Best phones under Rs 40,000 (Mar 2022): OnePlus 9R, Motorola Edge 20 Pro to Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

Three months have passed since we compiled our previous list of phones under Rs 40,000 in India, and most of the handsets we chose then are still making a strong case for inclusion in this one. Choosing just five smartphones in this price band still remains a tough ask. So we chose seven this time. We have handsets with flagship grade processors, ample RAM and storage, 5G compliance, high refresh rate AMOLED displays and of course excellent cameras. Let’s see who made the cut this quarter.

Best phones to buy under Rs 40,000 in India

Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro 5G

Xiaomi’s Mi 11X Pro 5G comfortably retains its spot, and is now available for an even better price. It is powered by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 888 SoC. You get 8 GB RAM and a choice between 128 GB and 256 GB of internal storage to go with it. A 108MP camera at the back captures some impressive shots in different modes and lighting. It is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide snapper and a 5MP macro camera. A 20MP front camera handles selfies and video calls quite well.

Its sharp display is one of the standout features of this phone. You get a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED Full HD+ display with 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ compliance and a peak brightness of 1300 nits. The screen is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and so is the phone’s glass back. A 4520 mAh battery keeps it running for over a day of moderate use, and the bundled 33 W fast charger can charge it fully in under an hour. Mi 11X Pro runs Android 11 with MIUI 12 on top.

Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro 5G price in India: Rs 32,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage; Rs 37,490 for 8 GB RAM/ 256 GB storage

OnePlus 9R

The OnePlus 9R remains a great all-round player in this segment, and Amazon India is currently offering additional Rs 3,000 off on the phone to sweeten the deal. You can get its 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant under 37K. The phone has a 6.55-inch Full HD+ Fluid AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ compliance. The metal frame and glass body protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 makes it look elegant. The phone runs OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11, which is still one of the better Android UI around.

You get four cameras at the back consisting of a 48MP primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), 16MP ultrawide shooter, 5MP macro camera and a 2MP mono camera. The cameras manage to capture crisp images in different lighting and modes. A 16MP selfie camera is located in a tiny punch-hole at the top of the screen. The OnePlus 9R is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 chip. A 4500 mAh battery keeps the phone powered for over a day of moderate use, and the bundled 65W Warp charger juices it up in just around 40 minutes.

OnePlus 9R price in India: Rs 36,999 effectively for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

Motorola Edge 20 Pro

The lesser known Motorola Edge 20 Pro is another mighty impressive option in this budget that offers some unique features. This phone too is powered by a Snapdragon 870 chip and comes with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage. Its large 6.7-inch Full HD+ OLED display flaunts a 144 Hz refresh rate along with HDR10+ compliance and capability to display over a billion colour shades. There is Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection against scratches at the front and back.

The star of the photography department on the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is a 108MP primary camera with quite an impressive support cast. You get a 16MP ultra-wide camera and an 8MP telephoto camera with OIS that gives you 5X optical zoom. Not to forget the 32MP front camera that is bound to impress the selfie crowd. Its 4500 mAh battery lasts for over a day of moderate use and supports 30W fast charging. This phone runs Android 11, and like most Motorola phones, you get a clean and near-stock user interface.

Motorola Edge 20 Pro price in India: Rs 32,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

iQOO 7 5G/ iQOO 7 Legend 5G/ Vivo X60

Two handsets from Vivo’s sub-brand feature in this list along with one from the parent company itself. The iQOO 7 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chip, and you get the 8 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage variant in this budget. Its 6.62-inch HDR10+ compliant Full HD+ AMOLED display has a 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling in compatible apps. The rear camera department comprises a 48MP primary camera with OIS. Giving it company are a 13MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP depth sensor.

If you need more processing power and a few extra features for a 7K premium, and are willing to sacrifice half the internal storage, you can opt for the 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant of the iQOO 7 Legend. It has a more powerful Snapdragon 888 SoC and also comes with a 13MP telephoto camera that gives you 2X optical zoom. Both phones run Android 11 with FunTouch OS 11, and one can expect two more major Android updates in the future for these devices.

We are not done yet. Let me present another scenario. If you are fine with a Snapdragon 870 chip but want the rear camera department of the Legend, you should strongly consider the Vivo X60 for a good Rs 5,000 less than the iQOO 7 Legend. The phone is a lot more slim and stylish too, and boasts of Zeiss optics for its cameras.

iQOO 7 5G price in India: Rs 32,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 256 GB storage
iQOO 7 Legend 5G price in India: Rs 39,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage
Vivo X60 price in India: Rs 34,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is now available in this budget. This phone has a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and is HDR10+ compliant. This stylish handset has an IP68 rated ingress protection. It is powered by Qualcomm’s previous generation flagship chip, Snapdragon 865. You get 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage to go with it. The internal storage can be expanded further using a microSD card; a rare feature in premium phones these days. The phone runs Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.1.

Photography department is quite versatile and consists of a 12MP primary camera with dual-pixel PDAF and OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and an 8MP telephoto camera with OIS for up to 3X optical zoom. Given that it’s a Samsung S series phone, the camera quality is excellent across different modes. You also have a 32MP camera at the front to please the selfie enthusiasts. Its 4500 mAh battery lasts for well over a day of moderate use. It doesn’t just support regular fast charging but also fast wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE price in India: Rs 36,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/HndTqFg

Xiaomi India launches two new Pro variants in its Redmi Note 11 series: All you need to know

Xiaomi's Redmi brand launched two new smartphones in the ‘Pro’ series of Redmi Note 11 at an event in Bengaluru today, 9 March. The company launched Redmi Note 11 Pro and Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus, which are seemingly a step higher from the Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 11S that were introduced last month in the country.

Let’s take a look at the price and sale dates of the two newly launched ‘Pro’ variants:

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 11 Pro is a 4G device whereas Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is a 5G variant, the second in the Note 11 5G series, after Redmi Note 11G was introduced last year.

Redmi Note 11 Pro is available at an introductory price of Rs 17,999 for the 6GB RAM+128GB base variant. The device comes in Phantom White, Stealth Black and Star Blue colors. The 8GB+128GB variant of Redmi Note 11 Pro comes at a price of Rs 19,999.

Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has been priced at Rs 20,999 for the 6GB+128GB version while the 8GB+128GB version will be available for Rs 22,999. The 8GB+256GB variant will cost Rs 24,999. The device comes in three colors which are Black, White and Mirage Blue. Users of HDFC Bank card will get a Rs 1,000 discount on the purchase of Note 11 Pro+ 5G.

While Redmi Note 11 Pro will be available from 23 March, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G shall be available for purchase in India from 15 March onwards. The two phones will be sold across Mi.com, Amazon India and in Xiaomi retail partner stores.

Specifications:

Both the newly launched ‘Pro’ variants of Redmi Note 11 have a 6.67 inch 120Hz AMOLED display, along with a 1080p resolution. The screen also has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, which offers 1200 nits of peak brightness and supports 360Hz touch sampling.

Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is powered by Snapdragon 695 chipset, which one can get with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. On the other hand, Note 11 Pro comes with a MediaTek Helio G96 processor with its 6GB and 8GB RAM variant.

Redmi Note 11 Pro has a primary 108-megapixel sensor and triple rear camera module while Redmi Note 11 Pro+ comes with a 108MP quad rear camera setup. The phone has ultra-wide-angle sensor of 8MP along with 2MP macro cameras and a depth sensor of 2MP. Redmi Note 11 Pro does not have the 2MP depth sensor.

Both the phones have liquid cooling and come with a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging through a USB Type C interface.

The two ‘Pro’ models have a headphone jack, dual speakers, IP53 splash-proof design and Z-axis linear vibration motor.

Both the newly launched devices come with a charger in the box and run Xiaomi’s MIUI 13 version, based on the Android 11 operating system.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/vbPGFRs

MG Motors launches ZS EV 2022 in India; all you need to know about price, features and specifications

Auto company MG Motors has launched the ZS EV facelift model in India, today, 7 March. The electric vehicle will be available for a base price of Rs 21.99 lakh for the entry-level Excite variant. The Exclusive variant is available for Rs 25.88 lakh {ex-showroom}.

While the Exclusive ZS EV 2022 is available from today, the Excite model will be out in July this year.

The ZS EV 2022 model features a 50.3kWh battery pack, a vast improvement from the 44.5kWh battery pack of the previous model. According to the car’s official website, the four-wheeler will have a range of 461km in a single charge. The ZS EV 2022 model can go from 0-100kph in just 8.5 seconds. The car has a maximum torque of  280 Nm.

In terms of safety, the electric vehicle includes features such as tyre pressure monitoring system {TPMS}, front and back seat belt reminder, hill descent control, hill start assist, ABS+EBD + Brake Assist and 360 degree view camera with rear parking sensor.

The MG ZS EV includes R17 alloy wheels with Tomahawk hub design and silver finish roof rails. The car’s exterior also comes with a new front grille for a more stylish look, as per reports. The vehicle will be available in Currant Red, Ashen Silver, Ferris White, and Sable Black colours.

According to a Carwale report, the electric vehicle can be charged from 0-100 percent in nine hours using a 7.4kW charger. Fast charging from 0 to 80 percent can be finished in just one hour by using a 50kW charger.

The MG ZS EV 2022 model also comes equipped with a range of infotainment features such as a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, seven-inch LCD driver display and PM 2.5 filter, according to a Hindustan Times report.

The electric vehicle features Eco, Sport and Normal driving modes. It also has a dual pane panoramic sky roof, auto headlights and cruise control. The ZS EV 2022 includes a three level Kinetic Energy Recovery System {KERS} as well.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/x5HAtQM

Sony SRS-NB10 Wireless Neckband Speaker Review: Interesting but niche

When I got a call from Sony’s representative inquiring about my interest in reviewing their ‘Wireless Neckband Speaker’, my reaction was probably similar to yours when you read the title of this review – wireless neckband or wireless speaker? Turns out it was a combination of both. While it did sound weird at first (and it still does somewhat), we know better than brushing aside a new audio product category that Sony indulges in. I am sure the first Walkman had its fair share of naysayers back then.

The Sony SRS-NB10 did pique my interest but obviously, I had a lot of questions about it. While some were answered by the company in due course, the others I managed to figure out once I had the product in hand. I am sure you are curious about this unusual product too, and I will be happy to demystify it for you in this review by answering the most common questions about this wireless neckband speaker. So let’s begin.

What exactly is a wireless neckband speaker?

It is pretty much everything the name suggests. Think of it as a wireless neckband that you wear around your neck, but instead of earphones, you have portable speakers. The Sony SRS-NB10 has an interesting design that somewhat resembles a horseshoe. Despite weighing in excess of 110 grams, it sits comfortably around your neck with absolutely no discomfort. The weight distribution is spot on.

It has a pair of speakers towards the backend, with a microphone and controls located towards the front. Just like your wireless earphones, you need to pair it with your source device over Bluetooth and listen to the audio or manage calls wirelessly. The build quality is quite solid with a polished, soft-touch matte finish. We got the charcoal grey variant for review, and it is also available in white. The SRS-SB10 is IPX4 splash resistant.

What is the primary use case of the Sony SRS-NB10?

The primary use case of this Sony wireless neckband speaker is to manage long calls without the discomfort of having earphones in your ear all day. This product is primarily targeted at people working from home who have to engage in frequent calls. Being a wireless product, it doesn’t limit your mobility, and at the same time keeps your hands free for other work. It is also meant to reduce listener fatigue and let you be aware of your surroundings.

Can it be used for listening to music or when watching movies?

Yes, it can be used for listening to music, and it is enjoyable too to a point, but do not expect as much detail or punch in the audio as any proper earphones. It perfectly suffices for some soft music or nighttime listening. The audio output is fairly clean and clear, but understandably the bass lacks thump. You get support for AAC and SBC codecs over Bluetooth 5.1.

The performance is similar when watching videos too. If the content is vocal-heavy, the NB10 does a good job but is found wanting in action sequences or when the audio has a medley of instruments. I tried watching the new Lord of the Rings - Rings of Power trailer, and it was a fairly enjoyable experience with a pretty good stereo effect. I wouldn’t use it to watch the whole thing once it's released though.

How well does the Sony SRS-NB10 perform?

This wireless neckband speaker is quite adept at its primary responsibility - handling calls. The call quality is very good with the person on the line clearly audible, and the microphone conveys your voice across equally well. It was indeed liberating to not hold the phone to your ear nor have an earbud in it during a call, and yet not missing any part of the conversation.

The sound quality is better than that of phone speakers given that the neckband speakers are located a lot closer to your ears at all times. The neckband also has a dedicated button to mute the microphone, which is quite handy when you are on conference calls or online events where you don’t need to speak much. The wireless range is quite impressive too with absolutely no stutter till at least 10 metres. The specified range is 30 metres but I didn’t go that far.

The only major catch here is the lack of privacy. The person sitting next to you or behind you can easily eavesdrop on the conversation. You can always lower the speaker volume (the controls are present on the neckband itself), but below a particular loudness level, you would struggle to hear the caller clearly too. So for important calls or private conversations, one simply cannot use the Sony SRS-NB10, unless you are alone in the room.

What is the battery life of the Sony SRS-NB10?

The battery backup is quite solid on the Sony SRS-NB10. The company promises close to 20 hours on a full charge, and it does get close. Of course, I did not have such long conversations all week but did play a lot of music on it during the course of my testing. It has a USB-C port and you can use any standard phone charger with it. The neckband supports fast charging too, and when the battery is completely drained, a 10-minutes charge can give you an hour of playtime, which is good to see.

What is the price of Sony SRS-NB10 in India?

The Sony SRS-NB10 wireless neckband speaker is priced at Rs 13,990 with a one-year warranty. It is often spotted for Rs 2,000 less on Amazon India. Since this is a one-of-a-kind product, it is hard to comment on the pricing. At this moment, it is a niche product with limited appeal and application. However, I wouldn’t write off this product category just yet.

 

Should I buy the Sony SRS-NB10 wireless neckband speaker?

By now you know what this product is meant for. If you are someone who doesn’t feel comfortable using earphones or headphones for long, especially for calls, then you may consider this product. I would like to reiterate that the Sony SRS-NB10 is more work-oriented than an entertainment device. This is not meant to replace wireless earphones when it comes to consuming music and movies, not yet.

Sony has been known to create new product categories in the consumer technology space. Some ideas work, some don’t, but it’s never wise to write them off too soon. And at some point, we have all wished for a personal audio device that could deliver sound quality similar to good earphones or headphones without having to stuff it in or over our ears. The SRS-NB10 is not that device but a big step in that direction.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/jUQBDz2

Sony SRS-NB10 Wireless Neckband Speaker Review: Interesting but niche

When I got a call from Sony’s representative inquiring about my interest in reviewing their ‘Wireless Neckband Speaker’, my reaction was probably similar to yours when you read the title of this review – wireless neckband or wireless speaker? Turns out it was a combination of both. While it did sound weird at first (and it still does somewhat), we know better than brushing aside a new audio product category that Sony indulges in. I am sure the first Walkman had its fair share of naysayers back then.

The Sony SRS-NB10 did pique my interest but obviously, I had a lot of questions about it. While some were answered by the company in due course, the others I managed to figure out once I had the product in hand. I am sure you are curious about this unusual product too, and I will be happy to demystify it for you in this review by answering the most common questions about this wireless neckband speaker. So let’s begin.

What exactly is a wireless neckband speaker?

It is pretty much everything the name suggests. Think of it as a wireless neckband that you wear around your neck, but instead of earphones, you have portable speakers. The Sony SRS-NB10 has an interesting design that somewhat resembles a horseshoe. Despite weighing in excess of 110 grams, it sits comfortably around your neck with absolutely no discomfort. The weight distribution is spot on.

It has a pair of speakers towards the backend, with a microphone and controls located towards the front. Just like your wireless earphones, you need to pair it with your source device over Bluetooth and listen to the audio or manage calls wirelessly. The build quality is quite solid with a polished, soft-touch matte finish. We got the charcoal grey variant for review, and it is also available in white. The SRS-SB10 is IPX4 splash resistant.

What is the primary use case of the Sony SRS-NB10?

The primary use case of this Sony wireless neckband speaker is to manage long calls without the discomfort of having earphones in your ear all day. This product is primarily targeted at people working from home who have to engage in frequent calls. Being a wireless product, it doesn’t limit your mobility, and at the same time keeps your hands free for other work. It is also meant to reduce listener fatigue and let you be aware of your surroundings.

Can it be used for listening to music or when watching movies?

Yes, it can be used for listening to music, and it is enjoyable too to a point, but do not expect as much detail or punch in the audio as any proper earphones. It perfectly suffices for some soft music or nighttime listening. The audio output is fairly clean and clear, but understandably the bass lacks thump. You get support for AAC and SBC codecs over Bluetooth 5.1.

The performance is similar when watching videos too. If the content is vocal-heavy, the NB10 does a good job but is found wanting in action sequences or when the audio has a medley of instruments. I tried watching the new Lord of the Rings - Rings of Power trailer, and it was a fairly enjoyable experience with a pretty good stereo effect. I wouldn’t use it to watch the whole thing once it's released though.

How well does the Sony SRS-NB10 perform?

This wireless neckband speaker is quite adept at its primary responsibility - handling calls. The call quality is very good with the person on the line clearly audible, and the microphone conveys your voice across equally well. It was indeed liberating to not hold the phone to your ear nor have an earbud in it during a call, and yet not missing any part of the conversation.

The sound quality is better than that of phone speakers given that the neckband speakers are located a lot closer to your ears at all times. The neckband also has a dedicated button to mute the microphone, which is quite handy when you are on conference calls or online events where you don’t need to speak much. The wireless range is quite impressive too with absolutely no stutter till at least 10 metres. The specified range is 30 metres but I didn’t go that far.

The only major catch here is the lack of privacy. The person sitting next to you or behind you can easily eavesdrop on the conversation. You can always lower the speaker volume (the controls are present on the neckband itself), but below a particular loudness level, you would struggle to hear the caller clearly too. So for important calls or private conversations, one simply cannot use the Sony SRS-NB10, unless you are alone in the room.

What is the battery life of the Sony SRS-NB10?

The battery backup is quite solid on the Sony SRS-NB10. The company promises close to 20 hours on a full charge, and it does get close. Of course, I did not have such long conversations all week but did play a lot of music on it during the course of my testing. It has a USB-C port and you can use any standard phone charger with it. The neckband supports fast charging too, and when the battery is completely drained, a 10-minutes charge can give you an hour of playtime, which is good to see.

What is the price of Sony SRS-NB10 in India?

The Sony SRS-NB10 wireless neckband speaker is priced at Rs 13,990 with a one-year warranty. It is often spotted for Rs 2,000 less on Amazon India. Since this is a one-of-a-kind product, it is hard to comment on the pricing. At this moment, it is a niche product with limited appeal and application. However, I wouldn’t write off this product category just yet.

 

Should I buy the Sony SRS-NB10 wireless neckband speaker?

By now you know what this product is meant for. If you are someone who doesn’t feel comfortable using earphones or headphones for long, especially for calls, then you may consider this product. I would like to reiterate that the Sony SRS-NB10 is more work-oriented than an entertainment device. This is not meant to replace wireless earphones when it comes to consuming music and movies, not yet.

Sony has been known to create new product categories in the consumer technology space. Some ideas work, some don’t, but it’s never wise to write them off too soon. And at some point, we have all wished for a personal audio device that could deliver sound quality similar to good earphones or headphones without having to stuff it in or over our ears. The SRS-NB10 is not that device but a big step in that direction.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/1MTf6Xg

National Science Day 2022: Know history, significance, theme and how the day is celebrated

National Science Day is celebrated in India every year on 28 February to recognise the contributions of the scientists towards the development of the nation.

The day commemorates eminent scientist CV Raman's 1928 invention, 'Raman Effect'. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for this historic discovery.

National Science Day 2022: Theme

This year, the theme of the National Science Day is said to be 'Integrated Approach in Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future'. The theme of the day changes each year in order to highlight a different facet of the society. In 2021, the theme of National Science Day was 'The Future of STI'.

National Science Day 2022: History

In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication approached the government and urged to designate 28 February as the National Science Day. The government accepted NCSTC's proposal and in 1987, the day was first celebrated in the country.

National Science Day 2022: Significance

National Science Day is celebrated with an aim to motivate students to take part in the field of science. On this day, youths across the country demonstrate various innovative science projects. The Government of India also facilitates scientists of the nation who have contributed immensely to the field of science.

National Science Day 2022: Celebrations

The day is marked with students from various schools, colleges and institutes presenting their most recent research findings. Science exhibitions, radio and TV discussion shows, scientific movie exhibitions, research demonstrations, science model displays among other events are also conducted across the country to celebrate the day.

 

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/OPNmdRV

National Science Day 2022: Interesting facts about Nobel Laureate CV Raman and why the day is important

The National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February to commemorate the renowned Indian physicist CV Raman. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for discovering the Raman Effect, a phenomenon in spectroscopy.

India's most revered scientist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman aka CV Raman, was born on 7 November, 1888 in Tamil Nadu. His father, who was a lecturer of Mathematics and Physics, had been a big influence on Raman to follow the course of science.

From his early years, CV Raman was fascinated with the scattering of light that later made him discover the change in wavelength that is seen when a beam of light is deflected by molecules. This scattering phenomenon was named as ‘Raman scattering’ or the ‘Raman effect’.

Theme: 

This year, the theme for National Science Day is "Integrated Approach in S&T for a Sustainable Future".

On the occasion of National Science Day 2022, here are some interesting facts about CV Raman:

- At only 11 years of age, Raman passed the matriculation as he was exceptional in his studies. He also passed the Intermediate-level of examination and joined the Presidency College two years later in 1902.

- Raman then went on to get his bachelor’s degree in 1904, where he got himself a first rank and gold medal in Physics. Following bachelor’s, he also completed his masters’ degree.

- Despite bagging a government job in the finance department of the colonial government, Raman quit it. He was then appointed as the first Palit Professor of Physics at the University of Calcutta in 1917.

- During his teaching tenure, he simultaneously conducted research at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS). In 1928, while carrying out experiments on scattering of light, he proudly ended up discovering the 'Raman Effect'.

- A year later, Raman won the Knight Bachelor award and became a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1933, he was appointed as the first Indian director of Indian Institute of Science (IIS) for his hard work and contributions.

- When India gained independence in 1947, Raman was selected as the first National Professor of the country. He was also conferred with the highest civilian award of India, Bharat Ratna in 1954. Raman passed away in 1970.

- Years later, the country celebrated the first National Science Day on 28 February, 1987.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/GWVTdan

NASA shares intriguing photo, can you guess what the viral image is all about?

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is always on-point with its social media game, mesmerising users with the images it frequently uploads on its Instagram account. However, the latest photo posted by the space agency has left many intrigued.

In its recent post, NASA asked users to identify what they could see in the image. The picture featured black-and-white images of what looked like different geometrical shapes.
The space agency also gave out some possibilities about what the images could be in the caption of its post. “A mini NASA Webb telescope, or perhaps two starfighters from a galaxy far, far away?” were some of the options mentioned.

View the post here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NASA (@nasa)

 

Later in the caption, the agency stated that the photo was actually of “few of the many snowflake images collected by NASA’s IMPACTS mission, which studies the snowstorms common to the Northeastern US.”
The Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) mission of NASA uses ER-2 and P-3 aircraft to improve general understanding about how snowbands are formed, as well as their organisation and evolution, according to the official website of the agency. The mission also aims to advance predictive capabilities for future snowstorms.

In its post, NASA also explained that its mission collected these images by flying directly into snowstorms. The probes and instruments that are part of the P-3 aircraft can collect samples to measure atmospheric properties within storm clouds.

Calling these aircraft “stormtroopers”, NASA stated that each of these machines has specific data-collecting tools, which can sample over 30 million particles in one eight-hour flight itself. These tools include instruments which can take high-definition photos of ice-particles, sample shattered particles as well as measure their size.

NASA also stated these aircraft are assisted in their data collection by ground-based radars, computer simulations, satellite data and weather balloon launches to help IMPACTS understand the true impact of snowstorms.

The image has garnered over 3.9 lakh likes since it was first posted. Several users thought one of the images was similar to the fictional TIE fighter spaceship from the Star Wars franchise. Others thought that one of the snowflakes resembled Captain America’s shield.

What do you think the snowflakes resemble?

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/ISD4W5u

OnePlus Buds Z2 Review: A worthy successor to the Buds Z despite its shortcomings

Price: Rs 4,999

Rating: 4/5

The OnePlus Buds Z has been a fine pair of budget TWS earphones and one of the best options under Rs 3,000. A few months ago, OnePlus launched its flagship product in the segment, the Buds Pro for a Rupee short of 10K. Needless to say, there was a huge price gap between the two, and it was only a matter of time until the company introduced something in the middle to fill the gap. 

Say hello to the OnePlus Buds Z2 that looks quite similar to its predecessor but borrows some key features from its premium sibling like active noise cancellation (ANC). Let’s see how it performs and if it’s worth spending close to Rs 5,000 on.

OnePlus Buds Z2: Design and Comfort (8/10)

The OnePlus Buds Z2 looks almost identical to the Buds Z – the case as well as the earbuds. We got the black variant for review that has a glossy piano finish on the buds, and the same finish extends to its capsule shaped charging case too. You will have to wipe the product from time to time as it attracts smudge marks. The build quality is quite sturdy, and yet the buds weigh just 4.6 grams each. The case weighs about 42 grams and hosts a 520 mAh battery. You get a charge status LED at the front and a USB-C port at the back for charging.

There are circular zones at the back of the earbuds above the stems for touch gestures. Just like its predecessor, the Buds Z2 is IP55 rated dust and splash resistant, but now even the charging case has IPX4 moisture resistance. The earbuds have silicone tips that sit just right in the ear canals offering decent passive noise isolation, and the buds are comfortable to wear for long hours. They don’t pop out of the ear during a workout or a jog. Two more pairs of eartips are included in the bundle in case the preinstalled medium sized tips don’t fit well.

OnePlus Buds Z2: Features and Specifications (8/10)

Each earbud has an 11 mm dynamic driver to handle all frequency ranges. They are fitted with three microphones each for calling and noise reduction. You also have wear detection sensors that pause the audio when you remove a bud from the ear and resume when you put it back in the ear. The sensitivity of touch inputs is spot on and you get a soft beep every time you tap it so that you know how many taps it registered (single, double, triple).

Unlike previous OnePlus TWS buds, you get far more flexibility with the touch controls here. You are allowed to reconfigure single tap, double tap and triple tap gestures for the left and right earbuds. You can assign play/pause, next/previous track, voice assistant or nothing for each of those gestures. However, you cannot assign volume control to any of them. Touch and hold for a second lets you cycle through ANC modes - Noise cancellation, Max noise cancellation, ANC off and Transparency. You can choose two or more options from those to toggle between.

The buds can be configured using the OnePlus Buds app on OnePlus phones (OnePlus 6 or newer) or HeyMelody app on non-OnePlus phones. HeyMelody is available on iOS too. While you can configure the controls, there is no way to alter the sound profile like in case of certain Realme or Soundcore products. The OnePlus Buds Z2 is Bluetooth 5.2 compliant, and supports SBC and AAC audio codecs but not Qualcomm’s aptX. Features like Dolby Atmos compliance and low latency modes work only with certain OnePlus phones.

OnePlus Buds Z2: Performance (7.5/10)

The wireless range is good and the connection stays strong for 10 metres with no obstruction between the source and the listener, and over half of that with a concrete wall in between. The OnePlus Buds Z2 can get sufficiently loud around 50% volume, and even outdoors, they are perfectly audible at 60% loudness. The sound profile here is distinctly V-shaped, meaning the lows and highs are boosted. While the audiophiles may cringe at that, such a profile is popular with the masses.

There is an abundance of bass here, and while it is reasonably tight, it does negatively impact the mids. There is noticeable auditory masking in bass-heavy tracks in the lower end of the midrange spectrum. The vocal clarity is generally good but can sound a tad blunted in such tracks. To balance the extra bass, the highs are boosted too. The highs are sharp with ample sparkle, but they could have been tempered better. On occasions they do sound a little sibilant and you can hear the extra hiss, but not to a point of causing listener fatigue.

The overall detail in sound is decent and the soundstage is reasonably broad for the segment. Even when not using a OnePlus phone, the latency is low enough when watching videos with no noticeable lag between the video and audio. All said and done, the OnePlus Buds Z2 produces an enjoyable sound output that works in most common genres of music like Pop, EDM or Bollywood where you do not have a complex medley of instruments.

The Buds Z2 has two ANC profiles - Normal and Max, and frankly, I could not spot any difference in performance between the two. Probably something for the company to look at in the next firmware update. Having said that, the ANC does a decent job of cutting down on several low frequency sounds like whirr of a fan or traffic noises when outdoors. It doesn’t raise the bar in the segment but is par for the course for a sub-5K pair of TWS earbuds. The Transparency mode here is quite good and sounds a lot more natural.

OnePlus Buds Z2: Call quality (8/10)

The call quality on the OnePlus Buds Z2 is good. The person on the line could hear me clearly for most parts when I was indoor as well as outdoor. The wind noise suppression here is actually better than that on the more expensive OnePlus Buds Pro. The traffic noises and other ambient sounds were suppressed reasonably well too, though not entirely. So not a bad option for calling this.

OnePlus Buds Z2: Battery life (8.5/10)

The battery backup on the OnePlus Buds Z2 is one of its strong suits. With ANC switched on full time, the buds lasted a little over four and a half hours at 50 to 60% loudness. And with ANC off half the time, I could push them closer to six hours. The case can recharge the buds four more times, thus taking the total battery backup between 23 to 30 hours depending on your use of ANC. That is excellent battery backup.

The Buds Z2 supports quick charging too, and 10 minutes of charge gives you close to 2 hours of play time for the buds with ANC turned on and about 5 hours with the buds and case combined. The case and buds can be charged fully in under an hour. The battery level of each earbud as well as that of the charging case is visible in the OnePlus Buds and HeyMelody apps.

OnePlus Buds Z2: Price and verdict

The OnePlus Buds Z2 is priced at Rs 4,999 with a one year warranty. For that price, you get a pair of TWS earbuds with enjoyable sound output, decent ANC and very good battery backup, making it a strong contender in the segment. As for competition around the 5K mark, you do get a couple of options like the Soundcore Liberty 2 and Lypertek Levi with comparable battery backup and better sound quality, but both lack features like ANC and touch controls.

Oppo Enco W51 is another option in the sub-5K segment with ANC and with a completely different sound profile (more bright and low on bass) for those who prefer it that way. But the battery backup is much lower and the limited controls on the buds can put off a few. All things considered, the OnePlus Buds Z2 is a worthy successor to the Buds Z and fairly easy to recommend under Rs 5,000.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/0Hspveg

Best phones under Rs 30,000 (Feb 2022): OnePlus Nord 2, iQOO 7 5G to Xiaomi Mi 11X 5G

The list of phones under Rs 30,000 keeps getting better and better every quarter. Other than 5G compliance, you can expect some flagship grade features in most of the chosen handsets this month. That ranges from powerful processors to sleek design to vibrant high refresh rate displays, impressive cameras and more. Time to look at your best options under Rs 30,000 this February.

Best phones to buy under Rs 30,000 in India

Xiaomi Mi 11X 5G

Xiaomi’s Mi 11X 5G comfortably retains its place in our list. You can get its 8 GB RAM variant in this budget with a few bucks to space. It is powered by a flagship grade Snapdragon 870 SoC and has 128 GB internal storage. It has one of the finest displays around in terms of sharpness and colour accuracy. You get a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED Full HD+ screen with 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ compliance and 1300 nits peak (theoretical) brightness. The display as well as the glass back are protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

It has an impressive design and is quite slim measuring less than 8 mm in thickness. Photography department is handled by a 48MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 5MP macro camera. You also get a 20MP front camera for selfies and video calls. It’s 4520 mAh battery lasts over a day of moderate use, and the bundled 33W fast charger juices it up fully in under an hour. Mi 11X 5G runs Android 11 with MIUI 12 on top.

Xiaomi Mi 11X 5G price in India: Rs 27,490 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

iQOO 7 5G

Thanks to a significant price drop, the iQOO 7 5G can now be purchased under Rs 30,000. It is another handset that is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 chip, and again, you get its 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage variant in this budget. It has a 6.62-inch HDR10+ compliant Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling in compatible apps. Just like the Mi 11X, it flaunts a peak brightness of 1300 nits.

The rear camera department is quite versatile, featuring a 48MP primary camera with OIS. Giving it company are a 13MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP depth sensor. Its 4400 mAh battery lasts over a day of moderate use comfortably, and the company bundles a 66W fast charger that promises to charge it fully in less than 30 minutes. That’s correct! The iQOO 7 runs Android 11 with FunTouch OS 11, and one can expect two more major Android updates in the future for this device.

iQOO 7 5G price in India: Rs 28,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 256 GB storage

Motorola Edge 20

The Motorola Edge 20 has some truly interesting features that no other phone in this list can brag about. For starters, it is less than 7 mm thin; something incredibly rare in smartphones these days. Its 6.7-inch Full HD+ OLED display flaunts a 144 Hz refresh rate (another rarity in the segment) along with HDR10+ compliance and capability to display a billion colour shades. It is protected against scratches by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

If you thought that was all, the camera department is helmed by a 108MP primary camera. The support cast is impressive too with a 16MP ultra-wide shooter and an 8MP telephoto camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS) that provides 3X optical zoom. Not to forget the 32MP selfie camera that is bound to impress the selfie crowd. This Motorola phone is powered by a fairly potent Snapdragon 778G, and you get 8 GB RAM with 128 GB internal storage to go with it.

Its 4000 mAh battery suffices for a day of moderate use and supports 30W fast charging. It runs Android 11, and like most Motorola phones, you get a clean and near-stock user interface that still appeals to a lot of Android purists. All said and done, the Motorola Edge 20 is an impressive all-round package and one of the best options in this budget.

Motorola Edge 20 price in India: Rs 27,190 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

OnePlus Nord 2

Speaking of good UI, here’s OnePlus Nord 2. It is powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chip that was a sleeper hit of 2021 in terms of processing power and value. This 5G-ready phone has a sharp 6.43-inch Full HD+ Fluid AMOLED display with a 90 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ compliance. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, and the protection extends to the phone’s glass back too. You get the 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage variant in this budget. This phone runs OxygenOS 11.3 based on Android 11, and the Android 12 update has already started rolling out for this device.

The rear camera department comprises a 50MP main camera with OIS and Sony’s recent IMX766 sensor that does a good job in different lighting conditions. Support cast includes an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP monochrome camera. The 32MP front camera is good enough to keep the selfie enthusiasts happy. The OnePlus Nord 2 has a 4500 mAh battery that lasts close to a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 65W fast charger charges it insanely fast in a little over half an hour.

OnePlus Nord 2 price in India: Rs 29,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

Samsung Galaxy M52 5G

We had to choose between Samsung Galaxy A52s and M52 5G as they both have a similar feature set. The latter got our nod thanks to better pricing and availability in this budget. The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G is powered by a Snapdragon 778 SoC, and accompanied by 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal (expandable) storage. It has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling in compatible apps.

Despite the large display and a 5000 mAh battery, it weighs under 175 grams and is just 7.4 mm thick. Camera department here is quite stacked with a combination of 64MP primary camera, 12MP ultrawide snapper and a 5MP macro camera. The phone can capture some quality photos in various modes. This phone too has an impressive 32MP selfie camera embedded in a tiny punch hole at the top of the screen. The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G runs Android 11 with One UI 3.1.

Samsung Galaxy M52 5G price in India: Rs 26,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/auAVXWq

Why does Russia want Ukraine so badly? Here’s what a geography book tells us

One can accuse Vladimir Putin’s infamous ambition for Russia's moves on Ukraine, but the real reason may be a lot more earthy and compelling: geography.

A 2016 edition of Tim Marshall’s Prisoners of Geography takes a refreshing view of geopolitics. It explains how the rivers, seas, mountains, glaciers, forests and plains dictate international relations of Russia, China, the US, western European nations, Africa, the Middle East, Korea and Japan and Latin America.

It also describes how the geography of India and Pakistan — the watery arc of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal, the Hindukush to the northwest and the Himalayas to the north, the plateau of the Balochistan desert, North West Frontier mountains, and the Karakoram range which leads back to the Himalayas — forms the bloodied rink of a tragic conflict.

The common perception (there is a fair bit of truth in it) among international policy experts is that Putin wants to be the person who, on his watch, puts Ukraine back into Russia's arms. The Russian President has given himself 14 more years of power to do so.

Analysts say Putin wants to create a Russian empire. Ukraine is a crucial part of his plan. In a 2015 speech, Putin called Ukraine the “crown jewel of Russia”, triggering alarm among western agencies. It came a year after Russia annexed Crimea, then a slice of Ukraine.

In 2021, Putin wrote another impassioned piece.

“As the wall that has emerged in recent years between Russia and Ukraine, between the parts of what is essentially the same historical and spiritual space, to my mind is our great common misfortune and tragedy. These are, first and foremost, the consequences of our own mistakes made at different periods of time. But these are also the result of deliberate efforts by those forces that have always sought to undermine our unity,” wrote Putin. “Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians are all descendants of Ancient Rus, which was the largest state in Europe. Slavic and other tribes across the vast territory – from Ladoga, Novgorod, and Pskov to Kiev and Chernigov – were bound together by one language (which we now refer to as Old Russian), economic ties, the rule of the princes of the Rurik dynasty, and – after the baptism of Rus – the Orthodox faith. The spiritual choice made by St Vladimir, who was both Prince of Novgorod and Grand Prince of Kiev, still largely determines our affinity today. The throne of Kiev held a dominant position in Ancient Rus. This had been the custom since the late 9th century. The Tale of Bygone Years captured for posterity the words of Oleg the Prophet about Kiev, ‘Let it be the mother of all Russian cities.’”

But civilisational nostalgia or imperial design does not fully explain Russia’s need to invade Ukraine. When the USSR collapsed and split into 15 countries because of political overstretch, terrible economics, and a defeat in Afghanistan, part after part disintegrated and left it totally geographically exposed.

“Moscow’s dream of warm water open sea lanes has seeped away ever since, and is perhaps further now than it has been for 200 years. This lack of a warm-water port with direct access to the oceans has always been Russia’s Achilles heel, as strategically important to it as the North European Plain. Russia is at a geographical disadvantage, saved from being a much weaker power only because of its oil and gas,” write Tim Marshall in Prisoners of Geography. “Geography had its revenge on the ideology of the Soviets.”

He says as long as there was a pro-Russian government in Kiev, the Russians were confident that the buffer zone would remain and protect the North European Plain. Even a neutral Ukraine which keeps away from the European Union or NATO and keeps the leash on the warm-water port at Sevastopol in Crimea would be fine. Ukraine’s dependence on Russia for energy was seen as harmless.

“But a pro-western Ukraine with ambitions to join the two great western alliances and which threw into doubt Russia’s access to its Black Sea port? A Ukraine that one day might even host a NATO naval base? That could not stand,”

Sevastopol is Russia’s only major warm-water port. But access out of the Black Sea into the Mediterranean is clamped by the Montreux Convention of 1936, which gave NATO member Turkey control of the Bosporus. In a time of conflict, even that access could end.

Beyond Bosporus, the Aegean Sea, Mediterranean and the Gibraltar Straits impede Russia’s movement to the Atlantic Ocean or its route to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal. Its naval presence in Syria’s Tartus is strategic but limited.

In the event of a war, the Russian navy cannot get out to the Baltic Sea either because NATO controls the Skagerrak Strait, which connects to the North Strait. If Russia gets past the Skagerrak, the GIUK Gap (Greenland, Iceland, UK) in the North Sea stymies its advance to the Atlantic.

Clearly, Geography has not been kind to a great nation and civilisation. But will browbeating its way out of that handicap going to help Russia? Only history will tell.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/a26EhUL