2 min read Last Updated : Sep 25 2024 | 1:37 PM IST
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Watch 5 Lite smart wearable in India. The budget smartwatch sports an AMOLED display and has built-in GPS for location tracking. Additionally, there is support for Bluetooth calling functionality, enabling users to take phone calls directly from the smartwatch. Here are the details:
Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite: Price and availability
Priced at Rs 3,499, the Redmi Watch 5 Lite is available in two colours: Black and Grey. The smartwatch will be on sale from September 26 on Xiaomi online store and at select retail outlets. It will also be available on the e-commerce platform Amazon, with the availability date to be announced later.
Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite: Features
The Redmi Watch 5 Lite features a squared-off design with slightly rounded corners, sporting a 1.96-inch AMOLED display with a peak brightness of up to 600 nits.
Xiaomi has equipped the Redmi Watch 5 Lite with a five-system GPS, which it said will allow users to track outdoor activities such as running, cycling, and hiking. According to Xiaomi, the smartwatch offers over 200 sports tracking modes and features more than 10 built-in running courses for customised training. With a 5ATM water resistance rating, the smartwatch can withstand depths of up to 50 metres for a duration of 10 minutes, said Xiaomi.
Based on Xiaomi HyperOS, the Redmi Watch 5 Lite supports Bluetooth calling and enables users to reply to messages directly from the watch. The device also offers support for multiple languages, including Hindi. Regarding battery life, Xiaomi claims that the watch can last up to 18 days on a single charge.
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 25 2024 | 1:06 PM IST
Sony held its State of Play presentation on September 24, unveiling a variety of games coming to its PlayStation console platform, along with new accessories for the PlayStation 5. Additionally, Sony revealed a list of games that will be enhanced for its recently launched PS5 Pro console. Here is everything announced at the presentation:
PS5 Pro: Enhanced games
Sony announced that seven more games will be enhanced for the newly launched PlayStation 5 Pro console, in addition to those revealed at launch. The list of new PS5 Pro enhanced games includes:
Stellar Blade
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
F1 24
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil 4
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
This brings the total number of PS5 Pro enhanced games to 20, which includes previously announced titles such as Alan Wake 2, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Demon’s Souls, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Gran Turismo 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and more.
PlayStation 5: New accessories
Sony launched three new “Chroma” console covers for the PS5 Slim console. The new console covers are available in Pearl, Indigo, and Teal, featuring a shiny metallic finish. Additionally, Sony will offer DualSense controllers in matching colours and finishes. The new Chroma collection accessories shimmer and shift colours when viewed from different angles.
Pearl and Indigo colours will be available for purchase starting November 7 in select regions, while the Teal colour will be released on January 23 next year.
New games
During the State of Play presentation, Sony showcased the first look at several new games, including Hell is Us and Ghost of Yotei, a sequel to the 2020 game Ghost of Tsushima. Sony also announced that the Lego Horizon Adventures video game will be released for PS5, alongside Nintendo Switch and PC, on November 14.
Several games are set to be remastered, including Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver parts 1 and 2, Horizon Zero Dawn, Lunar, and Lunar 2. Additionally, it was announced that Hitman World of Assassination will receive a PlayStation VR2 version for a more immersive gaming experience.
With the “Legion” branding, Lenovo’s Legion Tab is positioned as the go-to mobile gaming device. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, the device features several hardware enhancements, such as a secondary USB-C port with Display Out, indicating Lenovo’s intent to bring mobile gaming closer to the PC gaming experience. But how well has it been optimised for gaming, and is it suitable for tasks beyond gaming? Let us find out.
Form Factor and Design
The Lenovo Legion Tab’s compact form factor resembles that of a handheld console rather than a standard tablet. Its sleek profile and cut-out edges provide a comfortable grip, even during extended gaming sessions. While not the lightest, its weight distribution is well-balanced. A key feature is the secondary USB-C port, positioned for landscape orientation, ensuring uninterrupted gaming while charging or connecting accessories.
Lenovo has thoughtfully placed the stereo speakers at the top of the frame, preventing your palms from obstructing them in landscape mode. Dual microphones are also located at the top, avoiding interference during gaming. Although a landscape-oriented front-facing camera would have been a great addition for live streaming, the current setup suffices for most users.
Design-wise, the all-metal chassis with a matte finish gives the tablet a premium feel. The Legion branding on the back features a mirror-like finish, while the sturdy build suggests it could withstand minor drops. Up front, the 8.8-inch display is housed in a sleek plastic frame with a glossy finish that somewhat detracts from the overall premium feel.
Display and Audio
The Lenovo Legion Tab features an 8.8-inch LCD display with slim side bezels in portrait orientation, although the top and bottom bezels are more noticeable. Nevertheless, the Legion Tab provides ample screen space for an immersive visual experience without forcing you to stretch your fingers to reach touch controls during gaming. The QHD+ (2560×1600) resolution panel ensures clear and crisp visuals, regardless of the task. Colours appear vibrant, though the display exhibits a warmer tone, particularly noticeable in the “Standard” colour mode compared to “Vibrant.” While the display performs well indoors, it leaves much to be desired in brighter outdoor environments.
For content viewing, YouTube offers HDR viewing options. Although the tablet is said to support Dolby Vision HDR, it does not appear on streaming platforms such as Netflix.
The display supports a 144 Hz refresh rate, significantly enhancing the smoothness of the user interface, especially during scrolling. However, there is no option to exceed the standard refresh rate for individual apps, limiting the gaming experience by capping certain games at their default frame rate.
On the audio front, the built-in speakers are adequate for movie-watching and gaming, offering reasonable bass while playing music, although the sound can feel slightly suppressed. The volume is sufficient for indoor use, maintaining clarity throughout. For wireless headphones, the tablet supports high-definition audio transmission over Advanced Audio Codec (AAC).
Performance and Software
The Lenovo Legion Tab is a performance powerhouse, driven by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip paired with 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The tablet is fast, handling everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and content streaming with ease.
As one of the first gaming tablets on the market, the Legion Tab lives up to its name, delivering an impressive gaming experience even with graphically demanding titles. I tested multiple games, including Battleground Mobile India (BGMI), Genshin Impact, Diablo Immortal, Real Racing 3, FC Mobile, and classics like GTA: San Andreas.
The tablet consistently achieved 55+ FPS in Genshin Impact with the highest graphics settings and 60 FPS mode enabled. It remained cool for the most part, with only a slight rise in warmth on the left side of the back panel. It effortlessly handled games like FC Mobile and Real Racing 3, maintaining 60 FPS without frame rate drops or significant heating. In BGMI, UltraHDR graphics at 40 FPS (Ultra framerate) and HDR at 60 FPS (Extreme framerate) ran smoothly, although the device did warm up slightly during extended UltraHDR gameplay.
Complementing the hardware, Lenovo included a secondary USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 2) port at the bottom in landscape mode, which supports Display Out for connecting to an external display. The tablet also supports Lenovo Freestyle, allowing wireless file sharing and desktop screen streaming.
The tablet offers dedicated gaming software, including a side panel that lets you switch between performance modes—Balanced, Performance, and Energy Saving. From this panel, you can record the screen, disable notifications while gaming, and enable mistouch prevention. The only advanced feature is Bypass Charging, which stops charging the battery and runs the tablet directly from the power supply.
A floating display shows real-time CPU/GPU clock speeds, FPS, and surface temperature (not processor temperature). While these features are useful, the ability to override apps’ default refresh rates and a dedicated gaming hub for accessing all games from a single menu would further enhance the experience.
Apart from gaming, Lenovo provides a user-friendly interface with no distracting notifications or unnecessary apps. However, there is a section on the home screen titled “Apps for You,” which recommends third-party apps.
Battery
A 6,550 mAh battery may seem modest for a tablet, but thanks to its compact size and software optimisation, the Lenovo Legion Tab delivers nearly two days of battery life with average use. Intensive gaming sessions do drain the battery more quickly, but it doesn’t require an immediate recharge. Additionally, the Bypass Charging feature allows you to play while connected to power without draining the battery, which is useful for gaming at home.
The tablet also includes a 45 W charger in the box, which can charge the battery from 15% to 80% in just half an hour. However, the final 20% takes another 30 minutes to reach a full charge.
Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Tab could be an excellent choice for mobile gamers seeking a performance-focused Android tablet. It delivers impressive performance, handling even the most graphically demanding mobile games with ease. Additionally, it offers decent battery life and a comfortable form factor for gaming on the go.
However, if gaming isn’t your primary focus and you’re looking for a portable workstation or a tablet with a large display for content consumption, there are other options available on the market.
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 25 2024 | 12:15 PM IST
Starting October this year, the Fitbit website will be completely replaced by the Google Store. The migration of articles from Fitbit help section to the Google support framework began in January, and the online shop previously available at fitbit.com was discontinued in April in favour of the Google Store.
A banner stating, “On 1/10 the Fitbit store is moving. Shop Fitbit on Google Store,” has appeared on the Fitbit website. Clicking on the banner redirects users to the “Watchers & Trackers” page, where they can explore the Pixel Watch, along with Fitbit-powered smartwatches, trackers, and other accessories.
The page features a banner message reading, “You made it! Google Store is your new home for all things Fitbit. Start shopping below or get help with your Fitbit account here.” It also includes shortcuts to Fitbit Settings, Fitbit Support, Fitbit Terms of Service, Fitbit Privacy, and Fitbit Premium Subscriptions. In July, the Fitbit app assumed the functions of the fitbit.com web dashboard. No updates have been announced regarding community.fitbit.com, although Google Support has its own user forum system.
Earlier this year, Google’s Fitbit introduced the Ace LTE smartwatch, specifically designed for children aged seven and older.
Google has denied recent reports suggesting it is discontinuing the Fitbit Versa and Sense lines following the introduction of Pixel smartwatches, according to news platform ArsTechnica.
Fitbit was acquired by Google in January 2021 and has since been integrated into the company’s hardware division. The acquisition, first announced in November 2019, was valued at $2.1 billion.
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 25 2024 | 11:43 AM IST
Samsung has reportedly begun taking pre-orders for the Galaxy S24 FE smartphone in select regions, albeit briefly. According to a report by The Verge, the Galaxy S24 FE pre-order page went live on Samsung’s website without any official announcement regarding the smartphone. It appears to have been an error, as the page has since been removed. Nevertheless, this indicates that the upcoming fan-edition model based on the Galaxy S24 could be launching soon.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: What to expect
The report indicates that the briefly available pre-order page revealed several key specifications of the Galaxy S24 FE, including details about its camera, design, and colour options.
The Galaxy S24 FE is likely to feature a design similar to that of the Galaxy S24, replacing the slightly curved frame with a flat, boxy design. The Verge reported that the smartphone was showcased in four colours: pastel blue, mint, graphite, and grey. It is expected to be offered in 128GB and 256GB storage variants.
In terms of imaging, the Galaxy S24 FE is anticipated to feature a 50MP primary camera, accompanied by a 12MP ultra-wide angle camera and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom capabilities. At the front, the smartphone is likely to sport a 10MP shooter.
According to the report, the Galaxy S24 FE will be priced from $649.99. If this pricing is accurate, it will be higher than that of its predecessor, which launched at $599 onwards.
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 25 2024 | 10:48 AM IST
Nothing has launched its new open-ear style wireless earbuds, named the Nothing Ear (open). The British consumer technology brand stated that despite lacking a traditional in-ear design, the Ear (open) earbuds incorporate a sound seal system that works together with directional speakers to minimise audio leakage. Additionally, the earbuds feature an ear-hook design for a more secure fit. The Nothing Ear (open) earbuds are priced at Rs 17,999 and are available in a single white colour.
Nothing Ear (open): Details
Nothing described the Ear (open) wireless earbuds as having a unique design, featuring a silicone ear hook with a nickel-titanium wire inside, which provides flexibility and durability. Weighing 8.1 g per bud, the Ear (open) is designed to balance itself across three points, enhancing comfort during wear.
In addition to the sound seal system that reduces sound leakage, the earbuds have speakers tilted at 50-degree. This orientation positions the speakers directly over the wearer’s ear, further contributing to comfort.
The Nothing Ear (open) earbuds are powered by a 14.2 mm dynamic audio driver, which it said is made with lighter components to boost mid and high frequencies by up to 3 dB. The custom-made titanium-coated diaphragm reduces distortion and deepens the sound of low frequencies, creating a bass effect, said Nothing.
The dual-microphone setup on the earbuds features AI-powered Clear Voice Technology, which it said enhances voice reception during phone calls. Other notable features include low lag mode for gaming, support for Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair, and a Find my earbuds function.
Regarding battery life, Nothing said that the Ear (open) offer up to eight hours of playback time and six hours of talk time, which can be extended to 30 hours and 24 hours, respectively, when paired with the charging case.
