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realme introduced its flagship GT 2 Pro at MWC 2022

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Realme officially announced the realme GT 2 Series in China today. Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the GT 2 Pro starts at € 649. It features a back cover that is a bio-based polymer designed by Naoto Fukasawa.

realme GT 2 Pro

The realme GT 2 Pro has the world’s first 2K AMOLED Flat Display with LTPO 2.0 Technology. The 2K resolution is good for 525 PPI and comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The display is HDR10+ certified and received a DisplayMate grade of A+. It also supports a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

Under the hood, the pro runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. To dissipate the heat, realme claims to have the industry’s largest heat dissipation area.

The device has a triple rear camera setup. With a 50MP main lens, a 40x micro-lens, and a world-first 150-degree ultra-wide camera.

The GT 2 Pro has a 5000 mAh battery and supports realme’s 65W SuperDart Charge. This device also has an advanced Antenna Matric System and Dolby Atmos Dual Stereo Speakers.

It comes preinstalled with realme UI 3.0 (Android 12) and will get 3 years of updates. As realme’s most premium flagship device, the GT 2 Pro is shaping up nicely.

gt 2 pro OS info

Realme also announced the GT 2. It contains the same equipment as its Pro sibling. Including the same design, battery, realme UI 3.0, and RAM. It has a 120Hz AMOLED display and is powered by a Snapdragon 888 processor.

The GT 2 will cost € 449 in early-bird sales.

Verizon announces +play entertainment hub

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At Verizon’s Investor Day, the company announced its new +play entertainment hub. Verizon says +play will allow users to manage their subscriptions across various services. Verizon wants to bring all your entertainment, audio, gaming, fitness, music, and lifestyle subscriptions under one roof.

The following services will work with the +play platform:

  • Disney+
  • Hulu
  • ESPN+
  • Discover
  • AMC+
  • Netflix
  • Peloton
  • Veeps
  • WW International, Inc.
  • Lifetime Movie Club
  • HISTORY Vault
  • A&E Crime Central
  • The Athletic
  • Calm
  • Duolingo
  • and many others.

Verizon describes +play as a digital hub designed to centralize subscription services at no additional cost to Verizon customers. Verizon will launch the service later this year.

I’m not sure how people will feel about using a hub for all of their subscription services. I’m fine using individual apps, but I am not a heavy content consumer. Let me know what you think in the comments.

ECOLOR Smart Table Lamp preview

Scott Webster
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The ECOLOR Smart Table Lamp is a small desk lamp that connects to your phone through Bluetooth. It gives you millions of color options as well as additional themes. Different color options include RGB, warm white, cool white, Rainbow, Sunset, Snowflak, Ocean, Fire, and many more. You can even create your own from within the app.

You can sync the smart lamp with music, games, and movies. Additionally, you can set timers and schedules. This smart lamp is dimmable from 1-100% and provides a color temperature range between 2700k and 6500k.

Listen to our podcast or watch our preview to see our initial impressions of ECOLOR Smart Table Lamp.

Listen to the embedded podcast to learn more or check it out at the AndroidGuys podcast site.

Watch the embedded video to learn more.

Anker PowerHouse 535 Power Station review

Andrew Allen
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Anker has been entering more and more tech markets almost monthly over the last few years. The company has come a long way from its original cellphone cable beginnings. One of the latest offerings is the PowerHouse 535 Power Station.

I’ve been testing this mammoth battery pack for a few weeks, and Anker has made another brilliant product. Let’s check out this great, but very specific, piece of hardware in our full review.

Design

The first thing that will jump out at you is the PowerHouse 535 is a brick. It’s big, bulky, and somewhat heavy. But that’s what you’d expect from basically carrying around a tech-juiced car battery.

The entire PowerHouse 535 is cased in a plastic shell but has small touches of niceties with an ergonomic handle and soft-touch rubber feet on the bottom. Anker has built this thing like a tank, but that’s all intentional and well done.

The front is definitely the business end of the PowerHouse 535. Here you find an LED status display, car charging port, the AC two-prong outlets, and USB options. Just below these power jacks, you have a LED light bar meant to be used as a flashlight or emergency beacon.

Power options

Let’s dive more into the power outlets available on the PowerHouse 535. From the left side, you have the car adapter socket, a PowerIQ3 USB-C port, three PowerIQ USB-A ports, and finally, four standard two-prong AC power outlets.

The AC outlets offer a full 110-volt output just like your home outlets. This gives you a great option while out camping or in power outages. These outlets can function with normal loads from things like lamps, small heaters, and charging laptops. The max on the AC output is at 500W, so it’s worth noting it can’t output the wattage to run things with serious heating elements like toasters, microwaves, or most coffee makers.

The USB-C has Anker’s PowerIQ3 proprietary fast-charge system. This allows the PowerHouse 535 to charge from 15-Watts to a maximum of 60-Watts based on the device plugged into the battery. Whether it’s your smartphone that only supports the 15W or your USB-C powered laptop at 60W, the PowerHouse communicates and pushes the max allowed.

The USB-A ports are not as powerful but are just as capable. These are able to charge up to 36-Watts maximum. This is more than enough for all your peripherals. This also has PowerIQ onboard to communicate with each device plugged in.

Performance

I can’t complain about the end results of the PowerHouse 535 in the least. Everything I’ve attempted to charge with this monster has been successful. Anker rates that you can run a desk lamp for over 32 hours with this guy and while I did use it for this function, I didn’t stretch it this long. However, I don’t doubt it for a moment.

I was able to mimic the recharge of the Macbook Air that the company rates at eight full charges. I have a Dell enterprise Latitude laptop that was able to get a little over seven charges from completely dead. Seeing as how my Dell has a larger battery than the Air, I’d say the eight recharges is more than realistic.

Everything else I threw at the PowerHouse 535 was just as seamless. I charge phones, laptops, tablets, and even other battery packs using all four outputs. Whether it was the car adapter, USB-C, USB-A, or standard AC all functioned as you’d expect from the PowerHouse.

The LED display comes in handy with details of each charge. This shows the percent of battery left on the PowerHouse itself in large characters. Just below this, it shows an estimated time left at the current output before the PowerHouse will need to be recharged.

The bottom left shows the device being charged and the rate at which it’s receiving the output. The top right shows an icon for which the output method is being used. You get a different icon for each output.

You also have a tactile power saving button to the far right of the PowerHouse. This has no effect on the devices while charging. The trick is that when enabled it kills the battery pack of the PowerHouse once the output device is fully charged. This makes saving priceless charging for the next device a breeze.

When you do deplete the PowerHouse 535, Anker has you covered there as well. The included 120-Watt charging brick makes getting your maximum capacity easy as pie. It still takes a little over three hours to get back to a full charge but this is understandable for a battery station of this size.

Conclusion

Anker has a compelling battery mammoth with the PowerHouse 535 Power Station. While it’s in a niche market of campers and doomsday preppers, it covers pretty much every essential output and many devices while away from home or electricity.

The one drawback may be the price. You have to actively want this solution at $500. However, if you are in the market, I can’t think of a better option. You can find the Anker PowerHouse 535 for sale on the company’s main website or long-time partner Amazon.

Mobvoi announces the new TicWatch GTH Pro smartwatch

AndroidGuys
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Mobvoi, in collaboration with CardieX, announced the arterial health sensing TicWatch GTH Pro. Using ATCOR technology, this smartwatch can determine arterial waveforms, giving you a clear picture of your heart health. Essentially it determines the strength of your pulse.

To make this happen, Mobvoi built this tracker with dual PPG sensors. In addition to the standard wrist optical sensor, this device has one on the side of the device as well. All you need is a light touch from your fingers and it will determine your arterial health. The information is then passed to the Mobvoi app, and shown to the user as an “Arty Score”.

In addition to your arterial health, this smartwatch gives you a clear picture of your entire health. The TicWatch GTH Pro gives you 14 workout modes, blood oxygen measurements, continuous heart rate, sleep tracking, and wellness management. This device is 5ATM water-resistant and has a battery life of 7 – 10 days.

You can get the Mobvoi TickWatch GTH Pro at Amazon for $99.

KOVOL Sprint 120W USB-C Charger review

AndroidGuys
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The KOVOL Sprint 120W USB-C Charger was designed to be fast, safe, and convenient. I am happy to report that it succeeds on all three accounts. At $99, it can be a bit steep for the convenience it offers, but now that I have one, I can’t go back.

In an age where devices are shipping without chargers, it is nice to have a device that can quickly charge all of your devices for years to come. This GaN charger will deliver all the power you need to all of your devices. Let’s take a look at what a $99 charger gives you and why it is more than just a luxury purchase.

Packaging and Setup

The KOVOL Sprint 120W USB-C Charger comes with minimal packaging. You get the KOVOL Desktop Charger, a 4.9ft AC cable, a user guide, and a thank you card.

In addition to the minimal packaging, the setup is amazingly simple. You grab the desktop charger, plug in the AC cable and you’re done. That is all that it takes to start plugging in and charging your favorite devices.

The charger is heavier than expected, and you can really tell that it uses quality components. You don’t have to worry about it sliding all over your desk.

Performance

The KOVOL Desktop Charger has worked as advertised. This charger comes with dual power-delivery ports supporting a total of 120W. That is 60W per USB-C port when charging two devices! In addition to the dual USB-C ports, you also get dual USB-A quick-charging capable ports.

KOVOL touts the safety of their product. KOVOL’s Q-Pulse technology is designed to keep your devices and surroundings safe with built-in safety features. It has overcharge, high-temperature, and short-circuit protection. During my testing, this device gave me no issues and remained cool the entire time, even when charging four things at once.

In addition to their safety features, KOVOL also designed this charger to automatically optimize itself for each device that your plugin. This device will intelligently deliver the optimal power for each connected device. Routinely during testing, I would charge my laptop, my wife would charge her laptop, and I would charge my phone. My Samsung Galaxy S21 was quick-charged, while the laptops charged at full speed. It really is super convenient to quickly charge all of your devices at the same time while only using one wall outlet.

With 4 ports and a total of 120W, the wattage going to each device is going to depend on what is plugged into the charger. Check the table below for a list of expected performance.

Output Distribution

1 USB-C Port:100W
2 USB-C Ports:USB-C – PD 60W / USB-C – PD 60W
2 USB-A Ports:USB-A – QC 18W / USB-A – QC 18W
1 USB-C Port+1 USB-A Port:USB-C – PD 100W / USB-A – QC 18W
1 USB-C Port+2 USB-A Ports:USB-C – PD 65W / USB-A – QC 18W / USB-A – QC 18W
2 USB-C Ports+1 USB-A Port:USB-C – PD45W / USB-C – PD 45W / USB-A – QC 18W
All 4 Ports in use:USB-C-PD 65W / USB-C-PD 20W / USB-A-QC 18W / USB-A-QC 18W Or USB-C-PD 45W /USB-C-PD 45W / USB-A-QC 18W / USB-A-QC 18W
Input:100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 2.5A Max.
PD Output:5V-3A, 9V-3A, 15V-3A, 20V-5A, 100W Max. each port
Q-Pulse Output:5V-3A, 9V-3A, 12V-1.5A, 18W Max. each port
Total Output:120W Max.
Dimensions:46 x 46 x 85mm/1.81 x 1.81 x 3.35 inches
Tips:KOVOL Sprint 120W has intelligent power distribution technology, total output will have 2 different output combinations.

Final thoughts

The KOVOL Sprint 120W USB-C Charger is a capable device. Its compact design allows you to easily travel with it and with its support for adaptive 110-240 voltage means it can be used when traveling abroad.

This GaN desktop charger will safely charge all of your devices and it will do it fast. Its Q-Pulse technology will keep your devices protected. The KOVOL charger comes with a 24-month warranty and features 24/7 customer service.

Using other chargers in the past, I have always left feeling disappointed. I am glad to say that this device has bucked that trend and was a joy to use. Being able to simultaneously charge my devices at full speed is a convenience that I didn’t know I needed in my life.

At $99, this device is definitely something you need to want. It isn’t going to be a purchase you make without some consideration. But I argue the convenience it offers, far outweighs its price. You get what you pay for, and with the KOVOL desktop charger, you are getting an amazing product.

Boost your productivity with Mobile Pixels Trio Max

Scott Webster
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Few things can boost your office or school productivity like a secondary display. If you’ve ever tried it, you know just how frustrating it can be moving back to a single screen. We know this because we live it on a day to day basis.

Sitting down at a computer with two or more screens opens up the door to so much potential; moving to a single screen laptop out in the field feels like more than a single step backwards. If only there were a way to get two screens out of one Chromebook or portable computer…

The Mobile Pixel Trio Max is just that, a secondary screen for your laptop, Chromebook, or even PC. Designed with portability in mind, it’s the sort of thing that you can opt to leave in your bag or on the desk or simply keep in place for the long haul.

Working remotely doesn’t have to be a nuisance, even if it is sitting in a coffee shop or library. A device like the Trio Max lets you spread out your work without taking up much additional space.

All of a sudden you find yourself hopping between tasks, keeping up with emails, watching videos, posting to social media, and more — all without closing a tab. Heck, you can even use it for gaming as it makes quite the companion piece for the Nintendo Switch.

If you’ve ever pondered what it’s like to have a multiple screens for your laptop or Chromebook, wonder no more. The Mobile Pixels TRIO MAX brings a plug-n-play USB display to your favorite portable workplace.

There are a number of options available from Mobile Pixels, including models for different sizes of laptop screen. Swing by its website to learn more about the TRIO MAX ($259) or any of the other variants in the portfolio.

The benefits and myths of dedicated IP VPNs

AndroidGuys
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If you’re into cyber security, even just a little, you probably heard the concept of “dedicated IP.”  You might not know how it works, but it is one of the most popular trends on the market right now. 

There are many articles on the internet about dedicated IP (also known as static IP), but some complicate the issue more and actually create myths about it. Follow along if you want to learn the real-life benefits of dedicated IPs and see some of these myths debunked. 

What is a dedicated IP VPN? 

You may be familiar with the term but not with its actual function. So let’s explain what a dedicated IP is. 

We all have local IPs that define our devices and help us communicate on the internet. They are basically your letter address to let you receive information from the others. Now, remember that local IPs define our devices, so a malicious user might use them to get information about our whereabouts or activities online. 

That’s why people and companies that want to be safe from cyber threats use VPN services. One of the beauties of these services is dedicated IP solutions. A dedicated IP VPN is a unique IP address different from your local IP, so it hides your usual IP and encrypts all the data transfer. As a result, you have a more secure connection.

Dedicated IPs belong to the owner permanently and they can’t be used by any other user that you don’t know. This gives you the freedom of deciding your IP reputation, helps you prevent being blacklisted, and allows you to specify permitted users. 

Using a dedicated IP, you can ensure that the information that flows on your network stays within the boundaries you choose. It’s a great solution to cyber attacks, data leaks, and legal issues. 

The benefits of dedicated IP VPNs

Dedicated IP comes with significant benefits in network security, fast connection, and online privacy. Here is what you can get if you buy static IP online from a prominent provider on the market.

Allowlist & user verification 

By getting a dedicated IP, you’ll have control over the server it belongs. This means that you can create an allowlist for permitted users to ensure data stays confidential. 

By the way, when it comes to servers, there’re plenty of servers worldwide, but bandwidth and quality are quite important, especially in the US. If you’re looking for best VPN servers in the USA, feel free to have a deeper look at here nordvpn.com/servers/usa/ 

Additionally, dedicated IPs allow you to verify each user who tries to access your network. By doing so, you’re able to guarantee network security as users are identified regardless of their location, device, or connection. 

Secure remote access

Web-based businesses transit to the remote work model, saving resources and time for both employees and companies. But companies need to figure out a way to deliver secure remote access to team members. 

Dedicated IP solutions are great to ensure secure remote access. They are accessible globally and they can secure access from anywhere or any device. You don’t have to worry about device or connection safety if you have a dedicated IP.

Faster download & upload 

Usually, there are fewer users on a dedicated IP since it is used by a single company and its employees. If you’re on a shared IP, on the other hand, you may not even know how many IP neighbors you have. 

More users create more contradictions on an IP address, so fewer the faster. When you have a dedicated IP with only a handful of users, you are guaranteed to have a much faster download and upload. 

Myths of dedicated IP VPNs 

There’s also significant information pollution about dedicated IPs in most articles. Let’s see and debunk some of its myths. 

Dedicated IPs result in greater SEO scores

Wrong. Research on Google’s algorithms shows that the only thing that affects a website’s SEO score is the website’s characteristics, such as content, loading speed, or cross-linking. There is no evidence that permanent IP addresses give you better SEO results. 

You need a dedicated IP to get SSL 

This myth was true in the past, but not anymore. You would need a dedicated IP for an SSL certification before the cyber security technology was improved. Now, you can get SSL even if you are hosted in a shared IP; Server Name Identicator (SNI) technology allows multiple SSL certificated on a shared IP. 

Dedicated IPs are overpriced & not affordable 

Not true. Many VPN vendors now provide dedicated IPs to their customers; the more competition there is, the lower the prices. You can get your IP with a dedicated server for as affordable as $70/year on top of your regular VPN subscription.  

Mass emails require dedicated IP 

If you have a large email list, you might be wondering if getting a dedicated IP will ensure your emails are delivered to the receivers. The fact is, your IP is irrelevant. Most companies don’t even send your emails from their servers, so your IP is not related to the success of your email campaigns. 

Final word

Dedicated IPs are great solutions for improved cyber security and better remote access. They can be easily acquired and deployed in no time. If you are a company that needs to be protected from hackers, it is your go-to option. 

However, articles about dedicated IP solutions are prone to create myths. You need to be careful to look up whether they are actually true. Research your needs and make the best decision for your company. 

Photo by Stefan Coders from Pexels

MediaTek launches the Dimensity 8000 series and the 1300 series

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Today, MediaTek launched the Dimensity 8100 and Dimensity 8000 system-on-chips (SoCs). Both chips borrow from MediaTek’s powerful Dimensity 9000 platform. The new Dimensity 8000 series uses TSMC’s 5nm production process.

The Dimensity 8100 has four Arm Cortex-A78 cores running at speeds up to 2.85GHz. The Dimensity 8000 also has four Cortex-A78 cores but reduces the top speed slightly to 2.75GHz. Both chips include an Arm Mali-G610 MC6 GPU with MediaTek’s HyperEngine 5.0.

The new SoCs integrates MediaTek’s fifth-generation AI processing unit, APU 580. The 8000 series platform is aimed to be the mid-tier to the Dimensity 9000’s Flagship tier.

The Dimensity 8000 chips include support for up to 200MP cameras and 4K60 HDR10+ videos. It includes a leading 3GPP R16-ready 5G modem to boost sub-6Ghz performance using 2CC Carrier Aggregation. It also uses MediaTek’s 5G UltraSave 2.0 for improved power efficiency.

Also announced today is the 6nm Dimensity 1300. Powered by an octa-core CPU with an ultra-core Arm Cortex-A78 at 3GHz, three Arm Cortext A-78 super cores, and four Arm Cortex A-55 efficiency cores. It also gets an Arm Mali-G77 GPU.

Smartphones powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8000 and 1300 series will be available soon.

POCO announced the X4 Pro and M4 Pro at MWC

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At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, POCO unveiled the X4 Pro and the M4 Pro.

POCO X4 Pro

POCO X4 Pro

The POCO X4 Pro features a 6.67 inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a display resolution of 2400 x 1800. The X4 Pro has a triple rear camera setup with a massive 108MP main sensor. It also has an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 16MP front-facing lens.

The X4 Pro runs on a Snapdragon 695 processor and up to 8GB of RAM. This device uses Dynamic RAM Expansion technology. This means the X4 Pro can borrow up to 3GB from storage for additional memory (available in the 256GB model). It has a 5,000mAh battery and is capable of 67W turbo charging. It can charge up to 70% in just 22 minutes and can be fully charged in just 41 minutes.

The X4 Pro comes in two storage variants and three colors. It comes in a 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage variant, as well as an 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. It will ship in Laser Black, Laser Blue, and POCO Yellow.

POCO M4 Pro

Poco M4 Pro

The Poco M4 Pro comes with a 6.43 inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The display has a resolution of 2400 x 1800 and is capable of up to 1000 nits of brightness. Under the hood, you get a MediaTek Helio G96 processor. You can snag this device with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The 8GB/256GB model is capable of using the same Dynamic RAM Expansion technology like the X4 Pro.

The M4 Pro has a triple camera setup with a 64MP main lens, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. Upfront you get a 16MP selfie camera. The M4 has a 5,000mAh battery capable of 33W fast charging. You can fully recharge the device in about an hour.

The M4 Pro will be available in Power Black, Cool Blue, and POCO Yellow color options. Early bird pricing starts March second and pricing depends on your region.

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