Watch the Huawei flagship product launch event live
Huawei is ready to bring its Mate Xs 2 and Watch GT 3 Pro series to global markets after their debuts in China last month. The global event livestream kicks off from 2PM CET/12PM UTC time and we’ve saved you a spot.
Mate Xs 2 is the latest foldable from Huawei featuring an outward folding 7. 8-inch AMOLED screen and Snapdragon 888 4G chipset. The foldable gets a 50MP main cam, 13MP ultrawide snapper and an 8MP telephoto module with 3x optical zoom. There’s a 4,880 mAh battery with 66W fast charging while the software side is covered by HarmonyOS 2.
Watch GT 3 Pro comes in 46 mm (titanium) and 43 mm (ceramic) sizes both outfitted with AMOLED screens, activity tracking for over 100 sports modes, heart rate and blood oxygen sensors. It was equipped with ECG, so we will see which countries support this model.
Huawei is also expected to announce its MatePad SE tablet and Huawei Band 7 activity tracker and we could see some other products too. We’ll make sure to cover all the announcements from the event so keep an eye on our homepage.
Motorola Moto G71s launches with 120Hz OLED display, Snapdragon 695
Last week Motorola unveiled the Moto G82. Now the company has quietly launched a G71s in China, but a quick look at the specs shows that it is very nearly the same phone. We don’t know what brought on the name change, but we do know that it is a small upgrade over the original G71 from last year.
The AMOLED display of the Moto G71s grew to 6. 6″, up from 6. 4″ on the original. Also, the new panel offers 120Hz refresh rate (up from 60Hz) while keeping the FHD+ resolution. The display has 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 and NTSC color spaces and DC dimming. Stereo speakers are available with Dolby Atmos support.
Other than that, the phone runs on the old hardware – the G71s is still powered by the Snapdragon 695 chipset. This one starts at 8GB of RAM, skipping the lower capacity options, and 128GB storage. The phone launches with Android 12 out of the box (with My UX 3.0).
Despite the larger display, the battery capacity is the same at 5,000mAh and so is the charging speed at 33W. All but the camera bump fits in a package that is a hair under 8mm thick.
The cameras on the rear are the same, starting with the 50MP main module, which boasts OIS and a sensor that with 4-in-1 pixel binning (for 1. 28um pixels). Next to it is the 8MP ultra wide-angle (121deg) camera and a 2MP macro cam. The 16MP selfie camera on the front has an impressively wide 105deg lens. Motorola sees this as a phone for vlogging, so it can shoot videos using the front and back cameras.
The last thing to talk about is the price. This seems to be exclusive to China Mobile for now and the 8/128GB model (the only option available) costs CNY 1,700 ($250/EUR240/Rs19,500). That’s CNY 100 more than the regular G71 in 8/128GB configuration.
If this phone looks interesting, have a look at the G82, which costs EUR330 in Europe. There’s also the Moto G52, which is cheaper (EUR250), but drops its 6. 6″ AMOLED display to 90Hz and to a 4G-only Snapdragon 680.
Withings Scanwatch Horizon Smartwatch looks like a luxury diver’s watch
Withings is a brand many of us know to deliver excellent fitness and health tracking and monitoring features. It continues to come up with products that don’t only look good but also offer top-notch performance.
The latest to be added to the smartwatch lineup is the Withings ScanWatch Horizon. It looks like a luxury divers watch, but it’s really just a fitness watch. The wearable device is a health hybrid smartwatch that’s been inspired by luxury diver watches.
The connected health category is here to stay, and Withings will remain part of the revolution. The watch is now available in the United States with a $499 price tag. For a health and fitness-focused watch, the price is a little bit high, but it does look like a luxury watch. However, it is one stylish and elegant-looking timepiece that you can wear for a long time. Watch aficionados who value their health can consider this one from Withings if they want to start their fitness journey.
The Withings Scanwatch Horizon features the usual health tracking features: ECG and monitor heart rate, blood oxygen levels, breathing disturbances, physical activity, and sleep. In addition, the watch can be used underwater should you wish to use it while swimming or diving.
The Withings smartwatch comes in a luxurious sapphire-glass casing. The cover has an anti-reflection coating, while the rotating bezel is set in stainless steel. Like a real diver’s watch, its bezel has laser-engraved markings to show standard codes of diving practice. The watch also features Luminova hollow watch hands, indicators, and indices. This means you can use the watch even in low-light conditions.
A rubberized wristband can replace the ScanWatch Horizon’s stainless-steel band if you want a more sporty look and feel. In addition, the watch’s battery life can last up to 30 days on a single full charge. It also offers 10 ATM water resistance so that you can wear it for water sports, snorkeling, and swimming.
The watch works with a connected Health Mate app. It has the standard tech and fitness features, including ECG-tracking while underwater. That is not impossible because the watch has been clinically-validated. Its mirror-polished serrated bezel works as an electrode, so tracking and recording can be done with speed and convenience. Under normal circumstances, the 30-second ECG recording works. Results are then shown on the screen and checked in the compatible app. You can view there an in-depth diagnostic report of your health.
Two new members of the Narzo 50 series were announced today – the Narzo 50 5G and Narzo 50 Pro 5G. Both pack 90Hz displays, MediaTek Dimensity chipsets and 5,000 mAh batteries with 33W charging.
Realme Narzo 50 Pro 5G
Narzo 50 Pro 5G gets a 6.4-inch 90Hz AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The back houses a 48MP main cam alongside an 8MP ultrawide snapper and a 2MP macro cam. MediaTek’s Dimensity 920 sits at the helm aided by 6/8GB RAM and 128GB storage.
Realme Narzo 50 Pro 5G
The phone boots Realme UI 3.0 on top of Android 12. Other notable specs include an in-display fingerprtin scanner, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and a headphone jack.
Realem Narzo 50 Pro 5G key specs
Realme Narzo 50 Pro 5G comes in Hyper Blue and Hyper Black colors with an INR 21,999 base price for the 6/128GB trim. The 8/128GB model goes for INR 23,999. Open sales start on May 26.
Realme Narzo 50 5G
Narzo 50 5G gets a larger 6.6-inch LCD with FHD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 810 chip alongside 4/6 GB RAM and 64/128GB storage. You get a dual-camera setup on the back with a 48MP main shooter and an 8MP ultrawide snapper.
Realme Narzo 50 5G
The selfie cam comes in at 8MP. The software side is covered by Realme UI 3.0 on top of Android 12. Narzo 50 also gets stereo speakers and a headphoe jack as well as a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
Realme Narzo 50 5G comes in Hyper Blue and Hyper Black colors. It starts at INR 15,999 for the 4/64GB trim and goes up to INR 17,999 for the 6/128GB model. Open sales begin on May 24.
vivo X80 and X80 Pro begin global rollout in India
A month after their debut in China, vivo X80 and vivo X80 Pro have begun their global rollout in India. The two handsets come with less storage and RAM compared to the Chinese versions and omit the vegan leather and ceramic back options.
The key specs remain unchanged, though, with both handsets offering 6. 78-inch AMOLEDs, 50MP main cams and 80W charging. The operating system is Funtouch OS 12, though, instead of OriginOS but it still runs over Android 12.
The X80 Pro gets Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset as well as a more advanced 120Hz LTPO2 AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution. Samsung 50MP 1/1. 3″ GNV sensor sits at the helm around the back paired with a 48MP Sony IMX 598 ultrawide snapper, a 12MP Sony IMX 663 portrait lens with 2x zoom and a 8MP periscope with 5x optical zoom.
All cameras have Zeiss T* lens coating. Both the X80 Pro and X80 come with vivo’s V1+ ISP chip which promises improved low-light photography. There’s a 4,700 mAh battery that charges at up to 80W speeds via USB-C and up to 50W wirelessly.
Vivo X80 gets a MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 chipset and an FHD+ Samsung E5 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The back houses a 50MP Sony IMX 866 main cam alongside a 12MP portrait lens with 2x zoom and a 12MP Sony IMX 663 ultrawide lens all with Zeiss T* lens coating. The X80 also gets the V1+ ISP chip. The phone gets a slightly smaller 4,500 mAh battery that still does 80W wired charging.
vivo X80 Pro comes in a single Cosmic Black color and a 12/256GB trim starting at INR 79,999. Reservations tip-off today while open sales begin on May 25. Buyers in Malaysia can also pre-order the X80 Pro for MYR 4,999.
vivo X80 comes in Cosmic Black and Urban Blue colors. The 8/128GB trim will retail for INR 54,999 while the 12/256GB model will go for INR 59,999. The device is also on pre-order in Pakistan for PKR 159,999.
vivo also confirmed the X80 series will gradually roll out in markets across APAC, Middle East, Latin America and Europe.
vivo’s X80 series is now globally available and we have the flagship X80 Pro in the office to be subjected to our review treatment. Mind you, the X80 Pro+ is not coming before Q3, so for all intents and purposes, the vivo X80 Pro is the true company flagship right now.
vivo’s premium series phones always come in well-stocked retal packages and the X80 Pro is no exception. You get a case, USB cable, USB-C earbuds, and an 80W charger.
When put side by side with the X70 Pro+, there’s a clear resemblance. Each rear has the same tactile finish and the same Black color. Both also have large glass islands that allow for cameras to be placed.
In fact, these are more or less the exact same imagers as on the X70 Pro+ – a 50MP 1/1. 31″ main camera with an f/1. 6 lens, an 8MP 5x periscope, 12MP 2x telephoto with gimbal OS, and a 48MP ultrawide with a large 1/2.0″ sensor, and autofocus.
The selfie camera is also the same as last year – a 32MP f/2. 5, fixed-focus unit.
On the surface, the display is also unchanged from the vivo X70 Pro+. It’s a 6. 78-inch 1440x3200px LTPO3 AMOLED with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. But the vivo X80 Pro has a brighter panel – up to 1500 nits.
It’s a lovely display with minimal bezels and purposefully curved side edges. That curvature seems to divide people evenly in the middle – be sure to handle the X80 Pro if you’re not sure which side of the debate you’re on.
We’ve worked diligently on the vivo X80 Pro’s review for a while now so expect to see on our homepage very soon!
Apple exec who left the company due to in-person work policy now returning to Google
Earlier this month, Apple’s director of machine learning, Ian Goodfellow, left the company due to his disagreement with the in-person work policy. It appears that Goodfellow will be returning to Google where he previously worked before joining Apple.
Bloomberg has heard from sources familiar with the matter that Goodfellow has agreed to accept a position at DeepMind, Google’s division focused on artificial intelligence. However, the company is yet to confirm the hiring. However, this is not the first time Goodfellow has worked with Google.
Before being hired by Apple in 2019, the engineer worked for Google, where he was responsible for machine learning and artificial intelligence projects. He was known for being “the father of general adversarial networks, or GANs,” which is a technology used to generate media content – including “deepfakes.”
After three years working in Cupertino, Goodfellow decided to leave Apple. Goodfellow stated that he believes “more flexibility” would be the best policy for his team. This was in reference to Apple’s strict policies against telecommuting.
A few Apple employees started returning to in-person work last month, and all employees would have to return to the office three times a week starting on May 23. However, a group of employees have criticized the company for not being flexible when it comes to working remotely. Google allows employees to explore flexible options for work.
Last year, multiple Apple executives also left the company due to the Apple’s back-to-the-office policy.
Apple postpones in-person work requirements
Although Apple originally planned to have employees return to work within days of their departure, it was forced to delay the request once more. However, the decision is more related to the growing number of COVID-19 cases than the demands of the employees.
Employees must still return to work in person, but for only two days each week. In addition, Apple will again require everyone to wear face masks in common areas.
Unfortunately, if Apple doesn’t change its mind when it comes to working remotely, it will probably lose some other talent – especially when other Silicon Valley companies are much more flexible in this aspect.
Samsung sends another update to the Galaxy S22 family
Less than a month after they received the previous update, today the members of the Galaxy S22 family have been graced with yet another update. So far this is only going out to Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra units, but those using Samsung’s Exynos chip should get it too in the near future.
The new version is labeled S90xEXXU2AVE4 (where “x” changes depending on which phone you have) and it’s already rolling out in a dozen of countries as a 350MB over-the-air download. According to an unnamed changelog, the update includes security improvements and improved “overall stability” functions.
Mid-month updates like these are rare for Samsung so the company must have found something worth fixing as soon as possible and not waiting until the June security patches go out in a couple of weeks or so.
If you have a Snapdragon-powered S22, S22+, or S22 Ultra and haven’t yet received the update notification for this one, you can manually check by going to Settings> Software update.
Wallet app not showing latest Apple Card and Apple Pay transactions for some users
Apple recently released iOS 15. 5 with some new features and improvements. The Wallet app update seems to have caused some issues for users. More specifically, there have been complaints about the app not showing the latest Apple Card and Apple Pay transactions.
According to multiple reports on Reddit, users have been unable to access their latest card transactions in the Wallet app since the iOS 15. 5 update – although some users have also experienced a similar issue with iOS 15.4.1.
Every time the user makes a purchase with Apple Card or any other card registered with Apple Pay, the transaction is shown in the Wallet app so that you can access it at any time. There, the app shows details such as the amount of the purchase and even the location where the purchase was made.
However, for some unknown reason, a number of users can no longer access their transaction history for Apple Card or Apple Pay cards. Personally, I had been experiencing this issue with some of my Apple Pay cards even before the release of iOS 15. 5, which suggests that this might be a server-side error rather than a software bug.
I made several purchases yesterday with the Apple Card and a payment, and they don’t appear in the Wallet. The balance changes, but I can’t see line-item transactions.
Apple has not yet acknowledged any problems with Apple Pay or the Apple Card. Given the number of users complaining about the lack of the latest transactions in the Wallet app, it’s likely that the company will soon fix this bug.
Have you ever been able see the latest Apple Card and Apple Pay transactions within the Wallet App? Let us know in the comments below.
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The designer behind the USB-C iPhone has now made the world’s first AirPods with a USB-C port
Homogeneity is the name of the game. Ken Pillonel loves his Apple products, but he hates the fact that he needs separate charging cables for his laptop and iPad, and his iPhone and AirPods. Determined to solve this problem, Pillonel began his journey last year by designing the world’s first USB-C iPhone. After removing the lightning port circuitry, Pillonel created a PCB ribbon cable that could be fitted inside the iPhone. This resulted in a phone which could not only charge via USB-C, but also allow data transfer. Now the only missing piece of the puzzle was replacing the lightning port on his AirPods – a feat that he achieved this year.
Welcome to the first and only USB-C AirPods in the world. Hacked together by Pillonel, a master’s degree student in robotics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, these AirPods are no different from your regular pair of Apple-branded TWS earbuds. It’s just that they charge via USB-C.
This unique prototype was created by removing an AirPods box. It is quite a task considering that it is closed. Pillonel removed the housing from the case and then undid the ribbon cable for the lightning port. He replaced it with his custom-made ribbon cable with a USB port at its end. As simple as that sounds, Pillonel points out that the actual process is just as complicated. Not only is making a ribbon cable expensive, Apple puts up tonnes of safeguards to prevent crazy engineers from doing such things.
The final result marks a monumental achievement for Pillonel, who just wanted to use the same cable to charge all his Apple devices. As demonstrated in his YouTube Shorts video, he uses the same USB-C cable to charge his MacBook, iPhone, and even the AirPods!
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it’s speculated that Apple will transition the iPhone to USB-C in 2023. Apple may abandon its proprietary charging port to make way for the universal USB standard. However, it is uncertain if these speculations will be true. Apple may make the USB-C iPhone but it will have to replace the charging ports on its AirPods, even the Max. All AirPods charge using lightning. It’s in such situations that experiments like Pillonel’s pay off, given that he’s sold his USB-C iPhone PCB in the past, for anyone who wants to mod their Apple smartphone.
