#Opinion
177 Stories
I spent over a week using the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold as my daily driver. While there are many improvements on the design, display, and hardware over the original, there are a few setbacks too. So, here's what I genuinely think about Google's latest Foldable venture!
Motorola Edge 50 Neo First Impressions: Unbeatable in the Segment?
Sagnik Das Gupta
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The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is the brand's latest affordable mid-ranger, offering a 6.4-inch 120Hz LTPO display and the Dimensity 7300. We could test it out for some time, and here's our first impressions!
I finally gave the Pixel 9 Magic Editor's Reimagine feature a try, and it's scarily good. While it doesn't allow you to go all out, you can work around it and really exploit the tool to get some disturbing results. Bottom line is, we're not ready for tools like this yet, especially since there are barely any tools to detect them in the first place. I have tried some messed up prompts to test the true malicious potential of the feature, all of which you can go through right here.
I Tried Google Pixel Screenshots and My Life Has Never Been Easier!
Sagnik Das Gupta
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The Pixel Screenshots app doesn't try anything insane, and makes finding screenshots as easy as possible. You can take to the floating search bar in the home screen to describe the screenshot you're looking for. Or, you can use voice input to do so, and the screenshot will instantly show up. However, that's not all and there's some solid attention to detail at play here, which I have talked about in detail right here. So, if you want to know all about it, read on!
Anmol
I believe Gege Akutami might bring back Gojo in the ending of Jujutsu Kaisen, and I do have a crazy theory for how it will happen. I expect Principal Gakuganji to use Masamichi's technique to make a cursed corpse similar to Panda to save Gojo and two other characters.
The Motorola Razr 50 has landed as the toned-down version of the Razr 50 Ultra and a successor to last year's vanilla Razr 40. From a bigger cover screen to a better processor, it certainly does arrive with a bunch of upgrades over its predecessor. To know of our detailed first impressions, take a look right here!
Android 16’s Quick Settings Could Be a Step Backward and Here’s Why
Abubakar Mohammed
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Google has already started working on Android 16, and one of the first major changes the giant is planning is a complete revamp of Android's notification and Quick Settings panel. Some of the major changes is in the layout, edit panel, and the way of accessing the panel, alongside a new light mode.
If you're trying to look for a good reliable compact phone under $800, the Galaxy S24 beats the Pixel 9 to emerge victorious. From a better LTPO-backed display to way more power with the Exynos 2400 and even slightly better cameras, the Galaxy S24 has got you covered on all fronts. It's a much more versatile device than the Pixel 9, thereby making it an easy suggestion. The only things that the Pixel 9 has going for it are a refreshing new design and those cool new AI features.
The Pixel 9 is easily one of the best Pixels we have received. However, when you start looking at the big problems that Pixels have been infested with, it just feels like a phone that's the best of the worst. The slightly improved connectivity, better design and slew of AI features are just not enough to overlook the miserly upgrade in performance and underwhelming cameras. For more details, read our in-depth review here!
Enough is Enough: Google, This Wear OS Feature Needs a Fix ASAP
Abubakar Mohammed
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Wear OS is cut for my usage but one thing I despise about the smartwatches is the unresponsive or excessively responsive tilt-to-wake features. It not only affects the battery life but could be quite annoying when it doesn't work. However, one of the best solutions to this is to add a tilt-to-wake sensitivity setting to Wear OS.
Anshuman Jain
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro boast an overhauled design, improved mic pickup, and high-quality sound. They support SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable, and Samsung Seamless codecs for high-res audio streaming. The Adaptive Noise Cancellation is impressive, while the Ambient mode can be unreliable. The Live Interpreter AI feature is a hit-or-miss. Battery life lasts for more than 6 hours with ANC turned on.
Sony's new hero shooter Concord is a sinking ship in terms of numbers. However, this is not a Concord hate train and there are solid reasons why the game is not getting enough players. Being paid in a market full of solid free shooters as well as uninspiring character designs overall makes Concord a below par option.
As a full-time FPS player, I used to play The Finals regularly. However, the invisible light players made me quit the game first time. After three seasons I returned to the game and the pesky invisibility factor of light users made me quit The Finals again. Find out why here.
Sanmay Chakrabarti
The Pagoda Realm is the worst area in Black Myth: Wukong, filled with annoying mobs, badly designed maps and a life drain mechanic. This area is extremely hard to get through in Chapter 3, however, there is one spell that almost trivializes Pagoda Realm in Black Myth: Wukong, solving the biggest issues of the map.
Xbox Might Revive These Iconic Marvel Games; Ready for a Nostalgia Trip?
Ishan Adhikary
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According the XboxEra Podcast, Xbox is trying to re-license Deadpool and Marvel Ultimate Alliance after almost a decade of them going delisted. With these games we might see Xbox revive the Marvel games back on the green brand. Activision previously made Marvel games like Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions and X-Men as well. However, we will have to wait for this nostalgic trip and see if the revival actually happens.
How to Make a Wireless Android Auto Dongle for Your Car Using Raspberry Pi
Arjun Sha
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If your car supports Android Auto but requires a wired connection, you can follow our article and create a wireless Android Auto dongle using Raspberry Pi. It costs much less and supports all of the Android Auto features including call routing, Google Maps navigation, music controls, and more.
Google’s New AI Features Widen the Gap as Apple Struggles to Keep up
Anmol Sachdeva
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Google has rolled out new set of AI features with Pixel 9 Series and the gap between Google and Apple has further widened.
Spectre Divide Hands-On: Shroud’s New Game Forced Me to Think Outside the Box
Ishan Adhikary
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Shroud's game Spectre Divide has given me a fresh look at tactical shooters. I tried the game for half a day and experienced many amazing things that makes this tactical shooter enjoyable. Whether its the clone mechanic or the artstyle and clean gameplay, Spectre Divide has it all.
Google Breaks 7-Year Android Update Promise with Pixel 9 Launch
Abubakar Mohammed
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Google launched the Pixel 9 series in the 2024 Made by Google event, but weirdly, the phones come with Android 14 out of the box, skipping the tradition of including the latest Android version on new Pixel devices. This means that the upcoming Android 15 update will reduce a year from the 7-year update quota, and the Pixel 9 series won't receive Android 22. This begs the question, has Google already started backtracking on their 7-year promise?
After testing out a bunch of earbuds, the boAt Nirvana Space turned out to be all-rounder cheap earbuds in India for Rs 2,500. From ANC and customizable EQ to Spatial Audio, these earbuds are feature packed. To back it all up, there's a battery that lasts for days, which is chef's kiss. When you consider the price tag, all that seems more enticing!
Reddit's recent hint at introducing exclusive paid subreddits into the platform has taken the community by storm, causing users to question the integrity of the platform. The information popped up during Reddit's Q2 2024 earnings call, when CEO Steve Huffman talked about the future of the platform. While Reddit's open-source nature is what has been allowing it to onboard more and more users every year, this move is a bit alarming.
The OnePlus Pad 2 offers solid performance with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a superb multimedia viewing experience with its impressive display + speaker combo, and a commendable battery backup to support it all. There's barely any room left for complaints, allowing it to easily be one the best all-rounder Android tablet I've used in a long time. The starting price of Rs 39,999 is also not that big of an ask taking into consideration all that it has to offer.
I Tried the New Pixel Weather App, and It’s a Breath of Fresh Air
Sagnik Das Gupta
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The new Pixel 9 Weather app strikes the perfect blend of minimalism and functionality. So, while it may not be the more aesthetic weather app in comparison to its predecessor, it's the more useful one. The big and bold font, interchangeable weather panels and a super easy way to search and save locations make it one hell of an app that I'm really looking forward to using on the upcoming Pixel 9.
It Ends with Us Review: A Stellar Tale of Love, Loss, and Liberation
Shashank Shakya
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Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us is now live in its theatrical adaptation in cinemas near you and here is our review for the movie!
Radojka Travar
Mace is the new Minecraft 1.21 weapon that is fairly OP. Its pros include high damage output that's not capped, powerful complementary enchantments and the highly risky but fun and potentially strong combo with the elytra. The cons of the mace are the pure rareness of the heavy core item, the difficulty of mastering it and the fact that it's useful in open areas only. Personally, I believe the mace is very well balanced. It doesn't overshadow the other features nor is it redundant. Overall, the mace is a great addition to the Minecraft 1.21 update.
Wuthering Waves Just Added a Feature Genshin Impact Fans Have Been Dreaming Of
Abubakar Mohammed
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Wuthering Waves has released a list of improvements and features that will be added to version 1.2 and one of them is auto regenerating Waveplate Crystals. Once the Waveplates cap is reached, Waveplate Crystals are automatically generated and can be used to replenish Waveplates later. Players can have 480 Waveplate Crystals at the maximum.
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus is just a glorified Phone 2a, with a couple of upgrades that just don't hit the spot. The slightly better processor and design changes don't make it the upgrade that we have been eagerly waiting for. Since the competition offers a better display, bigger battery with faster charging and significantly better performance at that price segment, it makes the Phone 2a Plus lose out to those very phones as well.
Nothing Phone 2a Plus vs Phone 2a Comparison: Is Plus Really an Addition
Sagnik Das Gupta
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From the looks of it, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus will not be remembered as a device that left its own unique mark in the segment. It's simply not a good upgrade over the Phone 2a. The design changes, although aesthetically pleasing, are not enough to justify its existence as an upgrade. It offers the same display size and resolution, same battery capacity with only 5W more of fast charging, and a processor that's only ever so better on paper.
iPhone Mirroring is Already My Favourite New Apple Feature
Akshay Gangwar
The OnePlus Watch 2R has launched for Rs 17,999 in the Indian market, making it Rs 7,000 cheaper than the OnePlus Watch 2. However, it renders the Watch 2 pointless in the subcontinent, since it arrives with the same health sensors, OS and processor. The only difference lies in the design, where the Watch 2R shines as well due to its chronographic dial. However, the Watch 2 sports a more superior build quality, thanks to being made out of stainless steel and undergoing military-grade testing.
OnePlus Nord 4 vs Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Mid-Range Battle Winner?
Sagnik Das Gupta
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If you're in the market for a smartphone under Rs 30,000, the Nord 4 is definitely the practical choice. From a better display to a significantly superior processor, it's a very versatile device. However, if you're looking for a cleaner software experience and slightly better cameras, Moto Edge 50 Pro is the way to go. Both are good phones, aimed at two different userbases.
In this read, we have discuss that the new CMF Phone 1 features a customizable back design letting you to change between different back panels. But with the official release of the phone, the company missed the opportunity of releasing a transparent back for the phone as it would help showcase the phone's inner workings, offer a unique aesthetic, and provide a subtle alternative to the current color options.
CMF Phone 1 Is Customizable and Fun, but at What Cost (Literally)
Sagnik Das Gupta
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The CMF Phone 1 is here and brings a customizable back panel to the table. That's not just it, and the modular dial on the device also doubles down as a lanyard, card holder and phone stand. Apart from the CMF Phone 1's default Black color out of the box, you can grab three other panels for Rs 1,499 each. As for the accessories, each of them cost Rs 749. Ultimately, considering all of this, you can't customize the Phone 1 for free.
The CMF Phone 1 is finally here we pitted it against the Realme P1. Upon comparing the two phones, we realized that the Realme P1 is the more ideal choice if you're looking for a more value-for-money device. From a more practical design to commendable box contents and perks like a 3.5mm headphone jack, the Realme P1 is the more versatile device. Meanwhile, the CMF Phone 1 is the more ideal choice if you favor software experience over everything else.
The CMF Phone 1 is here and it's 8GB/128GB variant priced at Rs 17,999 makes it battle it out with the POCO X6's 8GB/256GB variant which costs Rs 1,000 extra. For that extra money, you get a better display, slightly better cameras, a more snug design, a 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, and faster charging. On top of that, unlike the CMF Phone 1, the POCO X6 offers everything right in the box, from a fast charger and SIM ejector to a good quality silicone case.
Upanishad Sharma
Video game remakes do irk a section of gamers out there, and I am one of them sometimes. However, I can't help but be excited for some of the best video remakes coming out in 2024. While remakes like Splinter Cell harken back to the old times, more recent ones like the Until Dawn remake will bring enhanced horror. Keep reading as I list them all down right here!
I switched to a Pixel Watch 2 from a Galaxy Watch4, and I regret it because the Fitbit app is inferior, the watch lacks essential features, a practical form factor, and competitors like Samsung and OnePlus are making better Wear OS smartwatches. One of the other reasons why I dislike the Pixel Watch is due to its extreme ecosystem lock-in.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Review: A Step Backwards
Sagnik Das Gupta
Pixel Phones Get So Hot That Google Wants to Teach You How to Cool Them
Abubakar Mohammed
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Google is working on Adaptive Thermal, a feature that could help bring the temperature of Pixels down. The feature will first trigger a notification when the device temperature reaches 49 degrees Celsius. If it reaches 55 degrees Celsius, Adaptive Thermal will warn users 30 seconds before it shuts down the phone to prevent any harm.
The Realme GT 6 is probably the most polished all-rounder I have used in the under Rs 45,000 segment in a while. There's barely anything to complain about. You get a top-tier curved AMOLED LTPO display, a massive 5,500mAh battery with 120W fast charging support, and even the powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 under the hood. If that's not enough, it also brings forth a commendable camera setup to the table, that will barely let you down. The in-hand feel of the phone is also very premium. All things considered, this may just be the best all-rounder gaming phone in this segment.
I Downloaded This Viral Steam Game and It Had Me Click a Banana All Day!?
Ishan Adhikary
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After getting stressed with multiple games in 2024 I was looking for games to just relax to. Banana on Steam is a free game that lets you just click on a virtual Banana with a counter. The more you click, the more the numbers go up. Banana helped me relax and just have fun without thinking much about things I need to do. But the game also offers skins where some rare skins sells upto $500 on the Steam Community Market. Interesting combination eh?
I Tested an Open-Source Alternative to Windows Recall That Works on Any PC
Arjun Sha
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If you want to try out an alternative to Windows Recall, check out OpenRecall which is open-source and entirely free. It does all the processing locally and works on any x86 PC without an NPU. Keep in mind, the local vector database is not encrypted so that might be a major security concern.