Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset shows underwhelming improvement over A15 version

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 6, 2022 | Technology

The latest performance tests of tech giant Appleas A16 Bionic GPU have shown a less than significant improvement over its predecessor A15.

According to GizmoChina, when squared up against the A15 Bionic, the new Apple chipset was only 5 per cent more powerful and 20 per cent more efficient.

The A16 Bionic powers the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models. The chipset was put through the paces of GPU tests and it did not deliver noticeable improvements over its predecessor, the A15 Bionic.

It debuted with the iPhone 14 series and has been put through several benchmarking performance tests.

The current performance tests sought to examine how much better the new chipset is over its predecessor and other flagship chips like the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

The tests were carried out by Golden Reviewer and the A16 Bionic chalked a score of 3,359 on 3DMark’s Wildlife Extreme test, higher than any other tested chipset.

However, its 444.1 efficiency score was less than that of MediaTek’s Dimensity 8100 and Dimensity 9000 SoCs. The A16 Bionic is also about 20 per cent more powerful than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and also slightly more efficient.

A few other benchmarking tests have put the A16 Bionic as the most powerful mobile chip in terms of GPU.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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EU rules: What makes the USB-C port the gold standard of charging ports?

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 6, 2022 | Technology

In a bid to cut down on environmental waste and save consumers from buying different chargers for different devices, the European Parliament on Tuesday voted in favour of legislation to standardise the charging port on electronic items. The European Parliament (EU) selected USB Type-C (better known as USB-C) as the standard port. It is not a law yet, but on course and likely to become applicable by the end of next year. Once this becomes a law, all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras sold in the EU must have a USB-C port by the end of 2024. Laptops are part of the list, but the deadline for manufacturers is set for spring 2026.

“Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video game consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port,” the European parliament wrote in a press release.

USB Type C port on the bottom of a LeTV X600 smartphone (Ilya Plekhanov, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons)

USB-C is not new; its specifications were first published in 2014. Yet, its adoption has picked pace only in recent years. Unlike its previous iterations, the USB-C has a small oval port with no fixed up or down orientations. Its symmetrical connector makes it easy to plug in. Besides, it is among the industry-standard connectors capable of transmitting both data and power on a single cable. Moreover, it supports fast charging (100W) required by large electronic devices such as laptops and offers super-fast data throughput (40 Gbps). Not just data and power, USB-C also supports sending simultaneous video signals – up to 8K resolution.

USB-C is good, but its utility depends on implementation. You may already have a USB-C port on your device but still cannot use all features and functions such as host device charging and video out. It is because different manufacturers use USB-C for different utilities. Moreover, there are different protocols and standards related to USB-C.

A USB-C plug with an Apple Macbook laptop (Wikideas1, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons)

Take, for example, the latest USB-C protocol, Thunderbolt 4. With a multi-port adaptor attached, the Thunderbolt 4 enables fast charging of the host device, speedy file transfers, and two 4K 60Hz external display set-ups. All this is powered by just one single cable. Multi-utility advantage makes USB-C the gold standard for the default port on electronic items. However, its utility is dependent on the implementation.

It is one of the reasons the EU has made it mandatory for the manufacturers of electronic items to put a dedicated label to inform consumers about the charging characteristics of new devices.

“Dedicated labels will inform consumers about the charging characteristics of new devices, making it easier for them to see whether their existing chargers are compatible. Buyers will also be able to make an informed choice about whether or not to purchase a new charging device with a new product,” the European Parliament’s press release said.

USB-C was developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), a group of companies that has in its membership big technology brands such as Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, HP, and Dell. While most tech companies have moved to USB-C, Apple is still to make a move as its phone (iPhones) and earphone (AirPods) lines continue to use its proprietary lighting port for charging. However, its tablet (iPad) and laptop (Macbook Air) lines can be charged using USB-C.

Apple now has a two-year window in which it needs to move its devices to USB-C. It launches new iPhone models in September every year.

Amid pressure to move towards a common port, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple is testing a USB-C iPhone, which could debut with the iPhone 15 next year in September. Kuo says other Apple products, such as the AirPods, will follow.

India is also mulling the idea of one charger for all electronic devices. However, there has been no significant progress in the matter yet.

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Realme Flat Monitor FullHD review: Basic, but makes a good secondary screen

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

From smart TVs to laptops, tablets, speakers, and power banks, Chinese electronics maker Realme has a diverse product portfolio available in India. Fresh in the line is the Realme Flat Monitor FullHD. This 23.8-inch screen boasts slim design with bezel-less profile on the front, fullHD resolution IPS screen of 75Hz refresh rate, and USB-C port besides VGA and HDMI for connectivity. At Rs 12,999, the Realme Flat Monitor FullHD seems to be a value proposition in the entry-level segment. Is it? Let’s find out:

Design

The Realme Flat Monitor FullHD is an entry-level monitor, but it does not look like one. It has a premium design language, which is hard to find in its segment. The monitor has a slim profile with a waistline of 6.9mm at its thinnest side. Besides, it has an all-screen bezel-less profile on the front. Complementing the design is the metallic stand, which is sturdy and free from any sort of flex. The stand is neither big nor small but appropriately sized to fit even on busy desks. This is important because the monitor does not support wall mount installation. While the overall design is good, there are areas where Realme could have done better. The view angle adjustment, for instance, is limited and you cannot move the screen right or left.

Performance

The design does not give away the monitor’s budget root, but its screen does. The screen is bright and pixel-rich (fullHD), but lacks contrast. The colours on the screen look faded and dynamic range is but missing. That said, the screen is good from a price perspective but do not expect premium performance. As for the positive, the viewing angles are good and 75Hz refresh rate is a redeeming feature. Besides, there is a USB-C port for connectivity – something uncommon in budget monitors. There also is HDMI and VGA ports, which makes it compatible with old generation devices. However, the lack of built-in speakers restricts its utility.

Verdict

The Realme Flat Monitor FullHD is basic but it makes a good secondary screen to extend or duplicate the PC display. Consider it for its premium design, fullHD resolution screen of 75Hz refresh rate, and USB-C connectivity. These features are uncommon in entry-level monitors. Look elsewhere if you need a colour accurate screen because this one is subpar in terms of colours, contrast, and dynamic range.

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Google announces to establish its first Cloud region in South Africa

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

Google on Wednesday announced to establish a Google Cloud region in South Africa — its first on the continent.

South Africa will be joining Google Cloud’s global network of 35 cloud regions and 106 zones worldwide.

Last year, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Google would invest $1 billion in Africa over the next five years to support a range of initiatives, from improved connectivity to investment in startups, to help boost Africa’s digital transformation.

“The future cloud region in South Africa will bring Google Cloud services closer to our local customers, enabling them to innovate and securely deliver faster, more reliable experiences to their own customers, helping to accelerate their growth,” said Nitin Gajria, Managing Director, Google Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to research by AlphaBeta Economics for Google Cloud, the South Africa cloud region will contribute more than a cumulative $2.1 billion to the country’s GDP, and will support the creation of more than 40,000 jobs by 2030.

Along with the cloud region, Google said it is expanding its network through the Equiano subsea cable and building Dedicated Cloud Interconnect sites in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos and Nairobi.

“We continue to support African entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and developing their talent,” said Google.

“We’ve also continued to support nonprofits working to improve lives in Africa, with a $40 million cash and in-kind commitment so far,” it added.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Apple iOS 16: Google rolls out lock screen widgets for its iPhone apps

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

Google has started rolling out iOS 16 lock screen widgets for its iPhone apps. The widgets are currently available for Gmail, Google News, Chrome, and Drive. Whereas, the widgets for Search, Maps, and Calendar are yet to arrive. The new Google widgets come in circular, rectangular, and inline forms. The first two will be placed below the clock on the lock screen, while the inline will appear above the clock.

For Gmail, the rectangular widget shows the number of new messages received and breaks them into categories — like Social, Updates or Promotions. The circular widget only shows the total new messages. Whereas, the inline widget displays date (in a shortened form) and the total number of messages.

In the case of Google News, a rectangular widget displays short headlines on the lock screen. When tapped, it takes the user directly to the Google News app to read the full story.

Drive offers rectangular widgets as well as two circular widgets. The rectangular widget enables quick access to the ‘suggested files’, while the circular widgets enable search in any particular file or access to the starred files.

Chrome’s circular widget launches Google Search in Chrome. It supports incognito search, voice search and Dino Game.

Apple released its latest iOS 16 operating system update last month. The iOS 16 brings new ‘lock screen with widgets’ feature, which allows the users to add widgets to the lock screen and these widgets can act as a way of presenting notifications. With widgets enabled, the lock screen shows more information at a glance such as upcoming calendar events, weather, battery levels, alarms, time zones, etc. without unlocking the iPhone.

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European Union adopts law requiring USB Type-C in iPhones by end of 2024

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

The European Parliament has passed a resolution mandating that by the end of 2024, all consumer electronics, including iPhones and AirPods, will use USB Type-C as their standard charging port.

The Parliament said that the new law is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.

“Following Parliament’s approval, EU consumers will soon be able to use a single charging solution for their electronic devices,” the European Parliament said in a statement.

“By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops,” it added.

Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.

Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video-game consoles and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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