Category: Smartphones & Gadgets

  • L’Oréal launches AI-based Brow Magic. Here’s how it works

    At CES 2023, L’Oréal introduced the first-of-a-kind forehead make-up machine, the Brow Magic. Brow Magic is an Artificial Intelligence-supported applicator that helps microblading-like eyebrow anytime and wherever.

    L’Oréal Brow Magic applicator

    L’Oréal Brow Magic applicator

    With the breaking Brow Magic announcement, L’Oréal bagged the CES Innovation award. Along with Brow Magic, the corporate additionally launched Hapta, a computerised lipstick applicator for folks with restricted mobility.

    To develop Brow Magic, L’Oréal partnered with the tech firm, Prinker, a pioneer in printed, non-permanent tattoos. L’Oréal Brow Magic makes use of 2,400 tiny nozzles and printing know-how with as much as 1,200 drops per inch (dpi) printing decision.

    In addition to the built-in AI in Brow Magic, the machine additionally helps L’Oréal’s Modiface AR know-how that advises on how to proceed with the eyebrows for the most effective final result and impact.

    Steps to get an ideal eyebrow with L’Oréal Brow Magic
    • Open the L’Oréal Brow Magic app and scan face with the Modiface forehead reader.
    • Choose the specified form, thickness, and impact you want.
    • Brush the L’Oréal Brow Magic primer via brows.
    • Roll the printer throughout the eyebrow in a single, sweeping movement.
    • Apply a topcoat end to set the look.

    L’Oréal confirmed that it will launch the Brow Magic eyebrow applicator and Hapta lipstick applicator in 2023.

  • Apple likely to launch Reality Pro in June 2023

    Apple has introduced its plan to launch its a lot anticipated Mixed Reality headset, Reality Pro, in June 2023.

    Apple Reality Pro headset with AR/VR integration.

    Apple Reality Pro headset with AR/VR integration.
    | Photo Credit: –

    Apple has been enthusiastic about its Mixed Reality headset for the reason that first time it broke the information, when the headset had solely Augmented Reality (AR) integration. By time, the headset turned out to be each Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) built-in gadget, and was supposed to be launched in 2020. But, it acquired postpone till now.

    As per Murk Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is eyeing its alternative to launch the AR/VR headset in June of this yr and can be referred to as Reality Pro. Apple could drop the plan to announce the Reality Pro at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) occasion. It is predicted that the gadget will attain its customers by the autumn of 2023.

    Reports additionally counsel that Apple has delivered the headset to a couple of excessive–profile software program builders for testing it on third-party apps on the gadget. Reportedly, Reality Pro headset will boot on xrOS, which can be codenamed Borealis internally.

    In addition, Apple iPhone 15 collection launching this yr is reported to help Dynamic Island, which may imply that we may even see a Pro-like show on the vanilla fashions.

    Apple is predicted to launch different gadgets – a 15-inch MacBook Air, a New M2 Pro/M2 Max-powered MacBook Pros, a New Apple Watch.

  • Apple working on cheaper mixed reality headset, delays AR glasses

    Apple has been working on a extra reasonably priced and pocket-friendly mixed reality headset than the one which was beforehand set at ₹2,50,000 ($3,000), as per current studies.

    For a long-time, information of the first-gen mixed-reality headset ‘Reality Pro’ by Apple has been doing rounds. The mixed-reality headset shall be a mixture of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). According to studies, Apple is planning to roll out the mixed-reality headset near that of an iPhone. Currently, the final line-up of iPhone 14 sequence ranges from ₹65,000 ($800) to ₹1,30,000 ($1,600).

    As the hearsay of a cheaper headset goes round, Apple can in all probability compromise on decision shows, sensors, physique supplies, processor, and chips for decrease latency.

    Halts plan for AR glasses

    As Apple eyes launch of a cheaper mixed-reality headset, it mulls to carry the plan for AR glasses for now. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in regards to the indefinite halt of AR glasses by Apple and its plans to launch the headset’s cheaper model by 2025.

    It is anticipated that the first-generation Apple ‘Realty Pro’ would function a three-display configuration with two 4K Micro-LED panels, superior sensors – a number of cameras and LiDAR scanner, hand gesture detection, eye monitoring, iris recognition, voice management, pores and skin detection, and facial features detection.

  • Samsung Unpacked Event 2023: what to expect?

    Samsung has introduced that its first in-person Unpacked Event because the pandemic to be held on February 1, 2023.

    In a weblog publish, TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile at Samsung Electronics, hinted that s on few issues that may be anticipated at Samsung’s Unpacked Event of 2023.

    the occasion can be all about digicam enhancements and launch of two new Ultra gadgets—Galaxy S Ultra.

    In the weblog publish, Samsung confirmed the sooner rumours which talked in regards to the introduction of recent 200-megapixel sensor within the S23 Ultra. Reports urged that Samsung could deliver enhanced show capability, a second periscope telephoto lens, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

    The Samsung pre-order web site hinted that Galaxy Smartphone and Galaxy Book choices are possible to be the highlights of the occasion.

  • Apple to launch mixed-reality headset in 2023

    Apple, reportedly, plans to introduce probably the most anticipated AR/VR combined actuality headset in 2023, which the corporate has been working all these years. Reports from Bloomberg say a number of particulars about its options, interface and the way it will likely be working.

    Apple mixed-reality headset, named ‘Reality Pro’ will reportedly have comparable to iOS interface – a number of iOS-like features which might be obtainable on the iPhone and iPad. The mixed-reality headset will even serve an exterior show for a linked Mac. Mac’s customers can be in a position to see the show in VR, and management the Mac with a bodily keyboard and trackpad/mouse. Like iPhone and iPad, the headset can have a Home display screen with app icons and customisable widgets.

    Features

    Apple’s mixed-reality headset will characteristic an eye fixed and hand-tracking instrument, the place exterior cameras can analyze customers’ arms and eyes. The headset could be managed by an on-screen merchandise to choose it, and with gestures the wearer can activate the on-screen merchandise.

    The headset can swap from AR to VR, and vice-versa each time wanted. AR features will work by way of a transition mode that can use the outside cameras on the headset, and swapping between AR and VR can be finished with a Digital Crown-like management knob.

    Video conferencing with the headset can be a serious twist, with Apple bringing FaceTime-based video chatting interface. The wearers precise getup like face and full physique can be rendered in VR for conferences, together with avatars obtainable for one-on-one interactions. FaceTime will use icons like Memoji throughout interactive classes with a number of members.

    Media content material

    Apple has partnered with Disney and Dolby for media content material, together with updating Apple TV+ exhibits and flicks to sync with headset.

    Apps will embrace traditional apps like Safari, Photos, Mail, Messages, ‌Apple TV+‌, Apple Music, Podcasts, and Calendar, and a devoted App Store. Siri can be utilized for textual content inputs, as in an ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or Mac keyboard. Alongside, Apple can also be engaged on an air typing characteristic, however it’s removed from being prepared to launch.

    Apple will even present customized lenses which might be in a position to sit throughout the enclosure. For the ears, the headset already has in-built audio system however Apple suggests the headset wearers to use AirPods too.

  • Nothing Phone (2): Upgraded features, availability

    In July 2022, Nothing Phone launched its first era smartphone.

    In a latest interview, the Nothing Phone CEO Carl Pei hinted that the corporate is all set to launch the second era — Nothing Phone (2) within the third quarter of 2023.

    Target market

    Along with the announcement of the launch of Nothing Phone (2), Carl Pei additionally revealed that the corporate seeks the US because the focused market.

    Nothing already sells its TWS Bluetooth earbuds within the US, and hopes to see an identical success for Nothing Phone (2).

    While there is no such thing as a affirmation on the launch of the cellphone within the Indian market, Mukul Sharma took to Twitter to say that the cellphone may even come quickly to India.

    Upgraded options

    As per stories, Nothing’s second era cellphone will supply “flagship grade” and goal primarily premium smartphone customers. Nothing Phone (2) will include 5G assist, like Nothing Phone (1).

    But, it isn’t clear if the flagship will likely be extremely or a nominal one.

    Reports recommend that Nothing Phone (2) will accompany a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 collection SoC. Given the data, the title of the processor is but not clear.

    Nothing Phone (2) can be stated to characteristic a 5,000 mAh battery, an upgraded model over the 4,500 mAh unit seen on its predecessor. In addition, the handset will possible have assist for quick charging, an AMOLED show with 120 Hz refresh fee.

  • Jabra Elite 5 Review: Jack of all trades, master of some

    A well-known title within the enterprise sector, earlier than it grew to become extra mainstream, Jabra continues to attempt to carry its personal within the TWS market. Its newest launch is the Jabra Elite 5, a pair of earbuds with hybrid ANC. However, does it provide what it takes to lure shoppers away from extra reasonably priced manufacturers corresponding to boAt and Oppo and even equally priced choices from JBL and Skullcandy? Let’s discover out!

    Build high quality

    Design-wise, the Elite 5 has a slim in-ear profile and matches properly once I plug it in. The unit I’ve reviewed has a nice gold-beige color and comes with 4 extra ear gels. The carry case is compact and straightforward to hold round on my fast morning walks. Even throughout prolonged use, the earbuds continued to really feel snug.

    Physical controls

    I might use the press button on the left earbud to cycle by ANC mode, hear-through mode to let in ambient sound, or simply flip it off solely. On the precise earbud, I’ve entry to play or pause by way of a single press, and to the following monitor by way of a double press.  All controls may be simply customised in-app.

    The Jabra Elite 5 TWS is an ideal multipoint TWS system

    The Jabra Elite 5 TWS is a perfect multipoint TWS system
    | Photo Credit: Siddharth MC

    The Jabra Sound+ app is straightforward to make use of and lets me customise the lively noise cancellation ranges I need. It has a bunch of music presets – impartial, speech, bass increase, treble increase and energise profiles.

    When I needed to drown out the workplace hum however didn’t precisely need to hearken to music, I used the ‘Soundscape’ setting that provides me the choice to hearken to ocean waves, wet day or songbirds,

    ‘Find my Jabra’ on the app is certain to be helpful in case I ever must find the earbuds – it exhibits the final recognized location. However, it lacks a tweeter characteristic which might have made the gadget beep audibly when out of sight.

    Sound high quality

    The Elite 5 has an immersive soundstage and presents a balanced combine of bass and treble. Those wanting extra management over the equaliser, can flip to the app to finetune the acoustic profile.

    I went old-school with Shankar Mahadevan’s Breathless, which is a pleasure to hearken to on the Jabra Elite 5. Each instrument got here by fairly clearly on the buds and total the acoustics are very spectacular. In Daxson’s trance quantity When Tomorrow Comes, there may be clear separation audible between the digital devices and vocals, which is prone to please most audiophiles.

    Call high quality

    Equipped with Bluetooth multipoint, the earbuds ship properly throughout telephone calls and on-line conferences. This can be courtesy of the six microphones embedded, each internally and externally.

    While there was no difficulty with the readability of my voice, I used to be instructed the amount appeared low. The auto-answer characteristic channeled again to the telephone’s speaker when related to 2 units, and having to manually change in the course of the name to the TWS took an additional second or two. Hopefully, this quirk may be fastened in a future firmware replace.

    Battery

    | Photo Credit: Siddharth MC

    The Jabra Elite 5 guarantees a battery life of 7 hours, and it persistently delivered this with ANC on. Along with the charging case, I acquired virtually 28-30 hours of playtime. Switching off the ANC mode ought to simply provide you with extra juice. A fast 10-minute cost gave me greater than an hour of battery life, which is a large plus whereas in a rush.

    Besides USB-C, the Elite 5 case helps QI-wireless charging as properly.

    Conclusion

    With a superb soundstage, Bluetooth multipoint, and passable mic high quality of the Jabra Elite 5, the value tag appears justifiable. Considering the truth that with ANC on, it presents a greater battery life than many premium TWS earbuds, I’d positively say this can be a winner.

    Price: ₹14,999

    Pros: Great acoustic profile, wonderful battery life, multipoint help

    Cons: Low mic quantity whereas on name.

  • A mellow melody: OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review

    Along with the flagship OnePlus 11, the corporate has already upgraded its premium earbud providing with the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. I’ve had it plugged it for about three weeks now and right here’s whether or not it made me dance to its tunes!

    Design

    The case is mild and compact, with a minimal brand and ‘Dynaudio’ branding on high. The USB-C port is on the again whereas the indicator mild is on the entrance as a signpost for pairing and charging. 

    The earbuds are light-weight too and I feel are positively probably the most comfy in-ear buds I’ve used during the last 12 months. Even with 4-5 hour streaming binges, there’s little or no discomfort with the Buds Pro 2 plugged in.

    Sound high quality

    Google Fast Pair works snappily with every new machine I join the buds to. So, no sweat there. 

    I activate some Spotify and discover that the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 principally has a well-balanced sound profile. It’s slightly keen on excessive notes and trebles throughout tracks, which is one thing you gained’t discover on many earphones. Whether that’s a fascinating high quality or not depends upon what sort of sound profile you like as a listener. For what it’s price, it doesn’t precisely underplay the bass. The Dynaudio default equaliser and the three presets – Bold, Serenade, and Bass – all do agood job of providing alternate acoustic preferences. 

    Spatial Audio

    The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 has adopted Google’s signature spatial audio perform developed for Android 13. And I want I had one thing good to jot down about this however I don’t. Switching on the Fixed spatial mode tilts the whole soundtrack to being louder and treble-heavy, and fairly unpleasantly so. The impact could be a bit jarring and higher-end TWS choices such because the Apple Airpods Pro and the Samsung Buds2 Pro do a significantly better job of making the spatial sound impact. 

    While OnePlus has managed to get a elaborate collab with the composer extraordinaire, Hans Zimmer, the specifically created ‘Soundscape’ is but to be part of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 machine/app (on the time of writing). The firm says customers want to attend for an OTA improve on this one.

    Call high quality

    On Zoom calls taken each from house and a quiet office, I used to be instructed my voice was clear on the opposite facet. I additionally didn’t hear many complaints once I took calls whereas out and about. 

    Noise cancellation 

    The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 incorporates a “good adaptive” noise cancellation perform, eliminating ambient noise as much as 48dB. To offer you an instance, conversations at house or a quiet, non-chatty office may register at round 50 dB. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 really does a fairly first rate job of drowning out chatter and the loud buzz of the metro that I take day by day. 

    There’s a transparency mode that accompanies any noise cancellation TWS earbud and does its job nicely of letting ambient sound in.

    App Quality

    There are some customisations I could make via the app. 

    I can use a fast squeeze solely to play/pause on each buds. A double-squeeze could be customised to navigate tracks, set off the voice assistant or have a sport mode on. The similar goes for a triple-squeeze. 

    Battery life 

    This someday once I was alleged to be ending this text, I went on a YouTube & Spotify nostalgia music binge as an alternative. The buds went on for nearly 4-5 hours of steady playback and nonetheless had some residual cost left. In the three weeks that I’ve been utilizing them, they haven’t actually died on me regardless of not being plugged in religiously each couple of days or so. A full-charged charging case is sweet for 3 cycles of cost for the earbuds. 

    Verdict

    At this value vary, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is among the greatest TWS buds for customers of Android gadgets. The solely gripe I’ve is the spatial audio might have been extra well-rounded and resonant as an alternative of being heavy on the treble.  

    Price – ₹11,999

    Pros – Decent sound high quality, lengthy battery life, efficient noise cancellation 

    Cons – No on-device quantity controls, spatial sound results could possibly be higher

  • Hitting play on nostalgia! Sony Walkman A-306 review

    Nostalgia brings alongside each consolation and craving. But it’s additionally a tough highway to go down. There’s at all times this trepidation about how one would really feel now, about stuff you as soon as noticed with rose-tinted glasses!

    While unpacking the brand new Sony Walkman A-306, I couldn’t shake off this precise feeling. I puzzled if it’ll carry alive a way of romantic nostalgia for the ‘90s or whether or not it might fall wanting any modern-day expectations I might need of the machine. 

    Design

    Opening the field, I noticed a small machine, nearly 3.6 inches throughout. Given its tiny kind issue, the Walkman A-306 weighs nearly 113 grams. The aluminium body has a matte end on the rear with pronounced ridges all through.

    All the bodily buttons on the machine relaxation on the left bezel. Placed on prime is the facility button, with the quantity buttons slightly below. There are bodily controls for observe navigation, too – play/pause, ahead, and rewind. A small tactile bump helps establish the quantity up and play buttons after I’m not wanting on the machine. There’s additionally a Hold button, which, when enabled, disables the opposite bodily buttons. This feels redundant, as all of the bodily buttons want a agency press to activate. There’s additionally a microSD card slot and a 3.5 mm jack on the backside. 

    Powering up takes a while, and I set it up like an Android telephone. The machine jogs my memory of smartphones from about 12-13 years in the past that might have displayed this dimension. I can’t make any calls on the Walkman, after all, however all the pieces else seems like utilizing a decade-old telephone. 

    Fine-tuning music

    I paired the machine with TWS earbuds, and the acoustic expertise was immersive. The Dynamic Normaliser is without doubt one of the best- preset equalisers I’ve skilled on a playback machine. You can select to have the ‘Direct Source’ on, which streams the file’s authentic sound high quality immediately with out making use of any sound results. But the second I faucet it off and swap to the Dynamic Normaliser, the music turns into even deeper and extra resonant. The identical goes for after I flip on ClearAudio+. Although the tracks I performed got here by way of with readability already, this characteristic selects the most effective sound subject to ship every soundtrack I’m listening to and does a beautiful job of it. 

    There’s additionally DSEE Ultimate, which I might flip on or off, which upscales compressed audio information, nevertheless it wanted me to restart the machine after I wished to make use of the characteristic. 

    Apps 

    Running on Android 12, the machine comes pre-loaded with the same old suite of Google apps. Done usually or for extended durations, checking mail and searching the online on the Walkman seems like an excessive amount of of a pressure on the tiny display. Typing will get a bit difficult, too, given the area constraint. 

    The machine itself shouldn’t be with out glitches. For starters, all the pieces appears to take longer than I’m used to on devices now. Powering on the machine takes a great minute every time. Firing up the Walkman app to take heed to some music and even logging in to test my mail – all capabilities appear to take a few seconds too lengthy. 

    There’s 32 GB of storage on the music participant, of which the system takes up a giant chunk – 14 GB. The relaxation 18 GB may match about 700 FLAC information (Free Lossless Audio Codec) or nearly 1,600 MP3 information.

    Battery life is one factor I don’t have to fret about. With a few hours of utilization day by day, nearly 3-4 days go by earlier than I’ve to plug it again in. If you’re primarily going to load and play lossless information, the battery life will likely be shorter.

    Verdict

    While the Sony Walkman A-306 shines by way of with all issues music and acoustics, it must meet up with quicker efficiency general. And I wouldn’t thoughts a sleeker, fancier-looking machine whereas they’re at it!

    Price – ₹25,990

    Pros – Excellent music streaming capabilities, helps lossless codecs

    Cons – Laggy efficiency, restricted storage for high-res information

  • Apple Watch’s steady march towards women’s health

    Half the time, I detest sporting a watch. It doesn’t matter if it’s the gorgeous mother-of-pearl dial Timex that my accomplice gifted me or the newest smartwatch on the town that I’m reviewing. Something concerning the sensation of getting a leather-based or silicone strap wrapped round my wrist for prolonged durations of time irks me. I can fall asleep sporting a smartwatch or spend a day at work sporting one, by no means each in succession.

    However, final week, I discovered myself in a room full of ladies, all sporting Apple Watches – and claiming to have performed so for months or years on finish. 

    In this closed-door occasion with 12 ladies invited – together with celebrities, actresses, sportswomen, and singers – it was the host, specifically, who actually stood out. Sumbul Desai, Vice President of Health at Apple wearing exercise put on, as all of us have been, stood sturdy and lean in what you’d describe because the quintessential runner’s physique.

    Desai heads health initiatives that embody scientific product growth and medical analysis at Apple. It’s her workforce’s work that’s in the end simplified and integrated into Apple’s smartwatches as health and health apps.

    Desai’s pivot into medication – from engineering – was triggered by her mom having a stroke. Having to be her mom’s caregiver and advocate at hospitals, made her realise how ladies neither have a lot info nor company in the case of their health. Hence, it’s no mere coincidence {that a} large chunk of her work at Apple is now about prioritising women’s health. 

    On the mat

    With clear, gray yoga mats rolled out, it’s time to faucet into this know-how. With the watch strapped on, we stretch and bend to the tunes of Anshuka Parwani, a star yoga coach. The beats per minute on my Apple Watch tick up as time ticks on. The extra we twist and switch, the nearer a few of us get to “closing the rings” for the day. That’s Apple-speak for a set of visible rings that point out energy burned, brisk exercise, and what number of occasions I’ve stood up throughout the day. 

    Secretly hoping I’m not the one one about to interrupt right into a sweat, I see Gul Panag breezing via the asanas. Ms. Panag, multi-hyphenate Indian actress and former magnificence queen, has been a runner since she was 15 years outdated. “I have a look at my Apple Watch very first thing after I get up, and examine my resting coronary heart charge. Like most athletes, I’ve bradycardia. On days that I get up with a better resting coronary heart charge, I do know I have to take it straightforward for a few days. I resume my exercises as soon as it’s again to the mid-50 bpm vary,” she shares.

    Two different contributors share how delicate they’re to noise, and discover it tremendous helpful when the Watch alerts them to louder-than-normal decibel ranges of their atmosphere. Yet one other shares how the Watch alerted her to an impending panic assault, by notifying her when her coronary heart charge hit an uncommon excessive throughout workhours.

    Let’s speak durations

    Apart from these health markers, a particular space of focus, for Apple, appears to be the well-being of menstruators. “Menstrual cycles are home windows into our health; they’ll even result in the detection of many situations, each gynecologic and systemic,” saysDesai. 

    Apple Watch customers would know that the gadget – like many different smartwatches – helps them log and monitor their menstrual cycle, cycle deviations and cycle signs. 

    Diving deeper into these features is the continued Apple Women’s Health Study. With consensually collected information from over 50,000 menstruators, the research is round deepening the hyperlink between menstrual cycles and health situations resembling PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), infertility, and menopause. 

    “We envision a world the place everybody with a interval sees it for what it’s: an incredible perception into their health that needs to be celebrated, not stigmatised, says Desai. The newest analysis exhibits that just about 12 per cent of the contributors who’d logged their signs finally acquired a PCOS analysis. Participants with PCOS had over 4 occasions the chance of endometrial hyperplasia (precancer of the uterus) and greater than 2.5 occasions the chance of uterine most cancers. These health parameters simply logged on the Apple Watch – and never restricted to menstrual monitoring – will be simply exported and shared with a health care provider over the mail.

    Desai harbours no doubts about the truth that the info and alerts from the smartwatch don’t exchange medical help. So, whereas utilizing the Apple Watch, every day, might not preserve the physician away, it certainly does equip you with a tonne of health information to share once you do search medical assist.