NoiseFit Crew Pro smartwatch launched at 2199: Is it specced to heat up the competition

Noise has launched the NoiseFit Crew Pro smartwatch in India. It is priced currently at ₹2,199 which is a hotly contested segment. So, what does this watch offer besides the obvious round dial, metallic finish, and leather strap? 

NoiseFit Crew Pro: Specs and features

1. Noise has equipped the watch with a 1.4-inch round display with 240x240 resolution and 550-nits of brightness. In this price range, we have smartwatches with 1.7-inch (Fire Boltt Ring), 1.83-inch (Fire Boltt Jaguar) and even 1.91-inch (BoAt Xtend Call Plus) screens. But, 1.4-inches would be a good place to start.

As for brightness, it is outsmarted by the Maxima Nitro with 600 nits of brightness. But, even 550 nits should be legible enough for most environments and is far more than 220 nits on the Fire Boltt Ring.

In the renders, the bezels don’t appear that thick either. You also have 100+ watch faces to customize the screen appearance.

2. The screen is engulfed by a polycarbonate case/bezel with a metallic finish. There are watches like the ​Zebronics Zeb-Fit7220CH in this segment which offer both metallic case and strap, just so you know.

You can pick the Crew Pro in several colours. The silver bezel of the Brown variant looks more glossy in the promo images. Some may prefer the subdued demeanour of the black variants.

Another assuring feature to talk about in the design department is the presence of an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

3. Coming to performance, it claims to track 120+ sports activities, which is several modes more than its main rivals.

You are also being promised 7-day endurance out of this thing. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge up.

4. This is Bluetooth calling smartwatch backed by the brand’s TruSync tech which is another name for single-chip BT calling.

This should be good for battery life and a smoother calling experience.

5. The list of health features includes 24x7 heart rate tracking, SpO2 monitoring, stress measurement, sleep monitoring, breath practice, and female cycle tracking.

You can buy the NoiseFit Crew Pro on Flipkart and gonoise.com at ₹2,199. 

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Realme turns off the controversial setting after pushback from the govt

Realme India has pushed an update to Realme UI 4.0 that disables the contentious ‘Enhanced Intelligent Services’ setting by default. This cuts the automatic permission and the subsequent process of data collection and mining. Well, at least the concern Realme users have for the use of their data.

Let’s understand what Realme users have to do.

Realme update disables Enhanced Intelligent Services

Following the backlash from the public and even a warning from the Indian government, Realme has rolled out an update dubbed RMX3741_13.1.0.524 (EX01). It’s a small update as the file size is just 20.93 MB.

Also Read: Realme C55 Review

It fixes the following issues:

1. Enhanced Intelligent Services will be off by default and it will be up to the user to enable it if they trust and want the performance enhancement claims made by this service. You have to pick between privacy and convenience.

2. It also tweaks the description text for this service. We believe it has removed the mention of the collection of call logs, messages, and calendar schedules. Realme had previously claimed it doesn’t collect these data even though the description said otherwise.

Also Read: Realme sets the record straight on data collection concerns for its phones

3. Besides that, the update claims to optimize system stability and power consumption of the camera scene.

So, you just have to go to the system settings and check if the update is available. If yes, download it and install it. You may have to restart the system once the update is installed.

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Nothing just 5 Nothing Phone 2 details officially confirmed so far

Nothing Phone 2 could be semi-transparent or at least have a translucent charging cable. It won’t be a small phone either. Here’s everything we have learned about the phone from Carl Pei as well as leaks and rumours.

Starting with what Carl Pei has hinted at in bits and pieces so far.

Official Nothing Phone 2 hints and teasers

1. Semi-transparent USB-C cable

pic.twitter.com/LOYjBLa5UZ

— Carl Pei (@getpeid) June 19, 2023

So, the top portion of USB-C connector of Nothing Phone 2 sports the signature "transparent design language" of the brand. You can see the Nothing brandng through the transparent part.

Carl calls it "nice" and we agree. It does look nice but we are concerned whether it will be discoloured in time. 

2. Not a small phone

Contrary to what we may believe living in the echo chamber, very few people buy small phones https://t.co/aVolitAzN3

— Carl Pei (@getpeid) June 18, 2023

Carl says not many people buy small phones. Generally, people prefer big displays for media consumption. More display for the money one pays. 

A smaller variant requires virtually the same resource investment as developing a "brand new" product, each of which will have a fixed cost in the mid-$xx millions USD range https://t.co/khvYAd9XoX

— Carl Pei (@getpeid) June 18, 2023

He also reveals it takes about the same amount of investment for developing a small device and a new device. 

3. An eco-friendly design

Real impact https://t.co/098RO22iUU

— Carl Pei (@getpeid) May 31, 2023

The Phone 2 will be SGA_SA certified. It will have a carbon footprint of 53.45 kg thanks to a plastic-free build and a use of 3x more recycled materials compared to its precursor. Even the assembly process is said to be using 100% renewable energy.

Also Read: Nothing Phone 1 review

4. Made in India

In an interview with IndianExpress, Manu Sharma, VP and GM, Nothing India has revealed the Phone 2 will be made by BYD Electronic in Tamil Nadu. Its predecessor was also made in India. 

5. Improved specs

Both Carl and Manu has confirmed the Phone 2 will be running on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC, a 4700mAh battery, and a bigger screen.  

Also Read: Carl Pei confirms the Nothing Phone 2 will be a flagship but by last year’s standard

Besides these officially teased or revealed details, we also expect the phone to feature a 50MP main camera with OIS support, 2 anciliary sensors, up to 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, Android 13-based Nothing OS 2.0, wireless charging, and even satellite communication. 

The Phone (2) is set to debut on July 11 at 8:30 PM IST. Carl and his team could drip feed or tease us with more details in the days leading up to the launch. We are looking forward to the same.

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Exclusive: YouTube 1080P Premium feature spotted on free account

YouTube 1080P Premium Enhanced Bitrate quality setting which was previously exclusive to paying subscribers is now available for free accounts also. It was spotted on select content and seems to have been rolled out to select users only.

We first noticed the feature on a football match on Sony Liv’s YouTube channel. Among the quality settings, we saw the 1080P Premium HD option.

The same wasn’t available on several other devices/several other user accounts.

YouTube 1080P Premium on the web (Video: Croatia 0 - 0 Spain | Final | Highlights | UEFA Nations League | 19th June 2023).

This makes us believe that perhaps YouTube is gradually rolling it to all users. If this is in fact a phased release, all of us are likely to get it eventually. Or maybe this is a controlled testing of some kind. 

In any case, here’s what this feature offers:

YouTube 1080P Premium: What’s the benefit?

hey there! some vids are only eligible for an enhanced bitrate if they were only uploaded in 1080p! more info about that here: https://t.co/kVTBc8wifo

— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) June 19, 2023

1080P Premium HD was initially an iOS-only feature that too for premium subscribers. However as it was expected, the quality setting has made its way to the web also.

YouTube calls 1080P Premium “an enhanced bitrate version of 1080p,” which condenses more detail per pixel giving a crispier output. 

Note, this option appears when the videos are uploaded in 1080p quality and are heavy on detail and motion.

In its official blog post, YouTube says the 1080P Premium option won’t appear on Live Streams, Shorts, and videos uploaded at resolutions higher or lower than 1080p. 

YouTube also says that YouTube Premium users will have the content set to 1080P Premium by default. When we checked, the content we played also was automatically set to this Enhanced Bitrate option.

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Realme sets the record straight on data collection concerns for its phones

Realme has addressed the allegations of personal user data collection on its phones. Both the government and the public have raised concerns about how the Realme UI 4.0 feature called ‘Enhanced Intelligent Services’ takes an unwarranted amount of data. Here’s the full story so far.

Realme Enhanced Intelligent Service: What is it?

Enhanced Intelligent Service is a Realme UI 4.0 feature that comes enabled by default. You can find it within Settings > Advanced Settings > System Services. 

Within System Services, there is only this option. So, in a way, it seems buried in the settings and you have to click and scroll a while to reach it. The official description says it’s for improving the user experience by optimising the device functions based on how you use your device. 

Also Read: Realme 11 Pro vs Realme 11 Pro+ compared: Is Plus worth the extra money?

For this purpose, it collects the following information:

- Device Information

- App Usage Statistics

- Location Information

- Calendar Events

- Statistics about unread SMS messages and missed calls

And it seeks permission for:

- Location Information

- Connect to the internet

- Read your calendar events

- SMS messages and call logs

That’s a lot of things, you see. It was first spotted by the YouTube Channel TrakinTech in a recent video. This was then posted by a user named Rishi Bagree, to which the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar replied, “Will hv this tested and checked”. 

So, should you be concerned?

Also Read: Realme 11 Pro series launched in India: Here are 5 amazing features of the Realme 11 Pro Plus

Realme’s response to the data collection accusation

Realme says the data collected as part of the Enhanced Intelligent Services is encrypted and processed on the user’s device itself. It also claims that it doesn’t collect data like SMS, phone calls, and schedules, even though the settings’ description tells so.

Also, if you want to revoke some of the permissions sought as part of this feature, you can control the same within Settings > App > App management > Intelligent Services > Permissions.

Finally, if you want to completely turn it off, you can do so by going to Settings > Advanced Settings > System Services.

We will keep you posted on the matter if we come across any new developments. Keep reading.

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Undawn ban callouts remind us of 5 games that angered Indians in the past

An Indian NGO named Prahar has called for the ban of Tencent‘s mobile survival RPG game called Undawn. It states the various ways the game tries to hurt Indian sentiments and also exerts its soft influence on the young Indians playing it. The Undawn's ban outcry stirred up our memories about 5 other games that were either banned or subject to the ire of Indians. We will see the reasons for their controversy. 

5 games that angered Indians 1. BGMI/PUBG

It’s fresh in our memory the many times BGMI and PUBG got banned in India. Although BGMI is back for a 3-month trial with some stipulations, the situation is still precarious. The NGO that wants the government to ban Undawn has said it will ask the authorities to reconsider the BGMI return.  

India is concerned about the violent elements in the game, how it affects the players, and the safety of user data. One of the conditions Krafton had to meet is to set up its servers locally in the country.  

Also Read: How Battlegrounds Mobile India Got A 3-Month Lease On Life And Should You Be Excited?

2. Smite

Smite is a 3rd person multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) in which players can choose Hindu gods like Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, Kali, etc as their characters for the fight. While this in itself may offend some, the wrong/indecent depiction of some of these deities has irked Hindus.

Also Read: Will green blood make the BGMI game any less violent?

3. Fallout 3

The game faced the heat of the Indian public because of a mutated figure in the game with dual cow heads called Brahman. 

4. Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age Inquisition was banned in India in 2014 because of its gay protagonist and some homosexual scenes. EA didn’t release the game in the country owing to some local content laws. Those who had pre-ordered the game were allowed a refund. 

5. Hanuman - Boy Warrior

Indian diaspora in New Zealand who were of Hindu faith got offended by the way the game allows players to control the character of Hanuman. The complainants were disturbed by how a powerful Hindu god was being trivialised in this PS2 game.

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Indian NGO Prahar has sought to ban the Chinese game Undawn: Heres why

An Indian NGO named Prahar has urged the Indian government to ban the Chinese giant Tencent’s open-world survival RPG called Undawn. If Indian authorities agree to Prahar’s allegations, then Undawn could be a new addition to the long list of banned Chinese apps in India. But, let’s not rush to any conclusion and see for ourselves why Prahar thinks Undawn must be banned.

Prahar’s reasons for urging Undawn’s ban

1. Undawn was launched on June 15, 2023, which happens to be the same day when the India-China border clash happened at the Galwan valley. About 20 Indian soldiers were reportedly killed in this skirmish. Prahar finds it very disturbing that Tencent chose June 15 as the date for the release of Undawn. 

Also Read: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – A Worthy Successor

2. The issues don’t end there. Prahar is also concerned about the military uniforms and weapons (like AK47, G36, M416, and MPX. in the game that were apparently worn/used by Chinese soldiers at the time of the attack.

Abhay Mishra, Prahar National Convenor and President has said the game is trying to exert its “soft influence” on the young minds who play this game. 

Not only that he thinks this is an insult to the bravehearts who lost their lives and the sentiments of Indians.

Also Read: Street Fighter 6: A Spectacularly Feature-Rich Fighting Game

Besides, the aforementioned weapons, the in-game armoury also consists of a variety of bombs, grenades, and melee weapons. You use these weapons as you go out on a survival mission in a world filled with zombies. You can play player vs player and player vs environment.

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