iPad, AirPods, AirTag or Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) by engraving a unique mix of emoji, numbers and text in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Telugu and English for free only at Apple Store Online.

The company also has 'Today at Apple' educational sessions, ranging in topics from photo and video to music, coding, art, design and more.

These sessions are held all over the world and are led by 'Creative Pros', and at times world-class artists, photographers and musicians, teaching sessions from basics and how-to lessons to professional-level programmes.

On October 5, Canadian-born artist and architect Keerat Kaur will bring your favourite memory to life on iPad in a session on India Apple Store Online.

Guided by her, "you'll explore colour, characters, motifs and more to make a piece as personal as the memory that inspired it".

(Except for the headline and cover image, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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Musks Starlink internet speed drops as more users sign up for service

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Elon Musk-run affordable satellite internet service Starlink is expanding fast -- from Antarctica to Royal Caribbean cruise ships -- but its speed has decreased in almost all countries it operates as more users opt for it.

According to a new report from network intelligence firm Ookla, the median download speeds for Starlink fell across Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, the UK and the US, dropping between 9 per cent and 54 per cent from Q2 2021 to Q2 2022 as more users signed up for the service.

Starlink's data upload speeds also slowed, with speeds decreasing across all of the countries.

However, Starlink still reached a median download speed of at least 60 Mbps in North America during Q2, which is more than enough for at least one connected device to do most everything on the internet including streaming video, downloading games, and chatting on video with friends and family.

Satellite connectivity is coming to mobile, with Starlink's new partnership with T-Mobile and new mobile devices becoming satellite enabled.

Starlink isn't stopping there -- they're trying to get into airplanes, cruise ships, and cars.

"But they're not the only satellite provider making moves; Viasat is launching its Viasat-3 fleet, OneWeb is combining business with Eutelsat, and Amazon is sending 3,236 Project Kuiper satellites into orbit," said the report.

Starlink latency fared a little better with latency remaining relatively flat (though high when compared to fixed broadband) in most countries.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said this week that Starlink, the satellite Internet division of his rocket company, is now active on all the continents, including Antarctica.

He also said "another batch with lasers reaches orbit" after the deployment of 54 Starlink satellites was confirmed by the company.

Starlink can offer speeds of around 50-200 Mbps.

(Except for the headline, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in

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Amazon Great India Festival 2022: Best deals on Washing Machines

The Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale is finally here and we've curated some of the best deals on washing machines for you guys. If you are looking to purchase a washing machine, now is an ideal time to make that purchase. Amazon stocks top automatic washing machines and semi-automatic washing machines at a discounted price. The Amazon Great Indian Festival sale also coincides with rival Flipkart’s Big Billion Day Sale 2022 which also aims to lure customers with deals and offers across categories. As always, the Amazon Great Indian Festival sale 2022 begins 24 hours early exclusively for Amazon Prime subscribers. So if you were saving up for the festive season, now is the time to go on a shopping spree and here are the best deals and offers you should check out during the Amazon Great Indian Festival sale. Check out the washing machine sale offers on Amazon India. 

Here are the top deals on Amazon Great Indian Festival 2022 Sale on washing machines. 

Bosch 7 kg 5 Star Inverter Touch Control Fully Automatic Front Loading Washing Machine

The Samsung fully automatic front load washing machine offers the best wash quality and has an Energy and Water efficient design. You can connect your washing machine with your mobile through Wi-Fi, and also personalise washing by remembering your habits, suggesting cycles and displaying timely information. A SmartThings App helps in planning and troubleshooting and chooses the perfect drying course automatically. The washing machine has a capacity of 7 kgs and is ideal for families with 3 to 4 members. It comes with a 3 years warranty on the product, and 10 years on the motor. The washing machine has 22 wash programs. Check out the washing machine price on Amazon.

Buy Here!

IFB 6.5 Kg Fully-Automatic Front Loading Washing Machine 

The IFB 6.5kg 5 Star Fully Automatic front-loading washing machine is suitable for bachelors as well as small families. It has an energy rating of 5 stars with best-in-class efficiency. The washing machine comes with tri-shield protection, which comprises 4 years complete machine warranty, a 10 years motor warranty, and 10 years of spare part support. Buy washing machine and get the best deals on washing machines on Amazon India.

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Samsung 7 Kg 5 Star Inverter, Hygiene Steam Fully-Automatic Front Loading Washing Machine

The Samsung 7kg Fully-Automatic Front load Washing Machine offers an affordable option for buyers with great wash quality. It is easy to use and has a capacity of 7kgs which makes it ideal for bachelors & couples. It has 2 years complete warranty on product and 10 years on motor. The washing machine has 6 wash cycles and comes with powerful features like air turbo, auto restart, child lock, magic filter, tempered glass window, drum-type - diamond drum, and pulsator-centre jet

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Whirlpool 7 Kg 5 Star Royal Fully-Automatic Top Loading Washing Machine

The Whirlpool 7 Kg top-loading washing machine has an economical price, along with the lowermost water and energy consumption. The washing machine has a capacity of 7 kgs and is suitable for families with 3 to 4 members. The machine comes with a 2 years warranty on the product, and 5 years on the wash motor. It has Special Features like Smart Scrub Station which allows you to scrub without painful bending.  The washing machine is the perfect and affordable option for your home. 

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LG 7 Kg 5 Star Inverter Touch Panel Fully-Automatic Front Load Washing Machine

The LG 7 Kg 5 Star Inverter Touch Panel Fully-Automatic Front Load Washing Machine is a fully-automatic front load washing machine. It comes with the best wash quality, energy and water efficiency. It comes with a capacity of 7 kg making it suitable for large families. It also has an energy rating of 5 Stars. You will also get a manufacturer warranty, consisting of 2 years on the product, and 10 years on the motor. With 1200 RPM, it delivers higher spin speeds which help in faster drying

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