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Cricket rings up back to school tech deals; Offers free phones to alleviate financial stress

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With the 2023 Back to School season approaching, parents, teachers, and students are preparing for the academic year ahead. However, the increasing costs of technology in school supply lists have become a significant concern for many families.

In response to these challenges, Cricket Wireless is stepping up to help parents stress less and save more by offering free smartphones when activating a new line of service on their $60/mo. unlimited plan.

Why Deals on Phones Matter

The rising prominence of technology in education means that smartphones are no longer just a luxury but a necessity for students. However, the cost of purchasing a new smartphone can be prohibitive for many families, making it difficult for students to keep up with the evolving educational landscape.

Cricket Wireless recognizes this issue and is taking significant steps to alleviate the financial strain on parents during the Back to School season.

By offering selected smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, Moto G Stylus 5G, TCL 30Z, Cricket Innovate E 5G, or Cricket Icon 4 for free upon activating a new line of service, Cricket Wireless is making technology more accessible to families on a budget.

Budget-Friendly Solutions

As parents gear up for the Back to School season, Cricket Wireless’s deals on phones offer much-needed relief for those looking to equip their children with essential tools without breaking the bank. The $1 initial payment option for devices priced over $149.99 through Cricket’s Phone Payment Plan by Progressive Leasing provides a flexible payment solution for qualified customers, allowing them to acquire smartphones with ease.

Moreover, Cricket Wireless also encourages responsible money management through partnerships with the Acorns saving and investment app. Cricket customers receive a $20 initial bonus investment to their Acorns account upon signing up, and paying Cricket bills with the linked Acorns card earns an additional $1 in the Acorns account each month. These value-added services further empower families to prioritize their finances and make well-informed choices.

Backpack Design Contest and More

Complementing their focus on phone deals, Cricket Wireless has launched the Backpack Design Contest to engage communities, support teachers, and inspire creativity among students. Aspiring designers can submit their designs for a chance to win cash prizes, a tablet, and a backpack with their winning design. Teachers nominated by the design winners will also receive rewards, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for educators.

OnePlus 12 Key specifications surfaced online; revealing a bigger battery and faster charging

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Previous rumors about the OnePlus 12 suggests that the smartphone would launch in December in its home country- China. Now, the latest leaks reveal the full specifications of the upcoming OnePlus 12 flagship smartphone. While we already got the renders of the OnePlus 12 that’s not a lot different from the predecessor OnePlus 11 5G (review) but leaked specs show some notable improvements including rear and front camera upgrades, a bigger battery, faster charging, and a new powerful chipset from the house of Qualcomm.

A reliable tipster Onleaks in collaboration with Smartprix shared the OnePlus 12’s full specifications. According to the reliable tipster Onleaks, OnePlus 12 will be powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor coupled with 16GB oF LPDRR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage. Aside from the processor, the smartphone is getting a slightly bigger whopping 5,400mAh battery (up from the OnePlus’ 5,000mAh battery) with support for 100W fast wired charging tech as well as 50W wireless charging which lacks in the OnePlus 11. 

The OnePlus 12 smartphone will feature a 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate support. We’ll get to see major upgrades in the camera department for the OnePlus 12, as per leaks, the front camera boasts a 32MP sensor (up from 16MP) while the triple rear camera consists of a new 64MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, a 50MP ultrawide shooter (up from 48MP) and primary 50MP camera. The smartphone will come with its signature Alert slider physical button and in-display fingerprint sensor. 

OnePlus 12 Leaked Specs In-Nutshell

  • Display: 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz variable refresh rate
  • Cameras: 50MP main + 50MP Ultrawide + 64MP Telephoto lens and 32MP Selfie
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Battery: 5,400mAH battery with 100W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging
  • RAM: 16GB LPDDR5x
  • Storage: 256GB UFS 4.0

Edifier W820NB Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones review

Edifier, a renowned name in audio technology, brings you the W820NB Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones ($80), a powerful combination of superior sound quality and cutting-edge features.

Designed to provide an immersive listening experience, these headphones are perfect for music enthusiasts, frequent travelers, and anyone seeking high-quality audio on the go.

The Edifier W820NB headphones are a sleek and comfortable audio accessory that wraps around your ears, enveloping you in rich, immersive sound. With soft, plush ear cups and an adjustable headband, these headphones provide a snug and customized fit for hours of comfortable listening. The foldable design makes them portable and easy to carry, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music wherever you go.

Checking Edifier’s website you’ll find these come in four color options: Blue, Black, Gray, and White. But if you head to Amazon to purchase them, you’ll only find them in Black.

Features

  • Active Noise Cancelling technology for immersive and uninterrupted listening
  • Wireless Bluetooth connectivity for tangle-free convenience
  • Exceptional battery life of up to 49 hours (ANC off) for long-lasting performance
  • Hi-Fi sound quality with deep bass and clear, balanced audio
  • Intuitive on-ear controls and built-in microphone for easy operation and hands-free calling

The W820NB headphones feature advanced Active Noise Cancelling technology, which significantly reduces ambient noise, allowing you to focus on your music without distractions. Block out the hustle and bustle of your surroundings and immerse yourself in pure audio bliss.

Seamlessly connect to your devices via Bluetooth 5.0, eliminating the hassle of tangled wires. Enjoy wireless freedom while experiencing high-quality audio streaming from your smartphone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

The W820NB boasts an impressive battery life of up to 49 hours (ANC off) on a single charge, ensuring uninterrupted listening sessions. Even with ANC enabled you’re still getting upwards of 29 hours. Whether you’re on a long journey, a workday, or simply relaxing at home, these headphones will last throughout the day, keeping your music playing.

Experience audio excellence with the W820NB’s high-fidelity sound. The headphones deliver clear, balanced audio with deep bass and crisp highs, allowing you to enjoy your music in its full glory.

The W820NB features intuitive on-ear controls, allowing you to adjust volume, change tracks, and answer calls effortlessly. With built-in microphone functionality, you can take calls on the go without removing the headphones, ensuring convenience and uninterrupted communication.

The Edifier W820NB headphones are perfect for music lovers, frequent travelers, and audiophiles who value superior sound quality and immersive listening experiences.

Whether you’re commuting, working in a noisy environment, or simply enjoying your favorite tunes at home, the W820NB’s active noise cancellation and impressive battery life make them an excellent choice.

These headphones provide a wonderful blend of comfort, portability, and audio excellence for those seeking an elevated audio experience on the move.

Framework Laptop 16 pre-orders are now live

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Framework has been teasing a new 16-inch model of its great laptop series for a few months. The day has finally come to add this machine to your shopping cart. Pre-orders of the Framework Laptop 16 start today with shipping projections to customers beginning in the final quarter of 2023.

AMD and a big screen

The new Laptop 16 brings all the repairability and modularity of the older laptops. It’s also powered by AMD Ryzen CPUs and Radeon GPUs this new offering is “near PC-level” customization in a laptop chassis. Prices start at $1399 USD for DIY Edition and $1699 USD for pre-built systems with Ryzen 7 7840HS, and adding an AMD Radeon RX 7700S Graphics Module brings starting prices to $1799 and $2099 USD.

This screen is 16 inches with a 2560×1600 display. The panel is a matte finish capable of 165Hz, 500 nits, 1500:1 contrast, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. Add an 85-Wh battery pack and this is a portable powerhouse that can be productive and a fun gaming package in one machine.

Even more modules

While the Framework Laptop continues with most of the internal components that can be user replaced, the company has taken this a step further with the Laptop 16. This is the first option from Framework that allows the users to hot-swap the input devices.

This new system allows you to manipulate the orientation, or types, of keyboards, numpad, speakers, and trackpads. The ability to have these set to the right for room for a keypad or maybe I prefer it all centered with dual speakers, is a nice touch. Having this easily accessible at any time after purchase by the user is just mind-blowing.

Grab this deal now

You can reserve your Framework Laptop 16 now at the company’s website link below. This will require a $100 deposit that is fully refundable and anytime before shipment. Ordering is open for the United States, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, and Australia.

Pre-Order the Framework Laptop 16

OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro is now available in US and Canada; Starts at $219

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Chinese smartphone brand OnePlus introduced the Keyboard 81 Pro mechanical keyboard globally earlier this year in February. Since its launch, the firm now announced the availability of the keyboard 81 Pro to all the major markets including the US, Canada, and India. OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro kicks off at $219 and will be available from July 26 through OnePlus USA’s official website. For customers in India, the keyboard will be available from August 7, starting at Rs 17,999. The keyboard comes in Winter Bonfire and Summer Breeze (retails at $239) versions.

The Keyboard 81 Pro is the brand’s first mechanical keyboard and comes with a premium lightweight aluminum body. The keyboard boasts comfy and springy thermoplastic elastomer marble-mallow keys that offer good key travel. The double-gasket design ensures all-day typing comfort for gaming as well as work. It is compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux. 

The keyboard has both Bluetooth and wired connectivity options which are easily switchable with a toggle key. The Bluetooth v5.1 offers up to 10 meters of wireless range so that you can enjoy the typing experience seamlessly without any lag. It packs a massive 4,000mAh battery which is claimed to last up to 100 hours on a single charge and it takes around 5 hours to fully recharge the keyboard via USB Type C port. 

Other notable features include a hot-swappable switch functionality that allows for smooth and fast changes of switches for unique personalization, a built-in holder, open-source firmware including VIA and QMK gives you real-time control without reflashing the firmware, and a customizable rotary dial. 

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review

Skullcandy has always been synonymous with delivering exceptional audio experiences, and its latest offering, the Crusher ANC 2, takes it to the next level. These wireless headphones are designed to provide a truly immersive sound experience while boasting a sleek and comfortable design.

With standout features that enhance audio quality and user convenience, the Crusher ANC 2 ($230) is a compelling choice for audio enthusiasts.

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones boast a premium build quality combined with a sleek and modern design. The over-ear cups are cushioned with plush memory foam and covered in soft faux leather, leading to long-lasting comfort even during extended listening sessions. The adjustable headband provides a secure and personalized fit, allowing you to immerse yourself in your favorite music without any distractions.

Standout Features

  • Sensory Bass technology for a powerful and customizable bass experience
  • Advanced Active Noise Cancellation blocks out external noise
  • Personalize your sound profile through the Skullcandy app
  • Up to 50 hours of battery life for uninterrupted listening
  • Intuitive controls and voice assistant support for convenient usage

The standout feature of the Crusher ANC 2 is its Sensory Bass technology. With powerful haptic feedback, the headphones deliver an immersive and deep bass experience that can be customized to your preference. Feel the music as it pulsates through your ears, enhancing your audio journey. The best part of the experience is that it’s a literal dial that you can adjust; it’s not an “all or nothing” button.

These headphones feature advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, which effectively blocks out external noise, allowing you to focus solely on the audio. Immerse yourself in your favorite tunes or podcasts without any interruptions from the surrounding environment.

The Crusher ANC 2 offers personalized sound customization through the Skullcandy app. Fine-tune your audio experience by adjusting the EQ settings, creating a tailored sound profile that matches your preferences and music genres.

With a remarkable battery life of up to 50 hours on a single charge, the Crusher ANC 2 ensures uninterrupted listening sessions. Whether you’re on a long flight, a road trip, or simply enjoying music at home, these headphones will last throughout the day.

The headphones come with easy-to-use onboard controls, allowing you to adjust volume, playback, and ANC settings with a simple touch. Additionally, they offer voice assistant support for hands-free control and effortless access to your digital assistant.

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is perfect for audio enthusiasts who crave immersive sound experiences. Whether you’re a music lover, a movie enthusiast, or a gamer, these headphones provide exceptional audio quality and bass performance that truly elevates your entertainment. Additionally, the active noise cancellation feature is ideal for individuals who want to block out distractions and enjoy their audio in peace, whether it’s in a bustling office, on a noisy commute, or in a crowded coffee shop.

Pick up a pair for yourself today for about $230 through Skullcandy’s website where they’re offered in True Black.

Nothing’s latest OS 2.0.1 update brings new features and bug fixes to Nothing Phone 2

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A week ago, Nothing unveiled its latest second-generation Nothing Phone 2 in the US and other Global markets including UK, Europe, and India. The Phone 2 brings huge improvements in every key area including display, camera, performance, battery, and availability. This time Nothing also launched the Phone 2 in the US markets along with global markets. Currently, the smartphone is now available for purchase via “Nothing Drop” physical location in most of the regions, and those who already pre-ordered the phone 2, started getting their units. Nothing Phone 2 is now available for sale in some regions, Nothing is started to roll out its first camera-focused update for the Phone 2. 

The new update Nothing OS v2.0.1 (up from Nothing OS 2.0) aimed to offer a bunch of new features, camera optimizations, improvements, and bug fixes for the Phone 2. Although it’s just a small 105MB update with the build number T2.0-230709-2003. If you have a Nothing Phone 2 then you can the check latest update from setting>System>System Update on your Phone 2.

Source- GSMArena

The substantial camera-focused Nothing OS 2.0.1 update introduced some new camera features including Motion Capture in 50MP mode, a new Nothing Stylo Photomark, improved camera quality when used in third-party apps, fully optimized HDR effectiveness across the board, better photo clarity at zoom rates between 10x and 4x, reduced lag and optimized stabilizations algorithm when shooting videos.

Furthermore, Nothing also offers new cool features including the ability to add widgets and quick setting widgets to Always-On-Display/lock screen or home screen, a new one-handed mode, 4 new exclusive wallpapers, and one of the new experimental features is Glyph progress for Uber. Basically, this feature allows you to check the status of your Uber cab via the Glyph interface. 

Aside from that, the Nothing OS 2.0.1 update delivers lots of improvements in the consistency of wireless charging and battery share, improved battery and charging performance in extreme conditions, improved network stability, and improved fingerprint sensor and face unlocking performance. 

As for bug fixes, Nothing fixed the quick settings expansion issue, NFC-related issues, and other general bug fixes. Overall, it’s a complete package update for the Nothing Phone 2 with a set of new features and improved camera and battery performance. 

Infinix launching its first gaming-focused smartphone in early August

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Infinix is the brand is everyone familiar with and is mostly known for its affordable smartphones. The firm is continuously pushing limits with its new innovative ideas for smartphones and laptops. According to the reports from GSMArena, the smartphone maker Infinix is working on its very first gaming smartphone which the brand called Infinix GT 10 Pro. The smartphone is aimed to provide a flagship-level gaming experience at an affordable price.

The exclusive renders of the upcoming Infinix GT 10 Pro surfaced which suggests the design of the smartphone. As per the renders, the smartphone’s back boasts a semi-transparent design just like the Nothing Phone 2 smartphone which Nothing called the Glyph interface. As you can see in the renders, Infinix takes inspiration from Nothing, although the design looks quite different from the phones in the market. The Infinix GT 10 Pro will be available in Black and White color options. 

Infinix launching its first gaming-focused smartphone in early August

The smartphone features a boxy type of camera module which seems like it’s an entirely new design in which a triple rear camera and a LED flash are embedded in it. There is a diagonal stripe inside the camera module that looks quite attractive which also reveals that the device will feature a 108MP primary lens.

Under the hood, the GT 10 Pro will feature MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity series chipset although we don’t have a exact name of the chipset. Infinix might be used a Dimensity 9000 series processor for its gaming phone. Furthermore, the chipset is specially optimized to deliver high performance, stunning visuals, and high frame rates while playing high titles like PUBG, COD, Free Fire, Genshin Impact, and MLBB on the GT 10 Pro. The smartphone will run on Android 13 based on XOS 13. 

Infinix launching its first gaming-focused smartphone in early August

That’s everything we know so far about Infinix’s upcoming GT 10 Pro gaming smartphone. The smartphone’s launch is just a few weeks away although we don’t know the exact launch date yet. The GT 10 Pro will make its first debut in the Indian markets and later it will be available worldwide. 

OPPO Reno 10 5G series goes official in Singapore

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OPPO has officially launched its Reno 10 series smartphones in the Singapore market. The Reno 10 5G series comprises midrange Reno 10 5G, Reno 10 Pro 5G, and high-end Reno 10 Pro+ 5G. OPPO’s Reno series smartphones are entirely focused on camera performance, so it’s obvious, the latest Reno 10 series comes with notable camera upgrades over its predecessor the Reno 9 series that OPPO wasn’t introduced in Singapore. Let’s delve into the details. 

OPPO Reno 10 Pro+ 5G 

The high-end variant in the Reno 10 series smartphones- the OPPo Reno 10 Pro+ 5G is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor coupled with Adreno GPU, up to 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The device runs on Android 13 based on ColorOS 13 out of the box. 

OPPO Reno 10 5G series goes official in Singapore

For optics, the Reno 10 Pro+ 5G houses a triple rear camera system featuring a 64MP Telephoto Portrait Camera lens which is the first highest spec periscope telephoto camera sensor available only on Reno 10 Pro+ 5G smartphone. The lens offers a 3x optical zoom, 6x in-sensor crop zoom, 4-in-1 pixel binning, and 120x digital zoom. The telephoto lens is paired with a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultrawide lens with a 112° field of view. It has a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies and video chats. 

The Reno 10 Pro+ 5G flaunts a 6.74-inch FHD+ LTPS AMOLED display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, up to 1400 nits of peak brightness, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. It packs a 4,700mAh battery support for 100W fast charging tech. 

OPPO Reno 10 Pro+ 5G costs S$1,149 for the 12/256GB variant and comes in Silver Grey and Glossy Purple color options. The smartphone is now available via OPPO’s official online store and other retailers. 

OPPO Reno 10 and OPPO Reno 10 Pro

OPPO Reno 10 5G series goes official in Singapore

The two mid-range in the Reno 10 series have fairly similar specifications except for camera, battery, and processor specs. The vanilla variant Reno 10 boasts a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset while the Reno 10 Pro is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor. In terms of lenses, the Reno 10 features a triple rear camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor coupled with a 32MP telephoto lens and an 8MP ultrawide shooter. On the other hand, the Reno 10 Pro also has a triple rear camera setup with 50MP main unit, 8MP ultrawide lens, and 32MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom. 

The Reno 10 has a big 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast wired charging support while the Reno 10 Pro packs a 4,600mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging tech. Both smartphones have 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 950 nits of peak brightness, and HDR10+ support. 

OPPO Reno 10 5G series goes official in Singapore

OPPO Reno 10 Pro kicks off at S$849 for the 12/256GB model and comes in the same color options- Silvery Grey and Glossy purple. On the other hand, the vanilla Reno 10 variant comes with an 8/256GB variant retails at S$649, and is offered in Ice Blue and Silvery Grey color options. The Reno 10 Pro is now available via OPPO’s official online stores while the Reno 10 open sales will begin from August 5.  

OnePlus announces a new OnePlus 11 Genshin variant

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OnePlus is excited to announce the release of a package pairing their current flagship, the OnePlus 11, with a collector’s box featuring the Genshin character, Xiangling.

Known for creating high-performance devices that provide a smooth experience and stunning visuals, OnePlus offers the perfect gaming experience for games like Genshin. The OnePlus 11 comes with 16GB RAM and 256GB memory with the Hyperboost Gaming Engine that optimizes the phone’s performance during gameplay. Additionally, the top-of-the-line cooling system ensures extended gaming sessions at high-performance levels while maintaining a comfortable temperature.

The collector’s box design reflects Xiangling’s passion for cooking and her rich culture. It includes a collaboration book, Xiangling stickers, character cards, a pin resembling the Stove God Guoba, and, of course, the OnePlus 11 5G with 16GB RAM in Titan Black.

Here is a summary of key events related to this collaboration:
– July 17th, 9:00 AM Eastern: Full unboxing content or review embargo releases, along with news on box contents.
– July 21st, 10:00 AM Eastern: 1,000 limited edition boxes will be available for purchase on OnePlus.com.

Official images of the collaboration can be found in the gallery below. The 1,000 limited edition boxes will be available on OnePlus.com in the US and CA, and on BestBuy.com in the US only. The box is priced at $799.99 USD/ $1149.99 CAD.

To purchase the box from OnePlus.com, please visit this link, which will be updated on July 21st at 10 AM Eastern: https://www.oneplus.com/us/oneplus-11 with Best Buy availability to be announced on a later date. This is an elaborate unboxing and variation to the OnePlus 11 unboxing experience we had, but may be one that pays off. The global popularity of Genshin is massive.

OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro in partnership with Keychron

In addition to the Genshin Xiangling OnePlus 11, the company has collaborated with Keychron to produce the Keyboard 81 Pro. This mechanical keyboard will come in two versions: the Winter Bonfire and Summer Breeze.

OnePlus says this isn’t just a color variant. The Winter Bonfire and Summer Breeze will feature design and cosmetic differences along with distinct keycaps and switches for each model. The keyboards will cost $239 in the United States and can be purchased when the sales launch on July 26 from the link below.

https://www.oneplus.com/us/product/keyboard-81-pro