Tech
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus Review: Know the Pros and Cons
The Note series from Redmi has historically been their premium mid-range line of smartphones. Last year, the Note 12 Pro+ launched with premium additions to a mid-range processor. This year, the Note 13 Pro+ brought several exciting additions with a fresh new processor. The device was recently unveiled in the Chinese market on 21st September 2023. Here’s a detailed take on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus smartphone.
Key Specifications of Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus
Design and Build Quality
Every year, the Note series brings visible changes to their designs which gives each iteration its unique look. This year, the camera housing has been replaced with a flush back with the camera modules placed directly on the back of the device.
The device comes in at 161.4 mm by 74.2 mm by 8.9 mm dimension with a weight of about 204.5 g. It is on the heavier side thanks to the glass front and an aluminum frame.
Read more: Symphony Helio 80 Review: Is the hype justified?
The Black and White variant of the 13 Pro+ comes with a frosted finish on the back whereas the Violet comes with a tan leather back with an interesting color choice. There’s also a Camo Green variant for the fans of tactical looks. There are four gradients on the leather back arranged geometrically. It brings a fresh new look which will work best with a clear case or no case at all.
Another design highlight of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is its front. The uniform front bezel has a minimal center punch-hole design. The 89.7% screen-to-body ratio provides a display real estate that can be compared with the premium flagships.
The choice of ports and buttons are as usual with no headphone jack and no extendable storage. The headphone jack was present even in Note 12 Pro+. But unfortunately, the run ends with the Note 13 Pro+.
Another noticeable change this year is the switch of the physical fingerprint scanner from the power button to the in-display optical sensor. And the last big upgrade is the IP68 water and dust resistance (1.5 m for 30 minutes) up from the IP53 rating from last year’s Note 12 Pro+.
Read more: vivo V29 5G Review: Is it a balanced camera phone?
The Display
The display on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is an OLED one with 68B color, 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and Dolby Vision. By the specs, the display on the 13 Pro+ is stacked.
The 6.67-inch display has a 1.5K resolution with 1220 by 2712 pixels. This 20:9 aspect ratio allows for 446 ppi density. The front uniform design of the display is one of the key features that stands out. There’s hardly any device in this price segment that replicates a similar design.
The display performance was also great. The OLED panel was able to churn out deep blacks with sharp contrasts. There were no noticeable color shifts even though the device curved on both edges.
Outdoor visibility is also great on the Note 13 Pro+ thanks to the 1800 nits of peak brightness. Xiaomi also used Gorilla Glass Victus on the front which provides an improved scratch and crack resistance.
Read more: Honor Pad X9 Review: Is it worth buying?
The Camera
There’s a triple camera setup on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+. The main sensor is a 200 MP f/1.7, (wide) with a 1/1.4" lens. The main camera is complemented by an 8 MP f/2.2 sensor with a 120˚ field of view. There’s also a 2 MP macro shooter on board. The sleek horizontal flash bar
In essence, the main sensor does all the heavy lifting for the device. Even then, using a 200 MP sensor on a mid-range smartphone is a bit of an overkill because the smartphone can’t really shoot 200 MP raw.
There are several initial thoughts after testing out the camera. Firstly, it is better to zoom in on a photo while clicking rather than cropping the image. The initial zoomed-in pictures provide better contrast and sharpness compared to the cropped ones.
Read more: OPPO A58 Review: Is this budget-friendly phone good for photos?
Secondly, the night mode works well to improve the contrast and the dynamic range but not the sharpness. For better sharpness, the auto mode works better than the night mode in low-light scenarios. There’s also this purple fringing issue while taking pictures directly against a light source. However, this is something that will probably be solved with an update.
The videography on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is 4K at 24 or 30 fps as well as 1080P at 24, 30, and 120 fps. The videos appeared to be sharp with good stabilization and exposure in well-lit environments. The quality falls a bit indoors but that’s expected given the lighting conditions.
There’s a 16 MP front shooter good enough for video calls and casual selfies.
Read more: OPPO A78 Review: Is it a balanced mid-range phone?
Processor and Performance
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ comes with Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra based on a 4 Nm architecture. The octa-core processor has a chip design of 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 with Mali-G610 MC4 GPU onboard.
In terms of performance, the Note 13 Pro+ is an upgrade over the 12 Pro+. Typically, the Pro+ editions are slightly less powerful than the Turbo editions. It remains to be seen how the 13 Pro+ fares against the 13T.
In the test, the 13 Pro+ showed consistent results. The 1136 and 2664 scores in the single and multi-core GeekBench 6 assert satisfactory results. Games like Genshin Impact, PUBG, and Asphalt 9 can be run in the highest graphics settings. But there were some occasional frame drops here and there. The device comes in the highest storage configuration of 16GB RAM and 512 GB of internal storage.
On the OS front, the device is powered by MIUI 14 based on Android 13. MIUI 14 has come a long way from its bloatware-filled days. However, it’s still not on par with stock Android and anyone coming from outside the MI ecosystem might need some time to get used to it.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K60 Ultra Review: A Gamer's Delight
Battery and Charge Time
The battery on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is 5000 mAh. The standard battery capacity is complemented by a 120W fast charging system which can take the battery to 100% in 19 minutes. However, the battery runs out quickly while playing high-definition multiplayer games.
Pros and Cons of Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+
Pros:
- Stylish and innovative design
- Sharp display
- Great camera
- 120W fast charging
- 5G enabled
Cons:
- Underperforming processors
- Reduced screen time.
Read more: Best Tablets under Tk 25000 in Bangladesh
Price of Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is available in three configurations – 12/256GB, 12/512GB, and 16/512GB respectively. The prices of each of the variants are 1899 RMB, 2099 RMB, and 2199 RMB respectively. The price roughly translates to 28,969 BDT, 32,020 BDT, and 33,545 BDT respectively (1 RMB = 15.26 BDT). However, the price in Bangladesh may grossly differ once it becomes officially available in Bangladesh.
Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is an incremental update to last year’s 12 Pro+. It gets a lot of the things right like the camera, battery, desi,gn, and display. On the flip side, the processor doesn’t perform on par with other premium features of the device. And, its battery life may disappoint the users.
Overall, the Note 13 Pro+ as a whole is a great mid-range smartphone. For anyone looking for a casual daily driver with an amazing display and great camera, the Note 13 Pro+ can be an easy pick.
Read more: Top 9 Most Anticipated Smartphones Coming to Bangladesh in October 2023
This app shows how ancient Greek sites looked thousands of years ago
Tourists at the Acropolis this holiday season can witness the resolution of one of the world’s most heated debates on cultural heritage.
All they need is a smartphone.
Visitors can now pinch and zoom their way around the ancient Greek site, with a digital overlay showing how it once looked. That includes a collection of marble sculptures removed from the Parthenon more than 200 years ago that are now on display at the British Museum in London. Greece has demanded they be returned.
For now, an app supported by Greece’s Culture Ministry allows visitors to point their phones at the Parthenon temple, and the sculptures housed in London appear back on the monument as archaeologists believe they looked 2,500 years ago.
Read: Digital Quality of Life Index 2023: Bangladesh ranks 82nd, internet quality 5% lower than global average
Other, less widely known features also appear: Many of the sculptures on the Acropolis were painted in striking colors. A statue of goddess Athena in the main chamber of the Parthenon also stood over a shallow pool of water.
“That's really impressive ... the only time I've seen that kind of technology before is at the dentist,” Shriya Parsotam Chitnavis, a tourist from London, said after checking out the app on a hot afternoon at the hilltop Acropolis, Greece's most popular archaeological site.
“I didn't know much about the (Acropolis), and I had to be convinced to come up here. Seeing this has made it more interesting — seeing it in color,” she said. “I'm more of a visual person, so this being interactive really helped me appreciate it.”
The virtual restoration works anywhere and could spare some visitors the crowded uphill walk and long wait to see the iconic monuments up close. It might also help the country's campaign to make Greek cities year-round destinations.
Read: The iPhone 12 emits too much radiation and Apple must take it off the market, a French agency says
Tourism, vital for the Greek economy, has roared back since the COVID-19 pandemic, even as wildfires chased visitors from the island of Rhodes and affected other areas this summer. The number of inbound visitors from January through July was up 21.9% to 16.2 million compared with a year ago, according to the Bank of Greece. Revenue was up just over 20%, to 10.3 billion euros ($10.8 billion).
The app, called “Chronos” after the mythological king of the Titans and Greek word for “time,” uses augmented reality to place the ancient impression of the site onto the screen, matching the real-world view as you walk around.
AR is reaching consumers after a long wait and is set to affect a huge range of professional and leisure activities.
Medical surgery, military training and specialized machine repair as well as retail and live event experiences are all in the sights of big tech companies betting on a lucrative future in immersive services. Tech giant like Meta and Apple are pushing into VR headsets that can cost thousands of dollars.
The high price tag will keep the cellphone as the main AR delivery platform to consumers for some time, said Maria Engberg, co-author of the book “Reality Media” on augmented and virtual reality.
She says services for travelers will soon offer a better integrated experience, allowing for more sharing options on tours and overlaying archive photos and videos.
“AR and VR have been lagging behind other kinds of things like games and movies that we’re consuming digitally,” said Engberg, an associate professor of computer science and media technology at Malmo University in Sweden.
Read: It's Google versus the US in the biggest antitrust trial in decades
“I think we will see really interesting customer experiences in the next few years as more content from museums and archives becomes digitized,” she said.
Greece’s Culture Ministry and national tourism authority are late but enthusiastic converts to technology. The popular video game Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which allows players to roam ancient Athens, was used to attract young travelers from China to Greece with a state-organized photo contest.
Microsoft partnered with the Culture Ministry two years ago to launch an immersive digital tour at ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games in southern Greece.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the innovations would boost accessibility to Greece’s ancient monuments, supplementing the recent installation of ramps and anti-slip pathways.
“Accessibility is extending to the digital space,” Mendoni said at a preview launch event for the Chronos app in May. “Real visitors and virtual visitors anywhere around the world can share historical knowledge.”
Developed by Greek telecoms provider Cosmote, the free app's designers say they hope to build on existing features that include an artificial intelligence-powered virtual guide, Clio.
“As technologies and networks advance, with better bandwidth and lower latencies, mobile devices will be able to download even higher-quality content,” said Panayiotis Gabrielides, a senior official at the telecom company involved in the project.
Virtual reconstructions using Chronos also cover three other monuments at the Acropolis, an adjacent Roman theater and parts of the Acropolis Museum built at the foot of the rock.
10 Best 4K Graphics Cricket Games for Android in 2023
The ICC World Cup 2023 started this month. The frenzy and the hype over the tournament has taken over every sports lover in the country. The craze is not limited to real-life sports, as many gamers are bowling and batting in the virtual simulation games in the wave of cricketing excitement. Explore the most popular cricket games for Android boasting 4K graphics and lifelike gameplay, allowing you to relive the magic of cricket in the palm of your hands.
Top 10 4K Graphics Android Cricket Games in 2023
RVG Real World Cricket Game 3D
RVG Real World Cricket Game 3D” is a free-to-download game that was updated to version 3.2.5 on October 3, 2023. Developed by Rockville Games, it requires Android 5.0 and up, with a download size of 193 MB.
This immersive cricket game offers realistic motion-capture animations and features key modes like Quick Match, Multiplayer, Challenge a Friend, T20, ODI, and Test Cricket. Players can participate in World Cricket Tournaments and leagues such as the Indian, Pakistani, and Australian Cricket Leagues. Notable features include electrifying fielding with stunning diving catches and real cricket commentary.
It also allows in-app purchases ranging from BDT 100.00–BDT 2,100.00 per item. The game "RVG Real World Cricket Games 3D" appears to be a sequel or an updated version of the previous game in the series, offering improved gameplay and graphics for cricket enthusiasts.
Read more: 10 Best Free Games Like GTA On Android In 2023
World Cricket Championship 2
World Cricket Championship 2," released on Jul 28, 2015, by Nextwave Multimedia, is a free mobile cricket game for Android 5.1 and up, with a 656 MB download size. It offers online and offline multiplayer, realistic ball physics, advanced player attributes, cinematic cameras, 150 batting animations, and 28 bowling actions. The game introduces a Gangs of Cricket mode and Challenge A Friend feature, providing an immersive cricket gaming experience.
"Cricket Fever," a fictional game launched in 2022, requires Android 4.1 or higher with 2GB of RAM and an 800 MB download size. It offers realistic gameplay, various tournaments, customizable teams, and a comprehensive career mode. The game has gained popularity among mobile gamers for its immersive cricketing action and strategic gameplay, featuring updated graphics and improved mechanics.
Read more: Top 5 Eid-Ul-Azha, Animal Market Games for Android, iOS
World Cricket Championship 3
World Cricket Championship 3 (WCC3), launched by Nextwave Multimedia on September 13, 2020, is a highly immersive mobile cricket game that offers an authentic cricket experience.
It's free to download, with in-app purchases ranging from BDT 8.00–BDT 13,000.00 per item. The game requires Android 5.1 and up, with a download size of 805 MB.
Key features include realistic motion-captured cricket actions, professional commentary, hand-crafted stadiums, various tournament formats, a career mode with cutscenes, National Premier League (NPL) and Women’s National Premier League (WNPL), an All-Star Team, advanced customization, and the official West Indies Cricket Team.
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WCC3 also offers multiplayer matches and is a sequel to the popular World Cricket Championship franchise.
Google packs more artificial intelligence into new Pixel phones
Google on Wednesday unveiled a next-generation Pixel smartphones lineup that will be infused with more artificial intelligence tools capable of writing captions about photos that can also be altered by the technology.
The injection of more artificial intelligence, or AI, into Google’s products marks another step toward bringing more of the technology into the mainstream – a push company executives signaled they were embarking upon during their annual developer’s conference five months ago.
Read: Google brings its AI chatbot Bard into its inner circle, opening door to Gmail, Maps, YouTube
“Our focus is on making AI more helpful for everyone in a way that is bold and responsible,” Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president of devices and services, said during Wednesday's event held in New York. As if to leave no doubt about Google’s current priorities, Osterloh described the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones as a conduit for having “AI in your hand.”
The next moves will include allowing the 7-year-old Google Assistant to tap into the company’s recently hatched AI chatbot, Bard, to perform tasks. The expanded access to Bard comes just two weeks after Google began connecting the AI chatbot to the company's other popular service such as Gmail, Maps and YouTube.
Google is leaving it up to each user to decide whether to allow Bard to interact with its other services, an effort to address worries about AI sifting through potentially sensitive information as it seeks to learn more about language and people.
Read: It's Google versus the US in the biggest antitrust trial in decades
One of the new tricks that the Bard-backed assistant is supposed to be able to do is scan a photo taken on a phone powered by Google’s Android software and generate a pithy caption suitable for posting on social media. As Google has been doing with most of its AI gambits, the Bard-backed Google Assistant initially will only be available to a test audience before it is gradually offered on an opt-in basis to more owners of the latest Pixels.
As has become common across the industry, most of the other technology in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones unveiled Wednesday will be similar to what has already been available in last year’s models.
One of the main selling points of the new phones will be improved cameras, including more AI-empowered editing tools that will mostly be available on the Pixel 8 Pro. The AI features will be able to spruce up photos, zoom into certain parts of images, substitute faces taken from other pictures in group shots and erase objects and people from images.
Read: Fair Technology launches ‘Hyundai Exchange Program’
Google is counting on the new AI twists added to this year’s lineup to be enough to justify a price increase — with the starting prices for both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro increasing by $100 over last year’s comparable models.
That will result in the Pixel 8 selling for $700 and the Pixel 8 Pro for $1,000 when they go on sale in stores next week. Apple also raised the starting price of its top-end iPhone by $100 when its latest models came out last month, signaling inflationary pressures are starting to drive up the costs of devices that have become essential pieces of modern life.
The Pixel 8 Pro will also be able to take people's temperatures — an addition that could be a drawing card in a post-pandemic era as various strains of COVID evolve. But Google is still trying to get regulatory approval to enable that capability in the U.S. A 2020 phone, the Honor Play 4 Pro made my Huawei, also was able to screen for fevers, so Google isn’t breaking totally new ground.
Despite generally getting positive reviews, the Pixel phones have barely made a dent in a market dominated by Samsung and Apple since Google began making the devices seven years ago. But they have been gaining slightly more traction in recent years, with Pixel’s share of the high-end smartphone market now hovering around 4% from less than 1% three years ago, according to the research firm International Data Corp.
Read: Digital Quality of Life Index 2023: Bangladesh ranks 82nd, internet quality 5% lower than global average
Google can afford to make a phone that doesn’t generate huge sales because it brings in more than $200 billion annually from a digital ad network that’s anchored by its dominant search engine. A big chunk of the ad revenue flows from the billions of dollars that Google pays annually to lock in its search engine as the main gateway to the internet on the iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy lineup.
The agreements that have given Google’s search engine a lucrative position on phones and computers are the focal point of an ongoing antitrust trial in Washington, where the U.S. Justice Department is trying to prove its allegations that Google has been abusing its power to stifle competition and innovation.
Symphony Helio 80 Review: Is the hype justified?
Symphony Mobile, a distinguished brand under the EDISON Group, stands as a relentless leader in the competitive mobile handset industry of Bangladesh, consistently setting a formidable pace. The brand's latest offering, the Symphony Helio 80, made its debut in the market on September 12, 2023. Boasting exceptional design, display and camera configurations, this smartphone has swiftly captured the spotlight. Let’s take a look into the key specs, pros, cons and price of Symphony Helio 80 in Bangladesh.
Key Features of Symphony Helio 80
Design
The design of the Symphony Helio 80 is based on elegant minimalism, predominantly featuring a single captivating color known as "honeydew green." While the possibility of additional color variants like black and white remains on the horizon, the current offering centers around this exquisite hue.
This smartphone exhibits a slim 163.8 mm by 76.3 mm by 7.96 mm body dimension, making it capable of being held and carried. Weighing in at a reasonable 188 grams, the device has a balanced equilibrium in terms of portability and substance.
Read more: OPPO A58 Review: Is this budget-friendly phone good for photos?
Examining its construction, the rear panel of the Symphony Helio 80 is crafted from glass, while the front proudly showcases a 5th generation Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability and a premium feel. However, it is worth noting that the absence of splash-resistant capabilities is a notable omission, considering that some competing phones in this price range offer this valuable feature.
Display
The Symphony Helio 80 boasts an impressive 6.7-inch Full HD+ display, complemented by a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and the brilliance of AMOLED technology, along with the convenience of an always-on feature. The display's color accuracy stands out as excellent, delivering vibrant and true-to-life visuals that captivate the eye.
However, it's worth noting that the absence of Widevine L1 support means that users won't experience the maximum pixel quality in streaming content, as it holds Widevine L3 certification instead. Despite this limitation, the display maintains a crisp and comforting visual experience that leaves little room for complaints.
Read more: OPPO A78 Review: Is it a balanced mid-range phone?
The screen performs average under most lighting conditions. However, users might find it challenging to view the display in direct sunlight due to its lower maximum brightness, which stands as a notable drawback of the phone. It's important to mention that this limitation doesn't extend to issues with lower brightness when using the phone's camera function.
Cameras
The Symphony Helio 80 boasts an impressive 108-megapixel rear camera with a 2MP macro & 0.08MP portrait lenses, and they certainly live up to expectations. The cameras deliver crystal-clear, sharp images with exceptional detail, precise focus, and accurate color reproduction. This is a noteworthy achievement in the realm of budget-friendly smartphones, as it rivals the performance of many mid-range cameras.
Additionally, the device offers the capability to record videos in up to 2K resolution, along with video stabilization that ensures smooth footage at 1080p@30fps, further enhancing its appeal for photography and videography enthusiasts.
Read more: realme C51 Review: Stylish Phone Under BDT 16000
On the front, the phone features a 16-megapixel camera with a wide f/2.0 aperture, delivering more than satisfactory results. Skin tones appear natural without an overly aggressive softening effect. The camera captures fine details and presents pleasing colors, making it suitable for capturing high-quality selfies.
Furthermore, the front camera supports video recording at up to 2K resolution, providing users with flexibility and versatility for their content creation needs.
Vivo Y17s makes its debut in the country
The vivo Y17s has made its debut in the country with an attractive Glitter Purple and Forest Green color, along with impressive features like a 5000mAh battery, an 840 NITS high-brightness display, and a 50-megapixel HD camera.
This is evident in the vivo Y17s, where even the choice of colors on the backside is reflective of Global smartphone manufacturer vivo’s penchant for such aesthetics.
The unique glass design in a square shape surrounding the camera on the backside will catch everyone's attention. The 2.5D curved design and the silky-smooth finish of the composite material will offer an excellent grip.
Therefore, when it comes to using this smartphone, it will provide a smooth and lightweight experience, weighing just 186 grams, making it perfect for handling.
The smartphone features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner on the right side, which is highly capable of quickly unlocking the device. It also offers Face Wake technology. Both of these features not only save time but also provide peace of mind regarding the security of personal information.
The vivo Y17s is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G85 processor and runs on the FunTouch OS 13 operating system. Together, these components promise to deliver an exceptional smartphone experience. The device features a 6.56-inch LCD multitouch capacitive display with a resolution of 1612 x 720 pixels. With a pixel density of 269 PPI, it offers true brightness and vividness, enhancing the enjoyment of content.
Having a brightness of up to 840 nits allows for comfortable use even in various lighting conditions, making it stand out in this budget range. This combination of hardware and display specifications ensures that the vivo Y17s provides a compelling visual and operational experience to users.
vivo V29 5G Review: Is it a balanced camera phone?
vivo has undeniably made significant strides in the competitive smartphone market in recent times. V Series lineup of vivo offers well-balanced devices featuring innovative Camera technology, standard performance, and smooth user experience. In this legacy, vivo launched the V29, a camera focused phone in September 2023. V29 is blessed with a powerful front camera to meet the needs of today’s self portraying generation. Does this device offer the same competency in other segments? Let’s review the key specs, pros and cons of the vivo V29 5G smartphone.
Key Features of vivo V29 5G
Design
The vivo V29 smartphone aims to revive the trend of curved waterfall displays in the premium segment. Its glass sandwich design, curved screen, and substantial camera module make it visually striking but notably slippery. The package includes a recommended TPU case. Despite its sleekness, the V29 offers comfortable one-handed use at 186g and 164.2 mm by 74.4 mm bu 7.5 mm dimension with a 90% screen-to-body ratio for an immersive display.
Features include an under-display fingerprint reader, USB-C charging, IP68 waterproofing (rare in its price range), and eSIM capability. It lacks a headphone jack, has a single downward-firing speaker, and no microSD card slot. Available in Space Black, Himalayan Blue, Purple Fairy, and Majestic Red, the V29 offers a premium look and feel. One drawback is the lack of information on recycling and sustainability efforts.
Read more: Honor Pad X9 Review: Is it worth buying?
Display
The vivo V29 boasts a substantial 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a high 120Hz refresh rate. With a resolution of 2800 × 1260 pixels, a pixel density of 452 PPI, and HDR10+ support, this display offers a stunning visual experience. While it doesn't feature a quad-curved design like the HONOR 90, it stands out as one of the most visually appealing displays in its segment. The V29's minimal side bezels and compact top and bottom bezels contribute to its sleek aesthetics.
In terms of performance, the display impresses with excellent color reproduction and strong sunlight visibility, enhancing activities such as gaming, web browsing, video streaming, and reading. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures a smooth and fluid user experience. Additionally, vivo incorporates various display technologies to minimize blue light and screen flickering, prioritizing eye protection for users.
Camera
The vivo V29 shines brightly in the realm of smartphone photography, boasting an impressive camera setup. It inherits its predecessor's camera configuration, comprising a 50 MP primary camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2 MP monochrome sensor. On the front, the selfie camera retains its 50 MP resolution but now offers auto-focus and a wider f/2.0 aperture, enhancing the quality of self-portraits.
Read more: Best Tablets under Tk 25000 in Bangladesh
The primary camera delivers exceptional photos with rich detail and sharpness. Colors appear vibrant without crossing into oversaturation territory, distinguishing it from competitors like the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Images exhibit crispness, a wide dynamic range, and minimal noise, even in challenging lighting conditions. The V29 consistently captures an extensive range of details, surpassing even some flagship smartphones.
Low-light photography or situations with artificial lighting remain a strong suit for the V29's camera. Thanks to its built-in optical image stabilization (OIS), it excels in low-light conditions without relying on a flash. The Aura Ring Light proves beneficial in low-light scenarios, ensuring even lighting on subjects and seamlessly adjusting colors automatically.
While the primary camera excels, the ultra-wide angle camera and monochrome sensors leave something to be desired. They exhibit lower overall quality, diminished sharpness, detail, and color accuracy. Nevertheless, for occasional use, the ultra-wide camera serves its purpose. For optimal results, relying on the primary camera and the impressive 50 MP selfie shooter is recommended.
Read more: Top 9 Most Anticipated Smartphones Coming to Bangladesh in October 2023
Facebook and Instagram users in Europe could get ad-free subscription option, WSJ reports
Meta plans to give Facebook and Instagram users in Europe the option of paying for ad-free versions of the social media platforms as a way to comply with the continent's strict data privacy rules, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
The company wants to charge users about 10 euros ($10.50) a month to use Instagram or Facebook without ads on desktop browsers, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the proposal. Adding more accounts would cost 6 euros each.
Prices for mobile would be higher, at roughly 13 euros a month, because Meta needs to account for commissions charged by the Apple and Google app stores on in-app payments, the newspaper said.
Also read: Canada's government to stop advertising on Facebook and Instagram after Meta says it will block news
Meta reportedly is hoping to roll out paid subscriptions in the coming months as a way to comply with European Union data privacy rules that threaten its lucrative business model of showing personalized ads to users.
Meta would give users the choice between continuing to use the platforms with ads or paying for the ad-free version, the WSJ said.
"Meta believes in the value of free services which are supported by personalized ads," the company said in a statement to The Associated Press. "However, we continue to explore options to ensure we comply with evolving regulatory requirements. We have nothing further to share at this time."
Also read: Facebook’s importance as source of news sees significant decline in 2023: Reuters Institute Report
The EU's top court said in July that Meta must first get consent before showing ads to users — a ruling that jeopardizes the company's ability to make money by tailoring advertisements for individual users based on their online interests and digital activity.
It's not clear if EU regulators will sign off on the plan or insist that the company offer cheaper versions. The newspaper said one issue regulators have is whether the proposed fees will be too expensive for most people who don't want to be targeted by ads.
Also read: Facebook user data issue: Facebook parent company Meta will pay $725M
Honor Pad X9 Review: Is it worth buying?
Pad X9 is a recently rolled-out tablet by the Honor brand that aims to make smart and feature-oriented smartphones, tablets and wearables. The devices under Honor X series are slim and lightweight with a lot of features. And, Pad X9 is no exception. Let’s take a look into the key specs, price, pros and cons of the Honor Pad X9.
Key Features of Honor Pad X9
Design
The HONOR Pad X9 boasts a premium look and feel. It has a sleek design with flat sides for a modern touch. The minimal branding and single-color finish keep it stylish. This tablet has a 267.3 x 167.4 x 6.9 mm dimension and weighs 495 grams, which might be a tad heavy for children. However, it's advisable to get a protective case to prevent scratches and make it easier to prop up on a flat surface.
The size of the HONOR Pad X9 is just right for everyday use. It's compact enough for school or work and spacious enough for entertainment and multitasking. The tablet's flat sides ensure comfortable use for extended periods without hand or arm discomfort. Despite the aluminum frame, it offers a non-slip grip, making it suitable for long gaming sessions.
Read more: Honor Pad 8 Review: A budget-friendly capable Tablet
In terms of ports and buttons, you'll find a volume rocker and power button on top (in landscape mode). There are two speakers on each side along with a USB Type-C port. Additionally, there's a set of dual speakers on the bottom. However, it lacks a fingerprint reader, though it can recognize faces using the front-facing camera.
Display
The HONOR Pad X9 features a spacious 11.5-inch TFT LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a resolution of 1200 x 2000 pixels, providing 203 pixels per inch (PPI). While it's not the sharpest display in its size category, it offers good value for its affordable price. The lower resolution is beneficial for tasks like reading, web browsing, and gaming, especially considering its midrange chipset, which consumes less power with the lower pixel count.
The display delivers impressive visuals for videos and images, with vibrant colors. However, it falls short in terms of brightness, reaching a peak of 400 nits. This brightness is adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight or very bright environments. Nevertheless, this brightness level is in line with other devices in a similar price range.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Is it really the ‘iPad killer’?
Can Earthquakes Really be Predicted?
The history of earthquakes is nothing less than terrifying. Whether it’s the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake or something as recent as the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, every major earthquake in the world involves destruction and death. For centuries, scientists, geologists, saints, and seers alike have searched for answers to one inevitable question: Can earthquakes be predicted? Let’s try to find out.
Myths about Earthquakes and Predicting Them
The phenomenon of earthquakes has long been attributed to mythical and otherworldly happenings. Thousands of years ago, the occurrence of an earthquake not only brought destruction but also paved the way for the fear of the unknown and faith in supernatural power.
The concept of an earthquake is often attributed to Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. It is said that Poseidon uses his trident to shake the earth which causes earthquakes. Similar stories are found in Japanese mythology where the giant catfish Namazu causes earthquakes. According to Mongolian mythology, the earth is placed on the back of a giant frog. When the frog stumbles, it causes earthquakes.
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But beyond the myths, there are also some common misconceptions about earthquake predictions. Unlike the myths, these aren’t quite outlandish and are often passed on as hard facts. Some of the common misconceptions regarding earthquake prediction include:
- Animals can predict earthquake - There are always advanced signs of earthquakes - Earthquake is preceded by sudden weather change - Planetary alignment influences earthquake - Increased seismic activity is a precursor for a large earthquake - A series of small earthquakes deters the chance of a large earthquake in a region.
Unfortunately, none of these concepts are true. There is no set pattern to earthquakes and neither does it have any identifiable precursors. And that brings us to the all-important question.
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