WhatsApps newest desktop beta comes with added privacy settings and more

WhatsApp Web and desktop users will now receive new Privacy Setting features. The company has just released a bunch of new beta updates for the app. These Privacy features aren’t anything new as they have been present on the web version of WhatsApp but are now making their way to the Desktop version of the messaging app. But, as per the latest report, these updates are now slowly rolling out to only a select number of beta testers.

In fact, just a few days ago, we reported that Whatsapp was trying to bring multi-device functionality, and a part of the effort includes launching apps compatible with different devices. Based on the Universal Windows Platform, Whatsapp’s desktop application will allow users to receive notifications on their desktops even when their smartphones are not connected to the internet. The app is based on the XAML UI Language which is what allows it to function on native windows apps.

The new update will now allow users to manage features such as Last Seen, Profile Photo and About Pages. It is assumed that the update will allow users to manage privacy settings in the settings page of both the Web and Desktop versions of the app. If you have not received the updates as yet, don’t worry as reports have stated that they are slowly rolling out the feature for all users. As of right now, as we’ve stated, the feature is only available for a select few beta testers. 

Also Read: WhatsApp’s new Desktop app has been launched

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Redmi 43-inch FHD TV Review: Does a 43-inch FHD TV shine in a sea of budget 4K HDR TVs

The Redmi 43-inch FHD Smart TV is a good TV overall. Not supporting 4K and HDR is not a con in this case as its picture performance is very good in SDR and better than some 4K HDR TVs we’ve tested in this price range. It has good colour reproduction and the panel works well for movies, TV shows and games. The audio output is fine for everyday use, especially considering the price of the TV. The only downside to the TV is that the UI can get laggy. The Redmi 43-inch FHD SDR TV is a very good option for those that understand the drawbacks of a budget 4K HDR TV and who want a TV that can reproduce content well. The only downside to the TV is the stutter I faced in the UI and hope this is something Xiaomi can fix via an update.

The 43-inch TV market is a very interesting one. Not only is it still one of the most popular screen sizes for consumers in India, but it is also one where consumers have the option between a full HD TV and 4K HDR offerings making the purchase decision all the more confusing. Today we have with us the Redmi 43-inch TV for review. It has a Full HD display and comes with Xiaomi’s own PatchWall UI, the same one we have seen on the recently launched Mi TV 5X (review) and the Redmi Smart TV X series (review). So, should you consider the Redmi 43-inch FHD TV? Does it make a better offering than a 4K TV around the same price range? Let's find out!

Redmi Smart TV 43 specs at a glance

Panel Size: 43-inch  Panel Resolution: 1920 x 1080p - FHD Panel Refresh Rate: 60Hz HDR 10 support: No HDR 10+ support: No Dolby Vision Support: No Weight: 6.5 kgs HDMI Ports: 2 USB Ports: 2 Bluetooth: Yes, 5.0 Wi-Fi: Yes, dual-band Ethernet: Yes Speakers: 20W  Built-in storage: 8GB RAM: 1GB Price: MRP: 25,999

Redmi Smart TV 43 Display Panel and Picture Quality

The Redmi Smart TV 43 has D-LED backlighting and we recorded a peak brightness slightly below 250 nits which is more than sufficient for SDR content. In our Calman analysis, we found that the Movie preset gave us an average delta error of 2.2 which is pretty good. To put things into perspective, the Mi TV 5X gave us an average delta error of 3.5 in SDR using the Movie preset. The lower delta error means better performance for SDR content, but we will talk more about this in our picture analysis. Even in the grayscale tracking, we found low delta errors in the 2-point grayscale tracking which is good with a slightly cool bias.

Above: ColorChecker Analysis for the Movie preset

Below: ColorChecker Analysis for the Standard preset

SDR playback

Since the TV does not support HDR, all the content we consume in HDR was played in SDR. This includes shows like Our Planet, Altered Carbon, and more on Netflix and Jack Ryan, Grand Tour and more on Prime Video. We also played our standard slew of SDR content like Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Spider-Man Homecoming and Young Sheldon. All the content on the TV looks quite enjoyable and even though the TV does not have dimming zones, a little bias light in the room ensures you get the best the TV has to offer. 

The Movie preset presented the best colours for most of the content we consumed. By default, the backlighting is set to 80 in the movie preset and I recommend bumping it up to 100 to get the best experience from the TV. For some content like Young Sheldon, the Standard preset brought about slightly punchier colours but for the rest of the content, we stuck to the Movie preset which presented a slightly warmer tone (like it should) while maintaining good colours. You can use the Standard preset and switch the colour temperature to warm if you like but, in my experience, this solution did not work well for all content. If you are looking to leave the TV on one setting, then I recommend keeping it on Movie with the backlighting bumped up.

What we would otherwise consume in HDR was in SDR on this TV and that is no bad thing. A lot of budget HDR TVs today do give a decent overall experience but none of them offer a true HDR experience which is found on much more expensive TVs. If you are looking for a good overall TV viewing experience, then the redmi 43-inch FHD TV will offer you a good experience overall. 

Redmi Smart TV 43 PS5 Gaming

We hooked up a PS5 (review) to the TV and the output we got was 1920x1080p HDCP 1.4 with RGB colours and naturally, no support for HDR. Once again, the experience we got from the console was quite good. There is a toggle to switch on ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), but there was no visible difference in our gaming experience when switching this toggle on or off. 

We played games like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (review), Ghost of Tsushima (review), Dirt 5 (review) and Spider-Man: Miles Morales (review) and more. A good thing is that we got punchy colours with ample brightness for all the games. So, swinging towards the sun gave us a good experience in Spider-Man, but at the cost of details in the dark areas of the screen. In an HDR TV, you would have been able to make out the details in Spider-Man’s suit but the details are not highlighted well on this TV. The same is the case with Ratchet and Clank. But in the grand scheme of things, this is a small gripe as you will only know what you are missing if you know where to look. Else, you are presented with some very punchy colours and the overall gaming experience on this TV is good.

Ghost of Tsushima and Dirt 5 are great examples of how this TV works well. From the watercolour art style of Ghost to the summer filled tracks of Dirt 5, this is a very good TV for those looking for a gaming TV on a budget. I still recommend switching on the ALLM setting even though I didn't find any noticeable difference with this setting off. 

Redmi Smart TV 43 Audio Performance

This is where the TV falls short like most budget TVs but the output isn't unacceptable for the price. While the TV has just 20W of sound output they are clear which is important. We received an update during the course of this review which “Improved the audio performance”. When watching movies and TV shows the dialogues were clear and even during mixed audio, you can make out what characters on screen are saying. While an orchestral background score suffers at high volumes and there is no channel separation between the speakers for an immersive experience, the overall output is acceptable for everyday TV use. I sat about 6 feet away from the TV and was well immersed in everyday content consumption. 

Redmi Smart TV 43 UI

If you’ve used a Xiaomi TV in the past, you should feel right at home with the UI. It offers the best of both Android TV and the company’s own Patchwall UI. Patchwall has evolved to give you IMDB ratings of content as a part of the UI. There are also IMDB top 100 list, and more lists like HDR 10+ content, Dolby Vision content, etc. Although considering this is an FHD SDR TV, you will consume this HDR content in SDR, just so you know. 

While PatchWall has cemented itself as a good alternative to Android TV, the experience on the Redmi 43-inch TV is a bit laggy. We experienced some random stutters when navigating the UI and while at times this can be because of apps updating in the background, it happened often enough to not be the case here. While the lags aren’t so bad that they detract from the overall experience of the TV, they are noticeable present in everyday use. 

Redmi Smart TV 43 Remote control

You get the same remote control we’ve seen with Xiaomi TVs for a very long time now. It's slim, sleek, and minimalistic. It has directional buttons, power, Google Assistant, OTT hotkeys for Netflix and Prime Video and a volume rocker. You still need to double-tap the volume down button to mute the TV and I wish we get a dedicated mute button on the remote with the next refresh.   

Redmi Smart TV 43 Build and design

Considering this is a budget TV, we didn't expect any outstanding features with the build and design and what's on offer here is what you'd expect from a budget TV. The TV is held in place by 2 plastic feet and has glossy plastic bezels which aren't too thick. 

For connectivity we have 2 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, AV in and an ethernet port along with an antenna port. There is also Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi which is nice. Overall, it is a simple looking TV and that's ok considering you'll spend more time with the display which has decent performance. 

Redmi Smart TV 43 Bottom Line

The Redmi 43-inch FHD Smart TV is a good TV overall. Not supporting 4K and HDR is not a con in this case as its picture performance is very good in SDR and better than some 4K HDR TVs we’ve tested in this price range. It has good colour reproduction and the panel works well for movies, TV shows and games. The audio output is fine for everyday use, especially considering the price of the TV. The only downside to the TV is that the UI can get laggy. The Redmi 43-inch FHD SDR TV is a very good option for those that understand the drawbacks of a budget 4K HDR TV and who want a TV that can reproduce content well. The only downside to the TV is the stutters I faced in the UI and hope this is something Xiaomi can fix via an update.

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Google Pixel 6a leaked renders show Pixel 6-like design, dual cameras and more

Google Pixel 6a has leaked new renders which reveal a Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro-like design. Google recently launched the Pixel 6 series but with availability set to some regions only. The Pixel 6a is said to be a mid-range smartphone and follows the Pixel 5a which did not arrive in India. The Pixel 4a was the last phone Google launched in India but that could change with the Pixel 6a.

The folks over at 91Mobiles partnered with popular tipster OnLeaks to give us our first look at the Pixel 6a which has a similar design as the other two Pixel 6 phones. Here’s everything you need to know about the Pixel 6a including its specifications and high-resolution renders.

Just in case you were wondering how #Pixel6a stands next to #Pixel6 and #Pixel6Pro... pic.twitter.com/S9t8jiEjSX

— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) November 21, 2021 Google Pixel 6a leaked renders

The Google Pixel 6a has a flat display and there is an extended camera module on the back with a dual-tone finish. The phone has a punch-hole notch cutout in the centre for the selfie camera. As per OnLeaks, the dimensions of the phone measure 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7mm by a rough estimate.

The volume rockers and the power button are situated on the right edge and there is a USB Type-C port at the bottom along with two antenna grills.

Google Pixel 6a leaked specifications

The Google Pixel 6a features a 6.2-inch OLED display that likely supports a high refresh rate. Considering the Pixel 6 series got a bump-up in the camera department, the Pixel 6a is also expected to have the latest hardware for the cameras.

While there is no word on the chipset powering the Pixel 6a, it is expected to have either a mid-range Tensor chip or a Qualcomm chipset like the Snapdragon 778G. This will be paired with 6GB/8GB RAM and at least 128GB storage.

The Pixel 6a will likely run Android 12 out-of-the-box with support for over 3 years of major software updates and 5 years worth of security updates.

There is currently no word on the official launch date of the Pixel 6a and we don’t know whether Google is planning on launching it in India anytime soon.

Also Read: Google wants to bring more Pixel smartphones to India this year: Report

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Xiaomi tipped to update 9 phones to MIUI 13: Heres the list

Xiaomi's upcoming MIUI 13 has been in the works for a while now, and now it appears the company is ready to roll it out to some of its most popular phones. As per the latest reports, MIUI 13 could be released by the company by the end of the year, and will likely be seen on as many as 9 Xiaomi phones in the coming weeks and months.

While these reports do not reveal a specific date, the timeline does make sense considering the operating system has been in the works for a while now, and that Xiaomi would ideally want it to be rolled out to users soon. 

Xiaomi MIUI 13 update phone list

As for the eligible devices, the report claims nine Xiaomi smartphones have been confirmed to receive the upcoming MIUI update in the first batch, with more devices expected to get the update later on next year. Interestingly, the reports also reveal the names of these phones, which are claimed to have been found in MIUI 13’s source code. The list includes some interesting phones, including the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4, Xiaomi Mi 11, Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite, Xiaomi Mi 10S, Redmi K40, Redmi K40 Pro, Redmi K40 Pro+. 

Once the update eventually goes live, it will replace the previous MIUI version which Xioami announced in the month of June this year. The new operating system is expected to be a major upgrade on the current generation MIUI as it is set to bring some new features and improvements including floating widgets, customized notification management, virtual RAM expansion, smoother animations, improved power management, a new always-on-display, better privacy, and of course more themes. Apart from these, MIUI 13 operating system will bring a revamped UI design and also improve the overall user experience.

Also Read: Xiaomi Soundbar 3.1 with wireless subwoofer, DTS Virtual X support announced

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Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Would Consider Leaving if He Can't Quickly Fix Culture Problems: Report

The Chief Executive Officer of Activision Blizzard Bobby Kotick has told senior managers at the company that he would consider stepping down if he fails to quickly fix the culture problems at the company, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, quoting people familiar with his comments.

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EWar announces Grand Gadget gaming tournament that awards gadgets for winning

EWar Games have announced a new flagship tournament in India. Called the EWar Grand Gadget Tournament, the tournament will give gamers the chance to win different gadgets. The company notes that the Grand Gadget Tournament will be rolled out as a weekly recurring event. 

Parth Chadha, Founder & CEO, EWar Games says, “We are happy to introduce the Grand Gadget Tournament – which has been developed with the objective to reward quality players on EWar’s mobile gaming platform and to encourage players to play more and win more attractive gadgets every week.This in turn will also further increase the DAU (daily active users) count on EWar on a weekly basis, and thereby accelerate our growth agenda in the long run. We have always been very committed towards rewarding and incentivizing high-quality and skilled gamers as well as adding value to their lives; and now with the launch of this Gadget Tournament project, we are hopeful that our users will be associate with EWar more actively and frequently, especially when they look at or use these gadgets they have won in their day-to-day lives.”

EWar Grand Gadget Tournament: Details

The EWar Grand Gadget Tournament will have no entry fee required for participation. The tournament will begin every Monday and end on Saturday. Prizes will be announced every Sunday. To register for the tournament, players will have to visit the official website and download the EWar app from there.

The top three performers of the EWar Grand Gadget Tournament will be awarded with gadgets such as mobile phones, Alexa smart devices, earphones, Bluetooth speakers, and more. The company notes that the overall prize pool for each tournament will be Rs 11,000. These will be distributed among the top 50 players of the tournament.

The first EWar Grand Gadget Tournament will kick off from November 22 and go on until November 27. The first game that will be a part of the tournament will be Ludo. the company notes that the games of the tournament will vary between casual and hyper-casual games. This would include Ludo, Snakes & Ladders, Carrom, among others. 

Also read: Online Casual Gaming Market Could Increase To Rs 169 Billion By FY25: KPMG Report

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Whats new in Battlegrounds Mobile India 17 update

Krafton is finally rolling out the 1.7 update to Battlegrounds Mobile India. As one might expect, the update brings with it a host of new features and additions. Most notable is the partnerships with the League of Legends animated series and Liverpool FC. It will also bring a couple of new gameplay changes and weapon balancing.

Battlegrounds Mobile India: Gameplay additions and weapon balancing

One notable new addition is the introduction of a piggyback feature in the game’s Classic mode. Now, players can carry any downed teammate or enemy. It should be noted that when carrying a player, the player's movement speed will be reduced and they won’t be able to use any items or board vehicles. Further, the downed player’s HP will continue to decrease when carried. 

Another new feature is the addition of a grenade indicator that will let players judge the location of a grenade in their vicinity, allowing them to take appropriate action. Further, the updated weapon balance will affect SLR, SKS, mini14, VSS, and DP28 weapons. 

Battlegrounds Mobile India: Crossovers and events

Battlegrounds Mobile India gets a new “Mirror World Theme”. As part of this, a Mirror Island will now appear in the sky after some time. Players will be able to enter this island by using the Wind Wall on the ground. When they enter the mode, the player’s character will transform into one of four legends from the League of Legends Arcane animated series. This includes Jinx, Vi, Jayce and Caitlyn. Players can then kill a monster on Mirror Island with the character’s weapons and skills. 

Players will also get Hexcrystals as a reward when they kill a monster. These can then be exchanged for a battle item. Once the character is dead or the playtime on the Mirror Island is done, players will return to the normal map. 

There is also another crossover with Liverpool FC. Players can partake in a number of events featuring the football team. This includes Event sections such as You’ll Never Walk Alone that offer rewards like the Liverpool FC parachute, the Liverpool FC backpack and the Liverpool FC jersey.

Another event is called The Recall. Players play with 8 friends and get Recall tokens, which can be exchanged for rewards such as the SCAR-L Malachite permanent item.

Also read: Everything You Need To Know About Battlegrounds Mobile India

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