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Xiaomi to launch Redmi Note 13 5G series on Jan 4: Expected specs and more

Xiaomi to launch Redmi Note 13 5G series on Jan 4: Expected specs and more

by | Dec 26, 2023 | Technology


Xiaomi is set to launch the Redmi Note 13 series in India on January 4. Ahead of the launch, the Chinese smartphone maker has unveiled some of the core features of the upcoming smartphones. The series would encompass three models – the Redmi Note 13 5G, Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, and Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G. These smartphones were launched in the company’s home country this year, but will make their way to India in January next year. Look at the features confirmed by the company so far about the smartphone models in the series:


Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G


Xiaomi has announced on its social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) that the top-end model in the Redmi Note 13 series would be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra system-on-chip. The smartphone would introduce a new design language, which the company calls fusion design. The smartphone would boast a vegan leather cover on the rear. As for the colours, the company has unveiled a fusion purple colour with vegan leather back cover, and fusion black and fusion white with glass-like appearances on the back. It could be a possible indication that the vegan leather would be available in one of the colour variants only – fusion purple. Besides the design and process, the company has announced 1.5K curved AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass Victus protection for the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus model. An interesting revelation by the company is the IP68 rating, which would make the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus first model in the Redmi Note series with top-end ingress protection rating. Rounding off the package would be 120W HyperCharge, which the company said would juice up the battery in 19 minutes.


Display: 1.5K curved AMOLED with Gorilla Glass Victus


Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra


Design: Fusion


Colours: Fusion Purple (Vegan Leather), Fusion Black, and Fusion White


Protection: IP68


Charging: 120W HyperCharge


Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G


The mid-tier model in the series would be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 system-on-chip. It would sport a 200-megapixel main camera in a triple-camera set-up on the back, which would likely feature an ultra-wide-angle sensor and a macro sensor. In one of the posts on X, Xiaomi confirmed the 200MP main camera sensor on the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G would support up to 4x in-sensor zoom. As for the colour variants, there would be arctic white, midnight black, and coral purple. While Xiaomi calls it a fusion design, similar to the Pro Plus model, the pictures posted on the X show no vegan leather cover on any of the colours.


Design: Fusion


Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2


Camera: 200MP with 4x in-sensor zoom


Colours: Arctic white, midnight black, and coral purple


Redmi Note 13 5G


While Xiaomi has unveiled the core features and specifications of the Pro and Pro Plus models in the Redmi Note 13 series, there has been no activity around the vanilla model. However, one can take cues from the Chinese model to know about the device. The base model in the series would sport an AMOLED display of 120Hz rate. It would feature a dual-camera set-up, featuring a 100MP main sensor. It would be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC and 5,000 mAh battery, supported by 33W wired charging.


Display: AMOLED of 120Hz refresh rate


Camera: 100MP


Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6080


Battery: 5000 mAh


Charging: 33W

First Published: Dec 26 2023 | 11:55 AM IST



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Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 review: Portable laptop good for everyday use

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 review: Portable laptop good for everyday use

by | Dec 26, 2023 | Technology



The Surface Laptop Go 3, an entry-level model in Microsoft’s PC line in India, was unveiled in October 2023. This lightweight laptop is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and operates on Windows 11 Home edition, boasting Microsoft Copilot for AI features. Additionally, the laptop includes the latest iterations of Microsoft apps such as Paint, Photos, and Clipchamp, gradually rolling out to other Windows 11 PCs as part of the Windows 11 23H2 update. In essence, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers a cost-effective means to experience the best of Microsoft Windows. Yet, is there more to this laptop? Let us find out:


Design


Constructed from anodised aluminium, the Surface Laptop Go 3 exudes a premium quality with meticulous fit and finish. Weighing 1.13kg, it maintains a compact form, akin to a large display tablet, though its weight hints at its laptop origins. Despite this, the Surface Laptop Go 3 presents an understated design and premium build.


While the design embraces minimalism, this extends to its ports. It features a USB-C 3.2 (supporting data, DisplayPort, and charging), a USB-A 3.1, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and Surface Connect port. With limited ports, users must exercise prudence with peripherals, influencing usability. While a multi-port adaptor resolves this, it entails carrying an additional peripheral consistently.


Display and Audio


Sporting a 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 1536 × 1024, the Surface Laptop Go 3 adopts a 3:2 aspect ratio. Although not a two-in-one type, its touch functionality is a unique feature not commonly found in laptops of similar size. Despite its seemingly small display on paper, the 3:2 aspect ratio aligns it closely with traditional 13-inch displays, offering more vertical content. However, multitasking on this display poses a slight challenge due to its limited screen footprint.


While the display is luminous, its sunlight legibility is modest due to the reflective glass. The dynamic lighting option adjusts brightness based on ambient lighting conditions, maintaining a lively display but without enhancing sunlight legibility. Regarding colours, the display is vivid, providing moderate contrast. While not precisely colour accurate, it suffices for general everyday use.


In terms of audio, the Microsoft Ominsonic speakers with Dolby Atmos deliver muted but clear sound. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack proves valuable in scenarios where built-in speakers fall short, such as participating in on-the-go online meetings.


Camera and Microphone


Equipped with a 720p front-facing camera, the Surface Laptop Go 3 features a basic webcam with modest picture quality. Effective in good lighting conditions, it exhibits limitations in low-light settings. With a pair of microphones supporting far-field audio recognition, they excel in quality and noise cancellation but perform optimally when the user sits directly in front of them.


Keyboard and Touchpad


Despite its compact size, the Surface Laptop Go 3 boasts a well-spaced keyboard with full-row function keys at the top. The keys, coated with a rubber-like material, enhance the typing experience. Additionally, the keyboard integrates a dual-purpose power button with an embedded fingerprint sensor for Windows Hello login and Microsoft Passkey authentication.


The trackpad, sizable and covered with a rubber-like material, offers a soft touch and precise cursor movement. It supports native gesture controls introduced by Microsoft with the Windows 11 operating system.


Software


Running on the Windows 11 Home operating system, the Surface Laptop Go 3 comes pre-installed with various Microsoft apps. While several apps, such as Paint, Photos, and Edge browser, are part of the Windows 11 package, others, like Microsoft Clipchamp video editing app and the Microsoft productivity app suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), require a subscription. The laptop includes a trial version of Microsoft 365, providing access to these apps for a month.


The GenAI-powered Copilot is integrated into Microsoft’s apps and services, and the Surface Laptop Go 3 receives it with the Windows 11 23H2 update, accessible in the Windows update section. This update introduces a new Paint with the option to create layers and remove backgrounds. However, the co-create feature announced for the Paint app is not yet available. The update also brings an AI-generated video option to Microsoft Clipchamp video editor. Windows Copilot is another addition, operating system-wide but currently appears to be in a developmental stage. It is crucial to note that Windows Copilot is currently in preview mode. Lastly, Bing AI is integrated into the default Windows search, and an updated Edge browser with Bing AI is readily available on the sidebar.


The GenAI tools and services are dispersed and necessitate a learning curve to optimally utilise them. Therefore, the experience is not flawless. Moreover, the AI tools and services lack accuracy in the information it gathers and are not universally applicable. Consequently, the Copilot and GenAI features on the Surface Laptop Go 3, though innovative, fall short of being strong selling points in their current experimental state.


Performance


Powered by the 12th Generation Intel Core i5-1235U (review unit), coupled with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, the Surface Laptop Go 3 proves to be a suitable daily driver for non-power users. It exhibits responsiveness and effortlessly handles everyday tasks. As most GenAI tools and services are cloud-based, they do not strain the laptop’s performance capabilities. However, when confronted with power-intensive tasks such as gaming and multimedia editing, the laptop reveals limitations.


Microsoft claims a battery life of 15 hours on a full charge, a figure achieved in a controlled environment. In real-world usage, the on-battery time surpasses ten hours under routine conditions. The laptop is supplied with a 39W Power Supply and can be charged using a USB-C type.


Verdict


At Rs 80,999 onwards, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is an ultra-portable laptop ideal for basic everyday use. It falls slightly short due to the absence of a backlit keyboard, a reflective display, and reliance on a generation-old processor. Yet, it stands out as a viable option for those in search of a premium laptop with a compact form factor.



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Gujarat's semiconductor policy setting stage in technology world: CM Patel

Gujarat's semiconductor policy setting stage in technology world: CM Patel

by | Dec 25, 2023 | Technology


The ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy’ will help realise the state’s commitment for a self-reliant India and Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has said.


The ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy’ will help realise the state’s commitment for a self-reliant India and Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has said.


The policy is setting the stage for a future in the world of technology and manufacturing, and helping Gujarat transform itself into a semiconductor powerhouse, he said.


According to the state government, chip maker Micron Technology’s decision to set up a $2.75-billion plant at Sanand near Ahmedabad indicates that Gujarat’s dedicated semiconductor policy is bearing fruit and attracting global players.


Under the policy, the state government will set up ‘Dholera Semicon City’ near Ahmedabad where eligible projects will be given subsidies for setting up manufacturing units, it said ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) to be held in Gandhinagar next month.


The summit is a forum for business networking, knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships for inclusive growth and sustainable development.


In June this year, the Gujarat government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Micron Technology for setting up a semiconductor assembly and test facility at Sanand.


“With the prime minister’s guidance, Gujarat has emerged as a policy-driven state. Taking this tradition further, we have implemented the country’s first dedicated semiconductor policy. Our commitment for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Gujarat’ will be realised by this policy,” CM Patel has said.


In July last year, Gujarat announced a dedicated policy to draw new investments in the semiconductor sector by offering incentives and subsidies to start operations in the state, and will remain in force till 2027.


The Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) is set to host the ambitious ‘Semicon City’, spanning 5,000-10,000 acres and generating a massive two lakh jobs over the next five years by attracting semiconductor fabrication units, display fabrication units, silicon photonics, and semiconductor assembly, testing, marking, and packaging facilities, as per the state government.

Speaking at a startup event recently on semiconductor policy investment, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “(Prime Minister) Narendra Modi ji in January 2023 enacted a policy. We have these big units and plants like Micron coming up in Gujarat.”

“There are over 30 design startups that have come up. We are going to set up a new Indian semiconductor centre for research,” he said.


The policy has been designed in line with the Centre’s ‘India Semiconductor Mission’ to attract and facilitate new projects in the sector, the government said in a release.


To encourage investments, a 75 per cent subsidy is offered on the purchase of first 200 acres required for setting up manufacturing units, with additional land provided at 50 per cent subsidy, the state government said.


Eligible projects under this policy enjoy a power tariff subsidy of Rs 2 per unit for a decade and good quality water at a rate of Rs 12 per cubic metre for the first five years, with additional incentives for projects with significant foreign direct investment or those relocating from overseas locations, it said.

(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.)

First Published: Dec 25 2023 | 5:37 PM IST



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Google makes it easy to unsubscribe emails on Gmail app for iOS: Report

Google makes it easy to unsubscribe emails on Gmail app for iOS: Report

by | Dec 25, 2023 | Technology


Google has added a dedicated button for unsubscribing to emails on the Gmail app for iOS. According to a report by Android Authority, Google has started rolling out an easier way to unsubscribe to emails with a dedicated ‘unsubscribe’ button on iOS devices. The new button is placed just below the email’s subject line in blue colour.


Before this addition, users had to tap on more at the top of the message window and then scroll down to choose the unsubscribe option to disable emails from a specific sender address. The new feature resembles the unsubscribe button on the web version of the service.


According to the report, this feature is gradually rolling out for the Gmail app on iOS devices. There is currently no official confirmation regarding the roll out plan for Android devices. However, it is expected to be available for Android users in the coming weeks. This is also the first time Google has brought a new feature to iOS before rolling-out for their own Android powered devices.


Earlier, Google rolled out a newer version of the Chats app with redesigned navigation. The update features a new bottom navigation bar that lets users access Home, Direct Messages, Spaces and Mentions. The bottom bar has also been redesigned to switch between Gmail, Chats and Meet. Google said the new Home button on the Navigation bar helps users stay on top of all conversions in one unified view, with a filter that allows them to drill down to unread messages. The Chats app update has rolled out to both Android and iOS devices.

First Published: Dec 25 2023 | 12:01 PM IST



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Apple explores deals with news publishers to train its GenAI system: Report

Apple explores deals with news publishers to train its GenAI system: Report

by | Dec 25, 2023 | Technology



Apple has opened negotiations in recent weeks with major news and publishing organizations, seeking permission to use their material in the company’s development of generative artificial intelligence systems, the New York Times reported on Friday.




The iPhone maker has floated multiyear deals worth at least $50 million to license the archives of news articles, according to the report, which cited people familiar with the discussions.

 


The news organizations contacted by Apple include Conde Nast, publisher of Vogue and the New Yorker; NBC News; and IAC, which owns People, the Daily Beast and Better Homes and Gardens, the New York Times said.

 


Some of the publishers contacted by Apple were lukewarm on the overture, according to the report. Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.


Big tech has been investing aggressively to integrate generative AI. On the other hand, Apple has used the technology to improve basic functions in its new gadgets.

 


Apple also introduced new MacBook Pro and iMac computers and three new chips to power them in October, highlighting that these can be used by artificial intelligence researchers, whose chatbots and other creations are often constrained by how much data can be held in the computer’s memory.

First Published: Dec 25 2023 | 10:52 AM IST



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Poor quality results on search engines contribute to misinformation: Study

Poor quality results on search engines contribute to misinformation: Study

by | Dec 24, 2023 | Technology


The study was conducted by a research team from the University of Central Florida, New York University and Stanford University, US.


A study has found that people who performed online searches to verify the truthfulness of a piece of possible misinformation actually ended up believing it due to “poor quality results” from search engines.


The findings, according to researchers, flag the need for online search engines to address the challenge posed by the appearance of non-credible information at the top of search results.


The study conducted by a research team from the University of Central Florida, New York University and Stanford University, US, aimed at understanding the impact of search results produced when people used search engines to evaluate the veracity of news.


The findings, published in the journal Nature, highlighted the need for media literacy programs to ground recommendations in empirically tested interventions and search engines to invest in solutions to the challenges identified by this study.


“Our study shows that the act of searching online to evaluate news increases belief in highly popular misinformation — and by notable amounts,” said study author Zeve Sanderson, founding executive director of New York University’s Center for Social Media and Politics (CSMaP).


The researchers evaluated people’s behaviour after reading latest and older news articles dating a few months back.


The dataset included a combination of news articles that had misleading or false information and verified news about a topic with significant coverage, such as Covid-19.


The team included “false popular articles” on Covid-19 vaccines, the Trump impeachment proceedings, and climate events, they said.


They found that users performing online searches to evaluate the veracity of news articles, especially those with misleading or false information, were more likely to end up believing them when “poor quality results” were showed by search engines.


The researchers also found that this occurred both shortly after the article’s publication and months later, suggesting that passage of time and seemingly opportunities for fact checks to enter the information ecosystem did not lessen the misinformation-believing impact of online searching.


Further, from one of the five studies that assessed the impact of quality of search results on believing or disbelieving misinformation, the researchers found that online users exposed to “low-quality” search results were more likely to believe the falsehoods.


“This points to the danger that ‘data voids’ – areas of the information ecosystem that are dominated by low quality, or even outright false, news and information – may be playing a consequential role in the online search process, leading to low return of credible information or, more alarming, the appearance of non-credible information at the top of search results,” said lead author Kevin Aslett, an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida.

(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.)

First Published: Dec 24 2023 | 8:26 PM IST



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