Apple Reseller Warns Against Using Android USB Type-C Charging Cable for iPhone 15 Series: Report

iPhone 15 series was launched on September 13 at the Apple 'Wanderlust' event. One of the significant changes in this year's flagship lineup from the company was the inclusion of the USB Type-C charging ports, similar to several Android smartphones. However, if you are wondering about using the Android cable for charging iPhone 15 lineup, an Apple reseller has reportedly warned against this practice. As per a previous report, the USB Type-C port on the latest iPhone series support multiple functions. 

The iPhone 15 lineup — including a base variant, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max — debuted at Apple's launch event on September 13. The smartphones get significant changes over the predecessors in terms of its specifications. With this series, the company also introduced the USB Type-C port on all the recently launched Apple devices, similar to several Android smartphones. 

However, if users are planning to use and Android cable on iPhone products, an Apple reseller in China has warned not to do so. According to a report on Chinese website CNMO, an Apple store in Foshan City of the Guangdong Province in China has issued an article to request iPhone users to avoid using Android's USB Type-C charging cable on Apple smartphones as it may burn the devices.

The report also mentions that several users consider it to be a gimmick to ensure that buyers purchase the original Apple charging cables, in order to increase their revenue. It is to be noted that Apple has already mentioned on its support page that users can use USB Type-C standard cable to charge their recently launched iPhones. 

To recall, the new USB Type-C port in Apple claims to provide 15 times more power than the lightning port's 0.3W of output. The company offers a USB 2-compatible cable in the box on purchase of iPhone 15 Pro smartphones. For a better data transfer speed, users can purchase an optional USB-3-compatible cable from the company's online, offline, and reseller stores. 

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From the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro to Amazon's latest mega-sale, we discuss the most noteworthy technology news events of the week on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS Earphones With 45-Hour Battery Life Launched in India

Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones were launched in India today. The entry-level wearable offers active noise cancellation (ANC) up to 30dB. It packs a 45-hour playback time on a single charge with the case. The latest earphones from Noise get an IPX5 rating for water and dust resistance. It houses quad mics with ENC support for better quality of calls. The Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones are already available for sale in India in two colour variants.

Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones: Price, Availability in India

In India, the Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones are available on sale starting today. The company is offering a lightning deal on the purchase of the earphones, with the discounted price of Rs. 1,699. It is available in Lustre Black and Champagne Gold colour variants. The earphones can be purchased through Flipkart, or online Noise website.

Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones: Specifications

The latest offering from Noise comes in a metallic finish case, with Noise branding on the case as well as each bud. The earphones get an in-ear design. The Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones get ENC (environment noise cancellation) for better quality of calls, with up to 30dB of ANC. It houses quad microphone setup. The earphones are powered by a 13mm driver.

With smart touch control, the Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones allow users to receive calls hands-free. They can also use Siri or Google Assistant, control the volume as well play music by tapping on touch-sensitive area on earbuds.

For battery, Noise claims to offer up to 45 hours of playback time with the case, and up to 7.5 hours of battery life on each bud on a single charge. The buds take up to 30 minutes to get fully charged, while the case can be charged from 0 to 100 percent in 90 minutes. The case also gets a charging indicator.

Talking about the weight, the buds weigh 3.3 grams each, while the case weighs 33.3 grams. The Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones get an IPX5 rating for dust and water resistance. It gets Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity support, and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

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Is the iQoo Neo 7 Pro the best smartphone you can buy under Rs. 40,000 in India? We discuss the company's recently launched handset and what it has to offer on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Galaxy S24 Ultra Design Revealed in Leaked CAD Renders, Specifications Suggested

Samsung Galaxy S23 series was launched in February this year. The South Korean tech giant has reportedly started working on its successor, the Galaxy S24 series, which may release early next year. The lineup is expected to include base Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra models. There has been several leaks and rumours regarding the smartphones, hinting at the specifications and the design. Now, the CAD renders of the Galaxy S24 Ultra have leaked online, suggesting significant design details. 

SmartPrix, in collaboration with tipster OnLeaks, has revealed the leaked CAD renders of the purported smartphone. The high-end variant of the Samsung's upcoming flagship series could be seen sporting a similar design as its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra (review). For optics, as the renders suggest, the Galaxy S24 Ultra houses a quad-camera setup, housing multiple sensors. The Stylus pen has been shown to get the same dedicated holster as the predecessor. 

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Leaked CAD Renders
Photo Credit: OnLeaks X SmartPrix

 

Previous reports have already suggested that the smartphone could sport a 6.8-inch display. The latest renders add that the model is expected to get narrowest bezels on any smartphone yet due to significant reduction in bezel size. It is said to feature WQHD+ resolution display. Moreover. the Galaxy S24 Ultra could incorporate an ultra-wideband antenna on the right edge. 

The dimensions of the upcoming smartphone are reported to be around 162.3 x 79 x 8.7mm, while it may weigh approximately 23g. Similar to Apple's iPhone 15 series, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is also said to get titanium build, making the smartphone lighter in weight. In terms of battery, it could pack a 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging. 

The report adds that the Galaxy S24 Ultra could be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. It is expected to get a 200-megapixel primary rear camera. For selfies, the phone could house a 12-megapixel front snapper. It is to be noted that Samsung has not announced the upcoming series yet. 

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Samsung Galaxy A34 5G was recently launched by the company in India alongside the more expensive Galaxy A54 5G smartphone. How does this phone fare against the Nothing Phone 1 and the iQoo Neo 7? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2 Press Renders Leaked Ahead of October 4 Launch

Google Pixel 8 series smartphones are all set to launch on October 4, alongside Pixel Watch 2. The smartphone lineup includes Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Both the handsets will be available for purchase in India starting October 5. Ahead of the launch, there have been several leaks regarding the upcoming smartphone series and the smartwatch from Google. A new report has now leaked the press renders of the Google Pixel 8 series and Pixel Watch 2, revealing the design and hinting at specifications of the devices. 

A report by WinFuture has revealed the press renders of the upcoming devices. The base variant of the smartphone series, the Google Pixel 8 is said to sport a 6.17-inch Full HD AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120HZ, and a resolution of 2400x1080 pixels. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro will reportedly feature a 6.7-inch OLED display panel, with a resolution of 3120x1440 pixels. It too could offer a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. 

Google Pixel 8 Pro as shown in leaked press renders
Photo Credit: WinFuture

 

As per the report, the Pixel 8 would pack 8GB RAM with 128GB and 256GB storage variants. It is said to be powered by a Google Tensor G3 SoC. On the other hand, Pixel 8 Pro would get three storage configurations: a 12GB RAM + 128GB storage model, another 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option and a 12GB RAM + 512GB storage variant. 

For optics, both smartphones would house a 50-megapixel primary rear camera. However, the Google Pixel 8 would house a 12-megapixel with Sony IMX386 sensor for ultra-wide-angle shots in the dual camera unit, while Pixel 8 Pro is said to get a triple camera unit which would include a 64-megapixel and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. For selfies, both models are expected to feature an 11-megapixel sensor. 

Talking about the price range, the Pixel 8 is expected to start at EUR 799 euros (nearly Rs. 70,200), while the Google Pixel 8 Pro could be available at a starting price of EUR 1099 (nearly Rs. 96,500). 

Google Pixel Watch 2 as shown in leaked press renders
Photo Credit: WinFuture

 

Next in line is the Pixel Watch 2, which is said to feature a 1.2-inch OLED-based display. The company could use a Snapdragon W5 Gen1 chipset for the wearable. It is reported to pack 2GB RAM. The smartwatch would come with all smart features like optical heart rate monitor, oxygen saturation tracker, and a multi-purpose sensor. It could run Wear OS 4, and is expected to be backed by a 306mAH battery. The starting price of the Pixel Watch 2 could be EUR 399 (nearly Rs. 35,000). 

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Google I/O 2023 saw the search giant repeatedly tell us that it cares about AI, alongside the launch of its first foldable phone and Pixel-branded tablet. This year, the company is going to supercharge its apps, services, and Android operating system with AI technology. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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YouTube Announces AI-Enabled Editing Products for Video Creators

YouTube will roll out a slew of artificial-intelligence-powered features for creators, the latest effort from parent company Alphabet to incorporate generative AI — technology that can create and synthesize text, images, music and other media given simple prompts — into its most important products and services.

Among the new products YouTube announced Thursday is a tool called Dream Screen that uses generative AI to add video or image backgrounds to short-form videos, which the company calls Shorts. It also announced new AI-enabled production tools to help with editing both short- and long-form videos on its platform.

“We're unveiling a suite of products and features that will enable people to push the bounds of creative expression,” Toni Reid, YouTube's vice president for community products, said in a blog post timed to the announcement Thursday. The Google-owned video platform first announced that it was developing the tools in March.

Google has been under pressure to show results and practical applications for its generative AI products. Some critics have been wary the company, which has long been seen as a leader in artificial intelligence, was falling behind upstarts like OpenAI or rival Microsoft, and that the products Google was rolling out weren't yet ready for public consumption. OpenAI's ChatGPT and a new Bing chatbot from Microsoft — which has invested $13 billion (nearly Rs. 1,08,100 crore) in OpenAI since 2019 — have been wildly popular and gained mainstream favour. 

Over the past few months, Google launched its own ChatGPT competitor, Bard, and released a steady flow of updates to the product. It's  also incorporated experimental generative AI features into its most important services, including its flagship search engine, in what the company calls its experimental “search generative experience.” The product generates detailed summaries based on information it's ingested from the internet and other digital sources in response to search queries.

The announcement of the new features also comes as YouTube is locked in fierce competition with ByteDance's TikTok and Meta Platforms's Instagram Reels to gain more share of the vertical, short-form video market. YouTube said it now sees more than 70 billion daily views on Shorts, and the new generative AI tools appear to be aimed at attracting even more users and creators and gaining a competitive edge over its rivals.

The company also announced YouTube Create, a mobile app aimed at helping the platform's creators make video production work easier. The app includes AI-enabled features like editing and trimming, automatic captioning, voiceover capabilities and access to a library of filters and royalty-free music. The app is currently in beta on Android in “select markets,” the company said, and will be free of charge.

Beyond creation, YouTube said it would also provide creators with more tools to get AI-powered insights, help with automatic dubbing of videos and assist with finding music and soundtracks for videos.

© 2023 Bloomberg LP 

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From the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro to Amazon's latest mega-sale, we discuss the most noteworthy technology news events of the week on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Amazon Fall 2023 Launch Event: All the Biggest Announcements and Launches

Amazon is supercharging its devices and services with generative AI. At its September hardware launch event, the world's largest online retailer announced new Echo and Fire TV devices, revealed how Alexa is getting generative AI, and a number of interesting ways Amazon is bringing the power of LLMMs to offer real-world solutions to its customers. With generative AI, Alexa is set to become a more powerful and 'conversational' virtual assistant. Customers will be able to join a preview to test these new generative AI features which will work with all existing Echo devices in the market. 

Here's a roundup of all the major announcements Amazon made at its fall hardware launch event on Wednesday: 

All-new Echo Show 8 smart display launched

Amazon kicked off its fall event by announcing the all-new Echo Show 8. The new smart display features spatial audio support and smart home hub functionality. Echo Show 8 can also 'sense' acoustics in a room, and adjust the sound output accordingly. It features a new proximity sensor, a front-facing camera at the top with a physical switch to turn off its microphone. The all-new Echo Show 8 is available for pre-orders in the US starting today, priced at $149. 

Amazon Alexa gets generative AI capabilities 

Amazon Alexa is finally getting generative AI. The company's generative AI models will be available across all Echo-enabled devices, including the first-generation Echo smart speakers. Amazon says its generative AI model is designed and optimised for voice, and focuses on offering real-time information besides letting consumers control their smart home products more efficiently. 

Alexa's generative AI model will offer a much deeper conversational experience. Amazon will open up its API to allow third-party developers to add their own LLMs to Alexa. The AI model will enable Alexa to offer personal reminders based on user interactions. For example, Alexa will be able to recommend recipes based on your grocery purchases. 

Amazon's outgoing SVP of devices and services division, Dave Lim said that Alexa will now be able to understand conversations and reply back with proper context. Alexa will also be able to respond to multiple requests from one command. 

Customers in the United States will get access to these new generative AI features on Alexa via a free preview soon. Amazon hasn't announced when Echo users in other countries will be able to access these features. 

New Fire TV Stick models, Fire TV Soundbar launched

Amazon also announced the launch of its next-generation Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and a new Fire TV Soundbar. The new Fire TV Stick models are powered by upgraded processors, and promise faster performance compared to previous generation models. Fire TV Stick 4K comes with support for Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6, HDR10 and HDR 10 Plus. Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which is just $10 more expensive than the standard 4K stick, offers twice the amount of storage (16GB) and Wi-Fi 6E support. 

Fire TV Stick 4K Max is Amazon's first streaming media player to support the Fire TV Ambient Experience. The feature was earlier limited to customers using Fire TV Omni QLED series TV models. Fire TV Stick 4K is priced at $49.99 and Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($59.99). 

Fire TV Soundbar launched

Amazon also announced its new Fire TV Soundbar alongside new Fire TV updates. The new model comes in a compact 24-inch design, and is compatible with all existing Fire TV devices. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing customers to pair their devices when they're not streaming content on the TV. The new Fire TV Soundbar is priced at $119.99 in the US. 

An upgraded Fire TV experience powered by generative AI

Just like Alexa, Fire TV is also getting generative AI. The new Fire TV experience promises to improve search and recommendations by combining Fire TV's extensive library with generative AI. Amazon says the new Fire TV experience will make it easier for customers to discover new content in a more conversational way. Customers will be able to ask Alexa to find content based on specific keywords such as actors, specific scenes, genres, etc. 

All-new Amazon Echo Frames launched

At its fall event, Amazon announced a new version of its Echo Frames audio glasses. The next-generation Echo Frames now offer up to six hours of battery life. Amazon says you can now pair and switch frames between two devices. Priced starting at $269.99, Amazon's new Echo Frames audio glass come in five new styles, including prescription-ready and blue light lens. 

The new Echo Frames promise a much better audio quality with the new custom-built speakers that can deliver more bass while minimizing outside noise compared to their predecessors. The glasses look much more natural, and are designed to offer a complete hands-free experience. 

Amazon Echo Hub smart home control panel announced

Amazon launched its all-new Echo Hub at its fall devices event today. The Echo Hub is the company's first smart home controller that looks more like a simple touchscreen tablet than a smart display. It can be used to control your smart home experiences. The 8-inch tablet-like device runs the same operating system as the new Echo Show 5. However, it doesn't come with a camera. 

Echo Hub offers a customisable smart home dashboard that lets customers manage their smart home devices using a simple-to-use interface. Echo Hub uses infrared to detect when a customer is nearby, and automatically switches to the Home Screen. When the user is away, it can switch back to a default setting such as a clock. Echo Hub is priced at $179.99 in the US. 

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CCI Said to Have Appointed Former WhatsApp Executive, Government Officials as New Members

India's antitrust body has appointed three new members to oversee cases, including a former government official from the commerce ministry and a former interim compliance officer of WhatsApp, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

The new members appointed are Anil Agrawal, a former police official who recently worked at India's commerce ministry and worked on various startup initiatives and setting up of government's e-commerce network, Open Network For Digital Commerce. He confirmed the appointment to Reuters, but declined to elaborate.

Two other appointments are Sweta Kakkad, a lawyer whose LinkedIn profile showed she is a former interim chief compliance officer at WhatsApp. The third appointee is Deepak Anurag, who is a former official who worked at India's Comptroller and Auditor General.

Kakkad and Anurag could not be reached for comment. The appointment decisions were finalised and taken by the federal government, the sources said.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) did not respond to queries from Reuters.

The appointments come at a time when CCI is investigating several high-profile global companies for alleged antitrust violations, including Amazon, Walmart's Flipkart, Google and liquor giant Pernod Ricard.

The appointment of senior members is critical to functioning of CCI. In May, India named Ravneet Kaur as chairperson of the CCI. Kaur held several positions in the government over the last two decades, including as chairperson of India Tourism Development between 2017 and 2019.

© Thomson Reuters 2023 

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Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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