Today, relying on a single password for your online accounts often isn’t enough to keep the data secure. That’s why you need two-factor authentication (2FA) that adds an extra layer by requiring users to provide 2 authentication factors to verify their identity.
You can find different apps such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, and 2FAS to achieve this. But in this article, I’ll tell you about the latter; 2FAS – an application that uses Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTP) to authenticate your identity and help you log into accounts securely.
What exactly is 2FAS?
2FA is a security system that requires two distinct and separate forms of identification in order to get access to an account. Usually, the first factor is your password, and the second can be an OTP or biometrics. With this, you can prevent unauthorized users from accessing your account in case of a password breach.
Moving on, 2FAS is one of the popular two-factor authenticator apps that protects your credentials using TOTP for identity confirmation. I have been using it for a while now and it has impressed me a lot.
There are pretty simple steps you will need to follow to use this application. First download the 2FAS Authenticator App (Playstore, IOS). Then turn on the 2-step authentication for your selected account.
After that, you will need to add your account and then finish 2-step authentication for it. After the setup, you will get a code that is different every time and is valid only for 30 seconds.
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2FAS settings on IOS
2FAS codes on Android
Note: The app also includes a “Guide me” category that will walk you through the steps in detail.
Why 2FAS?
Firstly 2FAS doesn’t require you to share personal information to use the app, ensuring your privacy. Additionally, it works offline, unlike many other apps, and offers a browser extension for more flexibility.
Moreover, it is completely free to use without annoying ads or popups. While it’s mobile-first, it also supports backup and syncing via iCloud or Google Drive, giving you a convenient way to manage your authentication settings across devices. You can even import your old tokens from other apps like Aegis, LastPass Authenticator, and Google Authenticator.
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Web Browser extension on 2FAS
Token Import Feature on 2FAS
For the safety of this application, you can add an app lock as well. Overall, it is an excellent, open source for securing your accounts with ease and privacy.
Black Shark is an affiliate brand of Xiaomi that produces gamer-centric products such as smartphones and other accessories. The brand is coming to Nepal again, this time with accessories only. Let’s talk about Black Shark, the accessories they are bringing, and their price in Nepal.
Black Shark Brand Overview
Black Shark focuses on making devices, accessories, and software that provide a high-performance gaming experience. It was originally founded as a subsidiary of Xiaomi in 2017. As such, it is often mistaken as a Xiaomi sub-brand like Redmi or POCO. However, that is not the case.
Black Shark does have close ties to Xiaomi where it received financial backing and technical support in its early days. But now the brand is moving toward an independent operational structure and reducing its association with Xiaomi altogether.
Black Shark in Nepal
Black Shark actually already made one round into Nepal. It first arrived here with the Black Shark 3 gaming phone back in 2020. Then there was no continuity and a dormant Facebook of the brand still lives on.
Now the brand is having another go at the Nepali market. It appears to be starting fresh with new social media handles. The brand is formally launching on 26 November 2024 and MobileMandu is its official distributor.
Even though Black Shark Nepal has not name-dropped all the products it will launch, it did post a picture of its portfolio. And that… is enough for our detective senses to find out what those products are!
Black Shark Accessories Price in Nepal
Well, sadly, the brand is not bringing smartphones or coolers for now. Maybe in the future? But for now, we will be getting smartwatches and earbuds.
Battery Life: 10 days, magnetic charging within 1.5 hours
Features: 100+ watch faces, 100+ built-in sports modes, Bluetooth phone call with ENC, App notifications, Health and Sleep monitoring, Camera control, Fitness reports with GPS coordinates
Design: Semi-in-ear fit, Metallic charging case with slidable lid and “Shing” sound effect, Battery percentage displaying RGB lights
Sound Driver: 13mm drivers
Noise Cancellation: ENC calling
Playback: Up to 5 hours (Buds), up to 30 hours (with case)
Battery: 500mAh (Case)
Connectivity: Bluetooth v5.3
Colour Options: White, Grey
Price in Nepal: NPR 8,049 (Expected)
Black Shark T9
Design: Semi-in-ear fit, IPX4-rated
Sound Driver: 13mm drivers
Noise Cancellation: ENC calling
Playback: Up to 7 hours (Buds), up to 40 hours (with case)
Charging: 10 minutes charge = 4 hours music
Connectivity: Bluetooth v5.3
Colour Options: White, Grey
Price in Nepal: NPR 5,399 (Expected)
Note: All the product prices are tentative guesses from our end based on their pricing in other markets. We will update this list once the company unveils the official prices.
Looking for a compact gaming laptop? Well, that’s a tough ask, especially in the context of Nepal where larger 16-inch machines is the norm. Moreover, the prices on compact options like the Zephyrus G14 from Asus are so so high. That’s why I think you’ll love the recently launched Asus TUF Gaming A14 (2024) which we’ll talk about here alongside its price in Nepal and availability.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 (2024) Overview
Compact footprint
The major attraction of the Asus TUF A14 is its compact footprint. The gaming device is just 1.69mm thick and weighs below that 1.5 kg threshold. Moreover, it features a CNC-milled chassis with military-grade durability for everyday struggles and blows alongside great portability. The front bezels look minimal housing a 1080p IR webcam up top and the whole thing looks solid and modern in its sole Grey colorway.
Talking of the display, you get a no-compromise 2.5k IPS screen with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio and anti-glare finish. It’s colorful enough for a gaming laptop at 100% sRGB but more importantly, runs at a smooth 165Hz with support for G-Sync alongside having a MUX Switch and NVIDIA’s Advanced Optimus as well.
Ryzen AI and NVIDIA RTX
Under the hood, the TUF A14 is powered by a new Zen Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 top-of-the-line processor fabbed on an efficient 4nm node. There’s a total of 12 cores resulting in 24 threads with a boost clock of up to 5.1 GHz on a single core. Alongside that, there’s of course a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for the ‘AI’ part. It takes the load off the CPU and GPU for AI-related workflow (up to 50 TOPS with the XDNA NPU) for efficiency’s sake, and we have covered the new Strix Point Ryzen 300 AI chips in detail if you want the nitty gritty.
Although there’s the Radeon 780M integrated graphics, Asus’ TUF A14 brings in NVIDIA’s 40 series GPUs for gaming prowess. As expected, the graphics don’t run at their full potential in such a constrained chassis, but the 4060 version goes up to 100W with a boost. To keep it all under wraps, there are ultra-thin fans under the keyboard deck with heatsinks connecting to the CPU and GPU.
Memory and Connectivity
Unfortunately, the RAM is soldered to the system board and you can only get up to 16GB configurations which is disappointing. The SSD however can be swapped for a higher capacity one (up to 2TB), and there’s an extra M.2 slot too. While that’s definitely a plus, not offering a 32GB configuration at all is weird on AMD’s part. Regardless the memory is superfast with the RAM running at 7500 MT/s and the SSD being an NVME Gen 4.
Touching a bit on the connectivity side of things, there are two Type-C ports (one USB 4), two Type-As (both USB 3), a full-size HDMI, a microSD reader, and a headphone jack on the Asus TUF Gaming A14. The other good thing about it is that the AC brick has a Type-C connector, so you don’t need to carry around bulky brick-style laptop chargers that add extra heft. With the large 73Wh battery and efficient Ryzen chip, you can likely use the A14 as an every day/gaming hybrid with good endurance for office and school work too. For wireless connections, there’s WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 card.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 (2024) Specifications
Processor
Up to AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 processor
(12 cores, 24 threads, and a built-in NPU capable of 50 TOPS of AI performance)
16:10, sRGB100%, 400 nits, 3 ms (overdrive support), 1000:1
Supports DDS & G-SYNC
Memory
Up to 32 GB LPDDR5X 7500 MHz (onboard memory)
Storage
Up to 2 TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD
Keyboard
White backlight chiclet keyboard
Audio
Dolby Atmos
Hi-Res Audio
Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation
WiFi / Bluetooth
WiFi 6E (TUF A14 2024)*
Bluetooth v5.3
I/O Ports
1 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort / Power Delivery)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
1 x HDMI 2.1
Micro SD Card Reader (UHS II)
1 x Audio combo jack
Battery
73 Wh
Dimensions
31.11 x 22.75 x 1.69~1.99 cm
Weight
1.46 kg
Asus TUF Gaming A14 2024 Price in Nepal and Availability
The Taiwanese company has launched its new compact gaming laptop via Nagmani International. Asus TUF A14 (2024) price in Nepal is NPR 252,900 for the Ryzen AI 9, RTX 4050 variant. You get 2 years of official warranty alongside a genuine laptop bag, and a complimentary mouse with your purchase.
Samsung’s latest budget phone, the Galaxy A16 5G is here everybody and my team and I have been testing it for the past week! It is the successor to last year’s A15 5G, which if you remember was one of the highest-selling phones globally!
The A16 5G has launched for a starting price of 28,999 Rupees in Nepal and $200 in the US! And for this price, I believe there are a lot of good things to talk about, as well as a lot of bad things about this budget Samsung phone!
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Specifications
Display: 6.7″ SUPER AMOLED screen, 90Hz
Resolution: FHD+, 2408 x 1080 pixels
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 6300, 6nm procrss
Storage: 6/8GB RAM, 128/256GB (expandable using microSD card)
Ok.. let me start with the good things, and the design is really solid here. It’s not glass, but Samsung has nailed the build quality, the looks, the hands-on feel, and all very well. This new Gold color also looks quite good if you ask me.
The thing with Samsung phones is that they all look the same, from budget to mid-range to flagship, so the A16 has premium, clean looks, too.
This year, Samsung has also provided an official IP54 rating, which was missing on the A15. Samsung has not specified what glass protection is on the front, though. In fact, Samsung phones don’t come with a pre-applied screen protector, so make sure you get a good aftermarket screen guard so that you don’t end up with scratches or cracked screens.
Display
The second good thing about the A16 5G, at least when it comes to the core quality, definitely has to be its display, especially the color reproduction looks really pleasing here. This screen is sufficiently bright as well, which means outdoor visibility is not a problem at all and the touch response is pretty good too.
I do wish Samsung had upgraded to a 120Hz screen though, this one only has a 90 Hz screen and that too it’s not adaptive, which means you can either run this phone on 90 Hz or 60 Hz, the phone is not capable of auto selecting the refresh rate like most chinese budget phones, which is a little disappointing!
Also, there is no HDR video playback support here, neither on YouTube nor on OTT platforms and while other brands are providing nice punch hole notches and slim bezels, Samsung is still living in 2020 with these large chunky bezels and water drop notch.
Audio and Haptics
Likewise, you only get a single speaker setup here. The quality of the speaker is not bad per se, it mostly focuses on the highs and there is no distortion in high volumes, but it definitely misses the impact of stereo speakers and sometimes it sounds quite bland.
Cameras
I know, it sounds all bad, but to compensate for all of the things that Samsung has missed on the A16 5G, the company has provided a nice set of cameras. I would go as far as to say that this is the best budget camera phone for photography right now!
Galaxy A16 5G Daytime
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The main thing is, the colour reproduction in images is really nice and pleasing to look at. And the phone is able to maintain good contrast, dynamic range and details as well.
Galaxy A16 5G ultrawide
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Samsung has not provided OIS here, so if your hands are a little shaky, chances are, you might end up with blurry images , but with a steady pair of hands, you can get some good images for social media.
Galaxy A16 5G portrait
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Even when it comes to human subjects, the skin tone and background blur is quite pleasing. I do wish Samsung had also provided a 2x option for portraits for better subject focus and depth of field, but even without it, the portraits are nice, so I won’t complain much.
Galaxy A16 5G selfie
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If you are someone who likes clicking selfies, you will be impressed with the pictures from this phone, the colours, background exposure, etc are quite well handled by the A16 5G. Night-time images are equally impressive, in fact using the night mode makes the images even more balanced.
Night
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However, there are 2 things I would like to point out, first, the A16’s low-rest 5MP ultra-wide images are quite average, with little details to look out for, especially during night time. And there is no night mode option for ultra-wide photos as well, which means you might get pretty bad ultra-wide images at night.
Second, the videography aspect is quite average too since there is no 4k recording option, the max you can shoot at is 1080p. In this resolution, the videos aren’t as detailed, but the stabilization is good nonetheless thanks to EIS.
Performamce
And if you are someone who’s even a little bit interested in gaming, don’t get this phone! Here we get a pretty basic Dimensity 6300 chipset, with which the maximum fps you can get, even in low-tier games like Mech Arena and Mobile Legends is 30- 40 fps and the graphics look just okay.
You can also play PUBG at around 40 fps, but you will notice some stutters here and there and after a while the phone starts heating up too.
Normal, everyday performance is good enough and multitasking with 3-4 light apps is also not a problem. But if you get this phone, pls be prepared for slightly slower app load times, let’s just say this is not the fastest phone under 20000 right now!
The software side of things is quite impressive though. Even though this is a budget phone, Samsung has provided full fledged OneUI here with Knox security, secure folder and all included.
OS and UI
And not to forget, this phone will receive 6 years of OS updates, which even some flagship phones don’t provide. This means, if you are a light user, this phone is going to run for many many years and its resale value is also going to be good.
Plus, this is also good for the environment and the whole sustainability thing. Because since this phone will get updates even in 2030, which means people are not going to throw it away. Some kid or your future child might actually be using this phone, just to play light games or watch videos!
Battery and Charging
Ok.. Next, I have to say, the battery life on this phone is satisfactory too. Its 5000 mAh battery lasted me for an entire day without any trouble even on heavy usage, so that’s good.
The A16 5G supports 25-watt charging, but like with all Samsung phones, you will have to cash in extra for the charger. I used my Ugreen PD charger to charge this phone and it took around 1 hour and 30 minutes to juice up from 0-100% completely
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Review
Pros
Good display and camera quality
Long-lasting battery and 6 years of updates
Cons
Weak gaming performance
No stereo speakers
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Review: Conclusion
So, would I recommend the A16 5G? Well, despite having a relative slow performance, this is a decent Samsung offering on a budget! Yes, the price is a bit higher but with Samsung phones, we always pay a premium because of the brand value, software support, and after-sales.
Overall, you are getting a nice design, an excellent camera for photos, a good AMOLED screen, 6 years of OS updates. So, yeah, not so bad value!
Apple AirTag was a monumental product — in more than one way. On one hand, it helped people recover their stolen belongings, while on the other, it was nefariously used to quite an extent. Now the company is apparently having another go at the product! Let’s see what’s Apple cooking with the AirTag 2 or AirTag (Second Generation).
Apple AirTag 2 Rumour Roundup
First things first
The makers of the iPhone announced the first-ever AirTag on 20 April 2021. The initial intention of this product was to provide people with a fashionable accessory that helped them avoid losing their stuff and retrieve it in case they did lose it. However, the human brain works in wicked ways.
The Apple AirTag was put to good bad use. People started using it for all sorts of crimes from stalking to stealing. So much for Apple’s strict code of not letting criminals and villains use Apple products in films. The real-life scenario was vastly different.
With the rise in evil use, Apple had to move swiftly to control the damage. They pushed an update where an AirTag would alert iPhones nearby of its presence. Apple even partnered with other companies so that different ecosystems could trace the tracker. How often do you see that happening?
An update allowing you to trigger sound on an unknown AirTag to help you locate it followed as well. After this, criminals found a workaround and started cracking open the tracker to remove the speaker. As a result, getting rid of the unwanted device became a much bigger hassle because users could not pinpoint where it was hidden right away.
What to expect?
Despite all the conundrums, Apple is reportedly working on a follow-up product nearly four years after the original. This news comes from Mark Gurman — a contributor at Bloomberg — who has a history of accurate Apple-related leaks.
He reports that the AirTag 2 carries the codename “B589”. Furthermore, it will “look similar to the current model, but offer better range, bolster the onboard wireless and improve privacy.” In addition, we can expect Apple to address issues of the previous AirTag and tweak the design such that the second-generation product is much harder to crack into.
Apple AirTag 2 Launch and Availability
As per Gurman, the Apple AirTag 2 or AirTag (Second Generation) might launch sometime in mid-2025. The exact dates are not available. He mentions that Apple also plans to launch other products such as the Smart Home Display, a new iPad Air, a new entry-level iPad, MacBook Air, Mac Pro, Mac Studio, and iPhone SE in the coming year.
While all this sounds interesting, we have to wait and see what unfolds.
Meanwhile, check out our iPhone 14/15/16 comparison video:
Android 15 went public some time ago and all the major smartphone manufacturers are racing to mould it for their phones. Motorola is no stranger to this either and they have been hard at work with their take on Android 15. A bunch of phones are confirmed to be getting the latest MyUX or Hello UI — whatever they’ll call their Android skin — which I will list below as well.
Motorola MyUX / Hello UI (Android 15) Overview
Motorola’s take on Android is usually very close to the real deal. Hence, we can expect it to come with similar feature set. Some noteworthy features are: Private Space, App Archiving, and optimised multitasking.
The first one hides your apps behind an additional layer of security by storing them in a separate space and hiding them from recent apps and settings. Likewise, the second feature allows storing user data even after an app is installed. It now works for apps installed outside of the Google Play Store. Meanwhile, the latter improves multitasking by allowing users to create app pairs for easier access when using a split screen. This will be especially handy in foldable devices or tablets.
Other than that, the latest Android also introduces real-time widget preview, theft detection, satellite connectivity support, and so on. We can expect Motorola’s upcoming take on Android 15 to have similar things as well.
Motorola MyUX / Hello UI (Android 15) Launch and Availability
The Lenovo subsidiary is constantly updating the support page for its products to include details on the Android 15 update. So far, the following smartphones have had their support page updated — hinting at the eventual reception of the new OS:
Motorola Razr Series
Motorola Razr+ (2024)/Razr 50 Ultra
Motorola Razr (2024)/Razr 50
Motorola Razr 50s
Motorola Razr+ (2023)/Razr 40 Ultra
Motorola Razr (2023)/Razr 40
Motorola Razr 40s
Motorola Edge Series
Motorola Edge (2024)
Motorola Edge (2023)
Motorola Edge+ (2023)
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
Motorola Edge 50 Pro
Motorola Edge 50 Neo
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
Motorola Edge 50
Motorola Edge 40
Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Motorola Edge 40 Pro
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
Moto G Series
Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024)
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
Motorola Moto G 5G (2024)
Motorola Moto G85
Motorola Moto G75
Motorola Moto G55
Motorola Moto G45
Motorola Moto G35
Motorola Moto G34 5G
ThinkPhone Series
ThinkPhone by Motorola
ThinkPhone 25
The above list isn’t final and does not include some notable phones like the Moto G64 and Moto G (2024) currently. However, they will get their places in later updates. Motorola is rolling out the beta version of MyUX/Hello UI based on Android 15 for various devices. You can access the latest software by joining Motorola’s beta programme.
PD or Power Delivery is a universal standard that goes well with smartphones, laptops, and other devices. When it comes to a PD charger, we have two options: a normal PD charger or a Gallium Nitride PD charger, popularly known as a GaN PD charger. So, here in this, GaN PD charger vs a Normal PD Charger article, I’ll be talking all about the similarities, and differences and help you choose the best one between the two.
GaN PD Charger vs a Normal PD Charger:
Introduction to GaN Chargers
A GaN charger is a type of charger that uses Gallium Nitride (GaN) as its semiconductor material, composed of the elements Gallium (Ga) and Nitrogen (N). Unlike normal chargers that use silicon semiconductors, GaN chargers support higher voltages, manage greater power densities, and offer better power conversion efficiency.
Types of GaN Chargers
Although built on the same Gallium Nitride material inside, GaN chargers can be classified into two types: GaN PD chargers and GaN Non-PD chargers.
The GaN PD charger, I’m referring to in this article, is the one that compulsorily has a USB-C output port, which is the base for the USB-Power Delivery standard 3.0. It can also have multiple USB-C ports and a USB-Type A port with Quick Charge protocol as well. Which can charge supported laptops via USB-C to USB-C medium, other than smartphones, TWS, or smartwatches.
GaN Charger Types
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A PD GaN charger
A brand-specific GaN charger
Therefore, the GaN PD Charger herein, shouldn’t be confused with a brand-specific GaN charger that uses a different protocol, boasting a USB Type-A port instead of a Type-C output port. The most happening example of a non-PD GaN charger is the Xiaomi 120W HyperCharge GaN charger with a single USB-A port. It uses Quick Charge protocol and boasts no USB-C port.
Now that we have learned the difference between a GaN PD charger and a GaN Non-PD charger, let’s understand the PD protocol and USB-Type-C port which is the common ground for both a GaN PD charger and a normal PD charger.
USB PD Protocol
USB Power Delivery (PD) is a fast-charging standard designed to provide efficient and adaptable power delivery via USB connections. It allows devices to communicate with the power source to negotiate the optimal voltage and current, delivering up to 240W based on the device’s needs. This protocol ensures safe and efficient charging for various gadgets like smartphones, laptops, and tablets, and supports bidirectional power transfer, enabling devices to charge each other. Integrated into USB-C technology, PD simplifies charging by reducing the need for multiple chargers and enhancing compatibility across devices.
It is supported by iPhones, iPads, Samsung Galaxy phones, and Google Pixel phones. Also, it is cross-compatible with HyperCharge-supported phones from Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco, Honor’s Super charge protocol, and Motorola’s Turbo Power protocol.
What is a GaN PD Charger?
A GaN PD charger is essentially a type of PD charger (USB-C to USB-C) that uses a semiconductor made up of Gallium (Ga) and Nitrogen (N) as aforementioned. Due to this, it enjoys the perks of having better heat dissipation, greater power conversion, and efficiency. As of the current market scene, we can find a GaN PD charger that can deliver up to 140W of power.
What is a Normal PD Charger?
A Normal Power Delivery charger uses a USB-C port for output. Its semiconductor is made up of silicon materials with lesser power efficiency. It supports fast charging via a USB-C to USB-C connection and can provide up to 100W of power. A normal power adapter with a USB-C port can be termed a PD charger, to put into common words. Some normal PD chargers also have a USB-A port.
Comparing a GaN PD Charger and a Normal PD Charger
Size
The primary advantage of a GaN charger is that, it comes in a more smaller form factor. And for a GaN PD charger, it remains the same. So, it has a lightweight body in comparison to a normal PD charger, making it easier to carry on day-to-day usage. Plus despite the smaller size, it can deliver fast charging for your smartphones and laptop alike. Looking at the current market scene, we can get up to 140W power GaN chargers. Meanwhile, PD chargers can also do that, but they tend to come with a heavier body and boast power up to 100W.
A GaN PD Charger (Left), A Normal PD Charger (Right)
Let’s just look at this image, the white charger is a normal 65W PD charger from Realme and the other one is a 65W RoboGaN PD charger from Ugreen. The former one is bigger and heavier than the latter. And that pretty much sums up the difference in terms of size.
Heat Dissipation and Efficiency
Normal PD chargers can get hot quite quickly while charging multiple devices or a single device requiring higher wattage power. Meanwhile, GaN PD chargers convert AC to DC power with higher efficiency than normal PD chargers with silicon-based semiconductors. So, it can dissipate heat much better than the normal ones. This is also applicable for a non-PD GaN charger.
Protocols
Both the GaN PD charger and a normal PD charger rely on the same Power Delivery protocol. This is a widely popular protocol that can fast charge your iPhone, Samsung, Pixel phones, Macbook, and other PD-supported devices. But let me remind you, it also depends upon the wattage power of the chargers. Like, a device needing 100W of PD must be charged by a 100W GaN PD or a normal 100W PD charger, to leverage the maximum charging speed, as simple as that! But some GaN PD chargers with multiple ports also come with USB-A ports, having Quick Charge support which is pretty handy for supported devices.
Meanwhile, normal PD chargers can also have support for other protocols. For example, OnePlus and Oppo also bundle PD chargers with USB-C to USB-C connection, (not to be confused with USB-A to USB-C chargers) in the box for their flagship phones. This is actually a bit different than normal PD chargers. Because you get support for PD and Oppo/OnePlus/Realme’s SuperVOOC charging protocols via the same USB-C port. The same goes for Vivo and iQOO PD chargers which support PD plus FlashCharge support.
Ports
A normal GaN PD charger usually comes with a single USB-C port. But with the price increase, you can also find GaN PD chargers with multiple ports such as 3x USB-C and 1x USB-A port, or 2x USB-C and 1x USB-A port and such. So you can charge up to four devices at a time, that too at high efficiency and better heat dissipation. So, a 140W GaN PD charger can charge a Macbook Air (30W), two Galaxy S24 smartphones (25W), Redmi 14C (18W), and a TWS at the same time. In contrast, a normal PD charger usually comes with a single USB-C port and sometimes 1x USB-A and 1x USB-C port. But while charging multiple devices, it would heat up pretty swiftly.
A GaN PD charger from a trusted brand comes with multiple layers of safety measures. For example, the Ugreen 100W Uno GaN charger includes protection against overcurrent, overvoltage, short circuit, overtemperature, overpower, and such. In comparison, a normal PD charger misses out on multiple levels of such protection.
Digging up several online stores, I have found Ugreen, Anker, Prolink, Remax, Aukey, Choetech, Joyroom, Promate, and such. Among them, Ugreen and Anker are quite reliable names in the market. Plus, coming from my personal experience, I can bet on the GaN PD chargers from Ugreen, they boast top-notch quality and are superbly reliable. Plus, the pricing of Ugreen chargers is also at a good spot. But, you can opt for any PD GaN chargers of other brands but always make sure to do a little background search and watch some reviews.
Where to buy PD GaN chargers in Nepal?
You can purchase GaN PD chargers from all major online stores including our affiliate partner Hukut store.
GaN PD Charger vs Normal PD Charger: Conclusion
So, you might have already learned why a GaN PD charger is better than a normal/traditional PD charger. There are multiple good perks to choosing it over the other, like a smaller body, better heat dissipation and efficiency, better safety measures, and more ports. When it comes to pricing, these chargers are generally priced higher than a normal PD charger. So, if your budget is pretty tight, you can go for a normal PD charger too. But the price difference is not that mighty to change your buying decision from GaN to a normal PD charger.
GaN PD Charger
Normal PD Charger
Main Protocol
Power Delivery (PD)
Power Delivery (PD)
Type of Semiconductor
Gallium (Ga) Nitride(N)
Traditional Silicon
Number of Ports
Up to 4 (Normal Charger), Up to 6 (Desktop Charger)
Usually 1 (Type-C) or 1 Type-C + 1 USB-A
Size
Lighter than a normal PD charger
Heavier than a GaN Charger
Heat Dissipation
Better heat dissipation as compared to a normal PD charger
Inferior heat dissipation as compared to GaN charger
Safety Measures
Advanced level of Safety Measures
Basic Level of Safety Measures
Pricing
Comparatively expensive
Comparatively cheaper
Meanwhile, you can see our Realme GT3 review with 240W charging test.
OpenAI has launched the ChatGPT app for Windows, expanding its availability after its earlier release for Mac in May. The app is accessible to all users, including those on the free tier. In this article, we will discuss more about the latest Chatgpt app for windows
ChatGPT for Windows: Overview
Voice Control for Hands-Free Interaction
The app includes a voice control feature, allowing users to interact with ChatGPT using voice commands. This makes multitasking more convenient. Moreover, Users can now perform web searches directly within the app. This integration streamlines information retrieval during conversations.
File Sharing and Chat History
The app supports a file upload feature, enabling users to share files for real-time revisit past conversations. However, unlike the macOS version, the Windows app does not integrate with coding tools.
Privacy Features Highlighted
OpenAI emphasizes that the app does not access screen content unless explicitly allowed by the user, ensuring privacy protection
Xiaomi recently unveiled HyperOS 2 alongside the Xiaomi 15 series, marking a remarkable advancement in AI-powered ecosystems. This new operating system of Xiaomi introduces several groundbreaking features making it a game-changer in the smartphone industry. Let’s discuss the key features that make HyperOS 2 stand out in the market.
Features of HyperOS 2
HyperCore
At the heart of Xiaomi HyperOS 2 lies HyperCore, Xiaomi’s latest in-house kernel technology. This system delivers improved performance across multiple domains, including graphics, network capabilities, and security.
Xiaomi HyperCore
The company claimed that it has optimized over 25,000 scenarios, achieving remarkable results in system efficiency such as reducing CPU idle time by 19% and significantly lowering memory latency while enhancing graphics performance. Additionally, it introduces dynamic memory and Storage 2.0, which reduces app launch delays by up to 54.9% on smartphones and 15% on tablets.
HyperConnect
The system’s HyperConnect enables real-time interaction and streamlined data transfer across the Xiaomi ecosystem. Through the innovative “HomeScreen+” feature, users can seamlessly drag apps from their smartphones to tablets or add them as native applications. How cool is that!
Moreover, the system also supports dual-camera streaming between Xiaomi tablets and smartphones. For users in China, HyperOS 2 extends its compatibility to Apple devices, allowing them to browse files, share photos, and access Keynote, Pages, and Numbers files on Xiaomi devices.
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Image: fonearena
HyperAI
HyperAI represents a significant leap forward in artificial intelligence integration. This feature introduces AI-powered lock screens that adapt to user preferences, displaying cinematic visuals directly on the home screen.
Furthermore, the system’s AI-generated content (AIGC) capabilities can transform static wallpapers of cities, plants, and other subjects into animated displays. There’s more. The MI Canvas app takes creativity further by enabling users to convert simple sketches into detailed paintings.
HyperAI also includes a writing tool for text refinement and expansion, along with advanced sound and voice recognition technology. This technology can transcribe and identify speakers in calls, recordings, and meetings while generating accurate summaries. For user protection, an AI Anti-Fraud feature detects scam calls and alerts users about potentially dangerous face-swapped videos. Woah!
HyperOS 2 introduces a remodelled desktop with customizable widgets, fluid transitions, and an enhanced layout. One of the standout features is the 3D weather system that mirrors real-time atmospheric conditions.
Xiaomi has also prioritized security in HyperOS 2 by implementing robust protective measures including end-to-end encryption for both cloud and endpoint devices. Additionally, through the Xiao AI personal assistant, users maintain complete control over their personal information with secure data storage and management capabilities.
HyperOS 2 Launch and Availability
Xiaomi revealed the HyperOS 2 roll-out roadmap which lists the devices eligible for the new software. As of now, over 50 different devices will receive the update between November and December. Following is the comprehensive list of the devices:
Huawei is gearing up to launch the Mate 70 series later this month. The lineup will reportedly include the Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, Mate 70 Pro+, and the premium Mate 70 RS, with the latter expected to be the most feature-packed of the bunch. In this article, we will discuss the Huawei Mate 70 series rumors, specifications, and launch date.
Huawei Mate 70 Series rumors
Design and Display
The Huawei Mate 70 series will likely feature a more angular, flat-frame design compared to its predecessor’s rounded edges.
As per the leaked image on Weibo, the display will have three punch holes (again) – which is polarizing for sure. These cutouts are likely to include one for the front-facing camera and the other two for a 3D ToF (Time of Flight) system used for facial recognition and enhanced security. Additionally, the power button on the right side of the device will be larger, offering improved usability.
Performance
Under the hood, the Mate 70 series is expected to be powered by the new Kirin 9100 chipset. This octa-core SoC will feature a powerful combination of cores, including a single Cortex-X1 core clocked at 2.67 GHz for demanding tasks, alongside three Cortex-A78 cores running at 2.32 GHz for balanced performance.
Additionally, the chipset will include four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.02 GHz, designed to be more energy-efficient for lighter tasks. The Kirin 9100 will be coupled with Huawei’s custom Maleoon 910 GPU, and it will be manufactured using SMIC’s N+3 process node (6nm).
Moreover, this new series will likely have the HarmonyOS Next (Huawei’s first OS).
In terms of camera design, the Mate 70 series is expected to borrow elements from the Mate 50 series, with four cameras arranged in a square formation, housed within a circular or octagonal module.
While the camera design appears similar, the sensors are reportedly larger. However, details regarding the internal specifications of the camera setup are still scarce.
Huawei Mate 70 Series Launch and Availability
Richar Yu, CEO of the CBG Division confirmed that the Huawei Mate 70 series will be released on November 26, 2024. Since, the Mate 60 costs CNY 5,999 (~ 112,000NPR converted), we expect the Huawei Mate 70 price in Nepal to start around NPR 155,000 if the series somehow makes it here.