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POCO X5 Pro Price in Nepal [Updated]

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POCO refreshed its mid-range X-series for 2023 with the POCO X5 Pro back in February. And it is finally available in Nepal. So without further ado, let’s go through the specs, features, availability, and official price of the POCO X5 Pro in Nepal.

POCO X5 Pro Overview:

Performance

The POCO X5 Pro takes a massive jump in performance compared to its predecessor. Last year, POCO X4 Pro replaced the Snapdragon 860 on its predecessor with a mid-tier Snapdragon 695. So POCO makes amends this year by including the Snapdragon 778G on the X5 Pro.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G announced

Memory-wise, it is available in two configurations: 6GB RAM with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. Both of these models include a microSD card slot for memory expansion. In terms of software, it comes pre-installed with the most recent MIUI skin, MIUI 14, but it’ll be based on Android 12.

  • Meanwhile, check out all the prices and specs of Poco products here

Design, Display

Moving on, POCO X5 Pro brings a beautiful 10-bit OLED screen. The 6.67-inch screen sports the same 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate as its predecessor. But the X5 Pro also has HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support along with a 1920Hz PWM dimming to protect the eyes in low-light situations. There’s a Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front for accidental drops and scratches.

Poco X5 Pro 5G Design Render

As for the design, the POCO X5 Pro doesn’t necessarily look different from its predecessor. That is, it retains the wide camera module design on the back and comes with flat frames. Similarly, it is available in three color options: Blue, black, and, of course, POCO Yellow.

Cameras

Moving on, the smartphone flaunts a triple camera setup at the back. The primary camera uses a 108MP ISOCELL HM2 sensor from Samsung, which is accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide and a 2MP macro sensor. Thanks to the upgraded Snapdragon 778G chip, you will be able to record 4K recordings from the back camera. For selfies, the punch-hole cutout on the front encloses a 16MP camera.

Others

Finally, the phone is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and supports 67W fast charging. It has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and face unlock for biometrics options.

POCO X5 Pro 5G Specifications:

  • Display: 6.67-inches OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate, 10-bit color depth, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
  • Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 402 PPI, 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm mobile platform)
  • Memory: 6/8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128/256GB UFS 2.2 storage (fixed)
  • Software & UI: Android 12 with MIUI 14 for POCO on top
  • Rear Camera: Triple (with LED flash);
    – 108MP, f/1.88 Samsung ISOCELL HM2
    – 8MP, f/2.2 ultrawide sensor, 119° FoV
    – 2MP, f/2.4 macro sensor
  • Front Camera: 16MP sensor (hole-punch cutout)
  • Audio: Dual stereo speakers, Headphone jack, Dolby Atmos Audio
  • Security: Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted), Face unlock
  • Battery: 5000mAh with 67W wired charging
  • Buy POCO X5 Pro here

POCO X5 Pro Price in Nepal and Availability

The price of the POCO X5 Pro in Nepal starts at NPR 39,999 for the 6/128GB variant. And the higher-end 8/256GB model costs NPR 42,999. You can buy POCO X5 Pro in Nepal from authorized stores like Hukut.

POCO X5 Pro Price in Nepal 
6/128GB NPR 39,999
8/256GB NPR 42,999

Mivi Accessories Price in Nepal [Updated]

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Several Indian brands are trying to expand their business in Nepal. After boAt, Mivi has now entered the Nepali market with a variety of audio accessories. Here, we will go through the specifications, features, availability, and official price of Mivi Accessories in Nepal. 

Mivi: Brand Overview

Mivi is an Indian brand founded in 2015 by Viswanadh Kandula and Midhula Devabhaktuni. It focuses on offering high-quality electronic and mobile accessories at a value price point. The company is headquartered in Hyderabad, India, and is one of the fastest-growing brands in the country, gaining a large consumer base in a short period of time.

The company began by manufacturing its products in South Korea and China but has started manufacturing in India since 2021. Mivi’s current product line comprises TWS, neckbands, wired earphones, soundbars, chargers, and other accessories.

Mivi Accessories Price in Nepal 2023 (Summary)

SN  Mivi Accessories  Maximum Retail Price (MRP)
TWS Earbuds
1 Duopods M20 Rs. 2,299
2 Duopods M30 Rs. 2,399
3 Duopods F30 Rs. 2,599
4 Duopods F40 Rs. 2,589
5 Duopods F50 Rs. 2,769
6 Duopods F70 Rs. 3,299
7 Duopods A25 Rs. 2,699
Wireless Neckbands
8 Collar Classic Rs. 2,199
4 Collar Classic Pro Rs. 2,599
4 Collar 2 Rs. 2,549
5 Collar D25 Rs. 2,289
Portable Speakers 
6 Mivi Play Rs. 1,999
7 Mivi Roam 2 Rs. 2,599

Mivi DuoPods M20

The Duopods M20 is the company’s most affordable TWS offering in Nepal. It’s an in-ear earbud that comes in a pocketable package weighing about 35 grams, with each bud weighing only 3.5 grams. Mivi has packed the earbuds with 6mm drivers and it supports touch controls as well. The buds have a playback time of up to 6 hours and can be extended to 30 hours with the case.

Mivi Duopods M20

Specifications:

  • Drivers: 6mm driver
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 (10m range)
  • Battery Backup: 6 hours (buds), 24 hours (with case)
  • IP Rating: Yes, IPX5
  • Charging interface: USB-C
  • Price in Nepal: Rs.2,299

Mivi Duopods F30

The Mivi Duopods F30 looks like a knock-off of the decidedly premium Apple AirPods and is available in four different fun color options: Black, White, Red, and Blue. The standout feature of the F30 is its battery life, with the firm claiming that the buds can deliver up to 45 hours of playback including the case. It also supports fast charging and delivers 10 hours of playback time in only 10 minutes.

Mivi Duopods F30

Specifications:

  • Drivers: 10mm driver
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 (10m range)
  • Battery Backup: 42 hours (with case)
  • IP Rating: Yes, IPX4
  • Charging interface: USB-C
  • Price in Nepal: Rs. 2,599

Mivi Duopods A25

The Mivi Duopods A25 has a similar design as the Mivi Duopods F30. Each earbud weighs just 3.5 grams and is claimed to deliver 7.5 hours of music playback time on a single charge. The DuoPods A25 is powered by a 10mm driver and supports touch gestures for control. It is also water resistant, with an IPX4 rating.

Mivi Duopods A25

Specifications:

  • Drivers: 10mm driver
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 (10m range)
  • Battery Backup: 7.5 hours (buds), 40 hours (with case)
  • IP Rating: Yes, IPX4
  • Charging interface: USB-C
  • Price in Nepal: Rs. 2,699

Mivi Collar Classic

Mivi Collar Classic is a Bluetooth neckband with a 10mm driver. The earphones include a built-in microphone and support for voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant. It has a three-button remote for controlling volume and activating the assistant. Mivi also claims that a 10-minute charge provides up to 10 hours of playback time.

Mivi Collar Classic

Specifications:

  • Weight: 29 gm
  • Driver: 10mm Dynamic driver
  • Controls: Physical buttons
  • Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
  • Price in Nepal: NPR 2,199

Mivi Collar 2

Mivi Collar 2 has similar specifications as the Mivi Collar. It supports fast charging, features a 10mm dynamic driver, and is Bluetooth 5.0 compliant. However, the Collar 2 is water and dust resistant to IPX7 standards. 

Mivi Collar 2

Specifications:

  • Weight: 29 gm
  • Driver: 10mm Dynamic driver
  • IP Rating: Yes, IPX7
  • Controls: Physical buttons
  • Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
  • Price in Nepal: NPR 2,999

Mivi Play

Mivi Play is a portable speaker that comes in six distinct color options. Like the Roam 2, it has a 1PX7 rating and 5W speakers. For a surround sound experience, one can use stereo mode to pair two Mivi speakers. It is fitted with a 1000mAh battery that is claimed to provide up to 12 hours of listening time. 

Mivi Play

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 100 x 38 x 84 mm; 164 grams
  • Speaker Output: 5W
  • Battery: 1000mAh
  • Charging time: 2 hours
  • Playing time: 12 hours (mid-volume)
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
  • IP Rating: Yes, IPX7
  • Price in Nepal: NPR 1,999

Mivi Roam 2

Mivi Roam 2 is the company’s first made-in-India product. It is a 5W speaker with a 2000mAh battery that is rated to give 24 hours of playback time at medium volume. The Roam 2 comes with an aluminum frame on the front and a plastic rear with Mivi engraving. It also has an IPX7 rating for dust and water protection.

Mivi Roam 2

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 100 x 45 x 85 mm; 204 grams
  • Speaker Output: 5W
  • Battery: 2000mAh
  • Charging time: 3-4 hours
  • Playing time: 24 hours (mid-volume)
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
  • IP Rating: Yes, IPX7
  • Price in Nepal: NPR 2,599

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Motorola announces Moto G 5G (2023) with Snapdragon 480+ chip

Motorola has announced the latest refresh of its Moto G series of smartphones. Alongside the new Moto G Stylus, the company also announced the 2023 edition of the Moto G 5G. So let’s learn more about Moto G 5G 2023, including its specifications, availability, and expected price in Nepal.

Moto G 5G (2023) Overview:

Design and Build

Being a budget smartphone, the Moto G 5G (2023) has an all-plastic build. And it measures 8.4mm thick and weighs 189 grams.

Moto G 5G 2023 - Display

Like Motorola’s most other budget and midrange devices, this one also features a water-repellent build quality. Whereas the screen here is a 6.5″ HD+ LCD unit with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Performance and Memory

Powering the Moto G 5G (2023) is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 480+ chip. Built on an 8nm process, it is pretty energy-efficient but not that powerful. For instance, MediaTek Helio G99, which is on the much more affordable phones like the Realme 10 (review), comfortably outperforms the 480+ in almost all categories except the 5G part.

Anyway, Motorola has paired this with 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. And it brings an SD card slot for storage expansion too. In terms of software, the phone runs on (nearly stock) Android 13 out-of-the-box, with a few Motorola apps sprinkled on top.

Camera and Battery

Moto G 5G (2023) features a dual camera setup at the back, consisting of a 48MP f/1.7 primary and a 2MP f/2.4 macro sensor. Then there’s an 8MP front camera for selfies and video calls. Both the rear and front camera max out at 1080p 30 fps videos.

Moto G 5G 2023 - Cameras

Moto G 5G (2023) gets its juice from a large 5000mAh battery. And Motorola says it can last you up to 2 whole days. It only supports up to 15W charging though which is relatively slow by today’s standards.

Moto G 5G (2023) Specifications:

  • Display: 6.5-inch LCD screen, HD+ (720p), 120Hz refresh rate
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm mobile platform)
  • Memory: 4GB RAM, 128GB  storage (expandable)
  • Software & UI: Motorola MY UX 5 on top of Android 13
  • Rear Camera: Dual (48MP primary, 2MP macro)
  • Front Camera: 8MP sensor (hole-punch)
  • Security: Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted)
  • Connectivity: WiFi 5 (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.1, 4G, 5G
  • Battery: 5000mAh with 15W charging (USB-C)

Moto G 5G (2023) Price in Nepal and Availability

In the US, the Moto G 5G (2023) sells for USD 250 and will be available starting May 25. We expect the Motorola Moto G 5G (2023) price in Nepal to be NPR 34,999 if and when it launches here.

Moto G 5G (2023) Price in the US Price in Nepal (Expected)
4/128GB USD 250 NPR 34,999

Nokia XR21 goes official with a rugged body and 5G connectivity

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HMD Global has introduced a new addition to the Nokia XR series, succeeding the XR20. The Nokia XR21 is a rugged smartphone that comes with some improvements in performance and camera capabilities. So let’s dive into the details, including the specs, features, and expected price of the Nokia XR21 in Nepal.

Nokia XR21 Overview:

Design and Display

Just as expected, the Nokia XR21 maintains the rugged design language of its predecessor. The phone features a 100% recycled aluminum chassis and a military-grade sleek casing with a MIL-STD-810H rating. To top it off, Nokia has offered an IP69K standard, making the XR21 waterproof, dustproof, drop-proof, and life-proof. The phone is available in Pine Green and Midnight Black color options.

Nokia XR21 Design and DisplayOn the display side of things, you get a 6.49-inch LCD panel with Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Likewise, users can also use the screen with wet hands and gloves for more convenience. On top of that, Nokia is providing a one-year free screen replacement and three years warranty on this smartphone.

Performance

The smartphone gets its horsepower from a Snapdragon 695 chipset. This 6nm-based SoC from 2021 supports 5G connectivity and features two Cortex A78 cores at 2.2GHz and six Cortex A55 cores at 1.8GHz. It is accompanied by an Adreno 619L GPU.

Memory-wise, you get a sole 6/128GB variant with UFS 2.1. While the phone boots on Android 12 with three years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates promised by the company.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G SoC

Camera

Moving to the optics, a rugged phone usually doesn’t emphasize much on this segment. Still, the XR21 houses a dual camera setup led by a 64MP main shooter and an 8MP ultrawide sensor. On the front side, there is a 16MP snapper for selfies and video calls.

Nokia XR21 Camera

Battery, Charging, and Others

The smartphone is fueled by a 4800mAh battery with 33W wired fast charging support. Connectivity options on this phone include 5G, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port. Furthermore, you also get extra loud dual stereo speakers (96dB) and OZO audio playback.

Nokia XR21 Specifications:

  • Body: 168.0×78.58×10.45 mm, 231 gm, Gorilla Glass Victus
  • Display: 6.49-inches IPS LCD panel, Gorilla Glass Victus, 550 nits, Wet hands, and gloves compatibility
  • Durability: IP69K dust/waterproof, MIL-STD-810H certified
  • Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Chipset: Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm Mobile Platform)
  • Memory: 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (UFS 2.1)
  • Software & UI: Android 12
  • Rear Camera: Dual (64MP main, 8MP ultrawide)
  • Front Camera: 16MP sensor (punch-hole cutout)
  • Audio: Dual speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack, Ozo Audio
  • Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face unlock
  • Battery: 4800 mAh with 33W wired charging
  • Color Options: Midnight Black, Pine Blue

Nokia XR21 Price in Nepal and Availability

The official price of the Nokia XR21 is set at GBP 499.99 in the UK. Although it’s very unlikely, we can expect the Nokia XR21 price in Nepal to be at NPR 81,999 if and when it launches here.

Nokia XR21 Price in the UK Price in Nepal (Expected)
6/128GB GPB 499.99 NPR 81,999

Motorola’s new budget phone comes with a built-in stylus

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Stylus has been a premium feature these days, appearing only on high-end Samsung phones like the S22 Ultra and S23 Ultra. Well, Motorola has been the only player in the market to offer it in midrange phones. Now, the company has refreshed the Moto G Stylus smartphone with some minimal updates. In this article, we’ll walk through the specs, features, and expected price of the Moto G Stylus 2023 in Nepal.

Moto G Stylus (2023) Overview:

Design and Display

Let’s talk about the star of the show first. This new Moto phone attaches a stylus underneath on the bottom side. It lets you quickly edit your photos, and switch between the apps. Moto has infused “Command Precision” into the stylus for highlighting, copying, and pasting, or any editing task. Also, the notes app can be opened from the lock screen to write down a quick note.

Moto G Stylus 2023 Design DisplayMoving to the design, you get a budget build all around with a glass front, plastic frame, and plastic back. Despite using a stylus, the phone is water-repellant against minor drips and splashes. The phone is available in two color options: Midnight Blue and Glam Pink.

The smartphone sports a 6.5-inch display which is an IPS LCD screen that comes with an HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels) and a 90Hz refresh rate.

Performance

Under the hood, the phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 SoC. This 12nm-based 4G silicon features two Cortex-A78 cores at 2.0GHz & six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8GHz. On the GPU side, there is Mali-G52 MC2. The chip is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. Also seen on Redmi 12C, you can expect basic performance and light gaming from the G85. The phone boots on Motorola’s My UX skin built on top of Android 13.

Camera

Moving on, the smartphone carries a dual camera setup on its rear side. The primary camera is a 50MP shooter and a 2MP macro unit. Upfront, there is an 8MP snapper for selfies and video calls.

Moto G Stylus 2023 Camera

Battery, Charging, and Others

The Moto G Stylus gets its juice from a 5000mAh battery with 15W charging support. For connectivity, you get WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Furthermore, the phone houses a side-mounted fingerprint reader embedded in the power key for biometrics security.

Moto G Stylus 2023 Specifications:

  • Body: 162.89 x 74.08 x 9.19mm, 195gm, water repellent body
  • Display: 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel, 90Hz refresh rate
  • Resolution: HD+ (1600 × 720 pixels)
  • Chipset: Mediatek Helio G85 4G, 12nm technology
  • Memory: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage
  • Software: Android 13 with My UX On top
  • Rear Camera: Dual (with LED flash)
    • 50MP f/1.8 primary
    • 2MP f/2.4 macro
  • Front Camera: 8MP, f/2.0 (punch-hole)
  • Security: Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor
  • Battery: 4000mAh, 10W charging, USB-C
  • Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz, 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0

Moto G Stylus 2023 Price in Nepal and Availability

The Moto G Stylus 2023 is priced at USD 199.99 for the sole 4/64GB variant. We can expect the Moto G Stylus 2023 price in Nepal to be NPR 29,999 if and when it launches here.

Moto G Stylus 2023 Official Price Price in Nepal (Expected)
4/64GB USD 199.99 NPR 29,999

Tecno Spark 8C with 6.6″ 90Hz display, 5000mAh battery launched in Nepal

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Tecno has expanded its Spark 8 lineup in Nepal with the launch of Spark 8C. The phone is targeted toward first-time smartphone users with a sub-15k budget. Here, we will review the specs, features, availability, and official price of the Tecno Spark 8C in Nepal.

Tecno Spark 8C Overview:

Design and Display

The Tecno Spark 8C’s rear panel is similar to the Spark 8, with minor differences in the camera bump and finish. It has the same “Stop at Nothing” etching, but with several stripes running across it.

Tecno Spark 8C - Design, Display

Users can choose from four different colors: turquoise, magnet black, iris purple, and diamond gray. Regardless of the color of the back, the camera module is black. The Spark 8C is fitted with a 6.6-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate.

Performance and Memory

The performance of the Tecno Spark 8C is handled by a Unisoc T606 processor. The entry-level octa-core processor has two ARM Cortex A75 cores at up to 1.6 GHz and six ARM Cortex A55 cores at up to 1.6 GHz.

Tecno has paired the chip with 2 or 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Spark 8C also offers 3GB of virtual RAM in addition. In terms of software, the phone boots on Android 11 Go-edition with HiOS 7.6 on top.

Rest of the Specs

Moving on, the Tecno Spark 8C is equipped with a 13MP dual rear camera setup. The front camera has an 8MP resolution and flash. In terms of battery, you get a 5000mAh battery with no fast charging. The phone unlocks via a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and face unlock.

Tecno Spark 8C Specifications:

  • Display: 6.6″ LCD panel, HD+ (720 x 1612 pixels)
  • Processor: Unisoc T606
  • Memory: 2/3GB RAM, 64GB storage
  • Software: Android 11 Go with HiOS 7.6
  • Rear Camera: 13MP + QVGA sensor
  • Front Camera: 8MP (Waterdrop Notch)
  • Security: Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
  • Battery: 5000mAh
  • Colors: Turquoise, Magnet Black, Iris Purple, Diamond Gray

Tecno Spark 8C Price in Nepal and Availability

The Tecno Spark 8C price in Nepal for the 3/64GB variant is Rs. 14,990. Similarly, the 2/32GB memory variant costs Rs. 11,890. The company offers a 100-day replacement guarantee and a 13-month warranty as well.

Tecno Spark 8C Price in Nepal 
2/64GB Rs. 11,890
3/64GB Rs. 14,990
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Realme 9.

Is AI getting too dangerous? The “Godfather of AI” definitely thinks so!

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Geoffrey Hinton, who is also known as the “Godfather of AI”, has recently quit his decade-long job at Google and has warned about the dangers of AI. In a recent interview with the New York Times, Hinton discussed his concern about the rapid pace of AI development.

Godfather of AI: Geoffrey Hinton

Geoffrey Hinton is among the pioneers in the field of artificial intelligence, neural networks, and deep learning. He and his students were the first to build the underlying technology that powers most state-of-the-art AI tools you see today.

Everything from autonomous vehicles to chatbots like ChatGPT uses neural networks to identify patterns in data. In 2012, Dr. Hinton and two of his students, Ilya Sutskever and Alex Krishevsky, built a neural network that could process thousands of images and identify common objects like cats, windows, and cars. Although the concept of neural nets was not invented by Hinton and his team, their neural network was a breakthrough in the field of computer science.

His contributions in the field earned him the prestigious “Turing Award” with Yann Lecun and Yoshua Bengio in 2018. In case you’re unaware, the Turing Award is akin to getting a Nobel Prize in the field of computer science. Anyway, Google bought the company they founded (DNNresearch Inc) in 2013 for USD 44 million. And he had been working for them ever since.

Why did the Godfather of AI quit Google?

So after such a long commitment in this field, why has Dr. Hinton now chosen to step back? While he clarifies that “Google has acted very responsibly” in the field of AI, the recent competition from Microsoft and OpenAI has challenged Google’s core business in such a way that this competition could force Google to sway from its original AI principles.

AI computing

“Maybe what is going on in these systems is actually a lot better than what is going on in the brain”, says Dr. Hinton. He also says that a part of him regrets his life’s work. He has always had some guilt about developing a potentially dangerous technology.

“I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadn’t done it, somebody else would have,”

And when asked about why he continued to work on something potentially dangerous, he used to paraphrase Robert Oppenheimer (one of the key figures in the research and design of an atomic bomb):

“When you see something that is technically sweet, you go ahead and do it.”

“The idea that this stuff could actually get smarter than people — a few people believed that. But most people thought it was way off. And I thought it was way off. I thought it was 30 to 50 years or even longer away. Obviously, I no longer think that.”

Dr. Hinton now says that he left Google so that he could openly voice his concerns about AI without any conflict of interest.

His concerns 

Dr. Hinton’s concerns with AI are diverse. Firstly, he is worried about the bad actors of AI. With such easy access to Large Language Models (LLMs), spreading propaganda and misinformation can become child’s play.

And unlike nuclear research, there is no telling who is developing such technology in secret. This makes “global regulation” of such tools extremely unlikely. Instead, Dr. Hinton proposes “a global collaboration among leading scientists to control the technology”.

Deepfake of President Zelinksy

He is also worried about the pace of development of such AI tools. Looking at where we’ve come in the span of just the last 5 years, it’s scary to guess what’s coming next. The Godfather of AI shares his concerns about false images, videos, and texts flooding the internet and being in-distinguishable for an average Joe.

People’s job security is another risk such AI tools possess. Personal assistants, social media marketers, paralegals, translators, and voice actors might all be partly—or completely—replaced by AI in the near future. Dr. Hinton shared a sentiment on how it takes away just the boring work today. But it might take away a lot more than that soon.

Another concern he posed was regarding the unintended impacts. When neural nets learn from a large data set, they often pick up unexpected behaviors that might have unaccounted consequences. As such, companies should be really careful when allowing such technology to not just write its own code but execute it as well. If the AI gets smart enough, it might use this exploit to fire weapons and act autonomously. Our inability to properly understand AI and predict its thought process could be devastating.

So what’s next?

When someone honored as the “Godfather of AI” calls it quits at Google, you know things are getting serious. This could seriously be the point of no return in the world of generative AI. As mentioned before, Google had been approaching AI with proper caution not releasing powerful and potentially harmful technology publicly.

But with ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Bing Chat posing such a big threat to Google, the company began making bad decisions to not get left behind. Such mammoths in the industry with massive resources and talent releasing untested technology could have big implications for the future of human civilization itself. And how elegantly (or not) this “AI race” goes on remains to be seen.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of Nothing Ear (2)

Motorola announces a couple of new smartwatches with Moto Watch OS, Bluetooth Calling

Almost a year after announcing the Moto Watch 100, the company is back again with a couple of new smartwatches. The new wearables dubbed as the Moto Watch 70 and Watch 200, come with proprietary health and tracking features while the latter one bears Bluetooth calling and an AMOLED panel. Without further ado, let’s get into the specs, features, and expected price of the Moto Watch 70 and Watch 200 price in Nepal in this article.

Moto Watch 70 and Watch 200 Overview:

Design and Display

To start with, both the Moto Watch 70 and Watch 200 boast a square body. But since the former is an affordable model, it features a zinc alloy case and frames while the Watch 200 goes with a premium 45mm aluminum body. Nonetheless, they both feature an water resistance rating, with IP67 on the Watch 70 and 5ATM resistance on the Watch 200.

Coming to the display, the Watch 70 houses a 1.69-inch LCD panel with curved sides. On the other hand, you get a 1.78-inch AMOLED display on the Watch 200. As for the color options, the Watch 70 is available in one option: Phantom Black while the Watch 200 gets two options: Phantom Black and Warm Gold.

Health Tracking and Fitness

Both smartwatches offer 24/7 heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, in-depth sleep tracking with REM data, and step counting. Besides that, you get other sports and exercise modes such as running, walking, swimming, hiking, basketball, and more. Plus Moto also lets you sync the health and fitness data with Google Fit and Strava for more convenience.

OS and Connectivity

As for the OS, Motorola moved to Moto Watch OS from Google’s Wear OS in 2021. So, both smartwatches run on the Watch OS which as per Moto, is better in battery life. Talking of the features, both smartwatches can display 7 days weather summary, smart notifications, and such. You also get over 100 watch faces for customizations. For connectivity, the Watch 70 and Watch 200 rely on Bluetooth 5.0 and 5.3 respectively.

Watch Faces on Moto Watch OS

Besides the display, what separates the Watch 200 from the Watch 70 is its ability to take and attend Bluetooth calls alongside an in-built GPS. Both are absent on the cheaper Watch 70.

Battery and Charging

Moving on, Motorola has packed a 355mAh cell, rated for 10 days and 14 days of battery life on typical usage on Watch 70 and Watch 200 respectively. On top of that, you also get fast charging support for both smartwatches.

Moto Watch 70 and Moto Watch 200 Specifications:

  • Strap: 20mm silicone strap
  • Display:
    • Watch 70: 1.69-inch square LCD
    • Watch 200: 1.78-inch square AMOLED
  • Connectivity:
    • Watch 70: Bluetooth 5.0
    • Watch 200: Bluetooth 5.3
  • GPS: Yes (built-in) only on Watch 200
  • Battery: 355mAh
  • Fitness Tracking: Up to 28 sports modes
  • Charging: Magnetic charger with Quick Charge (0-100% in 25 mins)
  • Water Resistance:
    • Watch 70: IP67
    • Watch 200: 5ATM

Moto Watch 70 and Moto Watch 200 Price in Nepal and Availability

As of now, Motorola has not disclosed the pricing and availability of the Moto Watch 70 and Watch 200. We’ll update the article as and when the information becomes available.

  • Meanwhile, you can check our Nothing Ear 2 Review.

Apple’s new type of security update is rolling out to iPhone, iPad, and Mac users

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Apple has rolled out a new type of public security update called “Rapid Security Responses” (or RSR in short) for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS users. Rapid Security Responses allow Apple to fix security vulnerabilities without having to push an entire system update. Let’s learn more.

Apple Rapid Security Responses (RSR): Overview

In Apple’s own words, “Rapid Security Response (RSR) is a mechanism for shipping security fixes to users more frequently.” The company announced RSR last year in WWDC 2022, and this is the first time RSR has been available to the public. To be able to receive this update, your device must be on the latest stable software version available for it. So that’s iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1 for iPhones, iPads, and MacBook/iMacs, respectively.

What’s included? 

About the update itself, Apple hasn’t revealed exactly what security issues it has fixed. But Apple says “(RSR) deliver important security improvements between software updates — for example, improvements to the Safari web browser, the WebKit framework stack, or other critical system libraries. They may also be used to mitigate some security issues more quickly, such as issues that might have been exploited or reported to exist ‘in the wild.'”

Apple Rapid Security Response RSR Update on iOS

The size of the said RSR update is about 300MB for Macs and about 85MB for iPhones and iPads. It should only take a few minutes to download the update, and you’ll need to restart the device for the installation process to kick off. The update is then represented by an “(a)” suffix in the software version name.

So it will read as 16.4.1 (a) and 13.3.1 (a) instead of 16.4.1 and 13.3.1, respectively. Apple has also said that they plan to continue rolling out RSRs periodically to ensure user safety and defend against exploits.

How to download it?

By default, Apple enables RSR to be automatically installed like other major updates. You can follow these steps to make sure it’s enabled on your device:

  • iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Then keep “Security Responses & System Files” on.
  • Mac: Choose Apple menu  > System Settings > General > Software Update. Click the “Show Details (i)” button next to “Automatic Updates”. And make sure to turn on “Install Security Responses and system files”.

But you can also opt out of such updates if you want to—which is something Apple doesn’t recommend. And even if you do, Apple will include RSR patches in the next major update.

WorldLink and PUBG Mobile team up to elevate Nepal’s gaming community

Nepal’s largest ISP—WorldLink Communications—has announced its partnership with PUBG Mobile. As giants in their respective fields, this landmark move will definitely help grow Nepal’s gaming community in more ways than one.

WorldLink and PUBG Mobile partnership:

The press event, which was held on the 30th of April, saw WorldLink CEO Mr. Keshav Nepal and the Assistant Producer of Tencent South Asia Mr. Paarth Sharma sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure a smooth gaming experience for all Nepalese players.

Keshav Nepal CEO of Worldlink
Mr. Keshav Nepal

The partnership is focused on eliminating pain points and boosting growth for eSports in the country, said Mr. Sharma. WorldLink’s network infrastructure will enable this growth by ensuring uninterrupted, rich gameplay regardless of the user’s location or device.

WorldLink’s promise

Since WorldLink has vast coverage and cutting-edge network technology, the company will be able to facilitate faster upload and download speeds, reduce network latency (ping), and enhance the overall gaming experience. To note, WorldLink has already set up PUBG Mobile servers (CDN) in Nepal a while back. And they are now pushing for further initiatives to ensure an even smoother gaming experience.

PUBG Mobile updates for Nepal

Now, Tencent’s role in all this will be to launch Nepal-centric updates and in-game events. They also promise a packed calendar year, filled with professional tournaments and handsome cash prizes targeted at the Nepalese gaming community. Additionally, the WorldLink and PUBG Mobile partnership will ensure all available infrastructures are game-ready.

Tournaments like Nepal’s PMNC (PUBG Mobile National Championship) and global tournaments like PMCO (PUBG Mobile Club Open) and PMPL (PUBG Mobile Pro League) will become more fun to play and stream. Collaborative efforts like content creator programs and in-game voice packs are also things we have seen before, but Mr. Sharma assured us they will be much more refined and prioritized after this partnership.

PMNC Nepal 2022

Moreover, he also mentioned that Tencent Games is continually working to fix in-game issues like rubberbanding and de-sync. And with the partnership with WorldLink, he is confident that these issues won’t be much of a headache in the near future.

Nepali players and eSports

WorldLink and PUBG Mobile partnership focuses not only on improving the mobile gaming experience, but also on strengthening infrastructure to make way for developing “gaming as a career” for aspiring Nepali gamers.

Nepalese teams like DRS, T2K, and SG have competed at the highest stage of the game globally. DRS even finished the last PMGC (PUBG Mobile Global Championship) as runner-up, taking home USD 292,000. Whereas T2K won USD 132,500 after coming in 13th. Naturally, this tournament had a big impact on Nepali people’s outlook on gaming and eSports as a whole. Though extremely competitive and time-demanding, PUBG Mobile and the eSports culture have evolved into a big success story in Nepal.

Some official comments

Moving on, Mr. Sharma also expressed his delight in seeing the rise of Nepali gaming content creators like 4K Gaming and CR7.

Paarth Sharma of Tencent South Asia Publishing
Mr. Paarth Sharma

“It gives us immense pleasure to see our star creators like CR7 and 4K Gaming grow each day, and in turn, our efforts have been to grow this community as a whole. We focus on not just entertaining them, but giving them opportunities to grow professionally. That’s why we saw WorldLink as a great partner that shares our passion & resolve to make mobile gaming in Nepal, the biggest success story of South Asia, and this is just the beginning,” said Mr. Sharma.

Mr. Nepal also conveyed his excitement about this partnership, saying ”We are thrilled to partner with PUBG Mobile, one of the most popular mobile games in the world, and to play a significant role in enhancing the gaming experience for their users. Our extensive network coverage and advanced technology will ensure that players can enjoy the game without any disruptions, providing a seamless and immersive gaming experience.” 

WorldLink and PUBG Mobile partnership: What’s next?

This partnership between WorldLink and PUBG Mobile will bring an enhanced gaming experience for the users, that’s for sure. Allowing them to enjoy smooth and lag-free gameplay.

Not only that, but it also opens doors for future collaborations with other game publishers making similar collaborations. Overall, this is extremely positive news not only for PUBG Mobile players but Nepal’s gaming community in general. And we hope this trend continues and fosters good strategic alliances with other partners in the future.

  • Meanwhile, check out our Nothing Ear (2) review