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NVIDIA teases the launch of new RTX 3070Ti and 3080Ti cards later this week

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NVIDIA will shortly announce the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti and 3070 Ti. As the name suggests, these cards will rank above the existing RTX 3080 and 3070, respectively. So, let’s go through the rumors and expected price of the upcoming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, 3070 Ti graphics card.

NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti, 3070 Ti Rumors Roundup:

RTX 3080 Ti was originally rumored to have 20GB of GDDR6X VRAM. However, new speculations say that this has been lowered to 12GB. This is the same capacity as the RTX 3060, although the latter uses the slower GDDR6 memory. It also has GA102-225 GPU with 10240 CUDA cores.

Furthermore, it is rumored to feature a 384-bit memory interface (like RTX 3090). This will result in a memory bandwidth of 912GB/s (up from 760GB/s on the RTX 3080).

The RTX 3070 Ti, on the other side, will have 6144 CUDA cores and 8GB GDDR6X memory. To compare, the regular 3070 features 8GB GDDR6 VRAM. It will come with the same 256-bit bus as its non-Ti counterpart but the faster memory is expected to result in a bandwidth bump by 160 GB/s.

Furthermore, with RTX 3080 Ti and 3070 Ti, team green is undoubtedly adding a hashing restriction for crypto miners. The limit was introduced on RTX 3080 and RTX 3070 cards with the Lite Hash Rate (LHR) branding.

Rumored specifications:

Specifications RTX 3080 Ti RTX 3070 Ti
GPU GA102-225 GA104-400
CUDA Cores ~10240 6144
RTs ~80 48
Tensors/TMUs ~320 192
ROPs ~112 96
Base Clock 1365 MHz TBC
Boost Clock 1665 MHz TBC
Memory 12GB GDDR6X 8GB GDDR6X
Bus 384-bit 256-bit
Memory Clock ~19 Gbps ~19 Gbps
Bandwidth ~912 GB/s ~608 GB/s
TDP ~320W TBC

NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti, 3070 Ti Launch Date

NVIDIA has teased a GeForce event on May 31 during its Computex 2021 keynote. Here, the upcoming RTX 3080 Ti will sit between the company’s RTX 3080 and RTX 3090, which have MSRPs of USD 699 and USD 1,499, respectively. By that logic, it should cost somewhere around USD 1,000. Yet, we certainly don’t expect 3080 Ti to be readily available at its MSRP.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Razer Blade Stealth 13.

RedmiBook Pro 14 goes official with AMD’s Ryzen 5000-series CPU

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Back in February, Redmi launched the RedmiBook Pro 14 with Intel’s Tiger Lake processors. Now, the company has come up with the Ryzen Edition of the laptop. Here, we will be discussing the major specifications, features, expected price, and availability of the RedmiBook Pro 14 Ryzen Edition in Nepal.

RedmiBook Pro 14 Ryzen Edition Overview:

Performance and Memory

As mentioned earlier, the biggest difference between this edition of RedmiBook Pro and the one from back in February is the choice of processor. The new RedmiBook Pro 14 is powered by AMD’s latest Ryzen 5000-series mobile processors.

Here, the base variant is powered by Ryzen 5 5500U, which features 6 cores and 12 threads. Its base and max boost clock speeds are rated at 2.1GHz and 4.0GHz, respectively.

RedmiBook Pro 14 Ryzen Edition Fan Cooling

There is also a Ryzen 7 5700U variant. This octa-core CPU has a base and max boost clock of 1.8GHz and 4.3GHz, respectively.

Both these processors use the older Zen 2 architecture. These U-series CPUs prioritize portability over performance. With a configurable TDP of 10 to 25W on these silicons, Redmi has gone with a single fan cooling setup on the RedmiBook Pro 14.

Complementing this are two heat pipes of 8mm diameter each. Users can manually switch between three performance modes. In terms of memory, both variants are available with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.

Rest of the specs

Besides all this, the Ryzen edition of the RedmiBook Pro 14 is similar to the Intel-powered version. It features a 14-inch 2.5K display with 300 nits of brightness. This screen has a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 216 PPI pixel density. Likewise, it covers 100% of sRGB color space and even supports DC Dimming.

RedmiBook Pro 14 Ryzen Edition Design and Display

The laptop’s chassis is made from aviation-grade aluminum alloy using a CNC-machining process. It is 16mm thick and weighs just 1.42kg. The keyboard has 0.3mm hyperboloid keycaps. The keys are backlit as well and one can choose from three levels of brightness. The fingerprint scanner has been integrated into the power button.

Redmi claims that the 56WHr battery on the laptop can last for 16 hours. A 65W AC adapter is included in the box. For connectivity, you get two USB-C, two USB-A, an HDMI, and a 3.5mm jack. There is no Thunderbolt port because of the chip limitation.

Still, the company says that the dual USB-C ports support charging and video transmission. Yet, Redmi has not mentioned which port supports which.

RedmiBook Pro 14 Ryzen Edition Ports

RedmiBook Pro 14 Ryzen Edition Specifications:

  • Display: 14-inches 2.5K (2560 x 1600) Super Retina screen, 60Hz
  • Display properties: 100% sRGB, 16:10 aspect ratio, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light, 300 nits
  • Keyboard: Full-sized backlit keyboard (1.3mm key travel)
  • Touchpad: Multi-touch supported PTP touchpad (125 x 81.6mm)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U /Ryzen 7 5700U
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM @3200MHz
  • Storage: 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD
  • Graphics: Integrated Radeon graphics
  • Audio: 2x 2W stereo speaker setup, DTS Audio
  • Battery: 56 WHr, 65W USB-C power adapter
  • Webcam: 720p HD camera
  • Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 6 (ax), Bluetooth 5.1
  • I/O ports: 1x 3.5mm mic/headphone jack, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x USB Type-C, 1x HDMI, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x 3.5mm jack

RedmiBook Pro 14 Ryzen Edition Price in Nepal

RedmiBook Pro 14 will be available in China from June 1 where its price starts at 4,299 Yuan for the Ryzen 5 option. Xiaomi is yet to launch a RedmiBook product in Nepal but if it does, we expect the price of the RedmiBook Pro 14 Ryzen Edition to start at NPR 85,000.

RedmiBook Pro 14 Ryzen Edition Price in China Price in Nepal (Expected)
Ryzen 5 5500U 4,299 Yuan NPR 85,000
Ryzen 7 5500U 4,699 Yuan NPR 95,000
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Mi 11x (POCO F3).

Ripple Raze launched as the most affordable RTX gaming laptop in Nepal

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Ripple has launched yet another affordable gaming laptop in Nepal – the Ripple Raze. It brings the latest 11th gen Intel CPU and NVIDIA’s RTX 3050 GPU. So, let’s walk through the specifications, features, price, and availability of Ripple Raze in Nepal.

Ripple Raze Overview:

Design and Display

Here, the Ripple Raze flaunts a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. The display covers 72% NTSC and 100% sRGB color space. It has slender bezels on the sides with thick bezels on the top and bottom. As it’s a gaming laptop, it is relatively heavy, weighing 2.2 kg.

Ripple Raze Display

Furthermore, the laptop has an RGB-backlit (single-zone) keyboard and features a metallic build.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Raze is powered by an Intel Core i5-11400H processor. This CPU features 6 cores, 12 threads, and has a maximum boost frequency of 4.50GHz. Complementing this is the Nvidia RTX 3050 MAX-P graphics. To note, Max-P GPUs are rated to consume more power and ultimately deliver greater performance than the Max-Q design.

Moving on, the laptop’s base version comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD) storage. However, one can upgrade it up to 32GB DDR4 RAM (2x SO-DIMM slots) and 1TB of storage.

Rest of the specs

Other than this, Ripple Raze has a stereo speaker setup and comes with Sound Blaster Cinema 6 for audio gratification. It makes use of Bluetooth CNVi and Intel Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 for wireless connectivity. Fueling the laptop is a 41Wh 4-cell Li-ion battery which is charged via a 120W Full Range AC adapter. I/O options include three USB Type-A (1x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB 2.0), one USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, one Mini DisplayPort, and one HDMI port.

Ripple Raze Specifications:

  • Body: Metal build, 2.2 kg
  • Display: 15.6″ IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, 72% NTSC, 100% sRGB
  • Resolution: FHD (1920 × 1080) resolution
  • Keyboard: Backlit, RGB lighting (single-zone)
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-11400H, 6C/12T
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4, 2× DDR4 SO-DIMM (expandable up to 32GB)
  • Storage: 256GB SSD (expandable up to 1TB)
  • Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3050 MAX-P
  • Battery: 41Wh Li-Ion, 120W power supply
  • Webcam: HD camera
  • Connectivity: Dual-band WiFi 6, Bluetooth CNVi
  • I/O ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 1x USB 2.0 port, 1x Mini DisplayPort, 1x HDMI out (with HDCP)
  • Warranty: 2 years (plus lifetime technical support, servicing)

Ripple Raze Price in Nepal and Availability

Ripple Raze is available for pre-order in Nepal where its price starts at NPR 150,000. But those who pre-order the laptop can get it for just NPR 135,000 on top of free laser engraving and other goodies. You can pre-order Ripple Raze in Nepal by visiting the company’s website, Facebook page, or by contacting them on WhatsApp.

Ripple Raze Price in Nepal Availability
i5-11400H, RTX 3050 MAX-P, 8/256GB NPR 135,000 (Pre-order discount)
  • Meanwhile, check out our unboxing and impressions of Ripple Artifact Pro.

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G brings Dimensity 1100 CPU & a Gorilla Glass Victus protection

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Over the weeks, we saw multiple leaks about the Redmi Note 10 Ultra. The device was set to be unveiled at today’s launch event. However, we did not get to see it. Instead, Redmi launched the 5G variant of the Note 10 Pro. The phone is currently exclusive to the Chinese market and is quite different from the global variant of the Note 10 Pro. Let us look at the key specs, features, expected price, and availability of the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G in Nepal.

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G Overview:

Design and Display  

Here, Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G features a 6.6-inch display with a center-placed punch-hole cut-out. The refresh rate and touch sampling rate are listed at 120Hz and 240Hz, respectively. But contrary to the global variant of Note 10 Pro that features an AMOLED screen, this one has an LCD panel.

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G Design and Display

At the back, the camera module looks slightly different but it is in its usual position. The phone is available in three colors – Magic Green, Star Yarn, and Moon Soul. Redmi has used a stereoscopic grating technique for the rear panel. This results in a textured finish, which the company claims is fingerprint-resistant.

Performance

Under the hood, MediaTek’s Dimensity 1100 runs the show. It is a 5G chipset based on TSMC’s 6nm process that was announced earlier this year. This cannot go head-to-head against Qualcomm’s best but is better suited at value-for-money devices like this one.

Redmi says the Note 10 Pro 5G performs 72% better than its predecessor. The inclusion of UFS 3.1 storage could also have contributed to it.

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G VC Cooling

To keep the core temperature of the device down during intensive tasks, Redmi has included a VC (Vapor Chamber) liquid cooling system with temperature sensors. The total heat dissipation area is 16,370mm2. This includes the surface area of all the components including the vapor chamber, graphite layer, thermal gel, and copper foil.

Camera

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G only has three cameras at the back. The 64MP primary camera uses a 1/2” sensor that shoots 4-in-1 pixel binned images by default. It’s a downgrade from the 108MP sensor that is on both the Note 9 Pro 5G and Note 10 Pro (Global).

This is accompanied by an 8MP sensor with an ultrawide lens. There is a 2MP camera with a macro lens to make up the numbers. The rear camera setup is capable of recording 4K videos at 30 fps.

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G Camera Setup

Moving on, Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G has a 16MP selfie camera up front that can record 1080p videos at 30fps.

Rest of the features 

Backing the whole setup is a 5,000mAh Li-ion battery. A 67W charger is included in the box which even supports PD and QC charging protocols. In terms of connectivity, Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC.

The stereo speakers here are custom-tuned by JBL. The phone supports Hi-Res audio in both wired and wireless connection. For the latter, you’ll need a Type-C to 3.5mm dongle as the phone does not have a headphone jack.

Moving on, Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for biometrics. It also uses the Razer Mechanical Keyboard app that we saw on the Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition. The keyboard has multiple custom-made features including “RGB lighting” effects, sound effects, and X-axis linear “mechanical feedback.”

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G Specifications: 

  • Body: 163.3 × 75.9 × 8.9mm, 193gm
  • Display: 6.6-inch LCD screen, 120Hz refresh rate, 400 nits, DCI-P3, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection
  • Resolution: Full HD+ (1080 × 2400 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 1100 (6nm)
  • Memory: 6/8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128/256GB UFS 3.1 storage
  • OS: Android 11 with MIUI 12.5
  • Back Camera: 64MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro
  • Front Camera: 16MP front-facing camera
  • Others: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, IR sensor, Stereo speakers, Hi-Res audio
  • Connectivity: Dual 5G, Wi-Fi ax (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.2, GPS / GLONASS / Beidou / Galileo / QZSS / A-GPS, USB Type-C, NFC
  • Battery: 5000mAh with 67W fast charging
  • Color options: Magic Green, Star Yarn, Moon Soul

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G Price in Nepal & Availability

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G will be available in China from June 1 where its price is 1,599 Yuan for the 6/128GB variant. The 8/128, 8/256GB variants are priced at 1,799 Yuan, 1,999 Yuan, respectively. We expect the price of the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G in Nepal to start at NPR 34,000 if and when it launches here.

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G  Price in China  Price in Nepal (Expected)
6/128GB 1,599 Yuan NPR 34,000
8/128GB 1,799 Yuan NPR 37,000
8/256GB 1,999 Yuan NPR 42,000
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. 

Arm announces new Cortex-X2 CPU & Mali-G710 GPU for next gen mobile flagships

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Arm has officially announced the release of its Armv9 CPU architecture and third-gen Valhall-based Mali GPUs, which are designed to deliver next-generation performance. The new Armv9 CPU family comprises the Cortex-X2, Cortex-A710, and Cortex-A510 cores while the new Mali GPU lineup includes Mali-G710, G610, G510, and G310.

Armv9 CPU and Mali GPU

Here, Armv9 CPU architecture aims to improve speed while also upgrading machine learning, digital signal processor (DSP), and security experiences for consumers. With the release of the new Arm products, 32-bit processors will be phased out, making 64-bit architecture the standard.

Cortex-X2 

Arm’s most powerful CPU to date is the new Cortex-X2. According to the company, Cortex-X2 delivers up to 16% performance gain and double the speed of machine learning processing compared to its predecessor.

It is the successor to Cortex-X1 used in this year’s flagship chipsets, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 and Samsung’s Exynos 2100. Furthermore, it outperforms the most recent Android flagships by 30% and 2020 mainstream laptop CPUs by 40%.

Armv9 Cortex-X2

The company is deploying the DynamIQ Shared Unit-110 (DSU-1110) CPU cluster to support up to eight Cortex-X2 cores too. But we doubt any chipmaker will actually implement this. It will also enable larger L3 caches of up to 16MB, which will assist to minimize data latency.

Cortex-A710 and Cortex-A510

Arm’s next offering is the Cortex-A710, the first Armv9 “big” CPU. This mid-tier CPU will provide a 10% performance boost over Cortex-A78. It also gains 30% better energy efficiency and a twofold boost in machine learning processing.

Next, the Cortex-A510 has a new “LITTLE” high-efficiency core. It is expected to be 35% faster than Cortex-A55, which was first revealed almost four years ago. Furthermore, compared to its predecessor, this is 20% more energy-efficient and 2x faster for machine learning tasks. In addition, the Cortex-A710 and Cortex-A510 also use DSU-110 as the CPU cluster.

Armv9 CPU security

Similarly, all Armv9 CPUs have Secure-EL2, which provides a standard secure isolation method for trusted services. They also feature Crypto instructions in NEON and SVE2 space, as well as speculation barriers with micro-architectural built-in, which helps to mitigate side-channel attacks.

3rd gen Valhall Mali GPUs

Mali-G710

Along with unveiling the new CPU cores, Arm also introduced the new Mali GPUs based on third-gen Valhall architecture. The company’s next flagship GPU is the Mali G710. It provides up to 20% gain in performance and power efficiency, as well as a 35% boost in machine learning over the Mali-G78.

It has a command stream frontend (CSF), which Arm claims help fulfill the requirements of new APIs like Vulkan as well as future mobile gaming content trends.

Mali-G610, Mali-G510, Mali-G310

Moving on, the Mali-G610 is a sub-premium GPU with the same new CSF as the Mali-G710. Similarly, the Mali-G510 GPU is 22% more energy-efficient and boasts a 100% speed gain over its predecessor.

Finally, the Mali-G310 is the new entry in the budget GPU lineup. It outperforms the Mali-G31 by 6x in texturing performance, 4.5x in Vulkan performance, and 2x in Android UI content rendering.

Armv9 CPU, Mali GPU Availability

There is no way we will get Armv9 based chipsets this year as chipmakers have already announced their flagship chipset for 2021. However, we will be seeing them in 2022’s flagship Android smartphones.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of Razer Blade Stealth 13.

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro launched with ANC, 69 ms latency, and more

Redmi has launched its latest wireless earbuds in a launch event held in China today. The new AirDots 3 Pro is the first TWS from the company to feature Active Noise Cancellation. Here, we will be talking about the key specifications and features of the Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, along with its expected price in Nepal.

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro Overview:

Design

AirDots 3 Pro comes in an oval-shaped charging case, which has an LED indicator light on the front. There are two colors to choose from – Black and White. As expected, the earbuds inside match the color of the case. The design is a continuity of what we have seen on earlier entries in the AirDots lineup.

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro Design Case Earbuds

Each earbud weighs 4.9g while the charging case weighs around 55 grams with the earbuds included. The earbuds are IP68 rated and come with three different-sized silicone earplugs inside the box too.

Internal specs

Moving on, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro features a 9mm composite dynamic driver with an impedance of 32 Ohm. It has been tuned by Mi Audio Lab and supports four adjustable sound effects. Xiaomi has included three microphones in the AirDots 3 Pro. There is a neural network-backed call noise reduction feature for interference-free calls.

Active Noise Cancellation

But the biggest feature here is the Active Noise Cancellation. Redmi claims that it can reduce noise by up to 35 decibels. The earbuds can automatically switch between depth, mild, and balanced noise reduction based on the surrounding with the help of an AI system. There is also a transparency mode that enhances human voice so that users can communicate without the need to take off the earbuds.

Game Mode

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro Game Mode 69ms automatic

Another highlight of these earbuds is the low latency mode. Redmi claims that it can limit the latency to up to 69ms. And you don’t need to manually activate it either. The earbuds automatically enter the Low Latency mode when you open the game, courtesy of the AI system mentioned earlier. But, this is only compatible with Xiaomi phones running MIUI 12 or later.

Rest of the features

Besides this, the 35mAh battery on the AirDots 3 Pro is rated for 6 hours of playback time. That is with the ANC turned off and volume at 50%. Similarly, the 470mAh cell on the charging case can extend that to 28 hours. It also has fast-charging support.

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro Dual Connection Bluetooth 5.2

Here, a quick charge of 10 minutes can add up to 3 hours of battery backup (earbuds + case). In addition, the charging case supports Qi wireless charging as well. Other features include Bluetooth 5.2, dual-connection, wear detection, and touch control.

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro Specifications:

  • Weight: 4.9 grams (each earbud), 55 grams (case + earbuds)
  • Color options: Black, White
  • Sound driver: 9mm Dynamic driver, 32 Ohm
  • Noise cancellation: Yes (ANC up to 35dB), Triple-mic call noise reduction
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth v5.2, 10m effective range, dual-connection
  • Water resistance: Yes, IP68 waterproof (earbuds only)
  • Battery life:
    • Earbuds: Up to 6 hours (50% volume, ANC off)
    • With case: Up to 28 hours (50% volume, ANC off)
  • Charging time: 1 hour (earbuds), 2.5 hours (case + earbuds)
  • Extra: Wear Detection, 39ms low latency mode, Qi Wireless charging, Transparency Mode

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro Price in Nepal & Availability

Redmi AirDotes 3 Pro will be available in China from June 11 where its price is 349 Yuan. But Redmi is offering it at an introductory price of 299 Yuan. We expect the price of the Redmi AirDots 3 Pro in Nepal to be around NPR 7,000 if and when it launches here.

Wireless TWS Price in China Price in Nepal (Expected)
Redmi AirDots 3 Pro 349 Yuan NPR 7,000
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.

Netflix is apparently looking to develop a gaming platform of its own

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Netflix is the biggest video streaming platform in the world and at this point, it has pretty much conquered Hollywood. Now, it seems the company wants to have its hand in the gaming industry too. According to the latest rumors, Netflix could be looking to create its own gaming platform.

Netflix gaming platform

The report first broke from The Information which suggests that the streaming giant is allegedly searching to recruit an executive to lead a possible video game division. Moreover, Netflix is not only planning to appoint a gaming executive. But it’s is also in talks to create its own Apple Arcade-like platform. The Information also said that Netflix has chosen not to include ads in the game.

In addition, Reuters and Axios also confirmed that Netflix is looking for a gaming manager. The Axios article also cites that it is like a “smaller Apple Arcade” that would “feature a mix of licensed Netflix intellectual property and original work from independent studios.”

The streaming giant hasn’t publicly disclosed about its next gaming service but has shared some hints on The Information and Polygon. Netflix says that its members “value the variety and quality of our contents”. And the company is “excited to do more with interactive entertainment”.

Furthermore, Netflix has a lot of its IPs that have their game adaptation such as Stranger Things, La Casa de Papel, and To All the Boys. So, the company clearly sees the value of video games.

A different strategy?

As its growth in the US market slowed and competition surged, the company’s shift to gaming is likely an attempt to increase its subscriber base. Netflix has already referred to Epic Games’ Fortnite as its biggest rival over alternative streaming platforms like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Hulu.

That’s because Epic Games is working on “the Metaverse” which is a kind of virtual environment where people gather for shared experiences in real-time.

Launch

To date, the reports suggest that Netflix could probably start its gaming platform as early as 2022. However, nothing has been laid into the grounds yet.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of Razer Blade Stealth 13.

Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro with a micro HDMI port, Snapdragon 870 goes official

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Lenovo has launched the Yoga Pad Pro 13 in China. This Android tablet from Lenovo comes with a bunch of exciting features like kickstand-cum-handle, flagship-level chipset, stellar display, and the ability to use it as an external monitor. In this post, we will be discussing each of these features in detail along with the expected price of the Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro 13 in Nepal. 

Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro 13 Overview:

Design and Display 

Let us start with the display. The 13-inch LTPS panel on the Yoga Pad Pro has a 2160 x 1350 resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Also, the screen covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut and it can get as bright as 400 nits. That’s not all. It even supports multiple HDR formats such as HDR10 and Dolby Vision. This screen is also TÜV Rheinland certified for low blue light emission. 

Lenovo Yoga Pad 13 Display 2K 100% sRGB HDR10

You can even buy a “Xiaoxin” stylus separately to go with the tablet. It has 4,096 different pressure levels.  

The tablet has an Alcantara exterior which is common in sports cars. The handle or the kickstand is made from CNC-machined stainless steel. It can rotate 180-degree and weighs around 830 grams. 

Lenovo Yoga Pad 13 Exterior Alcantara Skin 180 CNC machined Hinge

Performance and Software 

Lenovo has not compromised in the performance department either. Yoga Pad Pro 13 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 chipset. It is clocked slightly higher than last year’s flagship Snapdragon 865+. The Prime core on the 870 can go as high as 3.2GHz. This has been paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.0 storage. Thus, the tablet is capable of all basic tasks and even gaming. 

ZUI 12.5 Android 11 Lenovo Custom UI

Yoga Pad Pro ships with Lenovo’s ZUI 12.5, which is based on Android 11. It comes with a feature that can force landscape modes in apps that do not support it natively. There is also a dedicated computer mode for easy multi-window operation.

Children can benefit from the built-in learning platform. Additionally, parents can monitor their children’s usage from an app too. Similarly, it also supports app projection to an external display through an HDMI connection. 

Rest of the specs 

Fueling the tablet is a 10,200mAh battery that is rated for 12 hours and 8.5 hours of video playback in tablet and display mode, respectively. It has a USB 3.1 Type-C port that supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4 protocol.

There’s also the aforementioned Micro HDMI port for a wired connection that allows you to use the tablet as an external display. For wireless connectivity, the tablet has Wi-Fi 6 (2×2 MIMO) and Bluetooth 5.2. 

The audio setup here consists of four JBL speakers with a 5cc cavity each. Together, they contribute to 9W of output (2x 2.5W + 2x 2W).  

Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro has a ToF sensor on the 8MP front-facing camera for Face Unlock. This hardware implementation is much safer than the software-based Face Unlock that we find on most Android devices. 

Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro 13 Specifications: 

  • Body: 293.35 x 203.98 x 6.2-24.9-mm, 830gm 
  • Display: 13-inches LTPS LCD panel, 400nits, HDR10, Dolby Vision 
  • Resolution: 2K (2160 x 1350 pixels), 16:10 aspect ratio 
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm mobile platform) 
  • Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB storage
  • Software & UI: ZUI 12.5 on top of Android 11 
  • Camera: 8MP (with ToF sensor) 
  • Audio: Quad-speakers by JBL (2x 2.5W + 2x 2W), Dolby Atmos 
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (dual-band, 2×2 MIMO), Bluetooth 5.2, USB Type-C 3.1, Micro HDMI
  • Battery: 10,200mAh, Quick Charge 4

Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro 13 Price in Nepal

Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro 13 is now available for pre-order in China, where its price is 3,299 Yuan. It will go on sale starting May 31. We do not know if it will ever launch here. But if it does, we expect the price of Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro 13 in Nepal to be NPR 70,000. 

 

Tablet  Price in China  Price in Nepal (Expected)
Lenovo Yoga Pad Pro 13  3,299 Yuan  NPR 70,000

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Lenovo Yoga 7i (2021).

Microsoft introduces a way to code using natural language, thanks to AI

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Microsoft is integrating the AI-powered GPT-3 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3) language model with Power Fx – a low-code programming language to simplify PowerApps progress. The tech giant had acquired the sole license of OpenAI’s GPT-3—the underlying technology behind it. GPT-3 is now used in the Power Apps programs from Microsoft to convert natural language into ready-to-use code.

Microsoft Power Apps with AI-powered GPT-3

The new feature can only be used on the Power Fx. This is Microsoft’s open-source, low-code programming language which is based on Excel. The company announced this tech’s capabilities on the first day of the virtual “Build 2021” developer conference.

Almost no coding

I understand the agony of creating an application (web or mobile) and having it fail due to a minor error. For instance, if you skip only a “;”, a program might not run and might throw an error instead. And you may find yourself wandering through the code again and again.

However, using Microsoft Power Apps, one can achieve a rapid application development environment to create bespoke apps as needed. GPT-3 integration with Power Apps would also help you use plain language for a specific output.

For the time being, the focus is on Power Apps formulas. But despite the service’s low-code nature, you’ll need to eventually write a code sooner or later if you want to construct a complex app.

Charles Lamanna, Corporate VP for Microsoft’s low-code application platform says “Using an advanced AI model like this can help our low-code tools become even more widely available to an even bigger audience by truly becoming what we call no-code”.

PowerApps using GPT-3 to translate natural language to usable code

Instead of mastering database queries, Power Fx’s natural-language integration will allow you to create code in natural language. GPT-3 AI algorithms transform natural language queries into usable code.

To search for a product, for example, programmers would need to write queries like “Filter(‘BC Orders’ Left(‘Product Name’,4)=”Kids”)”. But now, they can type “find products where the name starts with ‘kids’”. And GPT-3 will render the code for the same.

To note

While this does make coding easier and more convenient, programmers must still comprehend the logic of the application they are developing. Microsoft says “The features don’t replace the need for a person to understand the code they are implementing but are designed to assist people who are learning the Power Fx programming language”.

To some extent, it is similar to natural language query functions that are available in Excel, Power BI, or Google Sheets. GPT-3, on the other hand, can interpret more complicated queries.

Microsoft Power Apps with GPT-3 Availability

According to the company, these new features will be in public preview in the English language throughout North America by the end of June.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of Razer Blade Stealth 13.

Upcoming USB-C standard to allow 240W charging, more than double its current limit

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USB-C is a dominant standard for data and power transfer. It uses a small physical connector and supports various USB standards like USB 4 and USB Power Delivery. And to make it even better, the latest revision of the USB forum has upgraded the maximum power supply of USB-C up to 240W.

USB-C 240W power delivery

USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has announced that it is doubling the amount of power that can be sent over a USB-C cable. The total power these new cables will be able to transfer is up to 240 watts, making it compatible to charge even high-end gaming laptops.

To compare, the previous iteration or the one currently in circulation allows for power transfer of up to 100 watts only, which isn’t sufficient for gaming laptops and other high-end devices like large monitors. But with the update, one can comfortably rely on a Type-C cable for their charging needs.

Everything new

Mi 11X - Ports
Ports

USB-IF has dubbed this latest 240W technology as “Extended Power Range (EPR)”. It will replace the previous top-tier “Standard Power Range”. To take advantage of the new features, you will also require a new range of USB-C chargers and cables.

To recognize the cables that support EPR, they should have a specific icon. The icon will help the user visually check and ensure that it supports up to 240W of power. To be compliant, a cable must support up to 5A current and 50V energy.

Final words

All of this is great news for those of us who have wished for the ability to charge multiple devices with a single charger. Step by step, we are progressing to adopt a unified module. Who knows, maybe by 2030, we’ll be able to use a USB-Type C cable to fuel an electric vehicle as well.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Mi 11X (Poco F3).