Poco M4 5G leak: Dimensity 700 chipset, 6. 58″ 90Hz LCD, 50MP main camera
Xiaomi is continuing to fill in its Poco line-up, which may soon welcome a new member of the M-family. This phone, like other Xiaomi phones, appears to be an updated version of an older model with some modifications to ensure it is ready to go on the international market.
Leaked images show that the Poco M4 5G will have a 6. 58″ LCD with FHD+ resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate (240 Hz touch sampling rate). This sounds similar to the Pro model, but this one will be powered by a lower tier of MediaTek chipset – the Dimensity 700 (instead of 810).
Poco M4 Pro leak: 6. 58″ FHD+ 90 Hz display
The camera setup follows the same path – keeping a 50 MP sensor for the main camera, but dropping the ultra wide module (replaced with a 2 MP depth sensor). Also, the front-facing camera is down to 8 MP. Well, “down” compared to the pricier Poco M4 Pro, it’s actually an improvement over the 5 MP camera of the similar Redmi 10 5G.
Poco M4 5G leak: 50+2 MP rear camera, 8 MP front
Another improvement over the Redmi is an IP52 rating – not good enough to survive a dive, but enough to save the phone from an accidental splash of water. The M4 5G will reportedly weigh 200g and employs the trademark Poco design with a full-width camera island.
Anyway, it will have a 5,000 mAh battery, quite probably with fast charging (e.g. the Redmi 10 5G does 18W).
Poco M4 5G (leaked image)
The Poco F4 GT was just announced earlier this week and we haven’t seen anything about the next Poco event yet, but we expect to start seeing teasers soon.
Apple self-repair program begins its long sustainability journey
Apple has finally opened the doors that will make it easier to repair its products, but there might still be some caveats to an almost perfect situation.
Smartphones of today are not designed for easy repair, either by normal people or authorized personnel. Companies are keen to protect their intellectual property and ensure that smartphones don’t break or become damaged by water or dust. Of course, that has made the repair narrative of these expensive devices even more expensive, tedious, and uncertain. Things have gotten so bad that even governments have started to weigh in on the matter. Before things come to a head, though, Apple spearheaded a new trend to offer self-repair services, which it has now finally launched, starting in the US.
Companies have many reasons and excuses to limit repairs to official channels only.
Manufacturers can’t control the quality or legal liability of anyone who alters their products. People who don’t know how to fix phones can end up doing more damage than good, even if they have the tools and knowledge to do so.
There are many reasons people should have the ability to repair and open phones. However, they don’t necessarily need to be regular users. The high barriers for entry that make it difficult to become an authorized service provider to third-party services has been a problem for these companies since before the iPhone was introduced. This state of affairs goes beyond quality control. It has enabled a few select people to monopolize these services and set high prices.
Fortunately things seem to be changing, at least in the case of major brands such as Apple, Samsung and Google. It’s not that these devices have suddenly become easier to repair, but companies are now giving third parties equal opportunity to obtain parts, tools, and information on how to repair iPhones and, soon, Macs. It’s not without its catches, though, such as its initial availability only in the US for now, and the repair specialists at iFixit point those caveats out.
The biggest one is that you can only buy original replacement parts from Apple’s website, which is the only way the company can retain control over the quality of its products. Apple retains a tight grip and monopoly on these parts. This makes it the one who controls the market and is the only way to get original replacement parts. Ideally, it would allow even third-party replacement parts to be used in order to create a more competitive ecosystem that would help drive the prices of parts and services down.
Of course, just because you can doesn’t mean you should, at least for normal iPhone owners that have broken screens or dying batteries. This self-repair service program is intended more for smaller shops than individuals, especially considering the prices for the parts and tools. At the moment, only the iPhone 12 and older as well as the 3rd gen iPhone SE are supported, and the program is only available in the US. However, this program will eventually be available in Europe and cover Macs with Apple Silicon.
Mac shipments grew 8% this year, as leading PC brands saw their own numbers plummet
Mac shipments grew 8% in the first quarter of 2022, while the top two PC brands saw their own shipments suffer double-digit falls.
A new report today says that a combination of four factors saw the global PC market fall by 4. 3%, while Apple enjoyed by far the largest growth …
Counterpoint Research said four factors were at play in the overall decline in the market, two each impacting demand and supply.
First, global inflation is reducing the spending power of consumers and businesses alike. The invasion of Ukraine created great uncertainty about the future of the country’s political, social and economic systems. Third, continued component shortages and logistics challenges – especially with oceanic shipping. Finally, COVID-19 lockdowns in China have further reduced supply.
Strong demand for Apple’s M1-powered Macs means that the company has seen its own shipments buck the trend.
Apple continued its success with the M1 MacBook series to see 8% YoY shipment growth in Q1 2022, which boosted its market share by 100 bps YoY.
Dell was the only other named brand to see its shipments increase, though by a far less impressive 1%. Market leader Lenovo saw its shipments fall 10%, while second-placed HP dropped 16%. Asus did see growth earlier in the year, but declining Chromebook sales saw it 1% down by the end of the quarter.
Counterpoint’s estimates follow those of IDC earlier in the month. As is usual, the two firms paint somewhat different pictures, but both have Apple and Dell shipments growing while the market as a whole declined by around 5%. The reasons behind the strong Mac demand were then explained.
Around the first quarter of 2021, Apple was unveiling its first desktop with the M1 chip, the 24-inch iMac. Previously, the company had already introduced the M1 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
Since then, Apple brought a redesigned MacBook Pro in 14- and 16-inch versions as well as the brand-new Mac Studio.
ZTE is ready to introduce its Axon 40 series on May 9 and we’re expecting at least three models – an Axon 40, a 40 Pro and a 40 Ultra. The latest teasers from the company reveal the Ultra model will pack three 64MP cameras on its back with a wide, ultrawide and periscope lens setup.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra main, ultrawide and periscope lens
ZTE also shared a trio of samples from each lens highlighting their performance and confirmed all three cams will be able to capture 8K video.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra camera samples and 8K video poster
We don’t have any additional information on the sensor specifications. Axon 40 Ultra will use a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset as confirmed on Weibo though the rest of its specs remain to be seen. We do know the Axon 40 will bring an improved under display selfie cam under its 1440p AMOLED screen.
The Realme GT2 is on sale in India starting today, joining its Pro sibling that has been on the shelves for the past month. The brand is selling the phone on its website with prices starting from INR34,999 ($460/€420) for the 8/128 GB variant.
The Realme GT 2 is a more affordable alternative to the GT2 Pro flagship with a Snapdragon 888 chipset. However, it retains some meaningful features such as the 6.62” AMOLED with a 120 Hz refresh rate, and Android 12 with Realme UI 3.0 on top. The phone also has a 5,000 mAh battery with 65W fast-charging capabilities.
Realme is also offering the GT2 with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for INR38,999 ($510/€470). Available colors are Paper White and Paper Green with a plastic back that resembles paper, but there is also plain Steel Black.
Sleek kitchen appliances for modern cooks to help you level up your chef skills
Before the pandemic took place, cooking was a chore I completely avoided! But now, I honestly find it quite therapeutic! I was somehow inspired by the pandemic and all of the time it gave me. It was a great time for many other inner chefs. And with the third wave slowly encroaching upon the world, it may be time to deep dive into cooking once again! Especially with the right kitchen tools and appliances, cooking can be a fun and effortless process. The best products will reduce prep time by half and make it easier to do the small tasks and more difficult ones. From the perfect sourdough starter to a USM-inspired kettle – this collection of kitchen appliances promises to transform cooking from a Herculean feat to an approachable and enjoyable process! Let your inner chef take over with the help of these innovative and nifty designs!
1. The Supor Instant Water Dispenser
The Supor Instant Water Dispenser is an at-home appliance constructed for today’s world of remote working and WFH.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Supor Instant Water Dispenser adopts an integrated design language. It maintains a mid-century modern appearance. The gleaming metallic look gives the appliance a retro, yet timeless appearance so that it can fit into any modern kitchen or office space. In addition to its adaptable design, the Supor Instant Water Dispenser maintains a slender body so that it can fit onto any countertop no matter the amount of space available. The seven-speed touch screen allows users to adjust water flow rate so it pours from the faucet in as little as three seconds.
What we like
Can be used for anything from brewing coffee to making a pot of tea
The seven-speed touch screen adjusts the rate of dispensing water to varying speeds
What we dislike
No complaints!
2. The Barbecue Nx
The smart grill concept has been designed by Swapnil Yeutkar who is a Product Designer for Whirlpool India. It’s only an idea but the Barbecue Nx has the potential to be big when it becomes a reality. It goes beyond its stylish form but it doesn’t look anything like the common grills we see in the market. It looks like an oven toaster or small air fryer at first. It looks like an oven toaster from another angle.
Why is it noteworthy?
This grilling device is unique because it allows for more efficient and low-smoke grilling. The centrifugal fan is used to grill efficiently. It’s what powers the grill and sends out air to the chimney via two input manifolds. There is a fire plate that ignites the fire gel as described by the design. This makes the machine ready to grill in just five minutes.
What we like
Ready to grill within five minutes
Separable grill that can be easily cleaned, and is user friendly for cooking veggies + meat at once
Unique low smoke technology
What we dislike
Not very portable
Looks more like an air fryer, than a barbecue grill
3. USM-inspired Kettle
One thing that a lot of product designers like doing is to imagine and re-imagine what other products famous brands can come up with. They bring the original aesthetic of these design-focused brands and then think of what other furniture, appliances, or basically related (sometimes even unrelated) products they can come up with. There are some really interesting ideas out there. If you’re a fan of the Swiss modular furniture brand USM, this is something you’d like to take a look at.
Why is it noteworthy?
The handle and the base of the kettle are made from circles. The spout where the water pours out is where the triangle comes in. The 3D renders also show the various colors that the kettle can have, which are the basic colors that the USM Haller line has: blue, orange, red, yellow, and white. The end product concept seems to be something I would like to have in my kitchen. The design is minimalist, but it’s sleek. It really represents the concept of form following function.
What we like
Clean + minimal aesthetics
Variety of USM-inspired colors
What we dislike
It’s still a concept!
4. Goldie
Fabian turned to Jennifer Yoko Olson, industrial designer, and fellow baking enthusiast. Together, they designed Goldie, an incubation chamber for your sourdough starter. Designed to hold virtually any container you’d normally culture your starter in, Goldie creates the perfect temperature and environment for your sourdough to grow, giving you an active yeast culture that results in the tastiest sourdough loaves.
Why is it noteworthy?
Designed to almost look like a glass bell jar for your sourdough starter, Goldie is a nifty electric temperature-controlled chamber that incubates your sourdough to its fullest potential. Much more compact than your oven (and requiring just a fraction of its energy), Goldie elegantly warms your starter, bringing it up to the “Goldilocks Zone” of 75-82oF – not too hot, not too cold.
What we like
Helps you grow the perfect sourdough starter
An LED indicator on the platform lets you know if the incubation chamber is too cool or too hot
What we dislike
The Sourhouse glass jars are available as add-ons
5. CucinaPro Building Brick Electric Waffle Maker
The CucinaPro Building Brick Electric Waffle Maker gives the humble breakfast food a new twist, turning the large square waffle into a series of stackable bricks! The waffle maker’s heat plate is designed to resemble a LEGO-ish mold, and the resulting waffles come with studs on the upper surface, and hollow areas on the lower surface to allow the waffle bricks to lock into each other. The patent-pending design lets you make 14 bricks of different sizes with each serving, allowing you to explore quite literally a new dimension when it comes to food. Stacked pancakes have nothing on these brick waffles!
Why is it noteworthy?
Each CucinaPro Building Brick Electric Waffle Maker also comes with 2 serving plates designed to provide the perfect stacking/eating experience. The plates are equipped with studs that make the perfect base structure for your build, while two small containers on the side let you store your accouterments, be it maple syrup, sliced fruits, or cubes of butter.
What we like
Gives the waffle an interesting makeover
Lets you make 14 bricks of different sizes with each serving
What we dislike
The redesign may not go well with those who love traditional style waffles
6. Electric Chopsticks
Chopstick innovations and redesigns have been presented, but nothing like this project introduced together by Kirin Holdings and the Miyashita Laboratory (Meiji University Dr. Homei Miyashita Laboratory of the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences). A chopstick device is equipped with an electric stimulation waveform. Together, they adjust the flavor of low-sodium foods.
Why is it noteworthy?
The chopsticks can make low-sodium food taste salty. You can enjoy your food with less sodium. This idea can benefit those who need to go on a low-sodium diet. Right now, chopsticks can be used, but other utensils can also take advantage of the system. Salty taste enhancement is possible with electrical stimulation on a utensil. The goal is to increase electric taste sensation so that more people enjoy the food they eat, even with less salt.
What we like
The device uses a weak electrical current in transmitting sodium ions from the food to the mouth
Creates a sense of saltiness
What we dislike
It’s still in the prototype stage!
7. Samsung Cuisine
Samsung Cuisine features the built-in inductive heating technology of Samsung that can go up to 300-degree F and it will heat up anything you put in the oven. Sullivan explains that this portable appliance is perfect for any trip – camping, hiking, or picnic!
Why is it noteworthy?
The portable oven is simple in design, with a flat surface and the iconic button that looks like a pill. The top and bottom sections are divided. You can use the top heat container to keep food warm or to prepare them, and you can store desserts or fruits in the bottom.
What we like
Portable design
Built-in inductive heating technology
What we dislike
It’s still a concept!
8. The Origin coffee maker concept
Whenever I take my first sip of coffee in the morning, I am always thankful to whoever it was that first developed coffee and the farmers who harvested this particular blend I’m drinking. While some of the world’s best coffee is generally known to come from Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam (my country, the Philippines, will hopefully someday be included in that list), one of the unsung heroes of the industry is Ethiopia where coffee beans have been thriving since the 7th century. The East African nation is honored in this coffee maker design.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Origin coffee maker design aims to add “meaningful coffee to your cup” by reminding of the origins. The shape of the coffee maker is inspired by the map of Ethiopia, although of course it’s not in the exact shape but is modeled after the basic outline. This way, the designer is able to “honor” the origin of coffee, although historians can’t really say that the locals who grew the beans cultivated or consumed these precious beans there.
What we like
There are just a few buttons you need to press including the on/off and open/close buttons
You have the option to make an espresso or an americano and there’s also a button or level for the water and the beans
What we dislike
The finishing is not smooth though as it intentionally makes it look like it has corrosions and scratches – which may not be liked by everyone
9. LESHAN smart rice cooker concept
For some cultures, rice is more than just a side dish, and this beautiful rice cooker idea makes it possible to cook this staple food wherever you go, for better health, of course.
Why is it noteworthy?
This smart rice cooker idea tries to be a middle-man by encouraging rice consumption in healthy amounts. The regulation is done mostly through a smartphone app that can not only monitor stats, but also manage the rice cooker’s operation. That feature definitely doesn’t sound that special in light of the number of smart cookware today, but it’s the design of LESHAN that really captures the eyes and the imagination.
What we like
Keeps a watch over your blood pressure
Portable design
What we dislike
The design doesn’t sound that special in light of the number of smart cookware today
10. The Morphy Richards multi-oven
Move over the conventional ovens that we all have got so bored of, as the Morphy Richards multi-oven has arrived on the scene breaking the monotony of the same old cooking methods. This unique design evolves the already similar ovens, while adding a classic touch to the best kitchen appliance on the planet. After all, the greatest chefs all these years won’t have been able to explore their creativity without the good old oven in their arsenal if I put it mildly.
Why is it noteworthy?
The designer gives his imagination wings with this Morphy Richards oven while mindfully keeping the practical aspect of daily use in mind. Be it baking a fresh batch of cookies, making crisp toasts, or smoking meat – this desirable oven can do it all in unprecedented style. This Morphy Richards multi oven is good for any cooking regimen and fits into any kitchen countertop design – be it conventional or ultra-modern.
What we like
The nostalgic dials and slider buttons bring back the cherished memories of robust appliances of the golden era
What we dislike
Not suited for those who prefer modern + sleek appliances
Samsung has announced its first quarter financial results. The company boasted a record-breaking third quarter consolidated revenue.
Operating profit was KRW 14. 12 billion, and it improved 51% from a year earlier (KRW 9. 38 trillion), with the Device Experience (DX) division posting the highest revenue since 2013.
According to the detailed financial report, literally all divisions reported a yearly increase both in sales and operating profit. Speaking of the mobile phones business, Samsung revealed the numbers are the result of strong sales of the Galaxy S22 Ultra flagship, as well as “positive responses to new, mass-market 5G models” and “solid sales of Device Ecosystem products” which include tablets, smartwatches and audio wearables.
The memory business achieved a record-high in sales amid solid demand. This was also true for the Samsung Display division. Strong sales from major smartphone manufacturers and large QD panel displays were key factors in their success. The Visual Display Business includes TVs, with numbers driven by demand for Neo QLED TVs and Super Big TVs.
The strength of the US dollar against the Korean won outweighed the weakness in some currencies, bringing KRW300 billion in operating profit, compared with the previous quarter.
Samsung is wary of the macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, including the continuing COVID pandemic, as well as the ongoing logistics issues. Looking ahead to the Q2 results and H2 plans, the Korean company will prioritize strengthening its position in the premium segment for smartphones and expanding its SoC chip productions.
Samsung Galaxy M31s updated to Android 12 with One UI 4. 1
The latest Samsung phone to get updated to Android 12 is the Galaxy M31s. The phone originally launched with Android 10 back in 2020 and is now receiving its second and probably final Android version update. The new update comes bearing the M317FXXU3DVD4 identifier and is live in Russia. The firmware update brings Samsung’s One UI interface to version 4. 1 and also adds the March security patch.
One UI 4. 1 and Android 12 bring visual changes such as Color Palette, smart widgets and improved AOD and Dark mode. The update also features improvements for Samsung apps like My Files, Gallery, Samsung Internet and Samsung Keyboard. You can now choose the amount of virtual RAM you want to add and camera enhancements.
Three Google Pixel Watch models receive Bluetooth certification
The Google Pixel Watch has made headlines as someone got their hands on a unit that went missing at a Chicago bar earlier this month (not an original scenario in the tech world). We got to see some live images of the unreleased smartwatch prototype with its round display with rounded edges.
A Google Pixel Watch was forgotten at a restaurant (photos by u/tagtech414)
Three new models GWT9R, GBZ4S, and GQF4C have been certified for Google LLC by the Bluetooth SIG labeled as a “BT Wearable Design-Controller Subsystem”. It is believed that this certification is for the three variants of the upcoming Google Pixel Watch.
Source: Bluetooth SIG
While it is possible that these models represent different variants of the same device, it isn’t not clear whether the differences pertain to size, regional availability, or connectivity features like support for cellular data.
It’s anticipated that the FCC certification should be imminent, and that one may offer new information about the Pixel Watch. Google I/O will begin in a couple of weeks where we may hear something about Google’s new smartwatch, even if it is a teaser signaling a launch later in the year.
[Samsung Smart Screen Experiences] ① How the Next-Generation Smart Hub and Gaming Hub Enrich Every Entertainment Option – Samsung Global Newsroom
In this first article, we’re exploring the enhanced Smart Hub and Gaming Hub1 interfaces, so read on to learn more about how the 2022 lineup lets you streamline your entertainment experiences in all-new ways.
Enhanced Smart Hub: Everything in One Place
The all-new Smart Hub on the 2022 lineup brings every aspect of the smart TV experience into one, easy-to-navigate screen. Powered by Tizen, the new interface classifies all features and content into three convenient tabs for more intuitive use.
Within the screen’s content section, your content and entertainment are intelligently organized into three, easy-to-comprehend tabs: Media, Gaming Hub and Ambient on Samsung TVs, and Media, Gaming Hub and Workspace on Samsung smart monitors.
Get Smarter With Your Entertainment Options
Inside the Media tab, you’ll instantly see all your entertainment options — from video-on-demand and leading streaming services to Samsung TV Plus2— organized in one place.
What’s more, as you use your TV or Smart Monitor over time, Smart Hub’s intelligent interface learns from your viewing patterns and preferences across your favorite platforms and services. After learning your preferences, it serves you with smart recommendations to make choosing a new show to wind down your evening with easier than ever.3
▲ Smart Monitor M8 Spring Green
Not only can you enjoy all your favorite OTT services when looking to relax with a TV show or a movie, including Disney+, YouTube4 and more, you can also take advantage of Samsung’s proprietary smart OTT service, Samsung TV Plus, to view a variety of TV series, sports matches and other exciting content on demand — completely free of charge.
Enjoy Seamless Gaming Experiences
Set to make its debut in 2022 on select models of the latest lineup, Gaming Hub is an all-new game streaming discovery platform where players can jump into the games they love faster, with no downloads or storage requirements, Gaming Hub is an all-in-one destination for easy and intelligent access to your favorite games.
In addition to creating more cohesive gaming experiences, Samsung has also announced partnerships for Gaming Hub with top-of-the-line game streaming partners, including NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Stadia™ and Utomik, with more to come.
Samsung understands that the ultimate gaming experiences aren’t just about ease-of-use: gamers need screens that offer top-of-the-line specifications for the most immersive experiences possible. This is why the 2022 screen lineup comes with specifications and features designed to take your gaming to the next level. These include HDMI 2.1 ports,5 Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro 4K 144Hz gaming, Super Ultrawide GameView and Game Bar for fast-paced and streamlined gaming featuring the latest in picture quality technology and setting configurability.
With your 2022 Neo QLED 8K or Samsung Smart Monitor, you are able to enjoy your favorite game, no matter how fast-paced or action-packed it may be, with reduced latency and incredible picture quality and resolution.
Be sure to check out the second and third parts to this series where we’ll be diving into more game-changing smart features of the 2022 lineup. In the second installment, we’ll explore how SmartThings is set to make your inter-device experiences smarter than ever, and in the third article, we’ll see how Smart Hub’s third category, Ambient on Samsung TVs has been designed to help you make the most out of your screen, as well as how Samsung screen’s smart features can help bolster your lifestyle.
1 Availability of Gaming Hub may vary by region.
2 Service availability may vary by region.
3 Service availability may vary by region.
4 Streaming service availability varies by country. Subscriptions may be required.
