The Apple Watch Series 9 is expected to unveil at the “Wonderlust” event on 12 September
Apple would upgrade its Watch Series line with new chips and sensors on September 12, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The Watch Series 9, which Apple is expected to unveil at the “Wonderlust” event, would get its fourth-generation optical heart rate sensor. Besides, it would get a new U2 chip for ultra-wideband connectivity. This chip is said to improve Apple Watch’s location tracking capabilities. Gurman in his report on Bloomberg said that the upgrades on the new Apple Watch lineup will be more focused on speed, efficiency and accuracy.
According to Gurman, the U2 chip would debut in the Watch Series 9 and second generation Watch Ultra. It is also expected to be used in the iPhone 15 series. The Watch series 9 is said to have a stainless-steel body with 3D printed casing. The report also suggests that the Apple Watch Ultra will get a new Black colour option, which would be manufactured using more recycled materials.
While the Watch Series updates seem incremental, the biggest updates at the September 12 event are expected for the iPhone 15 models. With Apple likely launching four iPhone models, including the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models as well as the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, it is expected that these new iPhones will get power delivery through USB-C port.
According to an article on The Verge, both premium models will come with USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 and the base iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will support USB 2.0. While the entire lineup of the iPhone 15 series is expected to get the Dynamic Island, the Pro models might also get the titanium frame with thinner bezels around the display. New camera sensors and colour coded cables are likely to be included in the package.
The Z7 Pro from Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO, a Chinese smartphone brand, is tailored for young gamers seeking an affordable, gaming-centric device. It is priced at Rs 23,999 for the base model (8GB RAM + 128GB storage) and Rs 24,999 for the top-end model (8GB RAM + 256GB storage). The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 system-on-chip and boasts a 4,600 mAh battery with support for fast wired charging, dual 5G SIM slots, and a curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is available in graphite matte and blue lagoon colours, and this review is based on the former with 256GB of onboard storage.
Design
The iQOO Z7 Pro features a thin and lightweight design, exuding premium construction quality. It sports a matte finish on the back cover that feels smooth to the touch but does not attract fingerprint marks or smudges. The camera island on the back houses twin-camera rings paired with an unconventional circular flashlight called AURA light.
The front of the phone is dominated by a two-sided curved AMOLED display, which eliminates side bezels and leaves narrow borders on the top and bottom. It features a centrally aligned hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera and an in-display fingerprint sensor that is fast and accurate.
Regarding the frame, the iQOO Z7 Pro houses volume rockers and the power button on the right side. The bottom side hosts the SIM tray, a microphone, a USB Type-C port, and a speaker grille. The phone boasts an IP52 rating, offering resistance against minor water splashes and dust.
Display and Audio
The iQOO Z7 Pro sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED display of a 120Hz refresh rate. It is a two-sided curved panel, providing an extended viewing experience without distractions in horizontal orientation. The display is bright and vivid, with good sunlight legibility, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience regardless of external lighting conditions. The phone supports dynamic refresh rate optimisation for power efficiency and a smooth experience. While it works fine in routine use, switching to 120Hz from display settings delivers the best experience.
In terms of audio, the iQOO Z7 Pro features a single speaker that is loud and clear but falls short of the vastness and audio quality of the stereo speakers found in most smartphones in its segment. The phone lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, and there is no support for FM radio.
Camera
The iQOO Z7 Pro boasts a dual-camera system on the back, featuring a 64-megapixel main camera sensor with optical image stabilisation and a 2MP depth-sensing lens. On the front, there is a 16MP sensor of an f/2.5 aperture.
Since the rear camera system lacks an ultra-wide-angle sensor, the phone’s imaging relies on the performance of the main camera sensor. It performs well for everyday use and works effectively in all lighting conditions, thanks to OIS. Night photography maintains a natural look without excessive brightening or oversaturation, retaining details and colours even without the use of the rear LED light. In low-light conditions, there is a decrease in details, but the images still turn out decently.
For portraits, the main camera sensor captures a natural shallow depth-of-field. The phone offers a live photo feature that records moments before the photo is taken to add context to the images. It can be activated by long pressing the shutter icon in live photo mode. Additionally, there is support for dual-view videos and photos, allowing for the simultaneous use of the rear and front cameras in a single frame.
However, since the phone lacks an ultra-wide-angle camera, it may not be suitable for capturing wider scenes like cityscapes and landscapes. Moreover, there is no macro camera sensor, limiting the ability to take close-up shots. That said, the overall imaging performance falls short of what you might expect in a midrange smartphone.
Performance
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 system-on-chip, the iQOO Z7 Pro offers a balanced combination of performance and efficiency. In terms of mobile gaming, it excels, handling high-definition graphics in supported games without noticeable lag. The phone includes a built-in “Monster Mode”, optimising performance without compromising battery life.
The phone runs on Funtouch OS 13, based on the Android 13 operating system. The interface is user-friendly and loaded with customisation options for a personalised experience.
Complementing its performance is good on-battery time. With a 4,600 mAh battery, the smartphone easily lasts through a full day on a single charge. When it comes to charging, the included 66W wired charger enables swift charging, capable of replenishing the battery from zero to 100 per cent in under 50 minutes.
Verdict
The iQOO Z7 Pro is a solid gaming smartphone but falls short in some areas, particularly in imaging and audio – lacking an ultra-wide-angle camera and featuring only a mono speaker. Nevertheless, its thin and lightweight construction and balanced performance give it an edge over peers in the same segment. However, there are still better options available in the market to consider.
The LG Gram 16 is a consumer laptop in the thin-and-lightweight category. On paper, it boasts a 16-inch anti-glare display and a lightweight construction, weighing only 1.2kg. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye. For instance, LG offers a software suite for enhanced privacy and security. Additionally, it comes pre-installed with Intel Unison software for seamless connectivity with Android smartphones and iPhones. There are numerous other features, both big and small, sprinkled throughout to enhance the everyday user experience. How? Let’s find out:
Design
The LG Gram 16 may appear unexciting to some due to its rather generic black colour scheme. However, this laptop has more beneath the surface. From a design standpoint, the LG Gram 16 boasts a durable construction that complies with the MIL-STD-810H standard. This means the laptop can endure challenging environmental conditions. Furthermore, it features a slim (16.8mm) and lightweight (1.2kg) body. Its slender profile enhances portability, a feature often lacking in many thin-and-light laptops.
Despite its compact design, LG has managed to include a fullHD webcam, infrared sensor, and microphone setup at the top of the display bezel area. Speaking of bezels, the LG Gram 16 has slim borders around the display, especially on the left and right sides. It is not an all-screen design, but the space is used effectively to provide a maximised visual experience with minimal distractions.
Display
The LG Gram 16 sports a 16-inch WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) IPS display of a 60Hz refresh rate, presented in a 16:10 aspect ratio. It is an 8-bit panel with support for a wide colour gamut. The display offers decent brightness and remains readable in bright outdoor conditions. Colours are vivid, but the colour accuracy is not perfect.
Nevertheless, LG includes the Smart Assistant application in the package, allowing for manual colour temperature adjustments if you prefer not to rely on the default auto adjustment. Moreover, the application provides quick access to a reader’s mode, reducing eye strain by limiting blue colour intensity. Lastly, there is support for a professional mode, which maximises colour coverage, although it does not significantly improve colour accuracy.
Audio
The LG Gram 16 features a pair of 2W speakers for stereo output. These speakers are loud, balanced, and clear, supporting Dolby Atmos for an expanded soundstage. However, due to their small size and limited power, they do not provide a true spatial audio experience.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The LG Gram 16 boasts a full-size keyboard with a dedicated number pad and a row of dual-purpose function keys. It is a backlit keyboard with two-step brightness settings, accessible through the LG Smart Assistant application. The keys are well-spaced for comfortable typing, with minimal key travel distance suitable for quiet operation. While it is a modest keyboard, it works well for everyday use.
As for the trackpad, it is generously sized but sensitive. It works accurately unless your palm accidentally touches it. Two-finger gestures for content scrolling work well with gentle touch. A slightly stronger tap on the trackpad triggers right-click options. However, Windows 11 includes built-in options to adjust touchpad sensitivity based on personal preferences. A trackpad capable of detecting accidental palm touches with moderate sensitivity would have been preferable.
Software
Based on Microsoft Windows 11 Home operating system, the LG Gram 16 comes with a software suite tailored for enhanced privacy and security. There is LG Security Guard application, which sets off alarm and notifies user through e-mail if it detects another person is operating the device. It uses face recognition together with Windows Hello to detect presence.
For privacy, there is LG Glance application. It is a feature-packed application with support for presence detection, privacy alerts, and video conferencing tools baked in. The application is especially useful if you work in social environments and want to protect your work from prying eyes of the unknowns.
Another valuable addition to the software package is Intel Unison, which enables smartphone pairing for both Android and iPhone devices. With this app, you can answer calls, read messages, and transfer photos and videos between your laptop and connected smartphone.
Performance and battery
Powered by the 13th Generation Intel Core i7-1360P processor, the laptop (in our review unit) features 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD storage. It performs smoothly in everyday tasks and handles minor graphics-intensive workloads like multimedia editing and casual gaming with ease. It maintains thermal efficiency and delivers consistent performance, particularly when plugged in. However, when operating on battery power, there is a noticeable drop in performance, especially for power-intensive tasks. Nonetheless, the laptop’s performance is supported by good on-battery life, making it suitable for extended use during working hours without frequent charging.
Verdict
The LG Gram 16 is not perfect, but it does not compromise on core features expected from a premium thin-and-light laptop. It is an ultraportable laptop with a large display, solid performance, and a slim profile. Moreover, it offers strong connectivity options, both wired and wireless, and a range of software features from LG that enhance privacy and security. Overall, the LG Gram 16 is a compelling choice for those seeking a slim laptop ready for various tasks, excluding gaming or heavy content creation.
Ant Group unveiled a finance-specific artificial intelligence (AI) model on Friday and started testing consumer and professional apps for the product, joining a crowded race to deploy AI in heavily regulated China.
The foray by Ant into financial AI is notable as the company founded by billionaire Jack Ma is China’s biggest fintech firm, with more than 1 billion users worldwide for its Alipay payment app.
Ant follows AI announcements by tech giants Tencent and Xiaomi on Thursday and Ant’s affiliate Alibaba in April. By July in China, more than 130 companies had introduced “large language models”, the type that powers OpenAI’s seminal ChatGPT generative AI app, according to Tencent.
Ant said its new model had begun closed tests of the two apps on the company’s wealth management and insurance platforms.
The Zhixiaobao 2.0 app, designed to give consumers financial tips, can match the average financial professional in market analysis and reasoning capability, Ant said. It will be available once it receives regulatory approval.
Unlike other countries, China requires companies to submit security assessments and receive clearance before releasing AI products to the public.
Zhixiaozhu 1.0 can conduct investment analysis and information extraction, among other business tasks, for financial professionals, Ant said.
Tech giant Google offered first glimpse of its upcoming smartphones Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro ahead of their launch on October 4.
According to The Verge, an American technology news website, the pictures and videos shared by Google show how much smaller the Pixel 8 is in comparison to the 8 Pro. While the Pixel 8 Pro is rumored to retain the same 6.7-inch display size as its predecessor, the standard Pixel 8 could have a smaller 6.17-inch display (instead of 6.3 inches on the Pixel 7), which is good news if you prefer phones that don’t take up your entire hand.
Apart from that, Google also offered a glimpse at the Pixel Watch 2. The device looks mostly similar to its predecessor and features a porcelain band to match the Pixel 8 Pro, reported The Verge.
While Google doesn’t reveal much about the new features coming with the Pixel Watch 2, it notes that you can pair it with a Pixel phone “to get even more personalized help, safety features, and health insights.” Google also briefly showed off the Pixel Buds in its teaser, which indicates that we’ll also see the earbuds at its hardware-packed event, as per The Verge.
(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.)
