The Great Indian Festival Sale 2023 is set to kick off on October 8, and ahead of the sale commencement, Amazon is dropping deals for consumers. The latest in the series is a deal around the iPhone 13, which brings it down to under Rs 40,000 (effective price). However, this price includes an exchange offer for consumers, which means if you do not opt for an exchange, the iPhone 13 might come at a slightly higher price than what's teased during the sale.
Launched in 2021, the iPhone 13 is currently retailing at Rs 59,900 for the 128GB storage model, Rs 69,900 for the 256GB model and Rs 89,900 for the 512GB model. This means that the upcoming Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale will offer a discount of up to Rs 20,000 on the official MOP of the iPhone 13.
iPhone 13 at under Rs 40,000? Here's a deal breakdown
During the Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2023, interested customers can get their hands on the iPhone 13 at its lowest price. But how? The deal breakdown offered by Amazon promises a deal price which is likely to be lower than the Rs 59,900 pricing. Further, if customers use SBI Bank Debit and Credit cards, an additional Rs 1,500 will be offered as a maximum discount. During the Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale, SBI Bank customers can avail 10 percent instant discount on purchases on mobiles which has an upper limit of Rs 1,500, while other categories have an upper limit of Rs 1,750.
Customers who have an old device (working smartphone) to exchange will get extra off, as teased by Amazon, which will be over and above the value of the phone being exchanged. However, not everyone will have a phone to exchange, so we can assume that a bank offer is what a lot of people will be opting for. Nevertheless, combining the deal price, bank discount and extra off on exchange, Amazon claims an effective price of under Rs 40,000 for the iPhone 13.
It's worth mentioning that the deal will only hold for a limited time. As always, we expect Amazon to bump the deal pricing of the iPhone 13 as demand surges and depending on the available stocks.
Apart from the iPhone 13, we can expect Amazon to offer discounts on other iPhone models like iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 14 Pro during the Great Indian Festival Sale 2023.
OnePlus recently launched its first tablet in India, the OnePlus Pad, which is only sold in a Halo Green colour option. With this tablet, OnePlus has stepped into a new territory that's dominated by Apple's iPad. We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
What are the biggest TV shows and web series coming to streaming in October 2023? Leading the pack this month are two returning fan-favourite shows that deal with multiverse-hopping shenanigans. First up, we'll see Tom Hiddleston reprise his role as the God of Mischief and navigate across an alternate version of the Time Variance Authority (TVA) where no one recognises him. Loki season 2 premieres October 6 on Disney+ Hotstar. Chase that down with the ludicrous Rick and Morty season 7, as our alcoholic scientist grandpa prepares to hunt down his villainous multiverse counterpart that killed his family. It starts streaming October 16 on Netflix in India.
A new chapter of Mumbai Diaries fires things up on the local end, pitting the emotionally broken doctors at the BGH (Bombay General Hospital) against the cruel calamity of the Mumbai floods, as they struggle to save lives and fight their personal battles. The medical drama brings back its ensemble cast from the terror-ridden first season — Konkana Sen Sharma, Mohit Raina, and more — and drops October 6 on Amazon Prime Video. Then, Netflix has a survival drama lined up for us — on the glistening shores of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where a group of visitors get trapped and forced into cooperating with each other, only for the social order to start crumbling. Kaala Paani is out October 18.
Other notable releases this month include Sultan of Delhi, a Hotstar Specials crime drama that chronicles the life of a young gangster, who works with Delhi's biggest arms dealer to dominate the capital. Suparn Verma (The Family Man) co-directs some of the episodes, and it's slated to release October 13 on Disney+ Hotstar. You can learn more about the aforementioned TV shows and more below, and also feel free to discover the complete list of upcoming web series at our entertainment hub. With that, here's our TV guide to October 2023, covering releases on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+ Hotstar, and Netflix.
Beckham
When: October 5
Where: Netflix
Touting never-seen-before footage, Netflix's Beckham promises a candid look at the former professional English footballer — from his humble beginnings at Manchester United to turning into a legendary athlete, all the while facing public scrutiny as a sex icon who dated Spice Girls member Victoria. But his meteoric rise in popularity also came with setbacks such as a red card during the 1998 England v Argentina FIFA World Cup game, his locker room scuffle with Alex Ferguson, and people accusing him of having changed with fame. Academy Award-winner Fisher Stevens — who played the bumbling Hugo Baker in Succession — helms this four-part docu-series, featuring interviews with key figures from David Beckham's personal and professional lives.
All episodes of Beckham drop October 5 on Netflix.
Everything Now
When: October 6
Where: Netflix
Netflix is back with another cheeky high-school British show with a dash of teenage angst. This time, we follow 16-year-old Mia Polanco — played by Talk To Me's Sophia Wilde — who returns home after a lengthy battle with anorexia and is immediately thrust into the chaotic world of sixth form. Panic sets in when she realises that while she continued recovering in some dingy room, all her friends had moved on with their teen lives, gaining experiences that she could've shared. Fearing that her childhood is racing by too fast, she creates an ever-evolving bucket list of things to try and make up for all the time she lost.
Hand-in-hand with her three best mates — William (Noah Thomas), Becca (Lauryn Ajufo), and Cam (Harry Cadby) — Mia cleans up and dives headfirst into the world of neon-lit parties to get drunk, have her first kiss, break the law, karaoke, and confess feelings for her newfound crush (Jessie Mae Alonzo). It appears as though Everything Now will lean slightly into the gritty tone depicted in HBO's Euphoria to touch upon the mental health issues in teenagers, stemming from poor body image to drug use, and even some failed upbringing drama. Debutant writer Ripley Parker helms this young adult series, which also ropes in Stephen Fry (A Bit of Fry & Laurie) as Mia's doctor.
All eight episodes of Everything Now will be available to stream October 6 on Netflix.
Loki season 2
When: October 6
Where: Disney+ Hotstar
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been subject to some content drought this year, with Loki season 2 marking only the second live-action entry. After Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) stabbed the non-hostile He Who Remains (Jonathan Majors) to death, splitting the timeline into 63 new multiversal branches, the God of Mischief Loki (Tom Hiddleston) finds himself in a timeline where no TVA member recognises him. That is until his body begins to randomly distort and plop him onto past and future events by way of time slipping. Partnered with an alternate version of TVA agent Mobius M. Mobius (Owen Wilson), Loki must now navigate through an ever-expanding multiverse to be reunited with his old team.
A version of Sylvie is working at McDonald's now, Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku) is a doctor, Judge Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is strolling about elite parties in the past, and Kang the Conqueror appears as a stage magician, of sorts. Things are getting wild, and Loki is unable to keep up with everything as the mysterious force continues throwing him across timelines. The new season also brings in Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan as OB, a TVA agent archivist who also supplies our heroes with equipment for both time and multiversal travel. Some of it is broken, but it's nothing some duct tape won't fix! Unlike the movies, it's also cool to finally see Loki using his full potential from sparkly magic blasts to creating horned mirror images of himself.
Loki season 2 debuts October 6 on Disney+ Hotstar. It will then follow a weekly release schedule, with new episodes coming out every Friday until November 10.
Mumbai Diaries season 2
When: October 6
Where: Amazon Prime Video
Nine months after the events of the 26/11 terrorist attacks, the crew at Bombay General Hospital face their next big challenge: a series of unprecedented torrential rainfalls that flood the entirety of Mumbai and bring the city to a standstill. As victims of the disaster keep getting rushed into the emergency rooms, our team of doctors led by trauma surgeon Dr. Kaushik Oberoi (Mohit Raina) and Chitra Das (Konkana Sen Sharma), face an identity crisis. Mumbai Diaries season 2 is largely focused on the resilience these doctors show in such times of crisis, despite limited resources and leaky ceilings, all the while worrying about their own families' wellbeing at the back of their minds.
It's also suggested that characters like Chitra will undergo more development in this upcoming chapter, delving into her past to reveal what made her the hard-boiled worker she is. Nikhil Advani returns as the director, with an ensemble cast comprising Tina Desai as Oberoi's wife Ananya, who gets stuck in traffic as the water level continues to rise, while Natasha Bharadwaj returns as the first-year resident Dr. Diya Parekh.
All episodes of Mumbai Diaries season 2 will be up for streaming October 6 on Amazon Prime Video.
The Fall of the House of Usher
When: October 12
Where: Netflix
Mike Flanagan returns this spooky season with a modern-day take on the Edgar Allan Poe short story, The Fall of the House of Usher. After buying Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, ruthless siblings Madeline (Mary McDonnell) and Roderick Usher (Bruce Greenwood) have turned it into a vast, wealthy corporate empire at the cost of some controversial practices. But when a mysterious shape-shifting woman from their youth, Verna (Carla Gugino), re-enters their life, the Usher heirs start dying one-by-one in brutal fashion, forcing the patriarch to face his past secrets. But she's not the only person hellbent on overthrowing the Ushers, as the determined attorney Auguste Dupin (Carl Lumbly) has been warring with the family for over 30 years, coining them the name, ‘The Usher Crime Family.'
Meanwhile, the Ushers have an invincible lawyer Arthur Pym (Mark Hamill), an enigmatic force who investigates and cuts down loose threads with no questions asked. Flanagan reunites with actors he's worked on in previous projects such as Midnight Mass and The Haunting series, starting with Rahul Kohli as Leo Usher, a video game patron and playboy who relies on drugs to numb the pain of his soulless reality. Then there's Henry Thomas as the eldest son Frederick, Samantha Sloyan as the more suitable heir Tamerlane Usher, Crystal Balint as former model Morella Usher, Sauriyan Sapkota as the youngest child Perry Usher. Kate Siegel's Camille L'Espanaye gets roped into the drama, running PR for the family and collecting dirt on everyone close to her.
Academy Award-winner Brie Larson plays a driven scientist in this drama, falling for her Nobel prize-nominated colleague Calvin Evans (Lewis Pullman) and starting a family. But like science, life's got different plans for us sometimes. And so, things fall apart, and she soon ends up a single mother and challenged by a 1960s patriarchal society when her seniors fire her from the job. All hope seems lost for former Dr. Elizabeth Zott until she's approached by Walter (Kevin Sussman) with an offer to run her own cooking show. But ‘Supper at Six' isn't just any normal show, as she takes an unconventional approach to it by often dishing out witty remarks about how women are one of the most overlooked forces in the household.
Of course, the producers aren't happy about injecting politics into kitchen activities, but the show as a whole begins to perform exceptionally well, inspiring countless housewives to work toward their dreams and understand their true worth. But at its core, Elizabeth wants to pursue science. Helping her on this crusade is Harriet Slone (Aja Naomi King), who herself struggles with running a family when the government decides to forcefully build a freeway through a black-populated neighbourhood. Lee Eisenberg — best known for the WeCrashed miniseries — helms Lessons in Chemistry, drawing from the eponymous Bonnie Garmus novel.
Lessons in Chemistry is out October 13 with a two-episode premiere, after which the remaining six episodes drop weekly until November 24.
Sultan of Delhi
When: October 13
Where: Disney+ Hotstar
Arjun Bhatia (Tahir Raj Bhasin) is a young refugee from Lahore, who's learnt the meaning of survival and its complications at a very young age. Partnering with his gangster friend Bangali (Anjum Sharma), he works with Delhi's biggest arms dealer Jagan Seth (Vinay Pathak) to climb the ranks and become the biggest power broker in the capital. But when past secrets about his family and love life start to unravel, he's thrust into a gung-ho battle against local crime lords, cops, and the government. The creators are very secretive about the key plot device. Suparn Verma and Milan Luthria co-direct Sultan of Delhi, which also stars Mouni Roy (Brahmāstra), Anupriya Goenka (Padmaavat), and Nishant Dahiya (Raat Akeli Hai).
All episodes of Sultan of Delhi will be available to stream October 13 on Disney+ Hotstar.
Rick and Morty season 7
When: October 16
Where: Netflix
The alcoholic scientist Rick Sanchez plans on spending the entire seventh season hunting down Rick Prime, his villainous alternate version that slaughtered the former's family. As you'd expect, his blubbering grandson Morty is tagged along on this mission — only this time, the pair are not alone. Turns out, Rick has assembled an elite crew including Birdperson, Gearhead, President Curtis (Keith David), and Mr. Poopybutthole to storm through the multiversal dangers that await them. There's spaghetti topped with bloody sauce, robot ghosts, a buff Jerry (Chris Parnell), an Evil Dead reference, a hologram of Rick attending a therapy session, and a whole lot more. Keeping with tradition, there's no telling what direction a Rick and Morty season will head into before debut.
The elephant in the room, of course, is co-creator Justin Roiland, who got fired from the show over misconduct allegations earlier this year. Roiland had voiced both Rick and Morty, alongside a bunch of side characters, up until now. With season 7, he's been replaced by two unnamed voice actors, who in my opinion, have done a phenomenal job of sounding similar to the original. Adult Swim hasn't revealed their names yet, but it seems like the pair would continue voicing the lead characters until season 10. Other cast members remain the same, with Spencer Grammer returning to voice Morty's sister Summer and Sarah Chalke as his mom Beth.
Rick and Morty returns October 15 on Adult Swim and Max in the US and elsewhere. While there's no official word yet, going by past seasons, season 7 should be out on Netflix India on October 16 — with new episodes dropping every Monday.
It's no secret that the walls of the Kaali Paani prison aren't made of bricks, but rather thousands of kilometres of seawater that make any plans of escape feel like a pipe dream. But when a mysterious illness spreads across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, its inhabitants, isolated from the outside world, are forced into a fight for survival as they await a cure. Netflix hasn't dropped a full trailer for this yet, but it's implied that the social order crumbles, causing some of them to venture into the wilderness for answers and uncover a weird conspiracy surrounding some bizarre symbols and tribes in the region.
All episodes of Kaala Paani release October 18 on Netflix.
Pluto
When: October 26
Where: Netflix
From the brilliant mind of mangaka Naoki Urasawa (Monster, 20th Century Boys), comes Pluto, a noirish tale set in a future where humans and robots live in harmony. That is until a string of advanced robots and their human allies are found murdered with horns attached to their heads, indicating that the crimes were committed by the same entity. Gesicht (Shinshu Fuki), a Europol robot detective whose arms can transform into cannons, picks up the task of finding the perpetrator, only to soon realise that he's on the kill list himself. It's a rather perplexing case since humans are physically incapable — and scared — of tearing robots to shreds, whereas every robot has been designed to never kill people.
For the uninitiated, Pluto draws from the legendary manga artist Osamu Tezuka'sAstro Boy — more specifically, ‘The Greatest Robot on Earth' arc, with Urasawa taking its bright-coloured essence and turning it into a riveting murder mystery that often explores themes of post-war PTSD. Familiar characters like Atom/ Astro Boy will be making an appearance in the anime, alongside his sister Uran. Personally, I find the animation in this Netflix adaptation quite jarring, given the over-abundant use of CGI, but since Monster is my favourite anime of all time, I'm down to give this a try. Maybe I'll get used to it a couple of episodes in.
All episodes of Pluto will be up for streaming October 26 on Netflix.
The Chromecast with Google TV that runs on Android TV is here. When will Google learn how to name products? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
OnePlus Open is expected to make its debut soon as the first foldable smartphone from OnePlus. It has been previously reported that the foldable could release on October 19. However, the company has not revealed the exact date yet. Meanwhile, there has been several leaks and rumours regarding the phone's design and specifications, which is expected to be powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. Now, ahead of its India launch, Indian actress Anushka Sharma was reportedly spotted using the OnePlus Open smartphone.
YouTube creator Sufiyan Khan (@RealSufiyanKhan) recently posted pictures on X, where he claimed Anushka Sharma to be holding OnePlus Open smartphone in her hands. From the glimpses, one could spot the camera unit of the upcoming smartphone. While the company has confirmed the OnePlus Open India launch soon, it has not revealed the date for release of the foldable.
The smartphone is likely to launch in October. An earlier report also suggested that the official debut could take place on October 19. The smartphone was initially tipped to launch in August, however, the release was pushed further due to change in display manufacturer.
A previous report suggested that the OnePlus Open could feature an outward folding design. This will be similar to several other Android foldable such as Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Pixel Fold, and Vivo X Fold 2. The price of the foldable is tipped to be fixed under Rs. 1,20,00. In terms of specifications, it could come with an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, along with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of inbuilt storage. The OnePlus Open smartphone is expected to sport a 7.8-inch AMOLED inner display, with a 6.3-inch AMOLED cover screen.
The foldable is said to house a triple rear camera unit, placed in a circular module. The setup could be led by a 50-megapixel sensor, along with a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 32-megapixel periscope lens. For selfies, it might include two 32-megapixel front camera sensors.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 alongside the Galaxy Tab S9 series and Galaxy Watch 6 series at its first Galaxy Unpacked event in South Korea. We discuss the company's new devices and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ was reportedly confirmed to launch in India during the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2023. The South Korean tech giant was also working to release the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablet in the country. While the company hasn't confirmed the latest addition to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series, it has dropped a hint about an upcoming 'mystery' Galaxy tablet that will soon launch in India. There are not many details provided by Samsung regarding this device at the moment.
In an X (formerly Twitter) post on Saturday, Samsung India teased the launch of a Galaxy tablet in India. It didn't reveal any details regarding the design, specifications or the name of the upcoming device. The image shows an outline of a tablet with a stylus pen placed on the side. According to the company's expected lineup, this could be the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ or the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. However, a S Pen indicates it to be Galaxy Tab S9 FE+.
The Galaxy Tab S9 series launched earlier this year and included three models - Galaxy Tab S9, S9+, and S9 Ultra. Samsung launched the new tab series alongside Galaxy Fold5 and Flip5.
According to a previous report, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is expected to debut in India soon during the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2023. The e-commerce website also teased the arrival of the upcoming tablet, priced under Rs. 40,000.
Another report mentioned the launch details of the Fan Edition of the Galaxy Tab S9 series. A leaked promotional image of the upcoming Galaxy Tab S9 FE suggested that the official release is expected on October 4.
Both tablets of the Fan Edition have been tipped to be powered by Samsung's Exynos 1380 SoC. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is expected to sport a 10.9-inch LCD display, while the Plus model could feature a 12.4-inch LCD panel. Both devices could ship with Android 13-based One UI 5.1 OS. They are tipped to get Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC support for connectivity.
From the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro to Amazon's latest mega-sale, we discuss the most noteworthy technology news events of the week on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2023 will begin on October 8 for all users, with an early access to Prime members starting October 7 midnight. The e-commerce site is bringing a number of deals and discounts on gadgets like smartphones, TV, tablets, earphones and other electronic products. Days ahead of the Amazon Great Indian Festival 2023 sale, the website has teased a few offers through its kickstarter deals, with up to 89 percent off on select items. Amazon is also providing an instant 10 percent discount on these Kickstarter Deals for SBI card holders.
If you wish to get your hands on some of the best discounts before the Great Indian Festival 2023 sale, check out some of the offers currently live on Amazon Kickstarter Deals. Hurry up as these are limited-time offers.
Amazon is offering up to 17 percent discount on all Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and other smartphones in the Galaxy S23 series. The effective price of Galaxy Ultra 23 with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is currently Rs. 1,24,999, down from its launch price of Rs. 1,49,999. One can also avail an exchange discount of up to Rs. 37,500 on the purchase of the smartphone. It sports a 6.8-inch display, and runs on Android 13. The smartphone is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. It packs a triple camera rear unit led by a 200-megapixel sensor, and a 12-megapixel front snapper for selfies.
Launched in July this year at a previous Amazon sale, the Motorola Razr 40 is now available at a 49 percent off. The lone 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant of the smartphone is being offered at just Rs. 49,999, while its initial launch price was Rs. 89,999. The company is also providing up to Rs. 42,500 off on exchange of your old smartphone. The Moto Razr 40 runs on Android 13-based MyUX. It gets a 6.9-inch full-HD+ pOLED main display, with a 1.5-inch OLED outer screen. The smartphone is equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC.
If you are planning to buy a laptop for your work or studies, Honor is giving a 47 percent off on purchase of its MagicBook 14. This brings its selling price down to Rs. 34,990. Buyers can club an additional exchange discount of up to Rs. 11,250. The laptop comes with a 14-inch display. It is powered by a Core i5 processor and packs 8GB of RAM with 512GB storage.
For gaming enthusiasts, there is a great deal with 31 percent off on purchase of Asus TUG Gaming F1 laptop, which brings the current price down to Rs. 58,990. One can also add an exchange discount of up to Rs. 11,250 on this deal. With 15.6-inch display screen, this laptop comes with an Intel Core i5-11400H processor. It packs 8GB RAM and 512GB storage. The laptop runs Windows 11 Home.
Amazon is also providing great deals and offers on purchase of tablets. The Honor Pad X9, released in July this year, is being sold at a 38 percent discount. It is currently available at Rs. 15,999, while its initial launch price was Rs. 25,999. Moreover, one can even purchase it for Rs. 900 by adding an exchange discount of up to Rs. 15,100. The tablet offers 11.5-inch (29.21 cm) 2K display, and is powered by a Snapdragon 685 chipset. It is claimed to offer up to 13 hours of battery life.
Noise is offering up to 78 percent discount on purchase of its earphones. The recently launched Noise Buds VS106 TWS earphones are being sold at just Rs. 999, down from its MRP of Rs. 4,499. It is claimed to offer up to 50-hour playback time. The earphones feature a quad mic setup with ENC. It gets Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity support.
In addition to the above-mentioned products, Amazon Kickstarter Deals are offering great discounts on a number of products. Laptops and PCs are being offered at up to 45 percent off which includes devices from popular brands like HP, Xiaomi, Acer and Dell. Smartwatches, on the other hand, are being sold at up to 88 percent off on the original price. Boat, pTron, Noise and more brands are providing up to 78 percent sale on purchase of earphones. If you are planning to purchase smart TVs, there is a discount of up to 59 percent which cannot be missed.
You can also avail a 10 percent instant discount on purchases made using SBI Credit and Debit cards. There are also other exciting bank deals that you choose from.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
iPhone 15 series was launched on September 13 at the Apple 'Wanderlust' event. One of the significant changes in this year's flagship lineup from the company was the inclusion of the USB Type-C charging ports, similar to several Android smartphones. However, if you are wondering about using the Android cable for charging iPhone 15 lineup, an Apple reseller has reportedly warned against this practice. As per a previous report, the USB Type-C port on the latest iPhone series support multiple functions.
The iPhone 15 lineup — including a base variant, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max — debuted at Apple's launch event on September 13. The smartphones get significant changes over the predecessors in terms of its specifications. With this series, the company also introduced the USB Type-C port on all the recently launched Apple devices, similar to several Android smartphones.
However, if users are planning to use and Android cable on iPhone products, an Apple reseller in China has warned not to do so. According to a report on Chinese website CNMO, an Apple store in Foshan City of the Guangdong Province in China has issued an article to request iPhone users to avoid using Android's USB Type-C charging cable on Apple smartphones as it may burn the devices.
The report also mentions that several users consider it to be a gimmick to ensure that buyers purchase the original Apple charging cables, in order to increase their revenue. It is to be noted that Apple has already mentioned on its support page that users can use USB Type-C standard cable to charge their recently launched iPhones.
To recall, the new USB Type-C port in Apple claims to provide 15 times more power than the lightning port's 0.3W of output. The company offers a USB 2-compatible cable in the box on purchase of iPhone 15 Pro smartphones. For a better data transfer speed, users can purchase an optional USB-3-compatible cable from the company's online, offline, and reseller stores.
From the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro to Amazon's latest mega-sale, we discuss the most noteworthy technology news events of the week on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones were launched in India today. The entry-level wearable offers active noise cancellation (ANC) up to 30dB. It packs a 45-hour playback time on a single charge with the case. The latest earphones from Noise get an IPX5 rating for water and dust resistance. It houses quad mics with ENC support for better quality of calls. The Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones are already available for sale in India in two colour variants.
Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones: Price, Availability in India
In India, the Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones are available on sale starting today. The company is offering a lightning deal on the purchase of the earphones, with the discounted price of Rs. 1,699. It is available in Lustre Black and Champagne Gold colour variants. The earphones can be purchased through Flipkart, or online Noise website.
Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones: Specifications
The latest offering from Noise comes in a metallic finish case, with Noise branding on the case as well as each bud. The earphones get an in-ear design. The Noise Air Buds Pro SE TWS earphones get ENC (environment noise cancellation) for better quality of calls, with up to 30dB of ANC. It houses quad microphone setup. The earphones are powered by a 13mm driver.
With smart touch control, the Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones allow users to receive calls hands-free. They can also use Siri or Google Assistant, control the volume as well play music by tapping on touch-sensitive area on earbuds.
For battery, Noise claims to offer up to 45 hours of playback time with the case, and up to 7.5 hours of battery life on each bud on a single charge. The buds take up to 30 minutes to get fully charged, while the case can be charged from 0 to 100 percent in 90 minutes. The case also gets a charging indicator.
Talking about the weight, the buds weigh 3.3 grams each, while the case weighs 33.3 grams. The Noise Air Buds Pro SE earphones get an IPX5 rating for dust and water resistance. It gets Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity support, and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Is the iQoo Neo 7 Pro the best smartphone you can buy under Rs. 40,000 in India? We discuss the company's recently launched handset and what it has to offer on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Sony WF-1000XM5 were launched in India on Wednesday. The earbuds, succeeding the Sony WF-1000XM4, were initially released earlier this year in July. The true wireless stereo earphones come with an 8.4 mm Dynamic Driver X and are powered by an integrated Sony Processor V2 along with Sony's QN2e Active Noise Cancellation chip. They are offered in a compact design and in two colour variants. They will be available for purchase in India soon and are currently available for pre-booking.
Sony WF-1000XM5 price in india, availability
The newly-launched Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are priced at Rs. 24,990 and will be available for sale in India starting October 18. For customers pre-booking the product till October 15, Sony is extending an offer where the earbuds can be had at a special discounted price of Rs. 21,990.
They are offered in Black and Silver colour options. The company says that it will be available for sale both online and offline through the official Sony Center website, major electronic stores, and leading e-commerce portals like Amazon and Flipkart.
Sony WF-1000XM5 specifications, features
With an 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones are powered by the Sony Integrated Processor V2 and QN2e chips, the latter of which is expected to improve the Noise Cancellation feature. The earbuds support SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 audio formats.
The earbuds come equipped with DSEE Extreme upscaling technology and an Ambient Sound Mode. Sony claims that the WF-1000XM5 earbuds' bone conduction sensors and deep neural network (DNN) programming can improve call quality regardless of any loud background noise or other disturbances.
Sony's WF-1000XM5 support Bluetooth 5.3, Google Fast Pair, multipoint connection, head-tracking function, and 360 Reality Audio. They come with an IPX4 rating and the earbuds can also be paired with Sony's Headphones Connect app.
In terms of battery life, with ANC activated, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are claimed to offer a maximum call time of up to six hours and music playback time of up eight hours. Meanwhile, with the noise cancellation feature turned off, the earbuds are said to offer a call time of up to seven hours and music playback time of up to 12 hours. The case can offer up to 24 hours of additional battery life and support wireless charging along with fast charging. The earbuds weigh 5.9 grams each. The buds with the case weighs 39 grams, which measures roughly 64.6mm x 40.0mm x 26.5mm in size.
Apple unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at its annual developer conference, along with new Mac models and upcoming software updates. We discuss all the most important announcements made by the company at WWDC 2023 on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
iPhone SE 4 — expected to debut in 2025 as the successor to the iPhone SE (2022) — has been leaked online. Details of the company's purported affordable offering have been leaked by a tipster. The fourth-generation iPhone SE model is said to be powered by Apple's A15 Bionic chip that first debuted on the iPhone 13 series. It could also be equipped with improved cameras, support for Face ID, and a USB Type C port, just like the iPhone 15 lineup that was unveiled earlier this month.
An X (formerly known as Twitter) user Nithin Prasad recently claimed that the iPhone SE 4 will sport a LTPS OLED display that could be produced by BOE or Tianma. The size of the display is also said to be larger than the previous generation — the iPhone SE 4 will sport a 6.1-inch screen compared to the smaller 4.7-inch panel on the iPhone SE (2022), according to the user.
Prasad claims that the handset will be powered by the company's A15 Bionic chip. This is the same chip that powered the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the Apple TV 4K (2023). This means the iPhone SE 4 could be equipped with a slightly older chip when it debuts — unlike its predecessor, the iPhone SE (2022), which had the same chipset as the iPhone 14 models.
The iPhone SE 4 is also said to be equipped with upgraded cameras, which means that the rear camera and selfie camera could feature improved sensors or lenses. According to Prasad, the smartphone will also feature support for Face ID — Apple's biometric authentication method that securely scans a user's face before unlocking the device or initiating payments.
Prasad also claims that the iPhone SE 4 will feature a design that is similar to the iPhone XR that was launched by Apple in 2018. The display notch, on the other hand, will be like the one found on the iPhone 14, he claims. The handset will also be equipped with a USB Type-C port, he adds.
Last month, a tipster claimed that the iPhone SE 4 would be equipped with a USB Type-C port and feature support for Face ID along with the new Action button that arrived on this year's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max smartphones. However, the previous leak suggests that the iPhone SE 4 would feature a design that is similar to the iPhone 14, which suggested that it could feature flat edges compared to its predecessor.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 TWS earphones were launched in India in February this year at the company's Cloud 11 event. The Chinese electronics company is now working on OnePlus Buds 3, and the renders of the purported earphones have been leaked online. They reveal the specifications of the audio wearable, and also tease their design. To recall, OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earphones debuted alongside OnePlus 11. The device is priced at Rs. 11,999 in India and is available for purchase in Arbor Green and Obsidian Black colour options.
In a recent report, MySmartPrice (in collaboration with OnLeaks) have revealed the renders of the OnePlus Buds 3, based on the testing stage phase. The wearable is shown to carry a similar design as the Buds Pro 2, except the metallic finish.
The upcoming wearable is reported to get 48dB Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) support. It can be connected using Bluetooth 5.3 or Google Fast pair, according to the report. The OnePlus Buds 3 are also said to get dual connection support. With an IP55 rating, the earbuds are expected to get water and dust resistance, while the charging case is said to get an IPX4 rating.
In terms of battery, the earbuds could pack a 58mAh battery each, while the charging case is said to be backed by a 520mAh battery. It could offer 9 hours of battery life on each earbud, same as Buds Pro 2, with ANC turned off. Meanwhile, it would provide 33 hours of battery life with the case. On the other hand, with ANC turned on, the OnePlus Buds 3 are said to offer 6 hours of battery life on earphones and for 22 hours with the case.
The company has not revealed any details about the purported device yet. However, as per a previous report, the Buds 3 could make a debut in January 2024, alongside OnePlus 12. The earphones are expected to be lighter in weight as compared to the Buds Pro 2.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 alongside the Galaxy Tab S9 series and Galaxy Watch 6 series at its first Galaxy Unpacked event in South Korea. We discuss the company's new devices and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus were recently launched by Apple alongside the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Since their launch, the phones have been put through several tests including durability tests that showcased that the iPhone 15 Pro Max with its titanium frame is susceptible to its rear glass being broken easily. Now a durability test shows that the lower end models of the iPhone 15 series with aluminium frames are not easily destructible.
In a video posted on the YouTube channel JerryRigEveything, both the base iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus are put through a series of tests to check their durability. The display of the phones, which come with Apple's Ceramic Shield protection are seen to be almost scratch resistant with only minor lines visible upon multiple scratching attempts. The aluminium chassis including the side edges, base and upper arch of these iPhone 15 handsets, however, did not emerge unscathed and scratched pretty easily. Upon trying to bend the phones though, from both back and the front, the structural integrity of the models held up strong. The iPhone 15 Pro Max failed this test as the rear panel cracked during the bend test.
Powered by Apple's in-house A16 Bionic SoCs, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus come with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED displays, respectively. They also have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
For optics, the phones are equipped with a 48-megapixel wide angle camera and a 12-megapixel sensor with an ultra-wide lens at the back. The handsets get a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera in the front. The base model claims to offer a battery life of up to 20 hours and the Plus model is said to offer up to 26 hours of battery life.
iPhone 15 price in India starts at Rs. 79,900, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus model begins at Rs. 89,900. The phones are offered in storage variants of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. They are available for purchase in India through the official online and offline stores as well as e-commerce platforms and select retail stores. The phones are available in Black, Blue, Green, Pink, and Yellow colour options.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Counter-Strike 2 is finally available on Steam, after spending months in limited testing. Billed as the ‘largest technical leap' in the perennial shooter's history, CS2 replaces the original CS:GO and is ready for download on the platform. Running on the Source 2 Engine, which powered the acclaimed Half-Life: Alyx, the successor now gets a graphical facelift with redesigns to certain maps, alongside some technical upgrades that strengthen the overall gunplay. Interestingly, while Valve never openly announced a release date, the official Counter-Strike Twitter account updated its header image with cryptic phrases like “Dawn of the Final Day” to signal its imminent launch.
CS2 functions as a free update to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, automatically transferring all purchased skins and cosmetics to the new version. All classic maps — Dust 2, Inferno, Mirage, and the ilk — come with lighting improvements that create reflections on surfaces like tiles and puddles, alongside more realistic shadows. Using Source 2, the maps have been rebuilt from the ground up to suit a modern aesthetic — the same tools will be available to community map makers so they can build and share their own creations. One of the major physics-based shifts has to be the inclusion of volumetric 3D smokes that are super-reactive to movement, be it any bullets passing through or a nearby explosion that causes the plume to change shape naturally. Previously, these used to be stagnant — like a grey mass.
Valve has also introduced a new sub-tick architecture, which lets the official servers know the exact timing at which you hurled a grenade or fired a bullet. CS:GO relied on a discrete time interval mechanic called ticks, which were set to 64hz by default, causing a chunk of ranked players to flock over to unofficial servers offering a more responsive 128hz tick rate. Speaking of ranked play, CS2 brings an all-new rating system that is split between two modes: the classic competitive and Premier. The former functions the same as before, allowing you to pick your choice of map and strive to gain the highest elo, going from Silver 1 to Global Elite. However, now the ranks are divided based on maps, so you could be a Master Elite on Dust 2 while simultaneously being a Gold Nova level player on Vertigo.
Premier is being touted as the main competitive mode, introducing an active pick-ban system that lets you ban certain maps before the start of a match. So, it's ideal that you master certain maps on the standard ranked mode, before heading into the serious leagues. Upon finishing 10 placement games, players will be granted a numeric skill rating — called CS Rating — instead of a rank emblem, as a means to show where you rank among friends, the region, and even worldwide. As a general bonus feature, CS2 also lets you refund any weapons, equipment, or throwables you purchased on accident, as long as you manage to do it during the prescribed buy time.
Counter-Strike 2 is now available to play for free on PC via Steam.
What are the most exciting titles that gamers can look forward to in 2023? We discuss some of our favourites on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Flipkart Big Billion Days 2023 sale dates are now official. The week-long online sale will begin in India on October 8. Like previous years, Flipkart Plus members will get 24-hour early access to the sale, and the e-commerce company is promising exciting deals and offers on hundreds of products such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, and smart TVs, among others, with new product launches, and more. Flipkart is associating with different lenders, including ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Bank, to offer instant discounts for purchases made through their cards and EMI transactions during the sale. Further, interested buyers can avail of Paytm-based offers. Smartphones from brands like Apple, iQoo, OnePlus, Samsung, Realme and Xiaomi are confirmed to see price cuts during the sale.
Additionally, the newly released Moto Edge 40 Neo, Vivo T2 Pro 5G, and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE will go on sale for the first time in the country during the sale. The landing page is teasing the Vivo V29 series with a "coming soon" tag. The lineup is scheduled to launch in India on October 4.
This year's Flipkart Big Billion Days 2023 sale will kick off on October 8 and remain live until October 15. As always, Flipkart Plus members will get one-day early access to the sale. The sale event is confirmed to provide up to 80 percent discounts on smartphones, other electronics, accessories, smart TVs and home appliances. Fashion products will see up to 90 percent price cuts, while beauty, home decor and sports items will be available with up to 80 percent discounts.
Flipkart will give shoppers a chance to receive up to 10 percent instant discount on purchases made using select debit and credit cards of ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Bank. Paytm users can avail assured savings on Paytm, UPI, and wallet transactions during the sale. Shoppers can also make use of the Flipkart Pay Later feature for their purchases. Further, there are no-cost EMI options and exchange discounts.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple has made macOS Sonoma —the latest version of its operating system for Macs—available to the public as a free software update. The Cupertino-based company first previewed macOS Sonoma during WWDC23 in June. The latest version of macOS brings several UI improvements, new screen savers, video conferencing features, interactive widgets, and more to eligible Mac models. Machines including 2017's iMac Pro model, MacBook Pro from 2018 or later, and Mac Mini from 2018 or later offer support for the macOS Sonoma. Check out how you can download and install macOS Sonoma on your Mac.
Following the launch of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 last week, Apple released the macOS Sonoma update to the public as a free software update on Tuesday (September 26). The latest operating system is compatible with these computers —iMac (2019 or later), iMac Pro (2017 or later), MacBook Air (2018 or later), MacBook Pro (2018 or later), Mac Pro (2019 or later), Mac Studio (2022 or later), and Mac Mini (2018 or later).
Follow the steps below to update your Mac
Launch the System Settings app on your supported machine.
Head to General > Software Update and wait for the new version to appear.
Click on Upgrade Now and Agree to the terms.
Users are recommended to update their Mac models while they are connected to a power source. The machine might restart multiple times during the process. The update adds several enhancements to widgets that allow users to complete a reminder, play or pause media, access home controls, and perform various tasks directly from the widget on their desktop. Also, iPhone users will be able to customise their Mac with widgets from their handsets.
Apple has added a new Game Mode feature in macOS Sonoma. It also includes new video conferencing features that enable users to present and share their work within any video conferencing app. The Presenter Overlay feature for video conferencing allows users to add video to the conversation while sharing their screen, whereas the Reactions feature lets users add 3D-augmented reality effects like hearts, confetti, fireworks, and more to the screen. Further, the new macOS includes updates to Safari, Siri, and Messages.
Apple unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at its annual developer conference, along with new Mac models and upcoming software updates. We discuss all the most important announcements made by the company at WWDC 2023 on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
China's cyberspace regulator released on Wednesday names of the first batch of mobile app stores that have completed filing business details to regulators, signalling it has begun to enforce new rules that expand its oversight of mobile apps.
A total of 26 app stores operated by companies including Tencent, Huawei, Ant Group, Baidu, Xiaomi and Samsung have submitted filings to the authority, according to the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
Apple's App Store is not among the app stores on the list. Apple did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
Beijing has been expanding oversight of smartphone and mobile app usage over the past several years. The country now requires mobile app stores and mobile apps to submit business details to the government.
These rules are causing consternation in the industry that publishing apps in the world's second largest economy will become very difficult and many apps may need to be taken down.
Beijing's push to tighten scrutiny over apps came into focus when in June last year the CAC issued a new rule requiring app stores to submit business details and said it would hold app stores accountable if apps contain illegal content.
In August this year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published another notice requiring mobile apps to complete filing by the end of March.
Earlier this month, Reuters reported that app stores operated by companies including Tencent and Huawei have started demanding apps on their app stores comply with the new rules.
Apple has not disclosed how its app store in China will comply with Beijing's new rules. Experts said Apple's compliance could lead to tens of thousands of apps being removed from Apple's App Store in China.
Will the Nothing Phone 2 serve as the successor to the Phone 1, or will the two co-exist? We discuss the company's recently launched handset and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
JPMorgan's British retail bank Chase will ban crypto transactions made by customers from October 16 due to an increase in fraud and scams, the company said on Tuesday.
"We've seen an increase in the number of crypto scams targeting UK consumers, so we have taken the decision to prevent the purchase of crypto assets on a Chase debit card or by transferring money to a crypto site from a Chase account," a spokesperson for the bank said.
Chase has become the latest lender in the UK to restrict customers' access to crypto amid long-running concerns over its use in online scams run by criminals.
JPMorgan has attracted more than 1.6 million customers to its Chase retail bank since launching the mobile app-based service in Britain two years ago, and plans to roll out the consumer bank in other international markets over time.
Chase informed customers of its planned policy change by email on Tuesday morning, the bank confirmed. Crypto media outlet Coindesk reported the move earlier on Tuesday.
In March, NatWest (NWG.L) imposed new limits on the daily and monthly amount customers can send to crypto exchanges, seeking to protect consumers from "crypto-criminals."
Spain's Santander said last year it would block UK customers from sending real-time payments to crypto exchanges as part of measures to protect customers from scams.
Last month, payments giant PayPal announced that it would stop allowing UK customers to buy cryptocurrencies through its platform from October as it worked to comply with new rules on crypto promotions.
Britain's financial regulator is due to bring in tougher rules to limit how crypto is advertised to British consumers, including requiring crypto firms to carry warnings about the risk and scrapping "refer a friend" bonuses.
