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Xiaomi Unveils Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 in India

Xiaomi has recently unveiled its latest smartphones, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Xiaomi 14, marking the debut of its new flagship series in India. The devices, developed in collaboration with Leica, aim to advance Xiaomi’s presence in the realm of mobile photography. Both models are the inaugural smartphones from the brand to operate on Xiaomi’s HyperOS straight from the box.

The launch event highlighted the collaborative efforts between Xiaomi and Leica in enhancing smartphone imaging technologies. According to Anuj Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer at Xiaomi India, the partnership has led to significant advancements in mobile photography, underscored by the introduction of the Xiaomi 14 Series. The new line-up incorporates Leica Summilux optics and a 75mm floating telephoto lens among other features, emphasizing Xiaomi’s commitment to innovation in mobile imaging.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is presented as the zenith of mobile photography, drawing on design cues from professional cameras. It boasts a 50MP quad-camera array, covering a wide range of focal lengths and supported by a 1-inch image sensor for high dynamic range photography. Additionally, the device enhances videography with 8K video recording capabilities across all cameras and introduces features like a Movie mode for cinematic shooting and a Director mode for multi-camera setups.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra features a unibody metal structure with nano-tech Vegan Leather, offering enhanced wear resistance. It also sports a Quad Curved Display with 2K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, complemented by Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for an immersive viewing experience.

The Xiaomi 14, while smaller in size, does not compromise on technology or design. It features a high-definition display, a 3D curved back, and is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform as the Ultra model. The camera system, co-engineered with Leica, includes a primary lens with a custom sensor for superior photography.

Both models incorporate Xiaomi’s Surge battery management system for optimized battery performance. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers rapid wired and wireless charging, while the Xiaomi 14 supports fast charging technologies as well.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, equipped with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB storage option, is priced at INR 99,999. Sales for this model are scheduled to start at 12 noon on April 12, 2024. For enthusiasts looking to secure their purchase early, a limited Reserve Edition will be up for booking starting March 11, 2024, at 12 noon, with a reservation fee of INR 9,999. This edition boasts exclusive items such as a limited-edition case and a 67mm filter adapter, among other surprises, with early access sales kicking off on April 8, 2024, available exclusively at Mi.com and Mi Homes.

The Xiaomi 14, offering 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is available for ₹69,999 and will also be available for an effective price of INR 59,999 after taking into account the INR 5,000 discount on ICICI bank cards, the exchange bonus, and a 24-month no-cost EMI option. This model will be on sale from 12 noon, March 11, 2024, across various platforms including Mi.com, Xiaomi retail stores, Amazon India, and Flipkart.

Xiaomi 14 Series purchasers will enjoy additional benefits such as one free screen replacement within the first six months, a complimentary one-year out-of-warranty repair service covering labor costs, access to a dedicated relationship manager, and a three-month free subscription to YouTube Premium, enhancing the overall user experience and value proposition of these flagship devices.

Vivo V30, V30 Pro launched in India

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Vivo has recently expanded its smartphone line-up in India with the introduction of the V30 and V30 Pro models, highlighting advanced camera capabilities and a slim design. The company announced that these devices, continuing the legacy of the V-Series, offer the thinnest design yet in the series, complemented by a powerful 5000 mAh battery. In a move to enhance the photography experience, Vivo has partnered with ZEISS for the V30 Pro model, aiming to bring professional-grade portrait photography into users’ hands.

The Vivo V30 is available in Andaman Blue, Peacock Green, and Classic Black, with prices starting at ₹33,999 for the 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant, and going up to ₹37,999 for the 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage option. The V30 Pro comes in Andaman Blue and Classic Black, priced at ₹41,999 for the 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage model, and ₹46,999 for the 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage variant. Pre-booking for both devices will start from March 14, 2024, across Flipkart, the Vivo India e-store, and select retail partners.

The V30 series boasts significant improvements in camera technology. The Vivo V30 features a triple camera setup, including a 50MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 50MP group selfie camera with Eye Autofocus. The V30 Pro elevates the camera experience further with a ZEISS co-engineered triple camera system, incorporating a 50 MP professional portrait camera, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and cinematic video bokeh effects powered by AI. Both models offer a 6.78-inch 3D curved AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, housed in a sleek 7.45 mm body.

Under the hood, the Vivo V30 is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, while the V30 Pro utilizes a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC, both supported by a 5000 mAh battery with 80W FlashCharge technology. The devices run on FunTouch OS 14 and are promised to receive three generations of Android updates and four years of security updates, ensuring longevity and reliability for users.

With their latest V30 series, Vivo aims to blend style with performance, offering consumers high-end camera capabilities, a refined design, and robust battery life without compromising on the overall user experience.

Nothing Phone 2a launches in India

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Nothing recently launched its third smartphone Nothing 2A. The Nothing Phone 2a distinguishes itself with its MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC processor and an adaptive refresh rate AMOLED display capable of reaching 120Hz. Its design includes a dual 50-megapixel camera setup on the back and boasts an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance.

The smartphone is hitting the market with a starting price of ₹23,999 for the base model, which includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Other available variants offer 8GB+256GB and 12GB+256GB, with prices set at ₹25,999 and ₹27,999, respectively. The Phone 2a is available in both White and Black and will be purchasable via Flipkart from March 12. An introductory offer allows customers to buy the phone at a reduced price of ₹19,999 on the day of the launch. Additional incentives include a ₹2,000 cashback for HDFC bank card purchases and an extra ₹2,000 off on exchange deals, with no-cost EMI options available for up to nine months.

In terms of specifications, the Nothing Phone 2a operates on an Android 14-based Nothing OS 2.5 and is promised three years of Android updates along with four years of security patches. The device features a 6.7-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with HDR10+ support, safeguarded by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC, accompanied by up to 12GB of RAM. The smartphone’s dual-camera system and a 32-megapixel front camera are among its highlighted features.

For storage, options extend up to 256GB, and connectivity features include 5G and Wi-Fi 6, among others. The phone is equipped with an array of sensors and supports both fingerprint unlocking and face unlock authentication. Its battery capacity is 5,000mAh, supporting 45W fast charging, an improvement over its predecessors. The device also continues the brand’s distinctive Glyph Interface, allowing users to customize LED notification patterns on the phone’s rear, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

HP introduces New Compact Printer Series for Small Businesses

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HP recently unveiled the Colour LaserJet Pro 3000 series, aiming to equip small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with high-quality printing solutions. The series is noted for its compact size, energy-efficient features, and the implementation of HP’s TerraJet toner technology, which promises enhanced colour quality and speed.

The demand for efficient and reliable printing solutions remains strong among SMBs, with many indicating a preference for a combination of digital and physical materials. The Color LaserJet Pro 3000 series is designed to meet this need, offering vibrant colour prints and professional speed in a space-saving design.

Aurelio Maruggi, division president of Office Print Solutions at HP, highlighted the importance of adaptable, high-performance printing solutions in today’s hybrid work environments. The Color LaserJet Pro 3000 series is presented as a solution that supports the dynamic needs of growing businesses, providing cost savings, security, and ease of management.

Key features of the new printer series include Wi-Fi connectivity that ensures consistent online access, class-leading print speeds, high-quality output, and advanced security measures. It also boasts the smallest footprint in its category.

TerraJet toner technology is a cornerstone of the new series, delivering 11% more vivid colours and 18% faster print speeds. It also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing energy consumption by up to 27% and cutting down plastic use in toner cartridges by up to 28%.

HP’s A3 and A4 printer offerings, including the new Color LaserJet Pro 3000 series, have been revamped for the modern office, emphasizing flexibility and consistency across various business scales. The company’s efforts were recently acknowledged with the A4 Line of the Year award from Keypoint Intelligence, reflecting excellence in reliability, value, usability, image quality, and speed.

The Color LaserJet Pro 3000 series is slated for release in May 2024, with availability and pricing details to be announced regionally.

Nikon Acquires Cinema Camera Manufacturer RED

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In a significant move for the film and photography industry, Nikon has announced its acquisition of RED, an American company known for its high-quality digital cinema cameras. This acquisition marks a notable expansion for the Japanese camera giant, allowing it to incorporate RED’s advanced cinema technology into its offerings.

RED, headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California, and founded in 2005 by Oakley founder Jim Jannard, has been a prominent player in the digital cinema industry. The company has over 200 employees and has made a name for itself with innovations that have pushed the boundaries of film technology. Notably, RED introduced the world to 4K resolution filming with its RED ONE camera in 2007, setting a new standard in the industry.

The acquisition gives Nikon access to RED’s esteemed product line, including the RED One 4K and V-Raptor X cameras, along with pioneering image compression and colour science technologies that have contributed to the success of numerous acclaimed films and television shows.

RED’s technologies have continually evolved to meet the demanding needs of filmmakers, earning the brand a preferred status among professional cinematographers worldwide. The merger is expected to bring together the strengths of both companies, promising advancements in digital cinema and photography technology.

Despite a history of legal disputes between Nikon and RED over patent infringement allegations, the two companies have moved past their differences, seeing a shared future in technological innovation. RED’s president, Jarred Land, expressed optimism about the merger on social media, suggesting a collaborative path forward aimed at reshaping the professional digital cinema camera market.

The acquisition comes after RED’s attempt to enter the smartphone market in 2018 with a holographically capable device, a venture that faced criticism and did not achieve commercial success. Nonetheless, this move demonstrated RED’s willingness to explore new technological frontiers, a spirit Nikon seems eager to embrace as the companies embark on this new chapter together.

Nikon India and WWF-India Unveil ‘Wonders of the Wild’ Contest

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In an exciting partnership, Nikon India and the Worldwide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) have launched the first-ever ‘Wonders of the Wild’ photography and videography contest. This initiative seeks to showcase the stunning biodiversity of India by inviting wildlife enthusiasts across the nation to capture its natural beauty through their lenses.

Open until March 3, 2024, the contest is designed to highlight the creativity and storytelling capabilities of individuals dedicated to wildlife, encouraging them to share the vibrancy of Indian wildlife through their work. It represents a significant opportunity for budding talents to exhibit their skills and emphasizes the vital message of conservation.

A distinguished jury, including renowned wildlife videographers and photographers Shaaz Jung, Latika Nath, and Kallol Mukherjee, will evaluate the entries. Participants are welcome to submit their work via the Nikon India website or Instagram, with the contest offering a range of exciting prizes.

Prizes include a Nikon Z 8 mirrorless camera, valued at INR 3,43,995, for the grand prize winner. The first runner-up will receive a NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens worth INR 2,93,995, and the second runner-up will be awarded a NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens valued at INR 1,69,995. Additionally, the top 10 entries will receive merchandise from the WWF-India Nature Store.

Look at the Samsung S24 Ultra Cameras

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Samsung Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 also unveiled

Samsung unveiled the S24 series comprising of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 along with the Galaxy AI to the public. The flagship devices from Samsung comes with the latest Snapdragon Gen 3 processors and specs that will surely make everyone take notice. Under the hood, the Galaxy S24 Ultra provides 12GB + 1TB, 12 + 512GB, or 12 + 256GB memory and storage options.There are two main take aways for me in these phones, the change in the Cameras and also the power of AI in everyday usage.

Cameras

The S24 Ultra comes with a quad camera set up, like the S23 Ultra, which on the face of it seems the same, but there are some interesting changes to the cameras. The cameras include a 12MP ultra-wide camera that features a 120-degree field of view, a 200-MP wide camera with OIS, and two telephoto cameras featuring 5x and 3x optical zoom options. At the front it has a 12MP front-facing camera.But what’s interesting is that there have been some changes that’ve been made to the camera. For instance, the main 200-MP camera now has a new sensor with the same specs as the S23 ultra, the telephoto also now features a 5x zoom instead of a 10x in the previous edition, to deliver a better performance between the ranges of 3x to 10x performance. These are tiny but important changes for the performance, which the users will benefit from. But we can only be certain when we do the full review of the phone.

Samsung AI

And the other important take away is the Samsung AI, which the company has teased a lot. It’s safe to say that it is difficult to leave AI out of phones anymore, and with each new phone, the use case scenario of AI seems to make things increasingly convenient.

In the Samsung AI world you can now click on a picture, select and search it on google, it will also allow real time translation on calls. But the most interesting thing is the editing tools it offers. Much like google, you can now enable simple edits like erase, re-compose, and remaster. For easier and more efficient optimizations, Edit Suggestionuses Galaxy AI to suggest suitable tweaks for each photo. Generative Editcan fill in parts of an image background with generative AI. When a picture is crooked, AI will fill in the borders. And if an action-packed video needs to be slowed down, new Instant Slow-mo can generate additional frames based on movements to smoothly slow down action-packed moments for a more detailed look. And yes it shows you small stars at the corner if the picture has been edited using AI.

These and host of other features awaits us with AI. But off the top these were the stand out things that we noticed about the cameras of the Samsung S24 Ultra. But do stay tuned and we will bring you the full review of the phone soon.

How Canon, Sony and Nikon are fighting Deep Fake Images

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With fake images and videos becoming more convincing everyday (like the Rashmika Mandanna fake video), tech giants have increased their monitoring to combat that menace. But now it is not only the tech giants, but camera manufacturers that are joining this fight by developing technology that will embed digital signatures in their cameras with new technology that can verify the authenticity of photos. Sony, Nikon and Canon are working on embedding digital signatures in their cameras that will act as the proof of origin and the integrity of the images shot by them reports Nikkei Asia.

The digital signatures are believed to contain information such as the date, time, location, and the name of the photographer who has shot the image. The manufacturers believe that this will restrict tampering and help the photographers and viewers to identify the credibility of the work. Nikon is expected to offer this feature in its mirrorless cameras, while Sony and Canon are expected to offer it in their professional line-up as well.

How does it work?

If you are wondering how does this work? Then the three manufacturers have agreed on creating a global standard for digital signatures, which will be made compatible with a web-based tool called Verify. This tool has been launched by an alliance of global news organisations, technology companies, and camera makers, will allow anyone to check the credentials of an image for free. Once the online tool runs through the image, it will display the relevant information if an image has a digital signature. If the image has been altered by AI, then the tool will flag it as having “No Content Credentials”.

Google, Intel doing their bit

Google, the biggest search engine globally is also doing their bit to help this fight. They have released a tool that adds invisible digital watermarks to AI-generated pictures, which can be detected by another tool. Intel has developed technology that can analyse the skin colour changes of subjects in images, which indicate the blood flow under their skin, and use that to determine the image’s authenticity.

The Challenge?

The biggest challenge though seems to be the user journey where they will have to use these tools to verify the images and authenticity. Whether a user undertakes that journey remains to be seen. But it is clear that a tool/technology like this is much needed at this point with the increase of deep fake images and videos on a rise.

Sony is expected to release this technology by 2024 as per reports and Canon is expected to make it available later this year. Currently this embedding is expected to be available only for images, but reports suggests that Sony and Canon are considering adding the feature to videos, although under development.

OnePlus Reveals Schedule for Exclusive ‘Smooth Beyond Belief’ Launch Event in New Delhi

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OnePlus has announced the schedule for ticket sales for its upcoming ‘Smooth Beyond Belief’ launch event, where the OnePlus 12 series is set to be unveiled. The event is scheduled to take place on January 23, 2024, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, marking the beginning of a new decade for the brand.

As part of the launch event, OnePlus is offering an exclusive opportunity for its Indian community to be among the first individuals globally to experience the latest flagship products. The event promises to showcase cutting-edge technology that the company claims has been a decade in the making.

The ‘Smooth Beyond Belief’ launch event aims to provide attendees with an unparalleled experience of OnePlus technology, focusing on the central tenet of fast and smooth performance. The event will feature the unveiling of both the all-round flagship, the OnePlus 12, and the performance flagship, the OnePlus 12R.

The gates for the event are set to open at 17:30 Hours IST at Pragati Maidan. Attendees will have the chance to explore experience zones at the launch venue, where they can be the first in the world to try out the latest array of OnePlus devices, including the OnePlus 12 series.

Prinova Solutions Enhances Printing Capabilities with New HP Indigo 6K Digital Press

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Prinova Solutions LLP has expanded its digital printing capabilities by introducing the HP Indigo 6K Brand Protection Plus Digital Press at its facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The move aims to address the increasing demand in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. The new digital press is designed to incorporate secure printing technologies to combat counterfeiting, while also delivering high-quality and flexible custom printing through its single-pass productivity.

Atul Sonthalia, Partner at Prinova, highlighted the company’s origins with the vision to address the market gap for short-run packaging solutions. He emphasized the commitment to providing customers with cutting-edge technology and impeccable service through a skilled team and top-tier equipment. Sonthalia stated, ‘Our collaboration with HP and Technova signifies a significant step towards digital and short-run packaging, as well as brand protection and anti-counterfeit solutions.’

A Appadurai, Country Manager for Indigo and Inkjet Business Solutions at HP India, acknowledged their role as pioneers in digital press solutions, emphasizing the collaboration with Technova. He recognized the evolving needs of customers in the rapidly growing digital printing for packaging industry. Appadurai highlighted the HP Indigo 6K Brand Protection Plus Press as the first of its kind in India, marking a significant milestone in brand protection. He expressed enthusiasm about witnessing Prinova’s success with this innovative digital technology.

The HP Indigo 6K Brand Protection Plus Digital Press is described as an end-to-end security solution, offering exclusive anti-counterfeit labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons, and traceable stamps. It caters to brands facing counterfeiting challenges in the food & beverage, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food & beverage industries. The press facilitates traceability on various security substrates, including films and UV substrates, managed centrally through a secure black box ecosystem. Variable security inks such as invisible, fluorescent, spot colours, and taggant inks, along with features like QR codes and digital watermarking, are highlighted as part of HP Indigo Secure’s flexible, multi-layered approach to counterfeiting for printers.

The HP Indigo 6K Brand Protection Plus Digital Press, equipped with HP Indigo LEP and One-Shot Colour Technology, offers high resolution, high quality, and perfect registration. It uses HP Indigo ElectroInk with the widest digital colour gamut, reaching up to 97% of PANTONE colours and employing up to 7 ink stations on press to meet the demands of colour-conscious customers. The press also aligns with the company’s sustainability goals, being manufactured carbon neutral and contributing to reduced production waste. The environmentally safe Indigo Ink does not require solvents, chemicals, or UV light. The press has undergone independent verification to confirm compliance with rigorous health and environmental standards.