YouTube simplifies video quality preferences for data and Wi-Fi

YouTube gives users a host of resolutions for consuming content all the way from the lower 240p up to 4K i.e., 2160p. However, choosing from so many options may be a daunting task for some and leaving it on Auto may pick a resolution lower to your liking. In order to address such concerns and also to simplify the resolution selection, it looks like YouTube has implemented new options. You can choose what quality the video plays back on YouTube and you can choose different options for mobile network and Wi-Fi

New video playback quality settings on YouTube

Clicking on the three dots when playing a video on your smartphone, then clicking on the quality button used to throw up a number of resolution options. Now all you get are four options: Auto, Higher Picture Quality, Data Saver and Advanced.

Auto: This setting “Adjusts to give you the best experience for your condition”. While on this setting, most videos for me stuck to the 480 resolution even though the device in question is an iPhone XR. The same on the 2020 iPad Air (review) would keep the resolution at 720p as well for me. 

The next option is the Higher Picture Quality mode which uses more data. The iPhone XR here set the resolution to 720p for me even though higher options are available and that kind of made sense since the XR display has an 828 x 1792 pixel resolution. But you can manually go into advanced and change the resolution to a higher one if you like. Know that this will consume more data. 

On the iPad Air 2020, the High Picture Quality resolution was set to 1440p which also makes sense since the device has a resolution of 1640 x 2360 pixels. 

Next up is the Data Saver Mode which as the name suggests lowers the quality. On the iPhone, it dropped the quality to 240p. 

The last option is Advanced which brings up all the resolutions the video is available in and you can manually choose what resolution to play the content in. This is the exact same as what we had before the new update. 

Another thing to note is that when you change any of the video quality settings while watching a video, it affects the settings of that video only. To make a universal change, you need to open the YouTube app. Click on the icon in the top right corner that represents your account, then click on Settings, and make the universal change in the Video Quality Preferences tab. Note that this tab has a (BETA) written signifying that it isn't available to all. So, if you don't see it here on your device, then the feature hasn’t rolled out to you. 

While it's nice to see YouTube simplify the video quality settings, those that know exactly the resolution they want need to click a few more times on screen to get to the detailed resolution menu and this can get a little annoying. However, since this feature is in beta, we think it may see some changes before the final rollout.

 

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Apple announces octa-core M1 SoC, will power new Macbook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini

Apple today finally unveiled the System on Chip that will be powering its next generation of laptops and desktop computers, dubbed M1. Apple had revealed its plans for the move earlier this year. Alongside the M1, Apple also announced three new pieces of hardware; the new MacBook Air, the new Mac Mini and a brand new MacBook Pro 13-inch, all powered by the new M1 SoC. This marks the beginning of a two-year transition period for Apple from Intel-based Macs to those powered by their own Silicon. There’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s dive right in.

Apple M1: Everything you need to know about Apple Silicon

The Apple M1 is a System on Chip built using ARM’s instruction set, as against the current x86 architecture that has been dominant in the PC space for decades. Using ARM’s instruction set, we see some similarity in the way Apple has gone about the M1 in comparison to its A-series processors. The first and foremost notable thing is Apple turning to the big.LITTLE design, with 4 high-performance cores and 4 high-efficiency cores on the M1. Current x86-based processors do not employ such a design, causing them to be less battery efficient. In addition, the M1 also features a GPU baked in with up to 8-Cores. The M1 chip also packs a 16-core Neural Engine. Perhaps the most incredible feat wit the M1 chip is the fact that it integrates the CPU-GPU Cores, the DDR4 memory, I/O chip, the Thunderbolt Controller and the Apple T2 Secure Enclave all into one chip. In addition, the new M1 chip also brings a host of industry-leading technologies to the platform, enabling workloads that weren’t previously possible on devices in the class. Besides high-performance, Apple is also promising some incredibly battery life thanks to the M1 chip.

Apple MacBook Air: Everything you need to know

The MacBook Air has been the most popular thin and light laptop for many years, for its exceptionally light form-factor through which Apple was able to deliver reliable performance and exceptional battery life. The 13-inch laptop from Apple powered by the M1 chip gets claimed CPU performance bump of up to 3x in comparison to the previous model while the GPU performance is bumped up to 5x, thanks to the GPU which can be configured with up to 8-Cores. The storage on the new MacBook Air is now twice as fast as the one featured on the Intel-based model, allowing for larger files to open faster. Another notable achievement made possible by the M1 chip is the shift to a fan-less design.

Mac Mini: Everything you need to know

The Mac Mini has been a very versatile machine from Apple’s stables. Besides being a mini-PC that can fit into even the smallest crevices of a work-desk, the last update to the Mac Mini also made it a favourite as rendering machines. Apple is infusing the M1 chip on to the Mac Mini as well, giving it the power of 8 CPU cores and up to 8 GPU Cores. Given the configuration, Apple claims that the new Mac Mini can deliver up to 4x the frame rate in titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which is a pretty bold claim. When we tested the game on the 16-inch MacBook Pro at 1080p, we noted frame rates of just about 45fps. Apple also claims that users can render complex timelines in FinalCut Pro up to 6 times faster on the new Mac Mini powered by the M1 chip than an Intel-comparable configuration.

MacBook Pro 13-inch: Everything you need to know

Finally, we have the 13-inch MacBook Pro which gets the new M1 chip. The MacBook Pro has been a staple favourite amongst content creators for the longest time, however, with the he 13-inch Intel-based model lacking a powerful GPU, its use cases were limited. Now with the M1 chip, users will finally be able to get a lot more out of the MacBook Pro, if Apple’s claims about the 8-core GPU are to be believed, the MacBook Pro 13-inch could end up being a viable alternative to the larger 16-inch Intel-based model for creative professionals.

Getting the Software to Work

Apple has had the foresight to prepare the app-ecosystem for the transition to Apple Silicon. Apple has announced Universal Apps, programs that are built on a code-base which allows the same application to run on both Apple Silicon and Intel-based Macs rather seamlessly. For applications that are currently limited to Intel-based machines, Apple has Rosetta 2, an application compatibility layer that will allow you to run all your programs on the Mac. Additionally, Apple has said that all iOS and iPadOS will run natively on the M1-powered machines as well. What remains to be seen is how the plugins for various editing applications will be handled. Will an x86 version of the plugin work seamlessly with an Intel-based Mac App? Also, will Apple allow access to the iOS and iPadOS App Store from directly within Big Sur?

MacBook Air, Mac Mini and MacBook Pro 13-inch Price and Availability

The MacBook Air will retail at a starting price of Rs 92,900, while the MacBook Pro 13-inch will start at Rs 1,22,900. The Mac Mini can be picked up for a starting price tag of Rs 64,900. Apple is also offering student pricing on these machines which is notably lower than the MRP, and also offering bundle apps like FCP, Compressor, Logic etc. Additionally, it should be noted that the prices mentioned are for base configurations, which feature the M1 chip, 8GB DDR4 memory and 256GB of storage. All machines. Can be configured with up to 16GB DDR4 memory and a whopping 2TB of storage. As for shipping dates, the Apple India Store currently pegs the shipping date for the three machines to be between November 25 and December 1.

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Realme X7 series teased to launch in India soon

Realme X7 and Realme X7 Pro have officially been teased to launch in India soon. The Realme X7 debuted in China back in September with Mediatek Dimensity processors, 64MP quad-camera setup and 65W fast charging out-of-the-box. The phones were earlier tipped to launch in India and now the company CEO Madhav Sheth has officially confirmed that the company is planning to bring the phones to India.

In a post on Twitter, Realme CEO Madhav Sheth said that he was “personally involved in defining many interesting products including some of the latest 5G smartphones like X7 series and new AIOT items that are very much expected by Realme fans”. 

realme is not just a smartphone brand but an integral part of your Tech-lifestyle now. In 2021, our aim is to make #realme the Most Popular Tech-Lifestyle brand that equips everyone to stay smart & connected. Wish you guys a #HappyDiwali. Read my complete letter to know more. pic.twitter.com/5gdhm8ji9l

— Madhav Faster7 (@MadhavSheth1) November 9, 2020

As per previous rumours, tipster Mukul Sharma has revealed that the Realme X7 series could launch in December in India. However, there’s no official word on the exact launch date of the Realme X7 series yet. As the Realme X7 series has already made its debut, we already know the specifications of the phones and both the Realme X7 and X7 Pro share a lot in common. 

Jist got an intel from my source about the Realme X7 series. In all likelihood, the launch is in December, just like last year's December launch.#realme #realmex7 #realmex7pro

— Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) October 30, 2020 Realme X7 Pro specifications

Realme X7 Pro features a 6.55-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) resolution AMOLED screen with a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The display supports 120Hz high refresh rate, is topped with a layer of Gorilla Glass 5 and is also home to a fingerprint reader under the screen. It measures 8.5 millimetres in thickness and weighs 184 grams.

The X7 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ processor with an octa-core CPU and Mali-G77 GPU. This is paired with upto 8GB RAM and 256GB storage options to choose from. The phone runs on Realme UI which is based on Android 10.

Realme X7 Pro comes with a quad-camera setup on the back that consists of a primary 64MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera with 119-degree field-of-view, a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there is a 32MP selfie camera housed within the punch-hole cutout. The rear cameras can record in upto 4K UHD at 60FPS with support for EIS.

The X7 Pro is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging out-of-the-box. Realme claims that the phone can go from 0-100% in 35 minutes.

Realme X7 specifications

Realme X7 features a 6.4-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) resolution display that uses an AMOLED panel with a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The screen is topped with a layer of Gorilla Glass for additional protection and there is a fingerprint reader underneath. It measures 8.1 millimetres in thickness and weighs 175 grams.

The X7 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 800U processor with an octa-core CPU and Mali0G57 GPU. It runs on Android 10-based Realme UI out-of-the-box. This is paired with upto 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage options to choose from. 

The Realme X7 comes with a quad-camera setup on the back that is the same as on the X7 Pro, including the front-facing camera.

The Realme X7 has a 4,300mAh battery that also supports 65W fast charging. Realme claims that the phone can be fully charged in 33 minutes.

 

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World Cricket Championship 3 Comes Out of Beta, Brings New Features Like World Tour

World Cricket Championship 3 aka WCC 3 is out of beta and is now live on both, Google Play Store and App Sore, as a free download. The mobile cricket game offers realistic visuals of a cricket match in a stadium, along with commentator voices from Aakash Chopra and Matthew Hayden to add bit more of realism to the game.

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Micromax In Note 1 and In 1B up for pre-orders on Flipkart

Micromax In Note 1 and Micromax In 1B are available for pre-orders in India. Micromax launched the In Note 1 and In 1B earlier this month, making its comeback in the lower mid-range smartphone segment. The In Note 1 will go on sale starting November 24 while the In 1B will be available to purchase from November 26 from Flipkart.

Micromax In Note 1 and In 1B are powered by MediaTek processors with multiple cameras on the back, high-capacity battery with fast charging support and stock Android 10 to boot. The In Note 1 is touted as a competitor to the Redmi Note 9 and Realme Narzo 20 while the In 1B goes up against the likes of the Poco X3, Redmi 9 series, Realme C15 and more.

Micromax In Note 1 and In 1B pre-order details

Micromax In Note 1 and Micromax In 1B is up for pre-orders on Flipkart and interested buyers can pre-book the phone during the Flipkart Big Diwali Sale 2020. 

The New Indian is all up for grabs. IN 1b Pre-Booking will start from 10th Nov, 12 Noon in the #BigDiwaliSale on @Flipkart. Go #INForIndia at just INR 6999 (2+32GB) and INR 7999 (4+64GB). Click here to know more: https://t.co/ZYoQnm7z21. #INMobiles #MicromaxIsBack pic.twitter.com/28NUQqBxrl

— Micromax India (@Micromax__India) November 9, 2020

As part of the launch offer,  Flipkart is offering instant cashback for Axis Bank and American Express cardholders. The Micromax In Note 1 and In 1B are also available with a No Cost EMI option.

Micromax In Note 1 and In 1B price

Micromax In Note 1 is priced starting at Rs 10,499 for the base variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and Rs 12,499 for the 4GB+128GB variant. 

The Micromax In 1B starts at Rs 6,999 for the base variant with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, while the 4GB+64GB model is being offered at Rs 7,999.

Micromax In Note 1 specifications

The Micromax In Note 1 has a plastic build that measures 8.99 millimetres in thickness and weighs 196 grams. It features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) resolution display with a punch-hole cutout in the middle for the selfie camera. 

The In Note 1 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 processor with an octa-core CPU and Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. This is paired with 4GB RAM and upto 128GB storage to choose from. The phone also supports microSD cards of upto 256GB storage for expansion. The In Note 1 runs on stock Android 10 out-of-the-box.

The Micromax In Note 1 has a quad-camera setup on the back that consists of a primary 48MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture, a 5MP ultra-wide-angle camera with 115-degree field of view, a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there is a 16MP selfie camera housed within the punch-hole cutout.

The In Note 1 has a fingerprint reader on the back and is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging and reverse charging.

Micromax In 1B specifications

Micromax In 1B features a 6.52-inch HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels) resolution display with a waterdrop notch cutout on the front. The In 1B measures 8.9 millimetres in thickness and weighs 188 grams.

The In 1B is powered by the MediaTek Helio G35 processor with an octa-core CPU and is paired with upto 4GB RAM and 64GB storage options to choose from. The phone supports storage expansion by using microSD cards of upto 128GB. Like the In Note 1, the In 1B also runs on stock Android.

The Micromax In 1B has a dual-camera setup on the back that consists of a primary 13MP camera and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there is an 8MP selfie camera housed within the notch cutout.

There is a fingerprint reader on the back and the phone is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery.

Still confused about the differences between the Micromax In Note 1 and In 1B, here's a detailed specifications based comparison. Additionally, you can also read how the Micromax In Note 1 compares with the rest of its Chinese counterparts here.

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Xbox Series X and Series S launched in India: 4 reasons to buy it, 4 reasons to avoid it

The excitement during the launch of new consoles is exhilarating and something you experience once every 5 or 7 years. With the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X and Series S, the excitement is at its peak. Not only are reviews of the 2 consoles live internationally, but people will start getting their hands on the Xbox Series X and Series S in India and around the world starting today. If you were on the fence about getting a next-gen console then there is one thing for you to consider. The Xbox Series X/S are available in India (out of stock as of writing this article) and we have no idea when the PS5 will launch. If you were contemplating on whether you should get an Xbox Series X/S at launch, we have some arguments for and some against that thought. So, let’s dive in. 

Four reasons to get an Xbox Series X/S at launch

Prettier looking games

While we have seen some incredible looking games on the Xbox One X, the Series X and S bring with them tremendous improvement with resolution and performance. So not only will new games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla (review) and Watch Dogs Legions (review) look prettier on the new console, but will also support features like ray-tracing wherever applicable. Needless to say, with Microsoft’s push for backwards compatibility, your old Xbox One, Xbox 360 and OG Xbox games will look and run better on the new consoles. 

HDMI 2.1

Yes, if you have a fancy 4K HDR TV or a TV with HDMI 2.1 capabilities, then you should definitely consider picking up the new console. Both the Xbox Series X and Series S support HDMI 2.1 features like VRR, ALLM and 120Hz. However, remember that it is only the Xbox Series X which comes with an HDMI 2.1 cable in the box. The Series S does not come with an HDMI 2.1 cable in the box. While there are only a handful of games that support HDMI 2.1, and only a handful of premium TVs that exploit the feature, it is a very niche audience that will get to check out the feature on their TV.

Note that both the Xbox Series consoles will work with your current 4K TV as well as 1080p and even 720P TVs without any problems. 

Faster load times

Another reason to consider the next-gen consoles is thanks to the SSD they pack. Just look at the video below to check out the load times between the current Xbox Series X and the previous-gen Xbox and you’ll understand what we mean.

Large library of playable games

Thanks to Microsoft’s backwards compatibility initiative, you will have a really large library of existing games to play on the console. This is the first generation in a while where you don't need to lock up your old games with your outgoing consoles. In fact, as we mentioned above, the games will look and run better on the new console. With Xbox Game Pass you have access to hundreds of games on day one to play on your shiny new console without dropping a big bundle. While the consoles themselves might be expensive in India, Microsoft has reduced the price of entry with Game Pass. 

4 reasons to hold off on getting the Xbox Series X/S

No killer launch title

The PS5 may not have a launch date in India, but it does have Demon's Souls, Godfall and a handful of exclusives coming to the console. Even though Spider-Man: Miles Morales (review) is a cross-gen game, people are singing its praises with abilities like ray-tracing and more on the PS5. While Halo Infinite was meant to be a launch title, Microsoft has delayed the game to 2021 leaving the Xbox Series consoles high and dry when it comes to new exclusive games during the launch window. All the games available at launch including Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Dirt 5 and Watch Dogs Legions will be available on the Xbox One as well.

No exclusives for the coming year

Microsoft has officially said that there will be no Xbox Series exclusives for the first year of the console. So, all the first-party games coming to the Xbox Series X/S will be playable on the Xbox One at launch. While there are some games that will be next-gen only, like the Medium, most other games launching for the foreseeable future will be available on the One as well. 

This is a good thing as it helps gamers transition with some ease from one console to the other.    

Expensive when compared to international pricing

The title says it all. If you want to know how expensive the PS5 is in India when compared to the rest of the world, click here. The same is the case for the Xbox. The Series X is priced at Rs 50,000 in India and the Series S is priced at Rs 35,000 making it considerably more expensive than its international pricing. Also, a few months from now, you may get a bundle. Console + additional controller, Console + a few games, etc. these bundles generally come with an attractive game and may even feature a unique theme around the console. 

Ironing out of the initial bugs 

We all know that a console isn't foolproof at launch. The Xbox One was a VCR before we got the compact One S. The power supply of the PS4 was adjusted and optimized in the second batch. UI and software were also optimized a few weeks after the launch of the console. During the Xbox 360 times, we saw the red ring of death. So, while we hope that all will be well when we purchase a brand-new console on day 1, it is possible that we may see some optimizations in the second or third production batch that goes on sale. There may not be any physical change, but some subtle changes internally that could make all the difference.

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PlayStation 5 Games Will Be Region-Free, Release Timeline of Two Major Titles Revealed

PlayStation 5 games will not be region-locked, Sony shared through a long lit of FAQs on its PlayStation blog. The company has also shared that Horizon Forbidden West and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will be released in the second half and first half of 2021 respectively.

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