The charging study aftermath: Overnight charging is going out of fashion
This week, we explored how charging speed affects the battery’s capacity. We also asked for your preference in charge rates. While fast charging is the most popular method of charging, overnight charging seems to be out of favor.
It was already on its way out a couple of years ago, but it was still the preferred method for a quarter of voters. Now that number is down from 25% to 15%. Slow charging has the advantage that you can always use one of your low-power chargers. We wish Android exposed better controls for charge speed, but even without on-screen controls it is easy enough to keep a 5W/10W charger at your night stand.
Most voters will go for a phone in the 25-33W range. These charge fast enough with no downsides. They don’t have an additional charge like phones with the most advanced charging technology.
Speaking of, the phones that support 100+ Watt charging were the second most popular category, narrowly beating the 50-67W devices, which came in third. We can see why charging is such a hassle and that people want it to be done quickly.
Doesn’t it damage the battery, though? Not so much, say manufacturers, who claim that it will retain 80% of its original capacity after several hundred cycles – some promise to match the 800 cycles industry standard, others even promise to exceed it twice and go as high as 1,600 cycles. Keep in mind that 800 cycles is over 2 years of daily charging from 0 to 100%.
Many phones with super-fast charging are advertised as gaming phones. At two years old a mobile GPU will be noticeably lacking in capabilities compared to new models. So, even if the battery is as fresh as the day it came out of the factory, the device will not be a great gaming phone anymore.
One concern that should not be ignored is the fact that this generates e-waste. These days a phone with a dead battery may not be worth the price of the repair, if you can even find someone to do the repair. A dead battery used to be a 60-second, no-tools-required kind of fix when batteries were user-accessible.
The EU has been working on a way to bring that back. Legislation will mandate that all consumer electronics have user replaceable batteries with “basic and commonly available tools”. The EU is also considering setting requirements for how long phones should be supported – it might demand 7 years of updates and availability of spare parts. These two factors can help make battery life more manageable. This will be something we’ll keep an eye out for from manufacturers.
Weekly poll results: Realme GT Neo3 showered with love
Realme has nailed it – the Realme GT Neo3 was showered with love in last week’s poll, where 80% of the votes were in its favor. We rarely see a phone be favored so strongly. Its predecessor, the GT Neo2, actually got a slightly negative result at the polls.
The Neo3 appears to be a success in its home market already, after selling 100,000+ units on launch day. It’s not clear which of the two versions – 4,500 mAh battery/150W charging or 5,000 mAh battery/80W charging – was more popular. The 80W one is certainly cheaper (CNY 2,000 vs. CNY 2,700).
Price is something that will determine the level of success of the GT Neo3 globally. Realme is yet to announce plans to expand its reach into new markets. The outgoing GT Neo2 is EUR450 in Europe, so we expect to see the new model in the same price range.
Meanwhile, it looks like the OnePlus 10R will be nearly identical to the Realme GT Neo3. Alas, we haven’t heard anything about the pricing on the 10R either.
Oppo F21 Pro and Reno7 Lite 5G specs and prices surface ahead of launch
The Oppo F21 Pro 4G and 5G are supposed to arrive on April 12 in India and a recent tweet seems to have spoiled the surprise for some. It is possible that it was correct in the first instance. The Oppo Reno7 Lite, on the other hand, is heading towards the European market but we don’t know when to expect it.
Let’s start with the F21 Pro. The tweet claims that the 5G option will come in 8GB/128GB memory configuration with a starting price of INR 25,990,l while the 4G version will have the same memory combo priced at INR 21,990. Moreover, judging by the teased design, the handset will likely be a re-badged Oppo Reno7, so we know what to expect in terms of specs.
Oppo Reno7 4G
Speaking of the Reno lineup, the Reno7 Lite 5G destined for Europe probably draws some similarities with the F21 Pro 5G. The source claims that the handset will be built around a 6. 43-inch OLED panel with up to 600 nits of brightness, Snapdragon 695 chipset and at least 8GB/128GB of memory.
The back will house a 64MP main camera winged by two 2MP sensors – one used for depth while the other for close-up macro shots. All of this will run on a 4,500 mAh battery with 33W fast charging. Of course, the latest Android 12 and ColorOS 12 will be pre-installed.
As far s pricing goes, the handset is tipped to carry a price tag of EUR350 and will be available in only two colors – black and blue. There is no word yet on when it might be available, but we expect it to happen soon.
IRIS Hybrid Speaker offers interactive artificial intelligence and illumination
Most Italian designers definitely know how to combine form and function. Italians often come up with aesthetically pleasing products that are compatible with the environment and the IRIS Hybrid Speaker is no different.
We want new home items that not only look good but are also functional. The entertainment system is perhaps the most straightforward to buy. Although we have already seen many audio products, it is something that will never stop us from checking out what else is available. We’re excited to see some production-ready designs.
The IRIS Hybrid Speaker could be the next music device you’d be displaying and using at your home. It fits most interiors that are minimalist yet high-tech. It is designed as an intelligent speaker, ready to offer voice assistance so you can control your other smart home devices or simply make quick conversations.
The IRIS Hybrid speaker will make you think of donuts due to their shape. There appears to be a paper clip-like handle on the back. The handle allows you to place the speaker almost anywhere.
The speaker portion easily slides on the handle. The tracks allow for a better grip and slide. The donut speaker is covered by fabric while a metal bezel surrounds it. The bezel also functions as volume control for the speaker.
The unique design of the IRIS Hybrid Speaker will make you want to display it. You don’t have to hide or keep it less noticeable. You should instead celebrate its outstanding design and make it an integral part of your home.
An audio device can be part of the living room or any room without overwhelming. The IRIS speaker makes it easier for anyone to decorate the home. The speaker is equipped with features that can help you manage your home. It can also be a light source as it functions as a lamp to add to mood lighting and create a more cozy atmosphere.
The IRIS Speaker is imagined to come with interactive artificial intelligence. It’s more like smart furniture that offers different functions. This is a playful version of smart speaker technology. It provides light and can be used as decor. The speaker’s back shell is matte plastic, while the front is fabric. As it glides along the tracks, the rear shell isn’t susceptible to scratching. This allows you to control the brightness of your LED lights and
Xiaomi 12 Ultra to come in leather, glass and ceramic variants
A new report from China emerged to reveal some of the design traits of the upcoming Xiaomi 12 Ultra. We already have a good idea of what the phone would look like, so the latest rumor is here to fill in the blanks when it comes to materials and colors. To some degree.
While the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra from last year featured only one ceramic version, the company wants to give you a choice this time around. Supposedly, the Xiaomi 12 Ultra will come in three variants – glass, ceramic and vegan leather.
The first choice will come in multiple colors. While the ceramic version will only be available in white and black, the color choices for the vegan leather option are not yet known.
It is likely that it will cost a little more than the glass option because it is harder to mold, but it has a higher return on investment.
ZTE teases the Axon 40 series for an announcement this month
There have been several revealing leaks for the Axon 40 family, with the most recent one being from TENAA. And now, the company’s president of the mobile division shared a teaser poster on Weibo suggesting that the Axon 40, and possibly a Pro variant, will be announced this month in China.
The teaser poster doesn’t reveal much, but past reports (including the TENAA leak) suggest that the Axon 40 Pro is just a re-badged nubia Z40 Pro so we kind of know what to expect.
Then again, the Axon family has a history of implementing under-display selfie cameras, so we wonder if the Axon 40 Pro will be a bit different from the Z40 Pro in this regard. We also wonder whether the so-called Gravity Edition with Magnetic Charging will be a default configuration or a separate one like the nubia Z40 Pro.
We don’t need to wait too long as ZTE will soon announce the product for China market sometime in the month and it will likely make its way onto the international scene within a few days.
Android 13 may allow two carrier connections on one eSIM
According to Esper, Google is working on an Android 13 feature that would potentially be a game-changer for people using two SIM cards on a single phone. And maybe leave some extra room for smartphone manufacturers to utilize too.
Through a feature called Multiple Enabled Profiles (MEP), the search giant wants to assign two carrier profiles to a single eSIM and easily switch between networks. Google is reportedly basing the new feature on a patent filed in 2020, which describes a splitting of the existing SIM interface into two digital connections. There have been reports in the past that Google is testing it on an engineering Pixel hardware.
In turn, this could allow manufacturers to get rid of the SIM card slot as a whole leaving room for some extra hardware. We could see the return of microSD cards or we could see slightly bigger batteries too.
Even though the source believes that the feature will debut with Android 13, it’s actually not intrinsic to Android. It can be implemented on iOS and even Windows.
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G lands in India with Exynos 1280 and 6,000 mAh battery
The Samsung Galaxy M33 5G has just been announced for the Indian market as a successor to last year’s Galaxy M32 5G and should not be confused with the global Galaxy M33. The latter has a smaller 5,000 mAh battery with otherwise identical hardware.
The handset is powered by Samsung’s mid-range Exynos 1280 chipset based on the 5nm manufacturing process and is paired with either 6 or 8GB of RAM. The LCD display has a V-shaped cutout to accommodate the front-facing camera. The panel supports 120Hz refresh rate, has a 1080 x 2408px resolution on a 6. 6-inch diagonal and is protected by Gorilla Glass 5.
There are no storage variants, just one – 128GB but it can be expanded via microSD card.
On the back, the M33 5G carries a 50MP main shooter with f/1. 8 aperture and is winged by a 5MP, f/2. 2 ultrawide camera, a 2MP macro one and a 2MP depth sensor. The selfie cam is 8MP with f/2. 2 aperture.
All that hardware sips from a big 6,000 mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging and runs on Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4. 1 on top.
The fingerprint reader on this device is mounted sideways because it uses an LCD panel. The 3. 5mm audio jack is in place, while the system has Dolby Atmos audio tuning.
The Galaxy M33 5G will sell in Ocean Blue and Green colors and will ask INR 17,999 for the 6GB option whereas the 8GB variant will ask INR 19,499. Sales begin on April 8 through Amazon.in.
In an internal memo to Panos Panay, Microsoft’s Chief Products Officer (CPO), announced earlier this week that it would be reorganizing its Android departments. According to Windows Central, these teams are Microsoft’s Surface Duo OS and Swift Key as well as Phone Link, Microsoft Launcher and Phone Link. This new Android company will go by the name “Android Microsoft Platform & Experiences” (or AMPX).
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to Windows Central the following statement:
We evaluate all aspects of our company on a daily basis, just like every other business. To improve our service to our customers and our partners, we recently underwent an organizational overhaul.
Microsoft has “big ideas for Android and Windows” over the coming years. The company hopes to integrate Android and Windows more deeply beyond what’s already available from Phone Link (formerly Your Phone). As an alternative to Apple’s iPhone integration with MacOS, Android could be positioned as an extension to Windows.
The reorganization led to new positions. Shilpa Ranganthan is now in a lead role for Windows PM org, who is taking over for Linda Averett, leading a new team that oversees privacy, compliance, and security. Ali Akgun will be leading the new AMPX group, formerly CVP of Surface at Microsoft. Finally, it’s reported that no layoff resulted from the reorganization.
Cleaning appliances designed to be the ingenious hacks you need to keep your home spick & span
If there’s one thing that COVID-19 has taught us (though there are plenty), it’s that maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, and sanitizing everything and anything in sight is a must. It’s also turned most of us into homebodies -irrespective of whether we were originally one or not. Our minds naturally focus on taking care of the home since we spend so much time there. At least it does for me, once I wrap up my work! A few innovative, unique appliances could really be helpful in this regard. These handy home appliances can help you if you are looking to do some Marie Kondo-style cleaning, or just to make your life easier. From a space-saving vacuum cleaner that breaks down into 4 parts to a futuristic toilet cleaning robot – we have curated a whole range of nifty gadgets that promise to be the ultimate sidekick during your cleaning expeditions at home. Have fun cleaning.
1. The Dayoo Kitchen Steam Cleaner & Dishwasher
With a nozzle inspired by a water-saving showerhead, the Dayoo Kitchen Steam Cleaner & Dishwasher permits you to use less water to clean more dishes in mere minutes.
Why is it noteworthy?
The modern dishwasher is an engineering marvel. But it has a few flaws. It’s sort of a carwash for your utensils. The nozzle within the dishwasher just senselessly sprays hot water in every possible direction, hoping to get food and grime off your utensils. It doesn’t necessarily target stains because it doesn’t ‘see’ them, and it wastes a massive amount of water trying to clean all your utensils regardless of their quantity and how they’ve been arranged on the trays. The kitchen sink is a much better option because it uses the right amount of water to clean a set of utensils. The problem, though, is that it requires effort manually scrubbing grime off your utensils. Dayoo combines both of these devices into one solution for the kitchen that combines both.
What we like
Make cleaning utensils faster, effective, and energy-efficient
The heated steam does a more efficient job of getting grease and food off your plates and spoons
What we dislike
Dayoo can heat water up to temperatures of 221degF, which obviously raises safety concerns, but the company behind the appliance says that as long as your hand is 4 inches away from the nozzle, you’re fine
2. The Sebastiano
A new concept design for what they say is the “only designer robot in the world” has caught my attention as it says it will be my “home pal” and it was designed to be by my side. Sebastiano It’s actually a vacuum that sweeps, brushes, and vacuums any type of surface, including marble floors or wood floors.
Why is it noteworthy?
Another thing that may appeal to those who dislike those noisy old-school vacuum cleaners is that it is designed to be basically noiseless. The robot’s cleaning action should be quiet enough to not disrupt your audio or visual content, so even though you are watching TV, it shouldn’t disturb your listening. But it will apparently suddenly speak when the dust bin is already full and inform you that you need to empty it. The bin itself is triangular shaped and detachable so you won’t have any trouble getting rid of all that collected dust.
What we like
When it’s not in use, it is programmed to go back to its charging port so you won’t trip on it
What we dislike
There’s no app to help control it when it’s moving around
It’s still a concept
3. H5
H5 is a multifunctional vacuum cleaner designed for small spaces that can break down into four parts that fit into a compact charging bin for easy storage.
Why is it noteworthy?
While living tiny is all the rage nowadays, it takes some skill to keep small city spaces clean. Vacuuming can be a tedious chore, especially if you have pets or live in an older apartment. Vacuuming small areas is easy, but storing bulky vacuum cleaners can be a hassle. To keep small spaces clean without the pain of storing big cleaning appliances, industrial designer Yipeng Zhu ideated a space-saving multifunctional vacuum cleaner called H5 that shrinks down to almost a 1/3 of its height.
What we like
H5 keeps an overall slim build when assembled and when disassembled so it doesn’t take up too much space in storage
H5 comes with three different vacuum heads that can be switched out for various cleaning needs
What we dislike
It’s still a concept
4. Giddel Toilet Cleaning Robot
There almost comes a time when family members or housemates fight over the Porcelain Throne, but none actually like to stick around to clean it. It’s no surprise, considering all that happens inside the bathroom, that it ranks among the most disliked chores. You can hire others to do it, but that’s not the best option. Instead of paying a monthly expense for someone to clean your toilet, you could just purchase a robot. This adorable little robot is here to help you make life easier, at least for a few times.
Why is it noteworthy?
Given its purpose, Giddel almost seems too adorable to be dirty. Big blue eyes set on a black face almost look at you innocently while hovering in the middle of the toilet bowl. A push on one of those eyes, which are actually control buttons, sends Giddel methodically spinning and scrubbing that toilet clean, including the hard-to-reach places that you probably wouldn’t even dare touch.
What we like
You can also use your choice of liquid cleaning solutions, so you won’t be locked into whatever the company sells, which is good because it doesn’t actually sell any
Is critical for people with disabilities
What we dislike
Giddel can itself get quite dirty and will require cleaning
5. Leo’s Loo Too
Looking almost like a slick front-loaded washing machine, the Leo’s Loo Too by Smarty Pear uses a similar rotating chamber to automatically ‘flush’ out your cat’s poo, saving you the trouble of digging away at kitty excrement with a scoop.
Why is it noteworthy?
After your cat has gone about its day, Leo’s Loo Too will wait for waste to settle before it begins its cleaning process. To clean out the cat’s waste, the entire inner chamber rotates a full 360, using gravity and a clever mesh design to sift out and separate the waste from the litter. At the end of one 360deg spin, the waste gets sent into the Loo’s waste drawer where it’s collected in a plastic waste bag, while the upper chamber is cleaned and laid down with the litter once again. The entire process happens automatically and can be controlled/calibrated via a companion smartphone app
What we like
Sports a modern enclosed design
The enclosed space means your cat can go about its business with utmost privacy
What we dislike
Occupies a substantial amount of space
6. The AIPER Seagull 3000
Like a Roomba for your pool, the AIPER Seagull 3000 submerges itself in water to clean dirt in a way that your regular vacuum cleaner never could. Uniquely designed to work underwater (thanks to its rather clever floating battery unit), the AIPER Seagull 3000 filters water through its system, catching dirt, leaves, twigs, algae, and even that difficult-to-catch scum that your average cordless cleaner can’t grab.
Why is it noteworthy?
In turn, the AIPER Seagull 3000’s fine filtration system captures debris as small as 180 um preventing it from re-entering the water. You can operate it manually via a smartphone app or have it autonomously clean your pool’s floor, walls, and edges/corners efficiently with its 120W suction capability.
What we like
The Seagull 3000 has an independent battery which just makes it a much stronger and more capable machine
The floating battery makes the Seagull 3000 cordless, safe, and just as effective
What we dislike
The wall-climbing feature doesn’t activate on critical battery levels, so you may need to gently pull the Seagull 3000 up using the battery line
7. BrushPro
BrushPro is extremely convenient to use compared to its forerunners. The extendable handle allows you to reach narrow spaces without having to perform advanced yoga poses on the floor and minimizes your direct contact with the dirty brush. It also features slits to allow the head of your brush to move around while you clean. This is a universal design that considers the needs and abilities of people with disabilities.
Why is it noteworthy?
The brush head includes rubber as well as fiber for more efficient cleaning. The slot in the detergent bottles allows you to refill the bottle and reuse it. This is a great feature that also saves money.
What we like
A slot for the detergent bottle
Combines two cleaning products in one
What we dislike
No complaints
8. AETHER
Imagine, after a long day, you walk into your home and pleasing music (you had preset) begins to play. To ensure that your home remains clean and fresh no matter what pollution has been inhaled, an air purifier is activated simultaneously. Designed in form of a turntable, AETHER is a concept that makes this possible.
Why is it noteworthy?
Clear air is essential for blood circulation and lungs. In fact, it is important for our well-being. And since the pandemic has pushed us all into the confines of our homes, we are spending approximately 90 percent of our time indoors. Studies show that indoor air contains five times the amount of pollutants as outdoor air. Even though we believe that our home air is clean, it may not be the purest. This is where AETHER comes in!
What we like
The speaker is controlled remotely by a smartphone or smart device to play any music you like, well before you set foot into the house
What we dislike
There is a lot of work that needs to be done to make it a valuable air purification device we’d want to vouch for
9. The Narwal T10
There is a growing number of robots invading our homes, but not in the nefarious way that many sci-fi flicks would have us believe. These robots roam around our rooms, picking up dirt, dust, and hair and sometimes even wiping off stains. Robot vacuum cleaners now come in all shapes and sizes, and it has become a bit more difficult to pick one unless they have some special feature or gimmick. The Narwal T10, the company’s first stab at a robot cleaner, advertises one such special skill, and we set it loose on the floor to check if it makes the cut.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Narwal T10 will immediately strike one as something so different from your usual robot vac, even the ones with 2-in-1 mopping and vacuuming functions. The robot’s base as well as the robot are covered in white. This color is associated with sanitation and cleanliness. Although it gives off a more minimalistic vibe, dirt and stains may be easier to see on its surface.
What we like
2-in-1 mopping and vacuuming functions
What we dislike
You will need to empty the dust bin more often than not because of its small capacity
10. Air Spa
You know that age-old trend of drying yourself with a towel after a shower? Boring, no? And pretty time-consuming too, if you ask me. I mean it’s 2021, we definitely need a cooler way of drying ourselves. I guess BDCI Design thought the same because they designed ‘Air Spa’…a body dryer! Yes, you read that right. The South Korean design consultancy created a dryer for your body, and defines it as a “refreshing bathroom experience”. After you have taken a bath, the tall appliance vertically blows air out to dry your skin.
Why is it noteworthy?
So, where does the spa bit of ‘Air Spa’ come into play? The appliance’s unique form and height support various little holes that blow out air. The ‘air holes have multiple layers and can be placed vertically or horizontally as you like. So, you have air blowing at you from different angles and positions, mimicking the experience of a massage or spa. It’s almost like a wind bath if you ask me. It could also be the final step to unwind after a hard day at work.
What we like
Air Spa’s interesting height makes it perfect for users of all ages. The vertical appliance can be used for children and adults alike
Reduces our laundry load!
What we dislike
Unsuitable for tiny bathrooms with space constraints
