Author: Anubhav Sharma

  • Windows Solitaire Is Now A Part Of The World Video Game Hall Of Fame

    Windows Solitaire Is Now A Part Of The World Video Game Hall Of Fame

    Many of us know Solitaire as the game that made it easier to spend time on our Windows PCs. The game was first bundled with Microsoft Windows 3.0, and it employed the fairly simple mechanics of clicking, dragging, and dropping.

    Solitaire The Game 

    The primary goal of Solitaire is to move all of the 52 cards in the deck up to the four foundation piles, thereby clearing the starting group of cards as quickly as possible. Players can place a card on any other card in different columns by building downward and alternating colours between black and red. Players could choose from different deck card styles. Overall, the game was a defining point in “PC Gaming” as we know it.

    The game has now been inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame. In doing so, it has joined some really landmark-setting games, such as Doom, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Pac Man and Sonic The Hedgehog. The World Video Game Hall Of Fame judges various games based on the following criteria

    • Icon-status: the game to be inducted is widely recognized and remembered by multiple players
    • Longevity: the game is more than just a “hype train” and has enjoyed popularity over time.
    • Geographical reach: the game meets the above criteria across international boundaries i.e. it is playable in the most number of places.
    • Influence: the game has exerted noteworthy influence on future games, on other forms of entertainment, or on culture and society in general.

    Also Read: OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro Will Be Water Resistant, But Won’t Have An Official IP Rating

    Solitaire continued to be bundled with every consequent Windows version up to Windows 7. As per reports, the game has been installed on more than one billion PCs, and has been played by many billions of players. if it were to believed, Solitaire was originally intended to be a mouse usage tutorial for Windows. Reports say that the next game to be inducted into the World Video Game Hall Of Fame would be Minesweeper, but it’s unsure so as to when that happens. 

  • Huawei Mate 30 Pro Specs Leaked Showcasing Kirin 985 SoC And Quad-Lens Setup

    Huawei Mate 30 Pro Specs Leaked Showcasing Kirin 985 SoC And Quad-Lens Setup

    After Huawei’s P30 Pro received rave reviews worldwide for its optical system, the Chinese company is all set to release its next flagship smartphone in the market. Succeeding the Mate 20 Pro, the Mate 30 Pro will probably be unveiled in the month of October, 2019. As per recent reports, foreign media has exposed some major specifications of the upcoming flagship device. 

    Huawei Mate 30 Pro

    Industry sources reveal that the Mate 30 Pro will feature a large BOE-manufactured 6.71 inch display with a 4-curve design. The fingerprint scanner will be embedded inside the display, similar to the Mate 20 Pro. Not divulging any more details regarding the screen, reports claim that the Mate 30 Pro will run on the 7nm Kirin 985 chipset, which includes the Baron 500 chip, indicating that the Mate 30 Pro will have a 5G variant as well. 

    In terms of optics, reports state that the upcoming flagship will have a quad-lens design on the rear panel, which will interestingly resemble the Mate 20 Pro’s triple camera setup. The in-depth details of the camera sensors is unknown, but the module will be equipped with a ToF sensor. Instead of the persicope camera lens (featured in the P30 Pro), the Mate 30 Pro will feature a rectangular-design camera setup, as per sources. Furthermore, the LED flash will be placed at the centre of the module. The details of the selfie camera, unfortunately, are unknown as of now.

    Also Read: Leaked Renders Of Huawei P Smart Z Showcase 16MP Pop Up Selfie Camera

    The battery capacity  will be similar to the Mate 20 Pro i.e. 4,200 mAh, but the Mate 30 Pro is expected to feature 55W Super Fast Charging from Huawei. Additionally, reports also claim that the device will retain the reverse wireless charging feature, but the power output will be bumped to 10W from the previous 5W charging. More features may be revealed in the course of time, but as of now, the company has not confirmed such a device yet, so the exact launch date and price is unknown. 

     

  • Realme X Spotted In YouTube Video, Confirms Dual Camera Setup

    Realme X Spotted In YouTube Video, Confirms Dual Camera Setup

    Realme devices are highly popular in the budget smartphone segment in India. The company’s latest release, the Realme 3 Pro received rave reviews for offering competitive specifications at a budget aggressive price. The Chinese company is yet to release a flagship smartphone in India, but it seems that it is gearing up for the same. As previously reported, an unknown Realme handset was spotted on TENAA, which showcased the specifications and features of the device. The smartphone, named as the Realme X was recently spotted in a YouTube video, which affirmed the dual rear camera setup of the device.   

    Realme X: Expected Design, Specifications & Features

    The design of the smartphone falls in line with the previously leaked images for the same. As per past leaks, the upcoming device will feature a 6.5 inch OLED display with FHD+ resolution. The absence of a notch suggests that the Realme X will sport a pop-up camera mechanism for the front camera. The back panel of the device will be expectedly made out of a polycarbonate material, and will have a gradient colour pattern. As per reports, it will measure 161.2 x 76 x 9.4 mm.

    Under the hood, the upcoming flagship is expected to run on the 7nm based Snapdragon 855 chipset. The SoC is one of the most powerful chipsets in the market right now, comprising of a Kryo 485 octa-core CPU and the Adreno 640 GPU. Previous reports claim that the Realme X will boast of vertically placed dual rear cameras. As of now, specifications of the same are unknown as an official statement from the company is awaited. The pop-up camera mechanism discussed above will house the selfie camera. 

    Also Read: Nokia 9 PureView Passes BIS Certification, Launch In India Imminent

    A 3,680 mAh battery will power the handset, and most likely, it will have support for 50W VOOC fast charging. In terms of OS, the Realme X will run on the company’s latest iteration of ColorOS on top of Android 9 Pie. As mentioned before, the Chinese manufacturer has not released any concrete information regarding such a device, but previous listings suggest that the device may make its debut soon. 

  • Leaked Renders Of Huawei P Smart Z Showcase 16MP Pop Up Selfie Camera

    Leaked Renders Of Huawei P Smart Z Showcase 16MP Pop Up Selfie Camera

    Chinese manufacturer Huawei was previously reported to be working on a smartphone which featured 4000 mAh battery and a 16MP selfie camera. The smartphone was speculated to be a midrange device, and recent leaks have confirmed all its specifications. Named as the Huawei P Smart Z, the handset features a pop-up mechanism that houses the aforementioned front camera. 

    Huawei P Smart Z Features, Specifications And Availability

     The P Smart Z features a large 6.59 inch display with a FullHD+ resolution. The renders exhibit a device with a high screen-to-body ratio which is achieved due to the pop-up camera mechanism. Similar to Chinese competitors Oppo and Vivo, Huawei seems to be following the trend of a smartphone sans a notch. The leaks further state that its display panel has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px and pixel density of 391 ppi. 


    Under the hood, the Huawei P Smart Z is kitted with the 14nm HiSilicon Kirin 710 chipset, which consists of an octa-core CPU and the Mali-G51 MP4 GPU. It packs 4GB of RAM and 64GB of ROM, which is further expandable up to 512GB via microSD card. It is powered by a huge 4,000 mAh battery. In terms of biometric security options, it has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. Furthermore, Huawei has retained the 3.5mm headphone jack in the P Smart Z. 

    Also Read: Scientists Replicate Highly Effective Anti Tumour Antibiotic To Fight Cancer

    In terms of optics, the smartphone has a dual rear camera module, which consists of a 16MP (f/1.8) primary sensor and a second 2MP (f/2.4) sensor. As mentioned above, the pop-up mechanism houses the 16MP (f/2.0) selfie camera. The phone measures at 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm and weighs at 197 grams. It runs on Android 9.0 Pie out-of-the-box, which will be topped off with EMUI (Huawei’s custom skin). As per the leaks, the Huawei P Smart Z will be priced at 279.90€ (~INR 21,600) at the time of launch. It will supposedly be available in three colour options: Black, Green and Blue. 

  • New Technique Can Directly Target Parkinson’s Root Cause

    New Technique Can Directly Target Parkinson’s Root Cause

    Parkinson’s disease was first mentioned in an essay in the year 1817 by Doctor James Parkinson. An estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s disease. Also, an estimated 4 percent of people with Parkinson’s are diagnosed before the age of 50, indicating that the disease can be cured at an early stage if a tangible cure exists. When dopamine levels decrease in the central nervous system, it causes abnormal brain activity, leading to the basic symptoms of the disease.

    Although the disease is not fatal, it’s symptoms may lead to incidents that may be fatal in the long run. As per recent reports, researchers from Oxford’s Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics have discovered the method via LRRK2 (a key protein) affects neurons and eventually destroys their capability to clear out damaged cell components. Furthermore, they can now research a way to target and fix this anomaly.

    LRKK2 plays a very important role in degrading the waste proteins. Lysosomes need an acidic environment to function properly, and the aforementioned protein regulates the way that lysosomes are acidic. If a person is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, the mutated protein cannot perform the function of degrading the waste protein, which leads to lysosomes losing their acidity over time. 

    Also Read: AI Reveals Why Our Eyes Are Drawn Towards Specific Shapes And Colours

    Studies further reported that a drug known as clioquinol (originally used as an anti-parasitic drug) can overcome the effects of the mutant protein (LRRK2) and can rejuvenate the acidity of the lysosome. This will enable the lysosomes to eradicate the damaged cell components, and can eventually prevent the onset of Parkinson’s, or even cure it.  Scientists state that the implications of such a drug may not be just limited to Parkinson’s disease, infact, it may be used to cure other neurodegenerative diseases as well. 

     

  • AI Reveals Why Our Eyes Are Drawn Towards Specific Shapes And Colours

    AI Reveals Why Our Eyes Are Drawn Towards Specific Shapes And Colours

    It has been known for a long time now that neurons in the brain respond differently to different objects, images and colours. This is an instinct that is key to our survival, and our brain helps us in doing so by interpreting every cue differently. For instance, it has been deduced that in the inferior temporal cortex, some special visual neurons fire more when they detect specific images, text or certain stimuli. A small study led by investigators in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School has used an AI system that can help in determining what our neurons are interested in looking at. 

    Previously, similar experiments were hosted to figure out the same question, but the difference was that they used real images. Instead, Harvard investigators overcame this hurdle using synthetic images that were custom tailored to each specific neuron’s preference. Where real images are limited to stimuli present in the real world,  AI-generated images changes the whole scenario. 

    Research Technique

    Will Xiao is a graduate student in the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, and he was the one who designed the software that implemented artificial intelligence (AI) to formulate images based on neural responses. The responses were obtained from six Rhesus macaque monkeys. The animals were shown images in 100-milliseconds blips, which were generated by the program originally created by Will Xiao. Various shapes and colours were gradually introduced via the software, which gradually morphed into a final image. At the end of each such experiment, the program generates a super-stimulus for the aforementioned neurons.

    Also Read: Microsoft Launches The HoloLens 2 Developers Edition

    The results of these experiments were then analyzed, and it was deduced that they are consistent over separate runs, indicating that the neurons actually respond differently to separate stimuli. This could be the key to comprehend various cognitive issues,  for instance, autistic disorders. By studying those cells which respond preferentially, researchers can figure the reason for negative social impacts which lead to partial development of neurons.

  • OnePlus 7 Pro Official Renders Leak, Pre Orders Live In India

    OnePlus 7 Pro Official Renders Leak, Pre Orders Live In India

    In a market previously dominated by brands like Samsung and Apple, OnePlus has made a strong footing for itself. Almost 5 years after the release of the first OnePlus smartphone, the company is gearing up to disrupt the flagship segment with the release of its new lineup, the OnePlus 7 series. The lineup is expected to include the OnePlus 7,  the specced up OnePlus 7 Pro and supposedly a 5G variant of the same. Rumours regarding the specifications of the devices have been around for quite some time now. Ahead of the launch of the smartphones, official renders of the OnePlus 7 Pro have surfaced, which exhibit key features of the smartphone’s design, such as the triple camera and curved glass panel.


    The renders showcase the company’s prized smartphone in all its glory. As per latest reports, the OnePlus 7 Pro will be available in three colour variants, Nebula Blue, Mirror Grey and (possibly) an Almond colour option. The elegant renders also exhibit the triple camera module on the back of the aforementioned device. The LED flash is placed below the camera module, and the device has the OnePlus branding at the bottom of the rear panel. Front renders of the smartphone depict a curved glass panel that tapers towards the edges. Like the OnePlus 6T, the left side of the smartphone houses the power button and the mute switch, whereas the right side accommodates the volume rockers. 

    OnePlus 7 Pro Features And Specifications

    As the name suggests, the OnePlus 7 Pro will be the specced up variant of the regular OnePlus 7. It will sport an all glass design on the front and back with a metal chassis to provide reinforcement. According to the source, the smartphone will have a 6.7-inch Optic AMOLED display with a resolution 3120 x 1440 px and a refresh rate of 90Hz. The OnePlus 7 Pro will use a pop-up camera mechanism, similar to the one seen in the Vivo V15 Pro. Regarding biometrics, it will feature an in-display fingerprint scanner along with the support for face unlock technology.

    The OnePlus 7 Pro will run on the 7nm Snapdragon 855 SoC. As observed above, the smartphone will have a triple rear camera module, comprised of an f/1.7 aperture equipped 48 MP sensor, an f/2.2 aperture equipped 16 MP ultra wide sensor and an f/ 2.4 aperture equipped 8 MP sensor. It will also feature an f/2.0 aperture equipped 16 MP camera housed in the aforementioned pop-up mechanism. Reportedly, the device will have Ultra Fast Storage (UFS) 3.0 standard and will be available in the following memory variants.

    • 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM
    • 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM
    • 12GB RAM and 256GB ROM

    Also Read: The Apple iPhone XI Visualized In Elegant HD Renders

    The OnePlus 7 Pro will be powered by a 4000 mAh battery with support for 30W Warp charging. As previously mentioned, the smartphone will also be available in a 5G variant. Furthermore, the company is now accepting pre-bookings for the smartphone on Amazon India ahead of its May 14 Launch, so users willing to be the first exclusive OnePlus 7 Pro customers can sign up for the same. You can click here to book the OnePlus 7 Pro.  

  • GTA 6 Leaks Suggest The Game Will Be Set In Vice City And Liberty City

    GTA 6 Leaks Suggest The Game Will Be Set In Vice City And Liberty City

    Grand Theft Auto 5 is undoubtedly a name that most gamers can relate with, as the earlier iterations of the franchise gave way to the game that shattered records worldwide. After Grand Theft Auto: Vice City became one of the most loved PC games globally, the game’s publisher, Rockstar Games won hearts with GTA San Andreas, which released in the year 2004. Notably, the latest game in the series, the Grand Theft Auto 5 was a huge success for the company.

    For starters, it became the fastest video game and entertainment property to gross US$ 1 billion in sales, which is more than the gross earnings of some blockbuster movies out there. Till date, the game has sold over 90 million units and earned over US$ 6 billion in revenue. Continuing the success story of the same, Rockstar games is planning to release Grand Theft Auto 6 in the latter half of 2020. Recent leaks have revealed some key features and information regarding the upcoming game, which is sure to get gamers worked up. Note that this article may contain major spoilers, so tread at your own expense.

    GTA 6 Leaked Details

    Due to hardware limitations, the GTA 6 will reportedly not support any current generation gaming consoles which include the PS4 and the Xbox One. The game will most likely run on the latest-gen consoles of that time, which is most likely to be the PlayStation 5. As reported previously, the console is expected to be released in the latter half of the year 2020 or early 2021, which lines up with the release of the game. 

    Grand Theft Auto VIf any gamers are familiar with the key terms “Liberty City” and “Vice City”, be prepared to hear them a lot more times. Reports suggest that GTA 6 will be set against the picturesque sunsets of  Liberty City and Vice City in Miami. And this is good news since it will give gamers a chance to re-live the legacy that built the game we love today. The game is likely to have some sort of “quick travel” mechanic that would enable the player to transition between different cities. If this leak is legitimate, Grand Theft Auto fans have a huge treat waiting for them. 

    Grand Theft Auto VThe protagonist of the game will lead an empire business, starting out small time and then reaching the big ranks. Or that’s what the leaks suggest. The player will be tasked to look after a business in Liberty City, following which he will become the “drug lord” of Vice City. Oh, and the 2004 San Andreas map from the company may also be included in the upcoming iteration. Fans will be elated if something of this sort happens. Having the best three maps till date in one single game? Nothing comes closer to gaming nostalgia than this. 

    Grand Theft Auto VAlso Read: Lenovo L38111 Leaks on TENAA, Packs 4000 mAh Battery And 16MP Camera

    The landscapes of the game are hinted to be mostly countrysides and mountains, which will be linked together using beautifully carved roads and designed bridges. This is supposed to make traversing fun so that players can actually enjoy the aesthetics of the game to the maximum even while they’re not a part of an objective. Noteworthy, one of the biggest things that set GTA 5’s gameplay apart was the quality of real-time multiplayer, which is expected to be perfected in the upcoming game. Leaks suggest that Rockstar Games is working with Microsoft and Sony to enhance cloud gaming, which will provide a seamless online gaming experience to users.  

  • Google Pixel 3a XL

    Google Pixel 3a XL

    The Google Pixel 3a XL features a 6-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 2160 x 1080 px, and an 18:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the device packs a Snapdragon 670 chipset, which comprises of an octa-core CPU and the Adreno 615 GPU. It is bundled with 4GB of RAM and is available in 2 memory variants, 64GB and 128GB. The Pixel 3a XL has a 12MP rear camera sensor and an 8MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 3700 mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. The Google Pixel 3a XL is available in 3 colours, Just Black, Clearly White and Purple-ish. 

    Click Here to buy the Pixel 3a XL on Flipkart

    [loop included_tags=”64190,61161″ loading=”paged” layout=”f” postsperpage=”4″]

  • Lenovo L38111 Leaks on TENAA, Packs 4000 mAh Battery And 16MP Camera

    Lenovo L38111 Leaks on TENAA, Packs 4000 mAh Battery And 16MP Camera

    In the latter part of April 2019, Lenovo launched its flagship device, the Z6 Pro, which has flagship specifications and a competitive price tag. As per latest reports, the company is gearing up for the release of another mid-range smartphone, which will be the Lenovo L38111. The device was spotted on Chinese regulatory website TENAA which reveals it complete specifications.

    Lenovo L38111: Design And Specifications

    The TENAA certification reveals that the Lenovo L38111 measures at 156.4 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm and weighs 163 grams. The smartphone has a 6.3 inch FHD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px. It has a waterdrop style notch up front that houses the selfie camera. The smartphone’s back panel appears to be made out of a glossy plastic material. 

    Under the hood, the Lenovo L38111 features a 2.2GHz octa-core unnamed processor. Details about the same may be available in the near future. The device will be launched in three different variants as follows:

    • 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage
    • 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage
    • 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage

    In terms of optics, the smartphone has a triple rear camera setup, which accommodates a 16MP primary sensor. Any information about the other two sensors is not known as of now. For selfies, the smartphone packs a 8MP front camera. The Lenovo L38111 runs on the Android 9 Pie operating system.

    Features And Expected Availability

    Also Read: Razer Is Making An RGB Toaster And You Can’t Do Anything About It

    Previously in the month of April 2019, the device received Bluetooth certification, confirming that the Lenovo L38111 will feature Bluetooth v5.0. Furthermore, it will be powered by a 3,930 mAh battery, which will have support for 18W fast charging. For biometric security, the L38111 sports a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. The TENAA website reports a total of nine colour variants of the device, including Black, Green, Red, Purple, Gray, Gold, Silver, White and Blue colour options. Reports state that the Lenovo L38111 may be launched in the market in this year itself.    

  • The Pixel 3a Will Cost Half As Much As the Pixel 3, Retail Packaging Leaked

    The Pixel 3a Will Cost Half As Much As the Pixel 3, Retail Packaging Leaked

    Google is likely to release the highly-anticipated Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL smartphone duo at the Google I/O keynote on the 7th of May. A lot of rumours have already brought the devices out into the spotlight. They are expected to be Google’s first attempt to tap into the midrange smartphone segment, accrediting to which the price expectations for the devices are quite varied. As per latest reports, the Pixel 3a, the specced down variant of the Pixel 3 will be priced at half its price. Images have also surfaced which showcase the Google Pixel 3a’s retail packaging in all its glory. 

    As per the leaked retail packaging images, the Pixel 3a will be available in a purple colour option apart from the Just Black and Clearly White variants, which will be named as “Purple-ish”. The retail packaging further affirms that the device will be available in two variants, one with 64GB and the other with 128GB of internal storage. Moreover, reports say that the Pixel 3a will be priced at US$ 399 (~INR 28,000) onwards, whereas the Pixel 3a XL will be placed at a price point of US$ 479 (~INR 33,000) onwards. A multitude of other details was also leaked regarding the upcoming Google devices, which are listed below.  

    Design, Features And Specifications

    The design of Google smartphones have been previously leaked, and it is quite similar to Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. The devices are expected to be designed with polycarbonate instead of metal and glass on the Pixel 3 & 3 XL. As per leaks, the Google Pixel 3a will feature a 5.6 inch FHD+ gOLED display with 441 ppi pixel density while the Pixel 3a XL will sport a 6-inch gOLED FHD+ display with 402 ppi pixel density. For biometrics and security, both the handsets will feature a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.

    Google Pixel 3XL

    Under the hood, the upcoming Pixel 3a and 3a XL are reported to run on the 10nm Snapdragon 670 SoC. which comprises of an octa-core processor and the Adreno 612 GPU. In terms of optics, an f/1.8 aperture equipped 12 MP single rear camera is expected in both the smartphones, while the front camera will have a resolution of 8 MP. As mentioned before, the devices are expected to feature 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage for the base variants. Where the Pixel 3a weighs around 150 grams, the Pixel 3a XL weighs almost 20 grams more than the 3a.  

    Google Pixel 3a XL case render

    Past leaks suggest that the Pixel 3a will be powered by a 3000 mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging. Instead, the Pixel 3a XL is expected to feature a 3,700 mAh battery with 18W fast charging support as well. Like its elder siblings, they are expected to run on the latest Android 9 Pie with a stock interface and will get fast software updates. They are also expected to retain the 3.5mm headphone jack as seen in previously leaked images. A former listing on the Bluetooth certification website reveals the smartphones will support Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Recent reports have also suggested that the smartphones will have Always-On and Now Playing feature. 

    Pricing & Availability

    Google Pixel 3XL

    Also read: Fortnite Can Be Now Played On The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro

    As mentioned above, the Pixel 3a smartphone duo will be launched on the 7th of May at the Google I/O conference. Prices for the same have also been mentioned previously. Considering that Google can actually provide a premium camera in the midrange segment, the device will provide a tough competition to smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy A70.  

  • Sony WH XB700 Wireless Headphones Review

    Sony WH XB700 Wireless Headphones Review

    The WH-XB700 are the latest addition to Sony’s wireless headphones family. For audiophiles, the Sony WH-XB700 provide a good set of features at a competitive price. One of the highlighting features of these headphones is Extra Bass, and that is an aspect most “regular” headphone users are willing to bet their money on. Let’s deduce where the Sony WH-XB700 delivers and where it could’ve done better. 

    Inside The Box

    • Sony WH-XB700 Headphones
    • Instruction Manual and Warranty/Safety Guide
    • 3.5mm AUX cable
    • USB Type-C cable 
    Build Quality And Design

    The Sony WH-XB700 are fabricated from high grade plastic with a smooth matte finish. The framework of the headphones is made of metal though. More metal would have been appreciated in the build of the WH-XB700. The ear cups have a swivel design, implying that the Earcups can rotate around the pivot. This will make it convenient for users to slip these headphones inside their backpacks . Weighing at just around 195 grams, these may be one of the lightest headphones in this segment

    The Sony Logo is neatly embossed above both the earcups. The headphones look good enough to make a style statement. The headphones have an on-the-ear, or supra-aural design, implying that they rest on the ears rather over them. 


    The earcup’s pads, as well as the headband’s cushioning, are made out of memory foam. This material feels very premium and comfortable even when used for longer periods of time. The extending strips along with the framework are designed out of metal, which allows for considerable freedom of movement. Even upon stretching the ear cups apart, they seemed to retain their original shape upon restoring. Noteworthy, owing to the light weight of the Sony WH-XB700, they tend to sway “dangerously” when you move around while wearing these, so you might want to be careful when you take them out for a run.

    The left earcup houses the power button (which also doubles up as the pairing button). In addition, it accommodates the 3.5mm audio jack, USB Type-C port, the notification LED and a “Custom” button, which will be discussed in detail later. On the other hand, the right earcup houses the volume rockers and the play/pause/answer calls button.

    Audio Quality

    The primary defining feature of any headphones is its audio quality. The Sony WH-XB700 operate within a frequency range of 20-20,000 Hz with 44.1 kHz Sampling and have an impedance of 37 ? (ohms). The headphones are quite loud, clocking in at a loudness level of 103 decibels. The 30mm Neodymium driver churns out evenly distributed frequencies, but it’s really the lows where the headphones excel. At higher volumes, negligible distortion in the sound is present. Even though Sony has laid emphasis on the lower frequencies here, there is a profound focus on the highs as well, which make them a pleasure to listen to. 

    The headphones are advertised with “Extra-Bass”, and they live up to their name. The ample amount of bass goes easy on the ears, delivering a rich experience. Plus, the headphones sport the “Vocal Clarity” feature, which enhances the experience if you are listening to a podcast or watching a lecture. Noise isolation is not that great, but that is expected considering the supra-aural design of the headphones.

    Audio is captured via the microphone present on the right earcup, and in the course of usage, the microphone quality is mediocre when it comes to answering calls indoors. Furthermore, the audio doesn’t bleed a lot when you have the headphones on. Advanced tweaking of the sound quality and bass levels can be done via the Smart Headphone Connect app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. Firmware updates are also pushed to the WH-XB700 via the same app.

    Connectivity Options

    In terms of connectivity, the Sony WH-XB700 features Bluetooth v4.2, NFC (Near Field Communication), a USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack for those times where you run out of battery. To pair the headphones with your smartphone via Bluetooth, the user needs to simply hold down the power button and the headphones will pop-up on your smartphone’s Bluetooth devices list. Like other headphones in this range, the Sony WH-XB700 cannot be connected to multiple devices simultaneously. They have to be disconnected from one device in order to connect to another one.  

    The WH-XB700 also supports one-touch NFC pairing, where users can just stream music to their headphones by touching their NFC-enabled devices with the headphones. One thing to note is that there is a  significant loss in audio quality when the headphones are connected via the 3.5mm AUX cable. Similarly, all the buttons present on the headphones stop functioning when the headphones are connected passively.    

    Battery Life And Additional Features

    The Sony WH-XB700 features a Li-ion battery, which promises a battery life of 30 hours, and we tested that out. Interestingly, on the maximum value and bass levels, the headphones were able to churn out the aforementioned time with ease. The headphones can be charged via the USB-Type C port which is mounted on the left earcup. They also provide a 90-minute playback time after a 10-minute charge time, which can be helpful for users who are on-the-go. Overall, the headphones take a bit more than 4 hours to attain maximum charging capacity. And if you do manage to run out of battery, you always have the option to use them with the 3.5mm AUX cable.

    As previously mentioned, the Sony WH-XB700 headphones have a  “Custom” button on the left earcup which can be mapped to either Alexa or Google Assistant dependent on user preferences. We noticed that the button was very responsive, as it immediately launched Google Assistant on our device in all instances. However, as mentioned previously, the Custom button only works in wireless mode. Nonetheless, we found the custom Assistant button very convenient and is welcoming addition.

    Conclusion 

    Also Read: OnePlus 7 Pro Screen Protector Leaks, Reveals Front Design

    In a nutshell, the Sony WH-XB700 is a pretty good deal considering it checks most of the boxes in the list. Rich and punchy bass, low distortion levels, rich highs and lows, and that’s just the audio quality. The headphones have a good battery life, support a host of connectivity options and look good on the ears.

    The only drawbacks that are worth mentioning are some aspects of the build quality, such as the lack of any metal accents. The fact that the headphones tend not to be very stable while wearing them might be a bit pesky for those who like to listen to music while running. Noteworthy, the Sony WH-XB700 don’t ship with a carrying pouch or hard case in-the-box. Although not a deal breaker it is worth taking into consideration.   

    Another worthy option in the same segment is the JBL Tune 600, which provides passive noise cancellation and deep, punchy bass. For almost INR 1,500 less, you can also try out the Sennheiser HD 4.40 Bluetooth headphones, which are a good buy considering its price. The Sony WH-XB700 is a pair of good sounding headphones, and audiophiles who want a set of portable cans should definitely go for them.  

  • Apple Patents In-display Fingerprint Scanner, May Feature In Future iPhones

    Apple Patents In-display Fingerprint Scanner, May Feature In Future iPhones

    In-display fingerprint scanners are slowly becoming a norm for flagship smartphones. First incorporated in the Vivo X20 Plus UD, the in-display scanners were later introduced by companies like OnePlus, and Huawei. Furthermore, South Korean technology company Samsung introduced the world’s first ultrasonic fingerprint scanner in the Galaxy S10+. The American technology giant, Apple till now has abstained from implementing the technology on its devices but this is likely to change soon. The company was granted a patent for what looks like to be an in-display biometric scanner for a future iPhone. 

    The patent showcases “methods of biometric imaging of input surfaces”, which directly relate to an acoustic imaging system. Using the aforementioned technique, a high-resolution image of the object can be mapped, in this case, a fingerprint. Since Apple has never used an in-display fingerprint scanner in any of its devices yet, this patent getting published may be a start for the company. 

    How Does The Scanner Work?
    iPhone XR

    As per the patent, an acoustic transducer is configured to generate acoustic outputs in response to a signal from a controller. The outputs may be in the form of mechanical waves or pulses, and they will be coded with the help of the controller. To obtain the image of the fingerprint, the acoustic imaging system can use a multitude of techniques, including reflection, diffraction and transmission. Further notes from the patent state that the acoustic imaging system can also be used to map biometrically unique features of the fingers like size, shape and skin patterns. Moreover, some notes also affirm that the imaging technique can capture features like the user’s ears and other prominent features. 

    iPhone 7

    Also Read: Latest Renders Reveal The Upcoming Moto Z4 In All Its Glory

    Considering that Apple originally filed the aforementioned patent in the third quarter of the year 2016, this technology may never see the light of day in the immediate future. However, implications of the same tech can be incorporated in newer Apple devices, and since Apple is highly focused on security detail, it might be the best-in-class too. 

  • AMD 7nm Navi Graphics Cards Will Release In Q3 Of 2019

    AMD 7nm Navi Graphics Cards Will Release In Q3 Of 2019

    American Multinational Semiconductor Company, AMD has confirmed that the highly anticipated Navi Graphics Cards will make their way into the market in the third quarter of 2019. Along with upcoming GPUs, the company is also reported to unveil the first Zen 2 architecture based CPUs. The aforementioned information was revealed following AMD’s latest financial figures which were leaked previously.

    The Navi GPU chip will be manufactured using 7nm fabrication technology. AMD will initially release mid-range models for the same, which are speculated to be the Navi 10 GPUs. Further iterations, including the more powerful Navi 20 graphics cards will be launched later in the year 2020, reports state. The Navi 20 series graphics cards will go up against NVIDIA’s more powerful GPUs, such as the RTX 2080 and RTX 2070. 

    AMD’s Upcoming Big Revelations

    The company has also hinted towards some big chunks of information regarding the upcoming GPUs that will be revealed at the Computex Keynote in May 2019. However, since rumours are stating that the 7nm Graphics Cards will be launched on 7/7, or the 7th Of July, AMD might just limit the information reveal to a tease regarding the GPUs. This falls in line with their recent announcement of the Navi Cards release in the third quarter. 

    Also Read: Sonic The Hedgehog Trailer Released, Sonic’s Appearance Leaves Fans Disappointed

    As mentioned previously, AMD will also unveil its first Zen 2-based 7nm processor in the same quarter, which is codenamed “Rome”. They will comprise of second-gen EPYC chips, which will be targeted towards heavyweight data handling and server management. AMD’s move towards 7nm based components can be a power-move for the company. Since NVIDIA released the budget-friendly yet powerful GTX 1660 Ti GPU, AMD’s new Navi 10 cards will have to gain ground here in order to go up against the former graphics card. 

  • Sonic The Hedgehog Trailer Released, Sonic’s Appearance Leaves Fans Disappointed

    Sonic The Hedgehog Trailer Released, Sonic’s Appearance Leaves Fans Disappointed

    Sonic the hedgehog is definitely a name 90s kids can relate to. SEGA revolutionized the 8-bit gaming industry with a lot of games, and Sonic the Hedgehog was one of the major ones. The game featured a super-powered hedgehog which has a host of abilities. For starters, he can run faster than the speed of sound. This enables him to break and smash through all obstacles in his path. What’s more, the loveable character could also curl up into a destructive ball, which is nearly unstoppable. The character has almost 70 games to himself now, and on April 30 2019, Paramount Pictures and SEGA released the first trailer for the much-awaited movie. 

    https://youtu.be/FvvZaBf9QQI

    Now the fans were waiting for this movie eagerly, so a lot of expectations were resting on it. On top of that, the bar is still set high from all the movie fanatics still reeling in the aftermath of action and emotions present in Avengers: Endgame. However, when the trailer came out, the Sonic fans were disappointed to say at the least. To put forward a summary, the official Youtube trailer for the movie has a Dislike-to-Like ratio of 1.55. That’s a awfully high number of dislikes for a movie that a lot of fan following, especially before the trailer dropped.

    Sonic has been awkwardly designed as a “human-hedgehog” fusion creature, which is more human than it is supposed to be. The trailer tries desperately to make Sonic more at home with all the humanoid expressions and actions. What’s more, the character from the movie has a set of extremely human-like teeth, which deprive Sonic of his classic “hedgehog” look. It’s almost like the movie is not Sonic The Hedgehog. It’s either Sonic The HedgeHuman or Sonic The HumanHog. 

    Also Read: Dental Plaque Can Now Be Wiped Out By An Army Of Microrobots

    The storyline depicts Sonic, who is voiced by Ben Schwartz, trying to save the earth from the evil Dr. Robotnik (who is played by Jim Carrey) in association with a policeman (played by James Marsden). The trailer is set against the legendary “Gangsta’s Paradise” soundtrack, which would have actually enhanced the trailer hadn’t it been for the kid-hedgehog combo leading the movie. Sonic The Hedgehog makes it way to movie theatres on November 8, 2019. 

iGyaan Network
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.