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Apple iPhone 13 may sport in display fingerprint scanner

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The Apple iPhone 13 series will arrive later this year, although, the 2021 lineup isn’t expected to arrive with major changes. However, a new report believes that the company might add an in-display fingerprint scanner into the iPhone 13 display and that a foldable iPhone is in the works.

According to some media reports, the Cupertino based giant is testing an in-display fingerprint scanner for the iPhone 13, as one of the key upgrades for its 2021 iPhone lineup. Starting with the iPhone X, the company has mostly discontinued Touch ID from its mainline iPhone series for the facial recognition system, Face ID, for biometric security. But the report states that the system has become less practical due to the pandemic, which has caused users to wear masks when outside.

So, Apple might be working on a more practical solution for its iPhone 13 series, which is already present available on Android smartphones for a couple of years now. The report also claims that the company will still keep Face ID, but might be considering the removal of a charging port on certain iPhone models in favor of wireless charging. Similarly, the report also talks about the company working on a foldable iPhone as well.

The source claims that internal testing for prototype foldable displays are already being undertaken and the screen will feature a hinge design similar to Samsung‘s foldable smartphones, with one of them featuring a 6.7-inch display. The company doesn’t have any plans for a finalized launch and has yet to even develop a prototype foldable handset.

Skullcandy announces its latest True Wireless earbud Jib True

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Skullcandy, a lifestyle audio brand, announced today the launch of its latest True Wireless earbud Jib True.

Now more than ever, people are looking for simple, feature-rich earbuds for use at home or on the go and that won’t break the bank, making Jib True the new essential earbud for all your listening needs. With these easy-to-use earbuds and quality sound performance, Jib True makes it possible for anyone to get into true wireless.

Jib True offers a total of 22 hours of battery life with 6 hours in the bud and an additional 16 hours in the case and comes loaded with all must-have audio features and controls such as call, track and volume control, activate assistant, dual mics, solo bud use and more. With an IPX4 rating, Jib True is sweat and water resistant and has a comfortable, noise isolating fit that ensures an amazing Skullcandy audio experience.

Amlan Bhattacharjya, CEO, Brand Eyes, and Official Distributor of Skullcandy in India said, “We’re so excited to be bringing this incredible update to our Jib franchise. For those looking to try out true wireless earbuds for the first time and at an affordable price, Jib True is it. We’ve packed it with all the essential, must-have features, and we can’t wait for people to start listening without anything holding them back!”

With bluetooth capabilities and a wide range of useful features such as the ability to use either bud solo, dual microphones for calls, auto on and easy connectivity, Jib True allows users to truly experience freedom without wires. True Wireless has been made simple with these new earbuds that will allow you to get your day going without skipping a beat.

Jib True is available for purchase now on Skullcandy.in for Rs 2999.

Flix launches S1 smartwatch with 24/7 body temperature and heart rate monitor

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Beetel-owned smart accessories brand Flix today announced its foray into the smart wearables category with the launch of S1 smartwatch in India.

The Flix S1 smartwatch delivers insights about your health, straight from the wrist. It helps detect body temperature 24/7 and keeps user informed which in the given scenario will facilitate safety and timely actions. Along with body temperature, the smartwatch also supports heart rate monitor in real-time to understand the well-being.

The smartwatch is priced for Rs 2,499 and will be available on Amazon India along with retail stores and leading retail chains such as Sangeeta in India.

Engineered for a perfect balance of health, fitness and well-being, the smartwatch tracks sleep, its pattern and daily activity (multi-sports mode) such as steps, outdoor exercise, sedentary reminder and more. The device also allows users to check notification for calls, texts or any calendar events directly from the watch, without the need of the phone.

Designed with the minimal yet classy approach, the Flix S1 features a 1.4-inch QVGA high-resolution display and comes with IP68 water resistance safeguarding the user from splashes or rain. It has a long battery life that can last up to 7-10 days on a single charge.

The wearable device can be connected to a smartphone using Bluetooth version 5.0. One of the noteworthy features includes – Find your phone, which helps in tracking the phone right from the watch through the HitFit Pro app. The HitFit Pro mobile app is available on both iOS and Android, giving user real time feedback and insightful result analysis.

Puneet Gupta – Business Head, Beetel India, said, “We are excited to launch this smartwatch, designed to help users in unprecedented times. Keeping in mind the safety and well-being of our consumers, we were motivated to blend technology and fitness, in a product, at the most affordable prices.”

Internationally-renowned TRN debuts on The Audio Store in India

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International brand TRN, which is recognized for its affordable and durable Hi-Fi in-ear monitors (IEMs), has debuted on ‘The Audio Store’, an online platform for audio products in India.

TRN has brought to India four new wired IEMs featuring up to seven high-performance drivers. Using neodymium magnets and personalized hand-tuned crossover electronics, TRN aims to satisfy the performance craving the audio enthusiast always seeks.

Extremely excited on the new brand debut in India, The Audio Store co-founder Pritam Halpawat expects TRN to draw huge attention to audio enthusiasts who seek high performance and durable wired IEMs on a surprisingly affordable note. Debuting on The Audio Store are TRN’s four new wired IEMs – TRN VX, TRN V90s, TRN V90 and TRN ST1 that feature up to 7 drivers with hand-tuned crossovers.

TRN VX

The TRN VX features a 6 BA (Balanced armature) + 1 DD (Dual-magnet Dynamic) Hybrid Driver setup. The 10mm is a specially chosen high-performance dual neodymium magnet dynamic driver that delivers tactile and texture bass. The 6 BA customized 3 x 30095 + 3 x 50060 high-frequency balanced armatures produce outstanding treble, presenting an airy, spacious, elegant and natural sound with superb treble extension. The TRN VX is tuned by the internally renowned engineers with more than 10 years of experience in the audio industry.

The seven drivers are housed into a magnesium alloy shell delivering a resonance characteristic that’s carefully tuned to create the utmost audio fidelity with a midrange that is buttery-smooth and dynamic featuring a wide captivating soundstage. The TRN VX also sports light-weight ear hooks ergonomically designed to sit comfortably around the helix of the ears and an acoustic inner-structure carefully designed to minimize chamber acoustic resonance and driver flex.

Other specifications include an impedance of 22 ohm, Sensitivity of 107dB/mW, Frequency Range of 7-40000Hz apart from a 3.5mm straight audio jack with a detachable 1.2m cable. The TRN VX is priced at Rs 6,490 carrying a 1-year industry standard warranty and will be exclusively available on The Audio Store.

TRN V90

The V90 is TRN’s flagship IEM featuring four customized BA drivers (2x 30019 + 2 x 50060) and a 10mm DA offering a new level of the listening experience, unprecedented power and dynamics. It sports a large diamond-graphite diaphragm to achieve low distortion and bring out more details without sacrificing any other sound signature. Hand-tuned with handmade advanced crossover electronics, the V90 brings remarkably stereo separation and smooth phase response, leading to more dynamic realistic imaging and staging for both casual and studio use. The metal housing is made using a special process that requires 21 types of diamond router bits, operated by skilled craftsmen, making it tough but extremely lightweight to offer a supreme feeling. And the specially designed air vents on the metal housing greatly help regulate the airflow and pressure for easy driving with any device.

Other specifications include an impedance of 22 ohm, Sensitivity of 110dB/mW, Frequency Range of 7-40000Hz apart from a 3.5mm stereo jack with a detachable 1.2m cable. The TRN V90 is priced at Rs 4,490 carrying a 1-year industry standard warranty and will be exclusively available on The Audio Store.

TRN V90s

Based on the flagship V90, the V90s is equipped with a dual magnet high-flux dynamic driver bringing lower impedance and higher sensitivity, better drivability which leads to faster transient response and deep impactful bass. Also onboard are 3 x 50060 BA and 2 x 30019 BA drivers for clear airy highs, rich mid-tones and crisp vocals. The hybrid technology is a magnificent journey into a great sound improvement over its predecessor. It also features an electronic crossover carefully tuned with the combination of arts and science in mind to deliver an experience that evolves musical expression with the emotion of sound and tonal balance through engineering.

Lastly, avoiding traditional die-casting process, the V90s uses the costly 5-axis CNC machining to offer a much better fit, feel and finish – a process commonly used in aviation, military, medical instruments and high precision equipment manufacturing. The inner structure is optimized with air pressure relief technology to harmonize excessive pressure from your eardrums to give a truly balanced natural sound without unwanted resonance or distortion, for the purest attainable sound. The IEMs use a 4-core high purity 6N OCC detachable copper cable allowing sound to flow more freely and openly with a bigger sound stage, better note definition and less strident treble on treble intensive tracks.

Other specifications include an Impedance of 22 ohm, Sensitivity of 108dB/mW, Frequency Range of 20-40000Hz apart from a 3.5mm stereo jack with a detachable 1.2m cable. The TRN V90s is priced at Rs 5,990 carrying a 1-year industry standard warranty and will be exclusively available on The Audio Store.

TRN ST1

The TRN ST1 features 10mm DD and 30095 BA combo driver setup that greatly improves high-frequency extension and clarity to a degree that will leave you amazed over the richness of instruments and natural details emerging from your music collection. Enjoy an impactful bass rumble and delicate treble with music performance that holds more substance and a very natural tone. The ST1 has a carefully tuned 2-way crossover technology and acoustic chamber that allows narrower pass-band of drivers making it possible to optimize and tailor them to the desired sonic capabilities.

Using an advanced PVD protective film-coating that is tough, resists corrosion, impact and abrasion, the ST1 deserves an equally striking appearance. Each ST1 is hand-brushed to a satin finish, ensuring a luxurious pearly-white shine and plush feeling that is both artistically and aesthetically pleasing. The airflow control helps equalize internal chamber pressure via a vent on the faceplate. The ST1 also sports a specially shaped front housing made in accordance with the contour of a human auricle for utmost stability, comfort and sound isolation.

Other specifications include an impedance of 22 ohm, Sensitivity of 108dB/mW, Frequency Range of 1-40000Hz apart from a 3.5mm Glided Type-C jack with a detachable 1.2m cable. The TRN ST1 is priced at Rs 1,490 carrying a 1-year industry standard warranty and will be exclusively available on The Audio Store.

Ambrane NeoBuds TWS earbuds with long battery life launched in India

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Homegrown smart accessories brand Ambrane has announced the launch of two new TWS earbuds – NeoBuds 11 and NeoBuds 22 – in India. Priced at Rs 2,499 each, the products can be purchased from the brand’s official website along with retail stores across India.

NeoBuds 11, the extended series of NeoBuds is configured with the latest Bluetooth version 5.0 for seamless connectivity. The charging case comes with LED digital display which shows the numeric battery level of both the case and the earphones. The earbuds offer up to 4 hours of music playback time and up to 12 hours with charging case. With 1.5 hours of quick charging time, enjoy break-free long-talks and musical sessions hassle-free. These feather-like earbuds are IPX4 sweat resistance supporting the sweaty and vigorous workout sessions. Its Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) eliminates loud ambient noise, for crystal clear conversations anywhere, anytime. To give you freedom from wires, the earbuds are engineered with the touchpad control and support Google and Siri assistance for utmost convenience.

NeoBuds 22, on the other hand, offers another feature-rich experience. The earbuds include the latest 5.0 Bluetooth version, multi-functional button, voice assistance and much more in a palm-sized pack. For those, who are always on-the-move, the earbuds work as a perfect companion with music playback time up to 4 hours and up to 14 hours with the charging case. Enjoy non-stop entertainment with a charging time of just 1.5 hours. The earbuds seamlessly support a good transmission range of 10 meters. When on the move, control music and calls as well as conveniently operate your device with voice assistance.

The Fit Revolution; here is a list of must-haves before you start a workout session

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Coming fresh out of a pandemic, the year 2021 has brought an increased focus on one’s health, something which doesn’t seem to fade away like earlier years. Besides maintaining hygienic surroundings, the pandemic has tipped the scales towards maintaining a healthy body and mind as well.

With the increased time at home, fitness has become a major driver for youngsters in the country to work towards their overall wellbeing. To support your fitness goals, here is a curated list of items to help you improve your performance and enjoy your workout sessions. Whether the goal is to bulk up or lean out, here is the list of all fitness and workout paraphernalia you can own to ensure a productive workout session.

 

Track the calories burnt

Smartbands are the most effective way to track the daily calories burnt, sleep patterns and heart rate. All you have to do is wrap it around your wrist and the rest will be taken care of. With this new smartband from OnePlus, you can track your vitals and look stylish at the same time! The band is waterproof and dust-resistant, so now you can go for a run in the rain or even a desert without thinking twice. 13 exercise modes and 14+ day battery backup to complement all kinds of workouts.

 

Music to pump up the adrenaline

Cancel out the noisy traffic and other disturbances with this Bose Sport Earbuds Bluetooth Headset. This headset provides premium quality audio and bass to match your pace while you workout. The device is also equipped with sweatproof technology so you can enjoy a rigorous session without worrying about the damage.

 

Breathe in, breathe out – effortlessly

 

Wearing a mask while working out can be literally exhausting. With this Fitness Training mask, you can go for a long run, trek in the mountains or even have a high-intensity workout session at the gym. You can even wear it while working out at home to improve your breathing capacity and stamina.

 

Arm band for mobility

Isn’t it frustrating when you have to carry your phone, wallet and other essentials while you’re out for a run? With this arm band, you can store all the valuable items and enjoy an uninterrupted workout session. This arm band is spacious and equipped to hold large smartphones to keep you handsfree at all times!

 

Track the weight loss or gain

Tracking the performance is also important because we don’t want your efforts to go unnoticed. With this digital weighing scale, you can not only track your weight gain or loss but also measure the fat composition. It comes with a USB cable so you can charge it conveniently when required.

UBON launches GBT-22A Audio Bar in India

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UBON amps up its wireless portfolio with all new GBT-22A ‘Audio Bar’ a true Wireless Speaker (TWS).  The newly launched audio bar is loaded with features like Memory Card Reader, USB Drive, Portable Speaker, TF, USB Play, Torch, and FM Radio. This speaker offers a power backup with the support of an inbuilt 500 mAh battery.

It has an inbuilt USB port and Micro SD port to use micro SD card for playing music. Also, when you get bored of your playlist you can easily switch to FM mode and tune into your favorite FM stations.

This new speaker comes with the latest built-in TWS feature via Wireless V5.0 and can be paired via Bluetooth to the soundtrack up to 10 meters operating range. The newly launched device is perfect for your parties or travel sojourns and can be easily connected to a laptop, tablet, phone, etc.  The GBT-22A ‘Audio Bar’ continues the trend with a round cylindrical shape. The micro USB port for charging and the auxiliary port are nicely protected with a plastic flap and right next to it is the battery indicator LEDs and the power button. UBON GBT-22A ‘Audio Bar’ has inbuilt speakers that offer better sound output and relaxing bass.

UBON GBT-22A “Audio Bar” comes in stylish Black, Blue, and Red color and priced at Rs 1,199 and can be bought from all the leading retail stores and e-commerce platforms.

Mandeep Arora, Managing Director, UBON said, “2020 has been a great year for the audio industry, work-from-home scenario, music was undoubtedly everyone’s go-to friend in tensed, stressed, and bored in short in every state. In 2021, we at UBON are committed to our promises of providing the best product at pocket-friendly prices.  To live up to our promise, we have expanded our product line with GBT-22A ‘Audio Bar’ and coming soon with many versatile and stylish products from the stable of UBON that will not only upgrade the style quotient but will also promise an unmatched quality for our young users.”

Inbase Boom Plus wireless speaker launched at Rs 1,499 in India

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Portable product maker Inbase has launched its new wireless speaker called Boom Plus in India. The speaker is versatile and easy to carry for any outdoor activities or parties or even special occasions.

The newly-launched speaker boasts of delivering a blasting sound with astounding voice clarity while promising long-lasting battery life. The Boom Plus has a 3 watt stereo speaker with enhanced drivers.

The Boom Plus also comes with True Wireless Connection (TWS) that allows the connection of 2 speakers, so that you enjoy music from 2 speakers wirelessly through Bluetooth 5.0 up to an operational distance of 10 meters.

Boom Plus is slim and compact, with IPX6 ratings, making it water-resistant that allows one to enjoy their favourite music in the rains and even besides the pool, the company said in a statement.

With a battery capacity of 500mAh, one can enjoy 4 hours of playtime. Available in Splashy Red, Metallic Grey, Olive Green and Pacific Blue colours, the Inbase Boom Plus certainly promises to deliver the punch while jazz up the style quotient with its elegant looks.

The speaker is also equipped with an in-built microphone that comes in handy for calling and also houses a TF card slot and USB charging port.

Aashish Kumbhat, Founder and Director, Inbase, said, “With the launch of Boom Plus wireless speaker, we are bringing in a must-have an innovative and premium product that will not only add up to your style quotient but will also promise an unmatched audio quality for our young users. We at Inbase are committed to offering a varied and versatile product range with stylish looks that promise to complement your nifty lifestyle.”

The Inbase Boom Plus is available at an introductory price of Rs 1,499 and can be bought from the leading retail stores and e-commerce platforms.

OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G Review: Elegant, Efficient and Effective

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OPPO is entering into the year 2021 with Reno5 Pro in India. The Reno series from OPPO has been successful and has emerged as one of the favorites amongst Indian users. The new Reno5 Pro comes with a 5G chipset which makes it ready to use the 5G spectrum whenever it will be available in India. OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G is a flagship phone from the company but the major concern for the company will be the challenges which it will be facing in that price segment from the likes of OnePlus, realme, Vivo, etc. Let’s look at all the new features which the new Reno5 Pro 5G has to offer in this review of ours.

Design

OPPO Reno 5Pro 5G is designed beautifully with a 3D borderless screen. The design of the phone is very eye catchy with its glass body and aluminum frame. The phone fits the hand easily and the curved edges of the phone are allowing better grip.  The body weight is reasonable as well which makes it easy to use for a longer period. The rear side of the phone is very appealing and eye-catchy especially the design which it possesses and we got to review the starry night color version of the phone and there are other body color options available. At the backside lies a rectangular frame with quad-camera sensors which are little protruded outside and lifts the body slightly when you put the phone on a flat surface. The front fascia of the phone is dominated by a tall screen with a punch-hole camera sensor at the top. The placement of the buttons is usual just like other OPPO phones where the power button lies on the right side whereas the volume rockers lie on the left side of the phone. The top side of the phone is blank and at the bottom lies a dual SIM tray, Type-C USB port, and speaker outlet. The fingerprint sensor is inbuilt on display which is very quick to respond. The face unlock feature of the phone is very accurate as well and it works perfectly even in dim lighting conditions.

Display

OPPO Reno 5Pro 5G comes with 6.55 inches Super OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. The tasks performed on screen were very smooth as the fluid screen with its refresh rate adds extra fun to it. The gaming experience due to the refresh rate was very good especially while playing intense games with a quick response like Freefire.  The screen has an aspect ratio of 20:9 which offers wide viewing angles. The phone has a screen resolution of 1080×2400 pixels and has 402ppi density. The visibility of the screen is very good and it is quite easily visible even under bright daylight.  The punch hole is placed very strategically as it did not come in the way while playing games.

Platform

The new OPPO Reno5Pro 5G comes with the latest Color OS 11.1 on top of Android 11. The latest OS has acclimatized apps that are allowed within Indian sovereignty. The latest OS has new smart features as well which you can take advantage of while using the phone.

Very interestingly OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G  comes with Mediatek MT6889Z Dimensity 1000+ (7nm) chipset with eight octa cores where four cores are clocked at 2.6 GHz Cortex-A77  and four cores are clocked at 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55.  The new processor MediaTek MT6889Z Dimensity 1000+ is a surely powerful processor and when compared to Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 865 it surely achieves the feat which Qualcomm Processor has achieved but still, the Qualcomm 865 processor has the edge over MediaTek MT6889Z Dimensity processor. The overall performance of the processor is very smooth and we did not encounter any lag while multitasking or playing heavy games. The gaming experience is also very good and the Mali-G77 MC9 offers high graphic content enabling you to play heavy games in their top-notch quality. The phone comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM configuration and there is no slot to expand the memory of the phone. The 8GB RAM of the phone assists the processor quite well. The overall analysis of the processor and the performance seems very satisfying as the new processor holds quite an amazing power to deliver amazing performance.

Cameras

OPPO since its entry into the Indian smartphone market has improved its camera capability with every new launch and has lived up to its tag of camera-centric phone. The company with its launch of OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G has further refined its camera capability as the new OPPO Reno5 Pro is capable of delivering stunning lively images. The new OPPO Reno 5Pro comes with quad camera rear sensors where the primary sensor is a 64MP wide sensor with an aperture of f/1.7. The secondary sensor is an 8MP ultrawide lens with an aperture of f/2.2. The third sensor is a 2MP macro lens with an aperture of f/2.4. The fourth sensor is a 2 MP depth sensor. The images captured by the rear sensor were brilliant with very fine details. The images replicated the portrayal of the real world very accurately with proper color saturation. The macro shots captured every fine detail with greater accuracy.  The rear sensor can capture in Live HDR mode as well. The images captured at night were stunning as well and the quality of the images was very good as well. The new Reno5 Pro has surely improved the capability of capturing clear images at night. The AI technology of the phone adjusts the level of light according to the environment and delivers super detailed images. The phone has Ultra night video mode which enables you to capture clear and stable videos in low lighting conditions. The new OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G is capable of capturing stable videos in 4K @30fps. The OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G comes with a 32MP selfie lens. The lens is capable of clicking better selfies in daylight while the Ultra Night mode optimises the photos during the night or in low light environments. The portraits are good if the phone is held properly. Like always, it comes with filters if you need them.

Battery

OPPO Reno 5 Pro 5G comes with 4,350mAh battery power. The battery power of the Reno5 Pro is surely enough to make it last a day and while reviewing the phone we found out that the phone discharges very slowly and even after intense hours of playing games and watching movies the phone was able to keep some battery power left to make throughout the day. The phone comes with 65W Super VOOC 2.0 fast charger which charges the battery completely in almost 30-40 minutes from 0% to 100%.

Conclusion

OPPO Reno 5 Pro 5G is an honest attempt by the company to consolidate its position in the premium segment. The smartphone oozes with a brilliant punch-hole, curved display that provides ample space for video content and gaming. The build quality is solid. The 7nm processor did pretty good and doesn’t show signs of weakness when tested with heavy usage. The Reno5 Pro has great camera capabilities. The 64MP shooter shows its power supported by the large aperture.  The selfie lens has the potential to make you shine, judiciously. The power back-up is enough to last a day. The fast charger adds perks to Reno5 Pro 5G. Available at Rs 35,990, the OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G makes a good deal.

Apple planning a podcast subscription service: Report

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Apple is reportedly planning to launch a new subscription service that would be focused on podcasts.

According to some media reports, the company is currently in talks with production companies about the service which would charge people to listen to podcasts.

By charging for individual podcasts, Apple could give creators a new way to make more money, which may convince them to leave rival services. The service could be bundled with other services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple News+ as part of the Apple One bundles that the company offers.

Currently, it is not clear what sort of content would be made available behind the subscription paywall. Spotify is also planning to create a separate service for exclusive podcasts which became popular in the pandemic as people stayed home.

The streaming giant has invested heavily into podcasts over the last few years. It has spent over $800 million on snapping up podcast companies.

Amazon is also looking to disrupt the podcasting industry with its recent acquisition of the Wondery network. Apple is said to be working on original podcasts since July 2019. It has been reported that the original podcasts would boost its original Apple TV+ content.