Facebook has been working on deeper integration and interoperability between all its properties. The. company recently introduced Accounts Center across Facebook, Instragram and Messenger that brings the abilitiy to cross-share Facebook posts and Stories simultaneously on Instagram. A couple of weeks ago, it announced a messaging experience overhaul for Instagram that allows cross-platform messaging between Instagram and Messenger. Now, Facebook is adding support for Instagram to its Messenger API. It will allow businesses on the media-sharing platform to handle Instagram messages through third-party apps.
The new API enables businesses to integrate Instagram messaging with their preferred business applications and workflows. Currently, it is in beta, and only a limited number of developer partners and businesses can use it. Adidas, Amaro, Glossier, H&M, MagazineLuiza, Michael Kors, Nars, Sephora and TechStyle Fashion Group are among the brands that are trying it out.
The Messenger API will let businesses handle messages from various parts of Instagram including Shops and Stories, in one place. The brands will also be allowed to integrate Instagram into their customer relationship management systems. It will allow them to see a customer’s order history alongside messages from them. Further, Facebook is adding automation to Instagram DMs. It will allow brands to respond immediately to common inquiries.
The company recently added support for cross-platform messaging between Instagram and Messenger. Users can now send a text from Messenger to Instagram, or vice versa. However, Facebook is letting users opt-in to this feature, and it is not forcing it on them. The users can choose to update to this look, but once they do, they can not go back to the older look.
The latest Pixel was officially launched less than a month ago, and it is already starting to show what could be a huge problem. Some early Google Pixel 5 buyers are starting to notice a gap between the phone’s frame and the display, which could jeopardize the phones IP rating, and more.
The new Google Pixel 5 is already starting to arrive at its new owners’ homes. Unfortunately, some of them report that their new devices are coming with a small separation between the screen’s plastic bumper and the aluminum frame. Reports seem to vary, but the separation is usually found in the area around the front-facing camera. Customers are expressing concern, as this gap could affect the Google Pixel 5’s water and dust resistance.
The guys over at Android Police have also experienced this issue with their device, so it adds up to a number of reports that aren’t necessarily large, but it’s increasing at a consistent rate. These reports can be found at the Pixel Phone product forum and on XDA’s forum with several examples of these gaps and how much it can vary in location and separation in these phones.
“We can confirm that our own Pixel 5 review unit is also affected, though to a lesser degree than some of those pictured above. Most reports show it in the corner closest to the display’s camera cutout, along the top of the phone, and above the SIM tray on the left side, but it may also appear in other areas as well. Though most images demonstrate the problem in the Just Black colorway (probably because it’s most visible with the stronger contrast), it also affects the Sage Green color.”
Only time will tell if these gaps affect the phone’s water resistance. Still, reports mention that the aesthetic defects have been present since Google Pixel 5 was taken out of the box, and the screens don’t seem to be separating over time. Hopefully, this issue is nothing more than a cosmetic defect that won’t harm the phone’s performance or durability.
South Korean semiconductor giant and memory chipmaker SK Hynix has today announced that that it is acquiring Intel’s NAND business for a sum of $9 billion. The acquisition will give SK Hynixownership of Intel’s NAND SSD business, the NAND component and wafer business, as well as the Dalian manufacturing facility in China. Intel, on the other hand, will retain the Optane business alongside the memory trademark and will continue to work on it. Both the companies will seek regulatory approval for the deal next year, following which the acquisition will take another four year years to complete in 2025.
Intel will retain its Optane memory business
Once SK Hynix gets the approval, it will pay Intel an initial sum of $7 billion to acquire its NAND business, which includes the transfer of NAND SSD-associated intellectual properties and employees in that division, as well as the Dalian facility. The ownership of the remaining assets – which include IP related to manufacturing and designing of NAND flash wafers, R&D employees, and the Dalian facility’s entire workforce – will be transferred in 2025 subject to payment of the remaining $2 billion.
The deal will see completion in 2025
This will also mark the deal’s completion. But until then, Intel will keep manufacturing NAND wafers at the Dalian facility, and will also retain all the NAND flash-associated design and production IPs. SK Hynix mentions in its press release that the deal will help sharpen the competitive edge of its storage solutions with a special focus on the domain of enterprise SSDs. The South Korean company aims to leverage Intel’s technology to strengthen its portfolio of 3D NAND solutions.
Both companies are currently awaiting regulatory approval
“I am proud of the NAND memory business we have built and believe this combination with SK Hynix will grow the memory ecosystem for the benefit of customers, partners and employees.” Intel CEO Bob Swan was quoted as saying regarding the deal. “By taking each other`s strengths and technologies, SK hynix will proactively respond to various needs from customers and optimize our business structure, expanding our innovative portfolio in the NAND flash market segment, which will be comparable with what we achieved in DRAM,” said SK Hynix CEO Seok-Hee Lee about the acquisition.
The status of xCloud game streaming service’s arrival of on iPhones and iPads is still in limbo, with App Store policies providing to be the bone of contention between Microsoft and Apple. However, there is now another way you can enjoy Xbox games on your iPhone and iPad without worrying about any tussles. That new way is Micorosft’s new Xbox app, which enables remote play from your Xbox One consoleto an iPhone or iPad. This capability was rolled out widely on the Android platform last month, and is now finally making its way to the iOS platform.
No xCloud, no problem!
To stream console games straight on your iPhone or iPad, you need to connect it with your Xbox One and must have a stable connection with over 10Mbps downlink speed. Now, you need to pair the Xbox Wireless Controller with your iPhone or iPad over Bluetooth. You can find complete step-by-step instructions in the Xbox app itself, or you can visit the official support page for more information. Here’s how the feature looks in action:
All games installed on your Xbox One console – including the Xbox Game Pass titles – can be played on an iPhone or iPad without any further downloads required. Just pair it, link the controller, and you’re good to go. In addition to streaming games from your console to a mobile device, the new Xbox app also allows you to stay in touch with your gaming buddies, share game clips on social media, and get notifications for game invites, party chat, and more.
You still need an Xbox One console to enable remote play on your iPhone
However, do keep in mind that Xbox Remote Play is different from xCloud. The new Xbox app only allows remote play, which means you need an Xbox One console on which games are downloaded to stream them on your iPhone or iPad. xCloud, on the other hand, will let you play Xbox games anywhere on your iPhone or iPad, even over cellular networks and without having to pair it with a console. However, you will need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold membership to enjoy Xbox games on your mobile device even if you don’t own a console.
It seems that the new Apple Watch SE is the hottest smartwatch on the market, literally. The latest, more affordable version of the Apple Watch is said to be presenting overheating issues after some hours of usage, and it seems that the problems don’t stop there.
Several Apple Watch SE owners have started to report issues with their devices. These complaints have reached Reddit posts from South Korea, where at least six users say that their smartwatches have overheated and then stopped to work correctly. The watches have also shown a yellow spot on the upper right corner of their displays. Some users claim that the issues started appearing while they were wearing the Apple Watch SE, while others say that it started to overheat while charging, and it later presented the display issue.
“The owner received the product on October 8. The owner slept with the watch on the wrist on October 9 night. Woke up on October 10 just to find the wrist is very hot. The owner quickly took off the watch to find the red wrist due to heat. No power signals from the watch, but the sound plays well when the watch is searched with the Find my Watch feature. The owner exchanged the device with a new product on October 16.”
There is no clue as to what may be causing this issue since there hasn’t been a teardown of the Apple Watch SE, but it is believed that the problem could be the display connectors near the Taptic Engine if this Apple Watch has a similar design to prior models. Also, it is not clear as to why this issue seems to be limited to South Korea, as there haven’t been any reports found elsewhere. In other words, this problem may be limited to a specific Apple Watch SE batch manufactured in a particular area, which was then shipped to Korea. However, we will be on the lookout for further reports on social media networks and Apple Support Communities.
One of the biggest upgrades introduced by the iPhone 12 series is 5G support, with all four models supporting both mmWave and sub-6GHz bands. However, it appears that folks who purchase the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, or the iPhone 12 Pro duo won’t be able to enjoy blazing-fast 5G speeds when dual-SIM functionality is enabled. At least not initially.
As per an image of a training manual for retailers and carriers that surfaced on Reddit, none of the iPhone 12 models will support 5G when dual-SIM mode is activated. In reply to a FAQ that asks whether 5G works with dual-SIM, the training material says, “When using two lines in Dual SIM mode, 5G data isn’t supported on either line and will fall back to 4G LTE. If customers are using eSIM only and are on a 5G-supported carrier and service plan, they’ll have 5G access.”
IMAGE: Reddit / ctthrow1
What this means is you have to either take out the physical nano-SIM or disable the second line provided by the eSIM system to use 5G on the iPhone 12. Otherwise, both the lines will work only with the 4G LTE standard. This a weird limitation, and will definitely come as a disappointment for users who rely on dual-SIM to keep their personal and professional numbers separate. However, it appears that the issue is temporary and will soon be fixed via a software update.
The Reddit user who originally shared the user manual’s screenshot mentioned that Apple will roll out an update later this year that will end the aforementioned limitation and will allow users to enjoy 5G in dual-SIM mode. Notably, Apple’s own support page talking about dual-SIM and eSIM functionality doesn’t mention this limitation at all. But then, the aforesaid page also lacks any mention of the iPhone 12 series and will likely be updated once the iPhone 12 starts shipping.
I clearly remember the days when MTV was the go-to channel for music lovers, thanks to its round-the-clock cycle of, well, music videos. While those MTV glory days are long gone, Apple is trying to capture some of that lost MTV magic by launching a new 24-hour music channel called Apple Music TV. Yes, it will play a curated selection of popular music videos all day and night. Plus, it will also serve as the debut platform for “exclusive new music videos and premiers, special curated music video blocks, and live shows and events as well as chart countdowns and guests,” as per a Variety report.
Image: Brandon Russel / XDA-Developers
The Apple Music TV channel can be accessed in the Browse tab of the Apple Music and Apple TV apps. You can also access it on apple.co/AppleMusicTV on the web. However, the new 24-hour music channel is currently accessible to users in the US only, and there is no word on its expansion in other markets.
Apple Music TV reportedly premiered earlier today with a countdown of the top 100 most-streamed songs of all time on Apple Music in the US. “On Thursday (October 22), it will celebrate the upcoming release of Bruce Springsteen’s “Letter to You” album with an “all day Bruce takeover” featuring music-video blocks of his most popular videos, an interview with Zane Lowe, anchor of Apple Music’s radio station, and a special livestream fan event,” the report adds.
Additionally, Apple Music TV will also witness the exclusive premiere of Joji’s “777” and Saint Jhn’s “Gorgeous” this Friday. Similarly, each Friday will mark the premium of new videos on the channel. And oh, Apple Music TV will be free to users in the US. The channel reportedly doesn’t support background play as playback stopped when the Apple Music app is closed.
Google has today introduced a slew of new features for Google Assistant-powered smart displays. The most notable change coming to smart displays is the support for multiple accounts, at last. As the name suggests, you can now add multiple Google accounts (work or personal) and get calendar as well as meeting updates on the same device. For example, asking the Google Assistant to join the next meeting will automatically search for the impending event across all Google account calendars and will accordingly start the video call. Of course, your smart display must have a front camera to start a video call.
The second notable feature coming to Google Assistant-powered smart displays will appeal to folks who live by the digital motto of “dark theme everything.” Yes, dark theme has finally arrived on smart displays. As usual, you can also choose to automatically turn the dark theme on/off depending on the time of the day or ambient lighting.
Notably, a “Home Control” page has also arrived that will let users control all connected smart home devices from a single hub. But that’s not all. Google has announced a few other helpful tweaks that smart display users will appreciate, some of which are mentioned below:
A new “Your morning” page that brings details such as reminders for upcoming meetings, weather information, and a collection of the latest news. Similar “Your afternoon” and “Your evening” pages will also keep you updated with fresh information. The latter will also play a range of soothing sounds to help users fall asleep.
Google Assistant-driven smart displays are also getting a “Media” page that offers content recommendations across platforms such as YouTube TV, Spotify, and Netflix.
To quickly start a video call, a “Communicate” page will also be available on smart displays. There is also a “Discover” section that will introduce users to the capabilities of their smart display.
Another useful feature that is arriving soon is support for automatic picture framing. If you’re moving during a video call, the camera will automatically frame the view to keep you in the center. Google Meet has also received a few UI tweaks as well.
A new “sunrise alarm” feature is also coming to smart displays, and it will gradually increase the screen brightness until the alarm goes off. And instead of using the “Hey Google” hotword, users can just yell “stop” to pause the alarm sound.
Getting an iPhone repaired by Apple is never a modest budget affair, and the same will continue for the iPhone 12 series as well. The official Apple Support website has listed the cost of screen replacement for the iPhone 12 lineup and it starts at $279. Actually, the cost of screen replacement for iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will set you back by $279. This is most likely due to the fact that both the phones pack an identical 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. However, if you have an Apple Care+ plan, the screen replacement will only set you back by $29.
Note: Do keep in mind that these are screen replacement costs for out of warranty devices.
Additionally, the company has also revealed the amount it will charge for fixing “other damages.” For an out of warranty iPhone 12, you’ll have to fork out $449, while the cost goes up to $549 for the iPhone 12 Pro.
It is also worth noting that Apple has used ceramic glass on the iPhone 12 series, which is claimed to be at least four times stronger compared to the solution used for the iPhone 11 series. However, the cost has actually not gone up for the iPhone 12 Pro. What this means is Apple is likely taking a hit on the profit margin here, but for vanilla iPhones, the repair charges have touched a higher bar that will only go up with each new generation.
Notably, Apple charged an identical amount for replacing the screen on the iPhone 11 Pro as well. However, when it comes to the vanilla iPhone 12, Apple has hiked the price by a steep margin of $80, as the screen replacement of iPhone 11 will burn ‘only’ $199 from your bank account. Apple has not announced the cost of screen replacement for the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, however, it is quite likely that Apple will reveal it closer to their pre-order or shipping dates.
OnePlus 8T was launched last week, and now it is receiving its first OxygenOS 11 update. It brings Canvas AOD feature to the device. The latest development comes from Talk Android’s Chief Editor Peter Holden, who took to Twitter to post about the update. It also optimises unlock experience for Ambient Display and power consumption for the phone.
There's an update rolling out to the OnePlus 8 with the usual fixes and improvements, and more importantly, the new Canvas wallpaper feature#OnePlus8Tpic.twitter.com/4TsaaPPGNd
OnePlus introduced the Canvas AOD feature with open beta 2 update of OxygenOS 11 for its OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. The Canvas AOD feature can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone. You can go to Settings > Customizations > Wallpaper > Canvas and choose a photo of your choice. The wireframe picture of the wallpaper will appear in the Ambient Display.
Alongside the Canvas AOD feature, the OnePlus 8T update brings a slew of optimisations. It optimizes the power consumption for the phone. Further, camera gets optimized Nightscape Mode for video that improves the imaging quality. It has optimized the accuracy of white balance under different settings. Plus, the stability of the Camera app has been improved.
The OnePlus 8T is the first device from the Chinese manufacturer to ship with OxygenOS 11 skin based on Android 11. It is powered by the Snapdragon 865 SoC, with 12GB of RA and up to 256GB of onboard storage. It sports a quad rear camera setup with a 48MP Sony IMX586 primary sensor, a 16MP wide-angle sensor, a 5MP macro sensor, and a 2MP monochrome sensor. The phone packs a 4,500mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging.
Xiaomi has announced a new wireless charging technology. Their 80W wireless charging tech is claimed to 4,000mAh battery in just 19 minutes. However, the company hasn’t yet announced a phone that supports this new charging solution. Xiaomi has shared a video on its YouTube channel showcasing the 80W wireless charging in action with a modified Mi 10 Pro.
The latest development comes from a Weibo post by Xiaomi. It shared a posted that has 80W wireless charging tech mentioned on it. Further, it states that the new charging solution can charge a 4,000mAh battery in just 19 minutes. Moreover, it can take the battery from 0 to 50 percent in 8 minutes. We can expect Xiaomi to announce a phone soon that supports this wireless charging technology. The company says wireless charging will soon replace wired charging.
According to the company, this is its third breakthrough in terms of wireless charging. The above video details the new tech. It shows 80W wireless charging solution in action. Xiaomi used a modified Mi 10 Pro to showcase the speed. The phone goes from 0 to 10 percent in just 1 minute, 10 to 50 percent in 8 minutes, and then to 100 percent in 19 minutes.
Xiaomi showcased 40W wireless charging tech in March 2020. Soon after, it launched the Mi 30W Wireless Charger in May. It was followed by the launch of Mi 10 Pro in August that supports 50W wireless charging and 120W fast wired charging. While it was announced in China, the phone did not make its way to India. The company also has a 30W wireless charging power bank.
After rumors claiming that Samsung will be launching its next S-lineup earlier than usual, alleged renders of two devices of leaked online. According to the leak, the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Ultra will feature a flat display. To recall, the Galaxy S20 series sported a curved display while the Note20 lineup did away with the feature. Now, it looks like the Galaxy S21 lineup will follow the same design language on the front.
While Samsung hasn’t revealed anything regarding its next flagship, the Galaxy S21 series is rumored to consist of a vanilla model, a ‘Plus’ variant, and an ‘Ultra’ version. The leaks as reported by Voice in collaboration with OnLeaks, reveal a new camera module design. The rear cameras are vertically placed in a unique camera module. It is similar to the design that was first showcased by Concept Creator Jermaine back in August. The vanilla model sports three rear cameras, and the Ultra variant could feature four rear cameras.
So drawing this out looked good on paper. NOT in 3d so pretty much throwing this design away pic.twitter.com/ug20NBDolC
— Jermaine | Concept Creator (@CConceptCreator) August 16, 2020
On the front lies a central hole-punch cut out alongside slim bezels. The report states that there is a 6.2-inch flat display on the Galaxy S21 and it measures 151.7×71.2×7.9mm with the camera bump taking the total thickness to 9mm. Coming to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, it could come equipped with a 6.9-inch display an measure 165.1×75.6×8.9mm, while the thickness increases to 10.8mm when taking the camera bump into consideration. Moreover, it is said to have support for S Pen. However, it is reported to not have a slot to house the accessory.
According to previous rumors, the new Galaxy S21 series could arrive early in January 2021. There is still no exact date for the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S21, but they’re bound to surface as we get closer to the end of 2020.
With the launch of the Mi TV 4A series in 2018, Xiaomi saw immense success in the smart TV space in India. The affordable smart TV lineup helped Xiaomi acquire a good percentage of the smart TV market in the country. Now, it has refreshed the lineup with the launch of Horizon Edition TVs that bring slim bezels, Vivid Picture Engine, Mi Quick Wake, and more features to the range. I’ve been using the Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition 43-inch TV for two weeks and here’s our review of the same.
Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition review: Build and Design
The first thing that you’ll notice about the TV is its weight. It’s on the lighter side at 6.65 KG and is easy to pull out of the box and set up on your own. The TV as well as the legs are made out of plastic that helps minimize the weight. I found it fairly easy to screw the legs as the screws remain slightly tilted in their position. While you might find it wobbling a little while setting up, the legs are solid, and once set up, it won’t topple.
Notably, you don’t get a wall mount in the box. So if you want it to be mounted, you’ll have to contact Mi and purchase a wall mount separately. All the ports reside on the rear left side of the TV. For connectivity, you get three HDMI ports (one with ARC support), two USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio output. They are fairly easy to reach and I had no hiccups while setting up my PS4.
Coming to wireless options, the Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition supports Bluetooth 4.2/BLE and 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi. You miss out on dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity. That said, I didn’t face any difficulties connecting to the network. It must be noted that I set it up 10 meters away from my router. Hence, I didn’t experience buffering or lags while streaming content.
Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition review: How’s the display?
On the front lies a display surrounded by slim bezels helping it achieve a 95 percent screen-to-body ratio that adds to the immersive experience. It is definitely a 2020-ish design. The Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition features a 43-inch LED panel that supports a full HD+ (1920 x 1080) resolution with a 178-degree viewing angle. Moreover, it comes equipped with a Vivid Picture Engine (VPE), which helps deliver vibrant colors and deeper contrasts.
Xiaomi offers various preset modes to tweak the picture quality. The Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition includes Standard, Movies, Vivid, Sports, and Custom modes. I was happy with the Standard mode, but Sports definitely helps while watching cricket matches. As for Custom, it lets you adjust the brightness, contrast saturation, sharpness, and hue to your taste. You don’t really need to fiddle with the settings much as the Standard mode is enough for regular content. However, while watching the IPL matches I noticed that the green field was more saturated than it should be, and the contrast was unpleasant at times.
Overall, it is a good display for the price, and you can tune it to your liking.
The Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition also supports a dynamic backlit option that allows you to adjust the display intensity to make darks appear darker. It helps if you are watching movies like The Dark Knight or a TV show with dark visuals in general. Plus, it isn’t reflective as the display sports an anti-reflective coating. So you need not worry about seeing your reflection in the TV instead of the dark sequel.
That said, I enjoyed watching The Office – which has a light tone – on this display. I sat either in front of the TV or within a range of 120-degrees and didn’t notice any color shift. Hence, it has good viewing angles as well.
Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition review: Is the audio good?
The Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition comes equipped with two speakers of 10W each. They support DTS-HD technology as well. You can choose between preset modes like Standard, News, Movie, Game and Custom. It also features a digital noise reduction (DNR) feature to remove noise from the signal, which helps if you’re using a set top box. The audio is definitely room-filling, but the clarity is average.
You are likely to be satisfied with the audio if you are watching regular web series. But if you are someone who is purchasing this TV to watch action movies, I’d suggest you invest in a soundbar as well. Plus, audio sounds muffled at times while playing games on the PS4.
Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition review: What about the UI?
Coming to the user interface, this TV runs Android TV OS 9 out of the box. Plus, it has Xiaomi’s proprietary PatchWall interface baked in. You can quickly switch between the Android TV interface and PatchWall UI. While Android TV OS lets you access and downloads a number of Android apps the PatchWall UI is more content-oriented.
While Android TV OS lets you access and download a number of Android apps the PatchWall UI is more content-oriented.
I like the out of the box UI as well as the PatchWall interface, but I prefer the latter, and it’s mostly because it displays the popular card on top. Hence, I was just a click away from watching the IPL match that was currently live. Further, this UI supports set-up boxes and seamlessly integrates content from both DTH service as well as OTT apps. Plus, if you have something connected to one of the ports, it is fairly easy to access from PatchWall UI.
The Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition comes pre-loaded with popular OTT platforms including Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and more. Moreover, you get integrated Google Chromecast so you can stream content via your smartphone.
There is also a Universal Search feature that searches for content across all OTT apps. You can also press the Google Assistant button on the remote and open the app you want to access. However, it doesn’t recognize the exact content. For instance, I said, “Play IPL match” and it opened YouTube.
Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition review: Remote and Power
The remote follows a minimalistic approach like most other smart TVs. It comes with a power button, navigation wheel, home, back, Google Assistant, Mi button for PatchWall, home button, and volume buttons.
I missed the mute button on the remote.
Moreover, you get Netflix and Prime Video hotkeys as well, but a mute button is missing. Notably, the home button always takes you to the Android TV OS even if you were on PatchWall UI previously. Overall, the remote is slim and easy to use, but I’d like the presence of a mute key.
The processing prowess on the Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition is managed by a 64-bit quad-core Amlogic Cortex-A53 processor with a Mali-450MP3 GPU, which is also present in most of the other Xiaomi TVs. Further, it comes equipped with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. It helps run the TV smoothly.
I didn’t come across any major lags or hiccups. It is fairly responsive with apps opening within seconds and installing new apps from the Google Play Store. Plus, there’s Mi Quick Wake that lets you turn on the TV within 5 seconds after switching it off. Notably, it switches on with the home screen and doesn’t resume playing content where you left off.
Verdict
Overall, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition is a good value for money. The display is vibrant, the colors are bright. Plus, the slim bezels make it all more immersive. It is responsive, and PatchWall UI makes it easier to use.
The Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition is an easy recommendation.
It is priced at INR 13,499 for the 32-inch variant and goes up to INR 22,999 for the 43-inch model. The Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition is an easy recommendation at this price.
The Mi TV 4A Horizon Edition features a 43-inch LED panel that supports a full HD+ (1920 x 1080) resolution with a 178-degree viewing angle. Moreover, it comes equipped with a Vivid Picture Engine (VPE), which helps deliver vibrant colors and deeper contrasts.
Xiaomi launched its Mi Smart Speaker in China back in May, then it was unveiled in India a few weeks back. Now, the device has been launched in Spain. It goes up against the Google Nest Audio for €49.99. It will be available for purchase on Mi.com, Mi Stores, and Media Market. Further, the company is offering a free Mi LED Smart Bulb Essential alongside the Mi Smart Speaker if you purchase it between October 16 to October 18.
The Mi Smart Speaker comes with Google Assistant and features a voice light on top. The latter is similar to the light ring available on Amazon Echo speakers. You can get a stereo sound experience by connecting two Mi Smart Speaker units together via Bluetooth. It features a 12W 2.5-inch front-firing audio driver tuned with DTS sound. It comes with a matte finish on top of its 0.7mm-thin metal mesh. Further, there is a touch panel located on top of the device with controls to adjust the volume level, play/ pause music tracks, and mute the inbuilt microphones.
Xiaomi has included a Hi-Fi audio processor made by Texas Instrument on its smart speaker. It is said to help accurately decode audio signals. The Mi Smart Speaker comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. As for smart Assistant features, the Google Assistant brings the Google Home app, which makes it compatible with all connected devices that have Google Assistant support.
We reviewed the device, and concluded by saying that you “are getting a similar sound quality as the Amazon Echo or Google Home for less than half the price. Don’t sweat it, just buy it!” You can read the review here.
If you’re looking for the best monitor there is for pretty much any task you wanna throw at it, this is it. With 178 FoV, elegant design, great color accuracy, plenty of connectivity options, and tiltable design, the LG 38WN95C is our Editor’s Choice for the best monitor in its class.
This is the LG 38WN95C, what the company dubs as a wider, well-rounded experience, and what I’m gonna call one of my favorite products of 2020. See, one of the biggest challenges with what I do is that I can’t just use any monitor. There are specific reasons why it needs to be the best at certain things, and after spending some time with it at CES 2020, it was enough for me to know I needed to try it out.
I know for some of you a monitor is about refresh rate, or for others about the size. While for me, my workflow has a couple of demands.
The first is I need monitors, not just one. I handle a ton of tasks at once, so I either need more than one, or a canvas that’s large and wide enough to achieve the same task.
Second is the avoidance of distractions. The biggest problem with most large monitors is screen glare, which can confuse your content consumption.
And the most important, third is color accuracy. If you’re going to be editing a video, reds must be reds, blues must be blues.
For years LG has been one of the pioneers of Ultra-wide monitors, with some of the best glare-free experiences, and also, the gold standard for color accuracy, and this is their top of the line. This is not an affordable monitor by any means, but it offers the benefit of being everything that everyone wants, in one package.
The unboxing experience is one where I feel the company really goes all out. First of all prepare cause, the box is huge. Like seriously very large. Inside we’re greeted with lots of foam protecting the monitor and judging by the fact that mine traveled a few countries to get here, I say order with confidence.
I recommend following the instructions for taking the monitor out, setting up the metallic stand as the setup is fairly easy if you follow it step by step. At the top, we have a smaller box full of accessories. This is that one product where you seriously won’t have to spend a dime in buying any sort of cables, they’re all here.
The good
My second favorite feature on this monitor is the amount of IO. You get 2 HDMI ports, 2 USB 3 ports, a DisplayPort connector, a headphone jack, and then my favorite, Thunderbolt 3. All these literally enable my current setup. I currently have my mechanical keyboard connected to one of the USB ports, the mouse to the other, and that way, whatever Thunderbolt-capable computer I connect to the monitor will automatically detect them. Thunderbolt 3 also offers 94W power delivery, so you’re pretty much covered on this being the only cable that goes to your computer if need be.
Now let’s talk about why this display matters. This is a 38-inch 21:9 Ultra-Wide monitor at QuadHD+ resolution. That’s 3840 x 1600, which if you do the math is really just a few hundred pixels shy of being 4K. Its design allows for a crazy 178 degrees of field of view, and with very minor bezels on three of its sides, with just a slightly thicker bezel at the bottom.
It’s also the world’s first Nano-IPS monitor with 1 millisecond response times. This allows it to be crazy color-accurate covering 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 135% of sRGB which is also VESA DisplayHDR 600 Certified backed by 450 nits of brightness. Best of all, it’s NVIDIA GSYNC compatible, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro compatible and it offers 144hz refresh rate, so yeah, everything but the kitchen sink in anything you could ask from a monitor. Match that with 2 loud 5W speakers on each side, and yeah, this is the real deal.
Now, while Diego loves the gaming aspects of it, for me this is more a productivity workhorse. I need a large canvas for video editing, that’s also color accurate, something every other gaming monitor can’t really claim. I consider this to be a far better solution than having two monitors stacked together. If you do the math, this is literally the equivalent of two separate 3 x 1 screens side by side, so for any other kind of work, this has allowed me to multitask like crazy.
This monitor is so wide, that there’s even a PBP mode, meaning you can set two inputs to work at the same time on each side of the monitor. It will require you to do a little juggling with the aspect ratios depending on the products you have connected, cause games don’t always adapt.
And speaking of games, it’s the main reason why I’ve left my Nintendo Switch connected permanently to the monitor. At first, you’ll notice resolution to be a bit fuzzy in menus, but when it comes to gameplay, that all goes away. I’d even say that this camera is not doing enough justice to the fluidness of the gameplay. The image quality on this monitor also makes my living room TV look so bad that it’s also become my go-to for watching a movie. Movies are pretty much the same aspect ratio.
The mixed
Now, of course, there’s no such thing as a perfect product, so let’s discuss the issues where I’m mixed with this monitor.
The first is really not a complaint, but really something that comes with the territory. Viewing angles won’t necessarily be the best, and reflections on shadows will be noticeable. For me having a matte screen is more important, so I’m fine, but just keep that in mind.
The second is the materials. I guess for the price I was expecting a bit more metal in the body. Obviously, that won’t bother you in day-to-day use, but just make sure you set it on a sturdy desk as it might wobble a bit if you’re a hard typer.
The third is the on-screen controls. Given the price, I do feel this monitor should at least have some sort of remote control to help you handle them. I’m not gonna call them bad, but since volume controls and brightness controls switch from the computer to the monitor completely, that can be kind of a chore.
Last but not least, yes, you can tilt the monitor, raise it to your preferred height and so many other ergonomic options, but if there’s one I wish wasn’t here is tilt as it’s really hard to tell when the monitor is not tilted. And also, yes I agree with other reviewers that the matte coating does seem like it can peel off from the corners, but no worries, you can’t, or at least not easily.
Conclusion
Probably one of the reasons I like this monitor most is its design. Doesn’t matter who walks into my home office, this monitor is imposing, and it’s elegant. Not really a fan of those gaming monitors that are just over the top with lights and stuff. I honestly prefer my monitors to be simplistic.
To conclude, let’s be honest. The reasons why I’m mixed are more nit-picks than anything. The LG 38WN95C is the best in its class and has won so many awards for a reason. If you’re looking for the best monitor there is for pretty much any task you wanna throw at it, I’d say this is it.
It will cost you though. This is definitely not an affordable monitor, but it also beats the need to have to own more than one monitor to suit your needs. In my book, this is definitely one of my favorite products of 2020. I have no problem recommending that you give it a try.
Probably one of the reasons I like this monitor most is its design. Doesn’t matter who walks into my home office, this monitor is imposing, and it’s elegant. Not really a fan of those gaming monitors that are just over the top with lights and stuff. I honestly prefer my monitors to be simplistic.
The LG 38WK95C features a Resolution 3840 x 1600 pixel resolution. It comes with a 5mn response time, 21:9 aspect ratio, IPS panel with adaptive sync technology.
It’s coming soon, and here’s how it works. More information here: 
