Chinese leading gaming smartphone manufacturer brand iQOO is gearing up for the launch of its latest iQOO 8 series smartphones. iQOO Neo 8 series will consist of two smartphones the iQOO Neo 8 and the 8 Pro. The firm also introducing its first-ever iQOO Pad along with Neo 8 series smartphones. Although, the brand hasn’t revealed yet the launch details of the iQOO Neo 8 series and pad.
Chinese tipster Panda is Bald has shared a bunch of promotional posters of the upcoming iQOO Neo 8 series smartphone and iQOO pad. These posters confirmed that the iQOO Neo 8 series and iQOO Pad will debut on May 23 in China.
Furthermore, the iQOO Neo 8 Pro smartphone has also been spotted on the Google devices list with model numbers PD2302 and V2302A means the smartphone might soon launch globally as well.
The rumored specifications of the iQOO Neo 8 Pro include a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED 120Hz display, a 50MP primary camera, and 16MP front snapper. The smartphone will likely be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ processor and is tipped to offer up to 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support.
OnePlus is preparing to launch its first foldable smartphone this year. A previous confirmation revealed the phone will be launched in 2023. According to a latest press release, a tipster by the name of Max Jambhor claims the company will unveil its foldable in the month of August. He made this known on his Twitter page. But the manufacturer has not offered information regarding the release date of the new foldable device.
That could come after the launch of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, the Z Fold 5, and the Google Pixel Fold smartphones.
Rumors also claim that OnePlus will name the new foldable device OnePlus V Fold. For now, that remains as it is; a rumor. However, there are indications that the name of the phone has already been sent for a trademark application in China. Apart from being a foldable, the smartphone will also be available in a flip version.
Details of OnePlus V Fold (Expected)
Displays: outer display – 5.54 inch AMOLED displa with 120Hz refresh rate. Inner display – LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz variable refresh rate.
Rear cameras: 50MP primary Sony IMX890 camera with OIS, and LED flash, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 13MP 2x telephoto camera.
Front camera: 32MP selfie camera
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 with Adreno GPU.
Storage: 12GB/16GB RAM and 256GB/512GB internal storage.
Battery: 4520 mAh with 67W fast charging support (wired charging)
Operating System: Android 13 with ColorOS 13 custom skin out of the box.
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, a USB Type-C port, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, etc.
Rebadged version?
There are reports that OnePlus foldable will be a rebadged version of Oppo Find N2. The N2 smartphone has gone official in China already. The assumption could result from the 2022 merger between Oppo and OnePlus. This means that if the new foldable is a rebadged version, it may bear some similarities in spec to the Oppo Find N2.
Treblab makes an awesome array of wireless audio accessories for your connected devices. Whether it’s earbuds or full-fledged speakers, the company has been making great options that also don’t break the bank. I’ve been reviewing the latest model Treblab HD-Force speaker for a month now and it’s another top-notch addition to the Treblab lineup.
Design
The shape of the HD-Force isn’t quite square or a cylinder. Let’s call it a squircle. It’s covered in woven gray fabric that gives a pleasing aesthetic and the material adds to the environmental protection from the elements.
On the top of the Treblab HD-Force is a soft touch area that houses the button controls. There’s also an LED array for battery indications and status. Around the rim of the entire top is another LED ring that pulses different colors to spark up your listening experience. To each side are connections for the attached handle that makes taking this speaker on the go a breeze.
There’s a branded Treblab tag at the bottom of the front of the HD-Force. Around the back on one corner, you also get a covered expansion port bay. Behind the rubber flap, you get a 3.5mm jack, USB-A, microSD slot, USB-C charging port, and a dedicated reset button.
Controls
Let’s circle back to the controls for a moment. These are pretty consistent with most universal Bluetooth controls. The buttons have dedicated functions for play/pause, volume up/down, and power. You can take these controls further with a long press of the volume up button will skip to the next track. The same will take you back a track with the volume down.
The LED ring can be turned on and off by double-pressing the power button. A single press of the power button will switch between audio modes. This rotates between the Bluetooth, Aux port, and microSD card playback options.
Audio
The quality of audio produced by the HD-Force is very good. Even though this speaker is around the same size as a roll of paper towels, its output punches well above its weight class. The HD-Force has plenty of power to push out good bass but doesn’t drown out the rest.
When listening to higher-octave music, the highs, and mids come through with clarity and crispness. Even podcasts sound good on this device allowing the natural tones of just voices to be heard clearly.
Battery life
The endurance between charges is also good with the Treblab HD-Force. The company rates the speaker to last up to 25 hours at 50% volume and I’d say this is fairly accurate. I’ve used this exclusively during my workdays in my home office to play a mix of YouTube Music playlists and podcasts. The HD-Force lasted me around four full workdays of at least six hours of total playback.
When you do deplete the internal power pack on the Treblab HD-Force, you can charge it back to 100% within around eight hours via the USB-C port. That’s a little longer than I expected, but the power bank is rather large at 10,400mAh.
Speaking of the power bank. The USB-C and USB-A can be utilized in reverse. You can plug your other devices like a phone or tablet into these ports to recharge them. It’s a nice touch for a device that’s meant to be used while you are mostly away from outlets.
Conclusion
Treblab has returned to the market with another solid option with the HD-Force wireless speaker. The combination of compact size with large sound makes this device very compelling. Add the IPX6 water resistance, the easy-to-carry handle, and the overall cool design and the HD-Force should be on your list of new tech to add to your home.
Lastly, we have to talk about price. It’s unavoidable really. The Treblab HD-Force is $140 full retail from Treblab’s website or $130 on Amazon. This puts it somewhere just an impulse buy for me, but I still believe it’s well worth the cost.
OPPO is planning to launch its Reno 10 series smartphones in the market though the company hasn’t confirmed the exact launch timeframe yet. It is expected to debut in the upcoming weeks. Oppo Reno 10 series leaks are already started to surface online, a latest leaks revealed the cad-based renders of the OPPO Reno 10 Pro smartphone which is the middle member of the Reno 10 series.
So far renders suggest, the Reno 10 series smartphones boast a completely new rear design compared to its predecessor Reno 9 series smartphone launched last year. Moreover, the Reno 10 Pro will feature a 6.7-inch curved display and it will measure 163.2 x 74.2 x 7.9mm (10.2 mm at the rear camera bump). The smartphone will have a center punch hole cutout for the selfie camera and USB Type C port and a speaker grill at the bottom side, which you can see in the images.
Previous leaks suggest the upcoming OPPO Reno 10 Pro will be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset. The rest of the details of the Reno 10 Pro are still under the box but in the coming time, we’ll get to know more about it.
Talking about the rest two variants of the Reno 10 series- the Reno 10 and Reno 10 Pro+, according to the rumors, the base variants i.e the Reno 10 Pro will feature a 6.7-inch FHD+ OLED curved display, a 32MP selfie camera, and 2x portrait lens. Whereas, the top-end variant the Reno 10 Pro+ is said to feature a 6.4-inch curved 1.5K AMOLED 120Hz display, a 50MP primary camera sensor, and a 4,700mAh battery with 100W fast charging support. Under the hood, it is expected to come with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage.
The Kaja Audio Go-To’s are a pair of wireless earbuds designed to be comfortable and easy to use, and which offer a long battery life. Moreover, they have a fairly decent set of features for their price.
Play time per charge: 6+ hrs (~20hrs at 50% volume)
Max hours per single case charge: 70 hrs
Charging time 0% to 100% in about 1.5hrs
IPX4 water resistance level
6mm dynamic driver
Noise cancellation type: Dual mics ENC
Gallery
Thoughts and Conclusion
The Kaja Audio Go-Tos have a sleek, minimalist design that is both stylish and comfortable. They are lightweight and come with (two sets) soft, flexible silicone ear tips that provide a secure fit. The earbuds are IPX4 water-resistant so you can wear them without concerns whether working out or running errands.
The Go-To’s are equipped with a variety of features that make them ideal for everyday use, particularly the long battery life. At six hours of listening per charge (or longer at 50% volume), you can get upwards of 70 hours from the case and earbuds.
The Go-To’s are Bluetooth compatible with all major smartphones and tablets, pair easily, and offer touch controls on each earbud. We like that these can work independently of each other and always appreciate support for Google Assistant (or Siri).
The sound is a bit more flat that we might have liked but it was in line with other earbuds in this price point. We’d have liked an EQ setting or app to go with the earbuds but understand that could be a stretch for the budget.
As a pair of earbuds for the everyman we think the Kaja Audio Go-To’s are worth a look. They are a decent “go-to” pair for working around the house, commuting, exercising, biking, and other daily activities. We’ve not had any problems with these thus far and feel like the brand is off to a decent start.
The ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Power Bank is a high-quality and versatile charging accessory that delivers impressive performance. This device comes with a built-in 10,000mAh battery capacity, which provides sufficient power to charge your smartphone or other electronic devices multiple times.
Design
The standout feature of the ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Power Bank is its ability to charge your phone wirelessly. This is made possible by the HaloLock magnetic system, which securely attaches your phone to the charging pad for fast and efficient charging. The magnetic system ensures that your phone stays in place, even if you accidentally bump it.
Another great feature of this device is its built-in kickstand, which allows you to prop up your phone in landscape or portrait mode while it’s charging. This is especially useful if you want to watch a movie or video while your phone is charging. The kickstand is adjustable, so you can find the perfect viewing angle that works for you.
Daily use on the go
The ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Power Bank is also very portable and easy to carry around. But it’s not dainty by any means. The Kickstand Power Bank has an excellent weight and machined chassis that can take a beating in your pockets. This also houses the large 10,000mAH battery.
With this capacity, I was able to charge multiple devices with the HaloLock Kickstand. Of course, I can get pretty much three full recharges of my iPhone with the MagSafe option. Luckily, the USB-C charging port is capable of output as well as input to also charge my other peripherals as well. On a recent trip, I topped off my iPhone by around 40%, my earbuds, and my iPad by 60% while waiting on my plane.
In terms of charging speed, the ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Power Bank does not disappoint. It features 20W fast charging wirelessly and 18W wired, which means it can quickly charge your phone to full battery capacity in a short amount of time. This is especially useful when you’re in a rush and need to charge your phone quickly.
Final thoughts
Overall, the ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Power Bank is a great charging accessory that provides excellent performance and versatility. Its dual charging capability, built-in kickstand, and portability make it a must-have accessory for anyone who needs to charge their phone on the go.
The full retail cost of the ESR HaloLock Kickstand is $60 directly through ESR and is available in black and white variants. If you act right now, Amazon has the Kickstand for $50 with an additional 15% clip coupon.
Power strips are one of the more essential accessories in our daily lives. We need them to keep our devices charged and our workspace organized. However, traditional power strips are typically bulky and inflexible, limiting their usefulness. Given that so many of the things we use employ USB Type-A or Type-C connections, the old AC plugs just don’t make sense.
Another problem we tend to find with power strips is that power blocks and plugs don’t all face the same direction. More often than we’d like, a charger eats up two spots because of its design.
Enter CuBLOCK, a modular power strip that takes things to the next level. The CuBLOCK Modular Power Strip is a unique and innovative product that allows you to customize your power strip to your specific needs.
The CuBLOCK is also crafted well with a colorful and versatile powering experience. Keep cables organized with 90° adjustable plugs, and rest easy knowing that the CuBLOCK is certified to work in eight countries: US/Canada, Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK.
Dimensions
The CuBLOCK base measures 12 1/4 inches x 2 1/2 inches x 1 3/4 inches (314mm x 64mm x 45mm), and each cube measures 2 inches x 2 inches x 1 3/8 inches (50mm x 50 mm x 35mm). When assembled, the CuBLOCK measures 12 1/4 inches x 2 1/2 inches x 3 1/8 inches (314mm x 64mm x 81mm).
To be clear, once you have this completely put together to your liking, it does take up a fairly sizable amount of space. This unit is more about its practicality and functionality than its overall profile.
Design
With detachable plug extensions that accommodate sockets of different countries, as well as accessory plugs like a 45W USB charger, sensor lamps, Bluetooth speaker, and more to come, the CuBLOCK provides versatility and flexibility in a way that traditional power strips simply can’t match.
One of the standout features of the CuBLOCK is its lock mechanism. Once the modules are plugged in, they can be secured with up to 20 pounds of force to prevent accidental detachment. Additionally, the CuBLOCK has a safety switch that shuts off when an overload occurs, ensuring that your devices are protected from power surges.
We were sent a test unit that features Lunar Grey, Borscht, Hedge Green, Rose Sorbet, and Diamond Soft Blue. They complement each other nicely and help make it easy to quickly identify your different plugs. Another option offered includes some softer pastel shades.
In addition to the USB and AC plugs there are blocks for a Bluetooth speaker, a nightlight, and others are planned.
Specs
The CuBLOCK has an impressive range of specs, including a flame retardant rating of UL94 V-0, a max power rating of 1875 watts (15A/125V), and a cable length of 6 feet/1.8m. The AC joule rating is 185 joules, while the USB power input is AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz.
The USB power output includes:
USB-C: 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20v/2.25A, 45W max
USB-A: 5V/3A, 9V/2.0A, 12V/1.5A, 18W max
USB-A + USB-C: UCB-C: 5V/3A, 27W max
USB-A: 5V/2A, 10W max
The CuBLOCK is an ideal product for people who need a power strip that can keep up with their ever-changing lifestyle. Whether you’re a busy professional who travels frequently or a student who needs a reliable charging solution, the CuBLOCK is the perfect choice.
With its modular design, sleek look, and impressive range of features, the CuBLOCK is sure to become a must-have accessory for anyone who wants to stay connected and powered up.
If you own or operate a rental property, Airbnb, or something to that effect, you might want to consider something like this. This goes double if you tend to host international travelers. It would also make sense to have one of these in a conference room for when gathering a team of employees from around the globe.
via CuBLOCK
The CuBLOCK Modular Power Strip is an interesting take on the concept of power strips. Its modular design and customizable features make it a standout product that’s perfect for anyone who needs a versatile and flexible powering solution.
You can learn more about the CuBLOCK at Kickstarter where’s already been backed with more than two weeks to go. If interested, you can fund the project and order yours today. As of now there are two additional modules on the way alongside a new color option.
Motorola expanded its budget range G-series lineup with the addition of the Moto G 5G smartphone. The successor to the Moto G 2022 comes with notable improvements over its predecessor. Have a look at the detailed specifications and pricing of the Moto G 5G smartphone.
The Moto G 5G (2023) kicks off at $250 (~₹20,000) and it will be available starting from May 25 via Motorola’s official website, Amazon, Best Buy, and network carriers such as T-Mobile Metro and AT&T in the US. It comes in Black and Silver two beautiful color options.
Under the hood, Moto G 5G (2023) is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ chipset paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage is further expandable up to 1TB via micro-SD card. The device boots Andriod 13 based on MY UX 5 out of the box. It features a dual rear camera setup at the back. The rectangle-shaped camera module houses a 48MP primary lens paired with a 2MP Macro camera and there’s an 8MP snapper at the front for selfies and video chats.
You’ll get a big 6.5-inch HD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate support. The device is backed by a massive 5,000mAH battery with 15W fast charging support. Connectivity options include a 3.5mm headphone jack, 5G connectivity, Bluetooth v5.1, WiFi 5, and USB Type C for charging and data transfer. Other highlights of the Moto G 5G 2023 smartphone include a side-mounted fingerprint, face unlock, stereo speaker, and Dolby Atmos support.
Moto G 5G (2023) Specifications
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm mobile platform)
Variants: 4GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable up to 1TB)
Software & UI: Motorola MY UX 5 based on Android 13
Xiaomi finally launched its most advanced camera-centric Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphone in collaboration with Leica (The brand is very famous for advancing mobile imaging Technology) at the 13 Ultra’s launch event, and Xiaomi also introduced its new Mi Band 8 smart band, Xiaomi TV master Mini LED 86-inch and Xiaomi Pad 6 alongside the smartphone. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a new member in the Xiaomi 13 flagship series smartphones.
Xiaomi’s best camera smartphone Xiaomi 13 Ultra initially launched with three color options- Olive Green, Black, and White and now the Xiaomi 13 Ultra gets three more color options including Starry Sky Blue, Ginkgo Yellow, and Chixia Orange. These Limited Edition Custom color variants will be available in a sole 16GB + 512GB model option and are priced at ¥6,499. Pre-orders for these three new custom color variants will start from May 6 in China via Xiaomi’s official website and one thing to keep in mind it will available in Limited quantities.
Xiaomi’s this latest smartphone offers a professional camera experience no matter the conditions, it delivers outstanding photography results. Xiaomi and Leica pack a Summicron Lens in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra offers high imaging performance. Let’s have a look at the specifications and pricing of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphone.
Xiaomi 13 Ultra features a Quad camera system at the back with Leica’s customized optical lens covering focal lengths. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra has an ultra-large 1-inch 50MP Sony IMX989 primary camera with a two-step aperture switching between f/1.9 and f/4.0, Hyper OIS, EIS, and 8P Lens support. The primary lens is paired with a 50MP Ultrawide shooter (with a focal length of 12mm), a 50MP super-telephoto lens (with 120mm focal lengths), and a 50MP telephoto lens with 75MM focal length. In addition to that, there are also 46mm and 240mm lengths through the In-sensor-Zoom. The camera has the ability to offer users more freedom in customizing the exposure settings based on different scenarios. It has a 32MP under-display snapper for selfies and video chats. The device is capable enough to record stable 4K 60fps video recording without frame rate drop due to temperature.
Under the hood, the device is equipped with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor which adopts 4nm process technology paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. The smartphone inherits Xiaomi’s self-developed Loop LiquidCool technology which ensures equivalent thermal conductivity of more than three times that of traditional VCs and heat dissipation capacity exceeds 10W.
In terms of design, Xiaomi 13 Ultra boasts the classic look of Leica’s M camera series and it has a big circular camera module embedded with a unibody metal frame and leather texture finish. The leathery back finish design offers a more secure grip and resists smudges and fingerprints, and it has a second-generation antibacterial nanotech silicone coating and its bacterial inhibition rate can reach as high as 99% which the brand claims are nearly suitable for any environment.
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra flaunts a 6.73-inch Pro Grade WQHD+ AMOLED curved display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2600 nits of peak brightness. The smartphone has Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support which offers an immersive viewing experience, vivid colors, and astonishing brightness and contrasts. It has a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection on top. The device boots Andriod 13 based on MIUI 14 out of the box and it weighs 227 grams.
Xiaomi packs a big 5,000mAh battery in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with 90W fast charging tech. Xiaomi also added a new Hibernation Mode in the device which automatically detects the low battery and limits background activities and extends battery life up to 60 minutes.
Xiaomi 13 Ultra comes in three variant options in China- the 12/256GB starts at RMB 5,999 (~$870), the 16/512GB variant costs RMB 6,499 (~$943) and the 16/1TB variant is priced at RMB 7,299 (~$1059).
WhatsApp, one of world’s most popular cross-platform messaging tool is about to new features in 2023. The app is quite known for releasing features users love every now and then. This time, it is poised on rolling out a new feature via the beta channel.
The new feature will automatically share WhatsApp status “as a story on your Facebook account,” says a new report published on SamMobile. A latest report also claims that a subtle feature is in the works that will automatically play your WhatsApp GIFs on Samsung Galaxy smartphones. This feature may also reach out to other Android devices.
According to WABetainfo, this new feature can be found in WhatsApp beta build v2.23.10.2.
Auto GIF playback is live for beta testers
WhatsApp is not new to GIFs, as the feature remained a long time on the platform and is being used by billions Users often make use of GIFs and other media content, sharing how they feel with other users.
However, the automatic GIF playback feature is available now to a few WhatsApp beta testers, as the report clarifies.
Until now, a WhatsApp user has to tap a GIF in order to have a playback. Some users didn’t even know that the media sent to them are GIFs as they may look like simple images. Tapping on GIFs for playback isn’t great enough, so the idea for auto-play appears as just what is needed by WhatsApp users.
GIFs work better as instant emotions that doesn’t need any interactions before they playback. It appears WhatsApp has realized this fact and moved to change things to the delight of users worldwide.
However, the auto play will work only once, as the users have to tap the GIF for it play again subsequently. This means the feature will not play in a loop.
