Microsoft's $68.7-Billion Purchase of Activision Blizzard Could Shake Up Gaming

Microsoft stunned the gaming industry when it announced this week it would buy game publisher Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion (roughly Rs. 5,10,990 crore), a deal that would immediately make it a larger video-game company than Nintendo.

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iPhone SE 5G launch could be delayed because Apple just started its LCD display production

It's official folks! Well, sort of. The Apple iPhone SE 5G launch is hit with another delay according to a new report. The upcoming affordable iPhone is probably looking at a delayed launch date either in April or May of this year. We saw a slew of iPhone SE 5G leaks in the last couple of months. Initially, everyone thought that the iPhone SE 5G would be called the iPhone SE 3 and feature a notch-less display with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. 

That rumour was quickly debunked as later it became clear that the iPhone SE 3 will just be a 5G iteration of the already available iPhone SE 2020 with a few performance changes. The iPhone SE 5G launch was initially supposed to take place during Apple’s March event. However, due to the current pandemic and a few supply chain issues that probably followed with it, Apple iPhone SE 5G launch could shift to the month of April-May. 

iPhone SE 5G Launch Delayed

According to Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultant, the Apple iPhone SE 5G launch delay is due to production issues. In their report, they detailed that the LCD displays meant to be used in iPhone SE 5G production only started manufacturing earlier this month. Putting the iPhone SE 5G launch somewhere between April and March. Earlier Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman predicted that Apple will host its event sometime between March and April.    Despite featuring no major design changes, the iPhone SE 5G is still a highly anticipated smartphone. It is well-built, will feature 5G in addition to performance upgrades thanks to the A15 Bionic SoC and improvements in photography courtesy of a better 12MP rear lens. Most people don’t have a major complaint with the iPhone SE 2020 either, except for its battery life and it is highly likely that we will see improvement in that department as well. Additionally, its small form factor is something a lot of consumers prefer as well. 

I am crossing my fingers and hoping it's the last delay for the iPhone SE 5G because I can’t wait to get my hands on one. 

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Sony launches HT-A9 home theater system and HT-A7000 Soundbar in India starting at Rs 1,70,980

Sony has launched the HT-A9 home theatre system and HT-A7000 soundbar in India. Both systems are very unique and cater to different requirements. The HT-A9 has four individual units that offer a 7.1.4 channel output. These four individual units do not need to be placed symmetrically to give the user a surround sound experience. They calibrate to the room based on the position you keep them in, which is quite cool. 

On the other hand, the Sony HT-A7000 is a traditional soundbar and just like the Sony HT-Z9F (review) is modular in nature which means you can pick up the soundbar and subwoofer first and add the rear speakers later on to enhance your surround sound experience. 

In terms of features, both the systems offer a lot of similar features, so let's run through those first before delving into the specifics of each. To begin with, both the Sony HT-A9 and the Sony HT-A7000 offer users support for both DTS-X virtual surround sound and Dolby Atmos. Both also support Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping Technology and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. Both also support HDMI passthrough with support for HDMI 2.1. This means that if you have a PS5 and an Xbox Series X and a limited number of HDMI 2.1 ports on the TV, then you can connect your console to the soundbar itself to take advantage of features like 4K 120Hz support. 

When connected to select Sony BRAVIA TVs, both the HT-A9 and the HT-A7000 support BRAVIA Acoustic Centre Sync. This means that the TV is used as the centre channel for the speakers to add a level of immersion to the content consumption experience. Both also support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi along with support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Let's dive into the specifics of each system. 

Sony HT-A9 Home Theater System

The Sony HT-A9 is a uniquely versatile system when it comes to where the speakers can be placed in a room. There is no need to rearrange the room to suit the position of the speakers. In fact, the 4 individual units do not need to be placed at the same height or at a particular distance from each other for the optimal experience.  According to Sony, “with Sound Field Optimization, the A9 uses dual microphones in each speaker to ingeniously measure their relative height and position, allowing the system to generate twelve phantom speakers that completely encircle the room in immersive spatial sound. To activate Sound Field Optimization all you need are a few clicks on the remote and in just a few seconds it's auto-calibrated. The four speakers connect wirelessly so there are no cables running across the living room”. 

When it comes to the design, the HT-A9 features Sony’s Omnidirectional Block Design. Each unit has a cylindrical shape with a flat back making it easy to wall mount the unit if needed. 

Users can also add the optional SA-SW5 or the SA-SW3 subwoofer to the system for a more immersive experience. 

When it comes to specifications, the Sony HT-A9 will give users a 7.1.4 channel setup with 504W of power output. It supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI eARC connectivity along with an HDMI 2.1 pass-through port. It also has an optical port. For audio formats, it supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono, LPCM 2ch, LPCM fs(48kHz).

Sony HT-A7000 Home Theater System

Moving over to the Sony HT-A7000, this has a more traditional soundbar design and users can choose to pair it with either the SA-SW5 or the SA-SW3 subwoofer. Users also have the option of the SA-RS3S rear surround speakers to add to the immersion. The A-7000 gives users a 7.1.2 channel surround sound experience. The soundbar itself has up-firing drivers and side-firing beam tweeters to add to the surround effects. How effectively this works in the average room where you may have a door or a glass window is something we will tell you in our review. 

Coming to the specifications, the HT-A7000 is a 7.1.2 channel with 500 W of power output. For connectivity, it has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI eARC connectivity along with an HDMI 2.1 pass-through port. It also has an optical port. For audio formats, it supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono, LPCM 2ch, LPCM fs(48kHz).

Sony HT-A9 home theatre system and HT-A7000 Soundbar price and availability

Both the HT-A9 home theatre system and HT-A7000 Soundbar are available starting today, January 20, 2022. As for pricing, the Sony HT-A9 with the SW3 subwoofer is priced at Rs 1,70,980. The HT-A9 with the more powerful SW5 subwoofer is priced at Rs 1,97,980.

Moving over to the Sony HT-A7000, paired with the SW3 subwoofer, it is priced at Rs 1,50,980, while the HT-A7000 paired with the more powerful SW5 subwoofer is priced at Rs 1,77,980.

The SA-RS3S surround speakers are priced at Rs 30,990.

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Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge Review: 120W fast charging, but do you need it

The Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge sets a new benchmark with its 120W fast charging solution which is capable of topping up the phone’s battery in no time. While Xiaomi claims that it takes 15 minutes to charge the phone fully, in reality, it isn’t a consistent speed and more often than not, it will take more than 15 minutes to fully charge. Having said that, it is still the fastest charging phone you can get your hands on in India at the moment which makes it a great buy for people who demand better battery life and faster-charging speeds.

The Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge is the first phone in India to offer support for 120W fast charging right out of the box and is only the second phone to be powered by the Dimensity 920 chipset. While it follows the Mi 10i series from last year, the 11i Hypercharge is actually based on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ which launched in China in November 2021. We have seen fast-charging getting speedier every year and with the 11i Hypercharge, Xiaomi has set a benchmark for everyone else to follow this year. What’s more, is that the phone is priced in the upper echelons of the mid-range segment which makes it a unique offering in the sub-Rs 30,000 price bracket. We took the Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge through our usual set of tests to see how it holds up against the competition and whether the 15-minute charge claim does hold up in real life.

Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge Performance test

The 11i Hypercharge is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 920 chipset which has an octa-core CPU and Mali-G68 GPU. This is paired with 6GB/8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB/256GB UFS 2.2 storage to choose from. The CPU comprises two performance cores running at upto 2.5GHz and six power-efficient cores clocked at upto 2.0GHz. It runs on Android 11 based MIUI 12.5 which is set to receive MIUI 13 based on Android 12.

In my day-to-day use, the 11i Hypercharge showed no signs of slowdown or lags in any kind of interaction. And neither did I face a barrage of ads in the notifications panel, something Xiaomi has been criticized in past. Although the phone does come with some pre-loaded apps including LinkedIn, it largely remains clutter-free and is very snappy, thanks in part to the 120Hz refresh rate. 

The 11i Hypercharge performed well in synthetic benchmarks and we also compared its stats with the OnePlus Nord 2, Samsung Galaxy M52 and the only other phone which has Dimensity 920, the Vivo V23.

In the AnTuTu benchmark, the 11i Hypercharge got a decent score in comparison with phones like the V23 or Galaxy M52. However, between the four phones, the Nord 2 managed to get a lead of over 2 lac+ points. That said, the Dimensity 920 on the 11i Hypercharge still manages to catch up to the Snapdragon 778G on the Galaxy M52.

We saw a similar trend in the Geekbench single-core and multi-core tests where the 11i Hypercharge manages to beat the Vivo V23 and goes toe-to-toe with the M52 and Nord 2.

Next, we ran the PCMark workload test which checks the real-time performance of the phone by running some pre-loaded tasks like video editing, picture editing, document editing, web browsing and more. In this test, the 11i Hypercharge managed to surpass both the Nord 2 and V23 which proves that it is much more adept.

We also ran a CPU Throttling test which stress tests the CPU to determine whether it throttles under extreme workloads. Here, the Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge throttled to 94% of its maximum performance which proves that it is almost able to run up to its full potential while keeping the thermals in check.

We ran the same test but for a longer duration and there was no thermal throttling detected this time which means that the phone is offering peak performance for a sustained time. The 12600 mm2 vapour chamber is able to dissipate heat at a faster rate which in turn ensures that the phone stays cool most of the time.

In 3DMark and GFX Bench GPU tests, the 11i Hypercharge got some of the lowest scores amongst the Nord 2, V23 and Galaxy M52 which indicates that this phone isn’t meant for serious gamers. 

We also used Gamebench metrics to record the gameplay sessions to check its gaming performance in COD Mobile, BGMI, Asphalt 9 and more. The 11i Hypercharge runs COD Mobile at 60FPS with 96% stability on medium graphic quality and Very High frame rates. Sadly, that’s the maximum quality supported by the Dimensity 920 chip on COD Mobile while I didn’t face the same in other games like BGMI and PUBG New State.

In Asphalt 9, Gamebench recorded 30FPS at 94% stability and BGMI runs at 40FPS with 98% stability which is pretty great and in line with the competition.

While these numbers may not tell you the full story, they are enough to prove that the 11i Hypercharge is a great phone for use in your daily life. However, if you go on expecting too much from it like an intensive gaming experience, you are bound to end up disappointed.

Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge Battery and Charging test

The 11i Hypercharge’s fame to claim its 4,500mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging and Xiaomi claims that it can fully charge in just 15 minutes.

Now we did put that claim to test and surprisingly, the 11i Hypercharge did not live up to the hype. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Right out of the box, the first time I charged this phone from 0-100% without enabling internet or logging into a Google account, it did take 15 minutes to fully charge. However, my subsequent attempts at charging this phone from 0-100 took around 20 minutes on average. When switched on, the 11i Hypercharge took 19 minutes to go from 0-100% which is groundbreaking nonetheless. This was with the brightness set to the maximum with 120Hz refresh rate and always-on display enabled. I deep discharged the battery on the phone again for round two and this time the 11i Hypercharge took 21 minutes to go from 0-100% when switched off.

Xiaomi’s claim stands true but only in lab conditions with set parameters wherein you need the phone to not be connected to the internet or logged into a google account. Since that’s not how most buyers will end up charging the phone, the results we received still puts the 11i Hypercharge at the forefront of the fast-charging bandwagon.

The 11i Hypercharg takes anywhere from 17-24 minutes to fully charge on average while being switched on or off. Now, that is some serious uptick in the charging time and the impact can only be felt when you use this phone as your daily driver. 

As for the battery life, you can expect a day’s worth of use when listening to music, watching videos on YouTube, playing games occasionally, using social media apps, making video calls and more.

Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge Camera review

The Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge comes with a triple camera setup on the back headlined by a 108MP camera with an f/1.9 followed by an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro camera. The rear cameras can record in 4K UHD and 1080p at upto 60FPS. 

Out of the three cameras, the main 108MP camera is capable of producing some decent pictures that are colour accurate and detailed. During the day and in ample lighting conditions, you will be able to get some good images from the primary sensor with a good dynamic range, textures and natural depth of field effect. We also noticed some ghosting effects in pictures taken from the front camera but it's very rare and shouldn’t be a problem for most users.

Having said that, the phone fails to produce usable pictures at night or in low-lighting conditions. While the main camera manages to enhance the brightness and details in night mode, it does not come across as natural and you can see signs of shabby post-processing.

The ultra-wide camera produces average results with images having sharpness in the centre. But as you tend to move away from the centre, there is little sharpness and noticeable barrel distortion. Also, the colour tone between the main camera and the ultra-wide camera just does not match and is ever so slightly dull and warm.

Similarly, the 2MP macro camera can get really close to the subject but the result is filled with grains and sometimes it gets tough to focus on the subject. 

Overall, the camera stack on the 11i Hypercharge is decent and nothing groundbreaking. Its performance is at par with other phones in this segment, sometimes better and sometimes worse. That said, it is common across this price point and if great cameras is a priority then you may have to look elsewhere.

Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge Build and Design

The Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge has a plastic build with an anti-glare matte finish on the back which means that you won’t have to keep cleaning the back off of fingerprints and smudges. However, the matte finish is only available with Stealth Black, Camo Green and Purple Mist colours while the Pacific Pearl has a shining gradient finish. The phone also has flat edges which aren’t sharp and has a comfortable grip.

I like the build, design and in-hand feel of the 11i Hypercharge. It is slim measuring 8.3 mm and weighs 204 grams which don’t feel hefty in the hand. It’ll be safe to say that you can use this phone without straining your hands in tasks like gaming or watching movies.

The back panel has a large protruding camera module that houses three sensors along with an LED flash. The design of this camera module makes it wobbly when kept on a flat surface which is slightly more than my preferred liking.

Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge Display

The Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ (2400x1080 pixels) resolution AMOLED display that offers upto a 120Hz refresh rate and has a tiny punch-hole notch cutout for the 16MP selfie camera upfront. 

The display on the 11i Hypercharge is great for watching videos or movies and you can expect an immersive experience from the large and vibrant screen. Since the punch-hole notch cutout is very small, it does not spoil the viewing experience and the screen can get really bright, even outdoors and in sunlight.

Verdict

The Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge sets a new benchmark with its 120W fast charging solution which is capable of topping up the phone’s battery in no time. While Xiaomi claims that it takes 15 minutes to charge the phone fully, in reality, it isn’t a consistent speed and more often than not it will take more than 15 minutes to fully charge. Having said that, it is still the fastest charging phone you can get your hands on in India at the moment which makes it a great buy for people who demand better battery life and faster-charging speeds. The long-term effect of fast charging on the 11i Hypercharge’s battery is something we will only see in the long run, but for now, the feature works well, just not as advertised.

Apart from this, the display is really good in my opinion for daily use and you will enjoy crisp details with HDR10 playback support. This is paired with stereo speakers which can get loud and compliment the viewing experience. The build and design of this phone are good too and it feels comfortable and lightweight in the hand. However, cameras on this phone are very ordinary and you should not expect a groundbreaking camera performance as it is at par with the competition.

Overall, the 120W fast charging remains the only highlighting feature of the 11i Hypercharge and if you are someone looking for a phone with blazing fast charging speeds, then you couldn’t go wrong with the 11i Hypercharge.

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Google Play Games Beta Brings Support for ‘Seamless’ Android Gaming to Windows PCs

Google Play Games is now available in limited beta for Windows PCs and laptops, allowing gamers to bring their favourite games to larger screens with mouse and keyboard input support. The service will allow syncing of progress and achievements across smartphone, tablet and mobile, according to Google. Gamers will also be able to collect Google Play Points for purchase...

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Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2022: Best deals on PC Components

Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2022 is underway and will go on till January 20th, 2022. During the sale, Amazon is promising great offers and deals across a wide variety of technology gadgets and gizmos. This includes deals where you can get up to 70% off on Electronics and accessories, up to 60% off on TVs and up to 50% off on Amazon’s own Echo, FireTV and Kindle devices. We’re certain that a lot of you are also interested in deals on PC components such as CPUs, graphics cards, RAM modules and more, so we’ve scoured Amazon to find some of the best deals on such devices.

Additionally, if you happen to have an SBI Credit or Debit card, then you can avail an additional 10% discount. The deals we’ve listed here are without this added benefit so in case you do have an SBI card, just knock off an additional 10% off the price and you’ll get the final amount. Here are the most interesting deals on PC components.

Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (1x8GB) DDR4 3200MHZ (Deal Price - ₹3135)

If you're building a new PC or simply upgrading your old one by adding more RAM, then the Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB DDR4 ram modules are great. For the price, you are getting a 3200 MHz module which is the sweet spot in terms for speed for Intel as well as AMD desktop processors. Also, there's the added heatsink which is of great help to keep the modules cool.

Ant Esports ICE-200TG Mid Tower Gaming Cabinet (Deal Price - ₹2849)

You'd want a nice gaming cabinet to keep your PC in. At the bare minimum, you want good airflow and if you can also get some fancy design with RGB lighting, then that's up to you. The ANT Esports ICE-200TG checks both departments. It's got ample airflow and enough space on the inside to fit ATX, micro-ATX and mini-ITX motherboards.

Colorful GeForce GT 1030 4GB DDR4 RAM Graphics Card (Deal Price - ₹8890)

There's no way any of us are getting a graphics card at a sane price these days but some PC configurations don't even have an IGP for us to rely on. So we'd need to get a graphics card and the only cards that you can buy for sane prices are the entry-level graphics cards such as the GT 1030. These provide equal or better performance compared to the integrated graphics in most processors, so they're a good starting point.

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Rainbow Six Extraction Release Date, PC System Requirements, Price, Size, Review, More

Rainbow Six Extraction is the latest title in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow franchise. The new game from Ubisoft is set to release on January 20. Ubisoft will release the game on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, and Stadia. It has the same 18 operators as Rainbow Six Siege.

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