ASUS Vivobook 16X | Budget Workhorse

Buying a 16-inch budget laptop seems to be a cynical question these days and to answer just that, ASUS has launched the 2022 variant of its most preferred series of Vivobook laptops. Starting at only ₹54,990, this is by far the most affordable 16-inch laptop in the market with more than decent specs and clearly targets a demography which prefers bigger screens but don’t want to end up spending a lot.

These new ASUS Vivobook laptops which are updated for 2022 now do pack in considerate performance while still being affordable which we feel is a great stint by the Taiwanese giant.

Powered by the last-gen AMD Ryzen 5000H processors, which even in 2022, we feel is a good one to use on budgeted Windows laptops and here it’s the 45W drawing powerful Ryzen 5 5600H variant. The model we tested is the ₹59,990 version with 16GB RAM.

Design and Formfactor

At a first glance, the Vivobook 16X will give you a premium vibe even though it’s made up of plastic. The blue color used on the surface makes it look a bit more upmarket than its price range. Even though it weighs almost 1.8Kg, it doesn’t feel bulky enough to carry along with you.

However, ASUS has made this laptop very solid from the outside and the body has very little flex even though it’s a plastic one.

It doesn’t use a metal lid but it’s better than a lot of other laptops you see on the market for the same price and the 16-inch chassis. The hinge is also strong enough to hold this big display, which can even lay flat at 180 degrees, and the body’s build quality is adequate enough to get through your entire day of work or play. Overall, considering the price range and being a 16-inch laptop, the design is clean & minimalistic while the build quality is decent, cannot ask for more honestly.

Performance

On the performance front, the ASUS Vivobook 16X is powered by the 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor that does give significant performance bumps thanks to the increased TDP. In this price range though, having this APU does help in giving out a good performance on a daily usage basis.

This AMD processor is coupled with a 16GB RAM which is undoubtedly great for light office use, educational purpose or even casual light gaming as the iGPU is capable enough to handle 720p triple-A gaming and 1080p battle royal games. The bigger screen size ensures the utilization of most of its performance.

Display

The most prominent USP of the ASUS Vivobook 16X has to be its large 16-inch display which enables a bigger & better 16:10 aspect ratio. With its ultra-slim bezels, it is more of a 15.6-inch chassis which has a 16-inch display being neatly packed into it.

Previously, at this price getting a 16-inch FHD+ display was never heard about, obviously, there are certain 14-inch and 15-inch displays to compete with but we feel this one has a special appeal for those who always prefer a larger display. The matte finish screen does eliminate a lot of reflection but again, being a budget friendly laptop you cannot ask for everything and so the ASUS Vivobook 16X’s display is not the best out there and if you are looking for a more colour-accurate one refer to the OLED displays from ASUS. However, the specs offered by this display are ok but always that 16-inch form factor along with a 16:10 aspect ratio is a highlight of the laptop.

I/O & Connectivity

Coming to the I/O and connectivity features of the Vivobook 16X, there are actually a lot of ports because of a bigger shell of the laptop which opens up the horizon to accommodate a lot of them. You get one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port on the right-hand side where you will see the maximum number of the ports. Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports – one on the left and one on the right, along with a USB 2.0 port, HDMI output, and an audio combo jack. It isn’t surprising enough to see ASUS use the latest connectivity options on the Vivobook 16X as you have both the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. Connectivity is seamless and we didn’t face any trouble while connecting the laptop to the internet or connecting other devices to it.

Keyboard & Trackpad

Having a bigger chassis means you do get a bigger full-size backlit keyboard with a numeric pad which is indeed a big deal for a laptop at this price range to have. Obviously, these are plastic keycaps, but the overall rigidity is confidence inspiring to type. The tactility is on-spot with the kind of feedback it delivers while typing fast. The large trackpad provides a larger surface area for you to fiddle around with the scroller.

Audio & Webcam

ASUS boasts to have great speakers on the Vivobook 16X, however, it isn’t the best in the market. Not to complain, but the loudness is decent looking at the price point you’re getting this laptop for. While the webcam is a 720p one making it usable enough for the pricing and it’s good to see ASUS using a privacy shutter so that you can block your webcam when not in use. Something which for students is a boon.

Battery Life

ASUS claims that the 50WHrs battery used inside this Vivobook 16X will last up to 8 hours which isn’t deceiving at all. As we noticed in the actual usage, one can expect around 6-7 hours of battery life while light working, which again is very respectable for the price and can stretch up to 8 hours with smart usage.

Verdict

This is a very well-balanced all-rounder laptop by ASUS and at a starting price point of only ₹54,990, it can be summed up to be a revolutionary product which should not be neglected while choosing one. However, the target audience for this big laptop is people who love bigger displays and do use them for work or play and even for students who love the 16-inch form factor yet aren’t willing to spend a lot.

ASUS launches a lineup of new laptops in India – Zenbook 14 Flip OLED, Vivobook S 14 Flip, and Vivobook 15 (touch)

We should learn how to balance elegance and versatility from Asus, the company that always introduces us to something extraordinary every time they launch a product, especially laptops. Recently, the brand launched a lineup of new laptops in the Indian market, Zenbook 14 Flip OLED, Vivobook S 14 Flip, and Vivobook 15 (touch).

Zenbook 14 Flip OLED

The price of the slim, light and ultra-versatile convertible Zenbook 14 Flip OLED starts from Rs 99,990, and it is equipped with a stunning 16:10 2.8K OLED HDR NanoEdge touchscreen. The display of the laptop has 550 nits of brightness with a 4-sided NanoEdge design and an 88% screen-to-body ratio.

The laptop that will shine your productivity anywhere is equipped with the latest gaming-grade intel 12th Gen H-series processors and is paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM on all models. It has a 360˚ ErgoLift hinge which supports a 4096-pressure-level stylus, while the ASUS NumberPad 2.0 offers efficient multitasking.

Vivobook S 14 Flip

The super-versatile convertible with a 360° hinge laptop features a 14-inch IPS panel with a Full HD+ resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. The Vivobook S 14 Flip starts from Rs 66,990 and is available for sale online and offline. The touchscreen panel of the laptop has a brightness of 300 nits and has plenty of ports, including the latest Thunderbolt™ 4. The laptop will be available in both Intel and AMD variants in India.

Vivobook 15 (touch) (X1502)

The laptop is sleek and lighter than its predecessors and is priced at Rs 49,990. It has a 15.6-inch full HD screen with slim bezels and an 82% screen-to-body ratio. The laptop comes with a better screen, a bigger battery, and improved computing capabilities; the company also claims it has better battery life.

OnePlus 10T – First Impressions and Hands-On Review

OnePlus is releasing its new flagship, the OnePlus 10T. OnePlus was once known as the value brand, but their phone costs were soaring thanks to recent partnerships. This time, they’ve dropped the price on the OnePlus 10T and seem nostalgic. Here is our first impression of this new flagship offering from OnePlus.

Design

The OnePlus 10T follows the same burdenless, unified, and stylish design language as the OnePlus 10 Pro, complete with a unibody rear glass cover made with industry-leading technology. The OnePlus 10T is available in Moonstone Black and Jade Green colourways. The smooth glass delivers a ceramic-like finish that looks and feels premium. The significant difference in design between the 10Pro and 10T is the exclusion of an alert slider in the latter. The display has no curvature and is flat like the OnePlus phones of the past.

Display

The OnePlus 10T has a 6.7-inch FHD+ HDR 10+ AMOLED display, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 950 nits. The OnePlus 10T’s display has an adaptive refresh rate, meaning it can adjust between 120 Hz, 90 Hz, and 60 Hz depending on the content consumed to save battery life. Both 10Pro and 10T’s display has native support for 10-bit colour depth, delivering richer and more realistic colours with better detail reproduction. But, the 10T display is not curved on its side and presents a flat design, a more acceptable approach. It also misses out on the 1440p LTPO display without compromising on the display quality.

Battery

OnePlus touts the complementary high-wattage accessory and 4,800mAh 10T battery capable of superior stability, reliability and thermal control, thanks to new OPPO charging technology. SuperVOOC charger allows 150W charging from the 160W charger inside the box. Unlike the Pro series, this one misses out on wireless charging, but the ultra-fast charger does compensate. 0-100% charge in less than 20 minutes!

Processor

To recall, the OnePlus 10 Pro featured the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and was already a potent but costly device. The new processor – Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 – powering the OnePlus 10T 5G provides 10 per cent better CPU performance and 30 per cent improved power efficiency over its predecessor. And gamers will be pleased to know that there’s a 10 per cent increase in GPU clock speeds and a 30 per cent reduction in GPU power consumption.

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is paired with up to 256GB of internal storage and up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM. The two-lane UFS 3.1 storage brings significantly faster write speeds into the picture, leading to a drop in power consumption levels. The 10T processor is a definite upgrade over the 10Pro.

Additional features

OnePlus 10T comes with the in-built Zen Mode app created by the One-Plus community to help users break away from their device and concentrate on other tasks without the constant distraction of the subsequent notification, ping or ring. It acts like a meditation app, and you can set a timer for how long you want the Zen Mode to go on, and you are complimented with meditation songs.

Camera

Talking about the camera, the OnePlus 10T has a 50MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro sensor, with a 16MP camera in the front. 10Pro has a Hasselblad colour science 48MP primary camera with a 32 MP front camera, so 10Pro goes heavy in camera. We captured the images from both these phones, and the 10T performs like most upper mid-range phones with its primary Sony IMX766 sensor, the same found in Nothing Phone (1). The colours are decent but lack the Hasselblad post-processing, a boon in some lighting conditions.

The phone is equipped with OnePlus’s largest and most advanced cooling system. HyperBoost Gaming Engine will aid gamers in getting the best gaming experience on current OnePlus devices. Priced sanely starting at 50k INR with top-tier SOC, super-fast charging, decent cameras, and an attractive design, the OnePlus 10T seems like a thoughtful approach from OnePlus to gain back its lost audience.

Get ready to react to WhatsApp messages with any emoji of your choice

WhatsApp launched the message reaction feature a few months ago, which works similarly to how Facebook’s reactions work. The feature is very convenient as it saves time and appears like a LIKE control of Instagram, showing how many people reacted to your message.

You must be familiar with the reaction feature by the time, but if you haven’t explored it yet, then just long-press on a WhatsApp message and select the emoji you want to react with. However, there are only six pre-chosen emoji options to respond to, and they are obviously not enough.

In a world of social media, where emojis play an enormous role, and most people prefer emojis over text, having six emoji options to react was already a dying feature. Since its inception, people have been demanding to have more number of reaction emojis, and finally, WhatsApp has responded.

Since you asked…

… all emoji Reactions are here! We’re feeling 🤩😎🙌🤸🎉💚 about it.

Starting to roll out now to Android and iOS pic.twitter.com/Opk7x0n0VP

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) July 11, 2022

In a recently shared tweet on the official profile of WhatsApp, the company has promised to come up with an additional number of emojis to react to the message. WhatsApp will soon roll out the feature for iOS and Android users.

The already tiny feature is going to create a wave of happiness among WhatsApp users, and we’re guessing a lot of the users will love it. According to WhatsApp, the rollout process will take a few days to reach all the devices using WhatsApp.

Along with the additional emoji reactions, the company has recently doubled the maximum number of participants allowed in a group chat – from 256 to 512 people. The feature is already rolled out on the latest version of WhatsApp. Update your WhatsApp app from the respective stores to enjoy all the recently added features.

iPhone 14 to get the biggest front-facing camera hardware upgrade in years?

The upcoming iPhone 14 has gathered the world’s attention with its leaked refreshing new design on the front, although there is not much to be expected of the back. Apple is finally moving on from its longstanding notched display design, at least for the highest-end Pro variants.

However, recent leaks and developments have revealed what to expect on the inside of this new ‘i’ shaped design. Earlier in the year, the new iPhones were reported to be getting major camera improvements on the front and back modules. These reports are now further corroborated by reliable supply chain insider Ming-Chi Kuo, who states that Apple has gathered all of its suppliers for the new line-up of iPhones. Long story short, Apple has completely omitted Chinese camera manufacturers from their supply chain due to substandard quality by their metrics.

According to Kuo, the new front camera technology will be a massive leap from the previous generations, seeing the new specifications. First, Kuo predicts that the new front-facing shooters will finally ship with auto-focus, which was unavailable on the fixed-focus cameras used today. This will improve sharpness in photos and videos and low-light performance for the less well-lit situations.

The new module will also sport a 5-element lens versus the current 4-element arrangement, which would improve sharpness and clarity in photos and videos. Furthermore, the aperture will be wider, at f/1.9, compared to the f/2.2 aperture on the last three generations of iPhone.

Latest leaks and rumours on the iPhone 14

The Pro line-up for the 2022 range of iPhones has previously been tipped to finally move on from the 12-megapixel efforts on iPhones since the iPhone X to a 48-megapixel shooter, enabling the iPhone to finally shoot 8k video, keeping up with its modern Android rivals.

Contrary to the existing line-up of phones: iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, the new range seems to be ditching the mini completely, in favour of a non-pro Max variant, i.e. the iPhone 14 Max, sporting the same tech as the vanilla 14, but with a larger size due to the disappointing outcomes of the 13 mini.

Some not-so-great news is that the vanilla 14 models (14 and 14 Max) will feature not the new and upcoming A16 but the existing A15 bionic SoC at the helm of the current generation of flagship iPhones, along with the iPhone SE and iPad mini. As powerful as the A15 is, it would be slightly upsetting to see the last generation SoC for a second year running.

Apple 15-inch MacBook Air, 12-inch MacBook reboot, and more in the pipelines for 2023

Apple’s current line-up of MacBooks with Apple Silicon is extremely powerful, ranging from the entry-level MacBook powered by the M1 to the Mac Studio super-powered by Apple’s M1 Ultra and the Cupertino-based tech giant is showing no signs of slowing down.

In a recent report by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, his sources claim that a 14-inch MacBook Pro and its bigger 16-inch counterpart are on their way with the second generation M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, with up to 12 CPU cores and 38 GPU cores. The report also identifies a 15-inch MacBook Air by 2023. This would be ideal for users looking for a larger screen but not needing the overhead performance, not to mention heavy pricing on the 16-inch Pros.

Furthermore, Apple is also reportedly looking at reviving the 12-inch MacBook with Apple Silicon. This is said to be priced below the M1 MacBook Air’s $999, with the aim to attract more customers to the Mac with a more affordable and compact option. However, the last time Apple announced a 12-inch MacBook, it was plagued with performance issues, battery life, and heating – all of which were effectively resolved with the improvements in Apple’s in-house silicon. However, there would likely be a complete redesign to the problematic keyboard that resulted in several lawsuits against Apple, motivating them to change it for the last two generations of computers.

Nevertheless, the future of the Mac is exciting. As Apple exercises its liberty with the form factor and designs of its new computers, it will continue to keep the industry on its toes to stay competitive.

First Impressions – OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G & OnePlus Nord Buds

One should learn marketing and advertising techniques from the guys who work at OnePlus. The company has launched 3-smartphones in a span of 4-weeks, which justifies its slogan “Never Settle”. On 28th April, OnePlus India launched a premium smartphone – OnePlus 10 R 5G, a mid-range smartphone – OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite and budget earbuds – OnePlus Nord Buds.

The Status Quo

The Nord Duo of OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite and OnePlus Nord Buds is budget-friendly and work best when clubbed together. The price of the smartphone starts from ₹19,999, while the earbuds are currently priced at ₹2,799. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite appears classy, but once you dive deep, it shows the real mid-range colours, while the earbuds are pretty adequate for the price point.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is available in two colours – blue tide and black dusk. The blue tide colour looks classy, while the black dusk colour seems somewhat dank and ordinary. The IP55 dust and water resistance earbuds look dapper and offer ultra-fast charging (10 minutes for 5-hours). They are available in two colours: white marble and black slate.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite

The OnePlus Nord 2 CE 2 Lite boasts a 6.59” IPS LCD display and is loaded with a 120 Hz refresh rate, 5,000 mAh battery, 3.5 mm headphone jack, 64-megapixel primary sensor, and 33W fast charging. The watered-down version of the OnePlus Nord 2 CE runs on the Android 12 Operating System with custom OxygenOS 12.1 skin and is a value-for-money deal.

The plastic-made OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is the first smartphone from the house of OnePlus, which features a 120Hz IPS screen and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner which also functions as a power button. The display of the Nord CE 2 Lite offers a lot of screen space, thanks to the thin bezels. The display also has superb colour reproduction, one of the top necessary things for gamers and binge-lovers.

The OnePlus Nord 2 CE Lite is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset paired with Adreno 619 graphics unit and is available in two RAM options, 6GB and 8GB. The smartphone is power-packed with a mammoth 5000mAh battery which comes with a 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging. The Nord 2 CE Lite is excellent for gaming and runs well for a long period without any hiccup.

OnePlus Nord Buds

The OnePlus Nord Buds are well-built, value for money and probably one of the best budget earbuds in the current market. They offer about 7-hours of listening once charged fully and have AI Noise reduction, which helps you have better calls. The Nord buds have a gigantic pair of audio drivers and a smooth equalizer to make you dance.

The earbuds feature a big 12.4 mm Titanium Audio Driver and Dolby Atmos support for deeper bass and crisp sound. The lightweight earbuds are pretty suitable for outdoors as they have a tight grip and hold. The serenade composition mode offers one of the best vocals, and the ergonomic design makes sure to offer all the comfort you want.

Nimo Launched Smart Sunglasses That’d Replace Your Laptop

What do people usually expect from sunglasses? Of course, the basic mundane things with a touch of modern technology, but what if I tell you, you could have a pair with the capabilities of a computer, possibly by the first half of 2023.

Yes, Nimo Planet, a company based out of India, recently unveiled a new smart glasses that acts as a multi-screen computer, fits in the pocket, and helps you work from anywhere.

The smart glasses are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR1 processor which makes it a mini-computer that sits on your head. It features a dual 720p display on the edge of each lens, which aids you to view multiple virtual screens and watch movies, work, or play games.

A core team of 10 people based out of Kerala are working on the project, and the aim of the company is quite simple, they want you to replace your laptops when you’re on the go.

The company is working on these glasses for more than four years and expects to ship the glasses in the first half of the next year, and they will be available at the price of $799 in the select cities of India and the US.

2022 BMW X4 launched in India

For all the automotive enthusiasts, the new BMW X4 launched in India today. BMW has refreshed the Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) with striking design elements, added equipment and attractive features. Locally produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai, the new BMW X4 will be available in diesel and petrol variants at all BMW dealerships across India from today onwards.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “The BMW X4 popularised the distinctive Sports Activity Coupe concept in India. It instantly became the vehicle of choice for customers who have a unique style that stands out from the rest of the crowd. At the same time, they desire the luxury and performance similar to a sports activity vehicle. And this is the USP of BMW X4! The way it fuses Sheer Driving Pleasure with head-turning looks and sporty adventure is inimitable. Now the new BMW X4 is ready to continue this status in its segment with a refreshed exterior and an attractive profile with multiple technology features. Its forever bold persona will make a statement that’s impossible to forget.”

The new 2022 BMW X4 is available in an exclusive ‘Black Shadow’ edition in limited numbers only. Designed with a focus on dynamics, it’s tailored to suit the needs of motorsport enthusiasts.

The car has been launched in a diesel and petrol variant at the following ex-showroom prices –

BMW X4 xDrive30i 2 litre inline 4 petrol – INR 70,50,000

BMW X4 xDrive30d 3 litre inline 6 diesel – INR 72,50,000

The new BMW X4 is available in Black Sapphire and M Brooklyn Grey metallic paintworks. They are paired with Leather Vernasca upholstery with ‘Black’ decor stitching. M interior trim Aluminum Rhombicledark with highlight trim finisher in Pearl Chrome is standard.

Service Inclusive and Service Inclusive Plus are optionally available for all BMW cars. These service packages cover Condition Based Service (CBS) and maintenance work. They begin from 3 years / 40,000 kilometres and can be extended up to 10 years / 2,00,000 kilometres, starting at an attractive pricing of INR 1.52 per kilometre. The BMW X4 also comes with optional BMW Repair Inclusive that extends warranty benefits from third year of operation to maximum sixth year, after the completion of the standard two-year warranty period. Together, these packages provide complete peace of mind and freedom to enjoy unlimited driving pleasure.

BMW India Financial Services offers an attractive BMW 360˚ financial plan with ‘drive away monthly price’ of INR 89,999/-, assured buyback and flexible end of term options. Customized financial solutions can be further designed as per individual requirements.

The new BMW X4.

BMW X4 launched in India starting from 70.5L

The distinctive sports activity coupe design of the new BMW X4 looks impressive. The significantly redesigned exterior reinforces the off-road look and sportiness. The new front is immediately noticeable with its striking BMW kidney grille, thin headlights and redesigned front apron.

The distinctive BMW mesh kidney grille has all-black mesh-inserts and frame finished in ‘M High Gloss Shadow line’. Adaptive LED Headlamps are now 10mm slimmer and flatter, creating a more focused face. They are designed in M Shadow line with black accents and have Matrix function as standard. Moving below, the newly designed front apron conveys power through the M Aerodynamic package which features components in body colour in front / rear apron and side sill covers. Vertical air intakes and bumper inserts in dark shadow metallic add further boldness.

The side profile is tremendously athletic and sporty. A visual black frame is created around the coupe-style windows with M High Gloss Shadow line. It extends from window recess cover, along the guide rail, mid pillars, to the base of the side-view mirrors and finally the roof rail. 20” light M alloy wheels double spoke and M Sport Brakes with red callipers display track readiness.

The rear is tidier with increased painted surface and bumper in M Aerodynamic package. The bumper is done up in dark shadow metallic colour with new anvil-shaped inlays in high gloss black and vertically arranged reflectors. The enormous width of the car is emphasized through two-part wrap-around LED rear taillights, a large automatic tailgate and wide free-form tailpipe in black colour.

Interiors and Features

The interior boasts comfort and functionality in a new sporty ambience. The interior has clearly structured surfaces and an ergonomically impeccable cockpit design that ensures the driver’s focus remains one hundred per cent on the intense driving experience. Driver and front passenger enjoy the flair of a premium SAC with Sports Seats which impress with numerous electrical adjustment options and memory function. Rear passengers can tilt the seats backwards by up to 9˚ for added comfort. The modern design of the center console, instrument panel in Sensatec, usage of M headliner anthracite and galvanic embellisher adds to the cabin’s premiumness. M leather steering wheel with ‘Walknappa’ black with black stitching and M logo spells exclusivity.

A relaxed and harmonious lounge atmosphere is promised thanks to a large electrically operated Panorama sunroof. Ambient Lighting with six selectable light designs creates an atmosphere for every mood. Welcome Light Carpet, projected from the side sill, welcomes passengers in glamorous style. Features such as electroplated controls and 3-zone automatic climate control with extended options add to the overall luxurious feel. The boot has a capacity of 525 litres and can be expanded further to 1,430 litres by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear seat backrest.

The innovative petrol and diesel engines from the BMW EfficientDynamics family offers spirited power delivery as well as responsiveness even at low engine speeds. Thanks to their unrivalled BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, they meld maximum power with exemplary efficiency. The three-litre six-cylinder diesel engine of the BMW X4 xDrive30d produces an output of 265 hp and a maximum torque of 620 Nm at 2,000 – 2,500 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 km / hr in just 5.8 seconds. The two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine of BMW X4 xDrive30i produces an output of 252 hp and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,450 –4,800 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 km / hr in just 6.6 seconds.

The 8-speed Steptronic Automatic Transmission claims to perform smooth gear shifts. For driving pleasure, the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is available with steering wheel paddle shifters.

BMW xDrive, an intelligent all-wheel-drive system monitors the driving situation constantly and is quick to respond. The compact, low-weight and efficient all-wheel-drive system distributes the engine’s power between the front and rear axle exactly to suit the driving situation and the surface. Electronically controlled ‘Automatic Differential Brakes/Locks (ADB-X)’, extended ‘Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)’, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control help to conquer every terrain. Adaptive Suspension makes it possible to adjust the damper characteristics to suit any given driving situation, increasing comfort and driving dynamics.

BMW EfficientDynamics doubles ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ with features such as Auto Start-Stop, ECO PRO mode, Brake-Energy Regeneration, Electronic Power Steering, 50:50 Weight Distribution and many other innovative technologies. Using the Driving Experience Control switch, driver is able to choose between different driving modes (ECOPRO, COMFORT, SPORT/ SPORT+) to suit diverse driving conditions.

The new BMW X4 features cutting-edge safety technologies. It provides optimal support in any situation with six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensor, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor.

A host of BMW ConnectedDrive technologies continue to break the innovation barrier in the automotive industry. The modern cockpit concept BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes 3D Navigation, a 12.3-inch digital information display behind the steering wheel, a 12.3-inch Control Display and BMW Head-up Display. The occupants can operate a number of car functions simply by speaking to their BMW Virtual Assistant. Hands do the talking with BMW Gesture Control that recognizes six predefined hand movements for control of a number of functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto ensures seamless smartphone connection with the car to access several functions. Harman Kardon Surround Sound System with 16 speakers sound like an engrossing treat for the ears.

The spread of driver assistance systems is more extensive than ever. Parking Assistant with Rear View Camera makes parking in tight spots easier. The Reversing Assistant provides unmatched support in reversing out of a parking spot or through narrow driveways.

Overall, the new BMW X4 offered in both 2 litre inline-4 cylinder petrol and 3 litre inline-6 diesel engines look promising with the diesel producing a whooping 620 Nm torque. The stance is sporty and newer colours do seem appealing. Priced competitively for an enthusiast SUV, let us know your thoughts about the new BMW X4.

ViewSonic launched its first state-of-the-art “Experience Zone” in India

Accentuating its commitment to innovative technology and redefining the visual experience with best-in-class products and solutions, ViewSonic Corp, a leading global visual and display solutions provider, announced its first-ever Experience Zone in New Delhi, India.

Spread across 1895 sq. ft., the experience zone aims at bringing all the products from entertainment, gaming, corporate and education solutions all under one roof to provide an unmatched experience to the consumers and channel partners. The Experience Zone aims to provide an engaging and immersive experience, making it easier for its users to access all its AV and IT products and solutions.

With the launch of its first experience zone in India, ViewSonic has also entered a new segment of LED Video Wall and pronounced the launch of its exclusive, impressive and innovative All-In-One LD135-151 Direct View LED Display.

ViewSonic’s experience zone also provides a first-hand experience for Hybrid Learning Classroom and strengthens the company as an EdTech solution provider as the education industry is undergoing a definitive shift, and hybrid mode is becoming more important with the need of the hour. The company also unveils a new range of display solutions such as ColorPro and ELITE Gaming monitors. Therefore, ViewSonic is actively seeking to develop their business and presence in India.

The company’s initial experience zone is divided into three different product ranges and solutions to provide its users with an unparalleled experience.

Mr. Eric Wei, General Manager, ViewSonic – Asia Pacific, said, “We are extremely excited to launch our first-ever Experience Zone in India. Our futuristic zone will create an outstanding and compelling experience for our users, exhibiting all our products and solutions. We aim to offer our users an experience of advanced technology, innovations and features embedded in our solutions. India is a key market for us, and we understand the diversified needs of our consumers and strive to provide them with our unmatchable range of solutions and services. We are positive that the Experience Zone will help our target consumers make a sound purchase decision. We plan to launch more experience zones in other key Indian market and strengthen our position in the country in the coming year.”

Corporate Zone

The corporate zone showcases all its professional products in one area. Entering a new segment, ViewSonic is creating its uniqueness by offering new innovations and technology. ViewSonic LED Video Wall Display – LD135-151 is truly one of its kind in India.

The newly released ViewSonic LD135-151 LED Video Wall is a unique All-in-One Direct View LED display that expands your vision with an amazing and smooth viewing experience. The products already available in the market possess several drawbacks, from being heavy, difficult to install and transport, and requiring a support system for display, power supply, and overall thick bezels that generate fuzzy images.

Understanding the limitations, ViewSonic is pioneering new trends in the presentation display markets and moving the development by implementing cutting-edge technology. Hence, the recently introduced display is a one-stop solution that addresses all of these issues by incorporating revolutionary technology, user-friendly features, and integrating several systems into a single display.

Available in 4 different sizes (108”, 135”, 163 & 216”), the large screen display is embedded with Gold Bonding Wire boosts easy installation, operation, and maintenance. The zone also included wireless presentation display ViewSonic CDE20 series. This display is surrounded by wonderful features such as 4K Ultra HD resolution, high brightness, and dual speakers, giving their users distinctive attributes such as remote management, immediate content sharing and an all-in-one display solution. Additionally, the product helps in reducing accessibility problems and making it simple to share content in person or remotely. These characteristics provide a diverse and exciting experience, resulting in increased efficiency in meetings or conferences.

ASUS launched the compact ASUS 8z in India with Snapdragon 888 chipset & 8GB RAM

After almost a year, finally, ASUS launched its compact smartphone 8z in India today, which was postponed earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company dubbed the smartphone as a “perfect smartphone” due to certain features such as its easy to operate screen reachability, sleek design and, of course, the Qualcomm snapdragon 888 processor, which is one of the fastest processors out there.

While making the smartphone, the company made sure that it would fit in every pocket, be it jeans, tracks, shorts, jackets, leggings or even gym wear. The smartphone sports a 5.9″ inch screen and is priced at Rs 42,999 for a version with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The newly launched smartphone by ASUS competes with the Xiaomi 11T Pro, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, and the OnePlus 9RT.

The smartphone arrives with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and has a glass back. ASUS 8z smartphone features a dual rear camera setup, a 64-MP Sony IMX686 primary sensor with an f/1.8 lens and a 12-MP Sony IMX363 secondary sensor with an f/2.2 ultra-wide lens. It has a refresh rate of 120Hz and is backed by a 4,000mAh battery.

Top 16 Key Outcomes from Budget 2022

Experts and ordinary citizens of the country had many expectations that the budget would address issues related to the ordinary citizens, but to our disappointment, the government did not have many gifts in store.

Positive Outcomes:

5G Auction

India’s Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled plans for an auction and confirmed that local telcos would launch 5G services commercially in the fiscal year ending March 2023.

Defence Manufacturers

The focus of the Union Budget was on Atmanirbhar in the defence manufacturing and research segment, that’s why out of ₹39.45 lakh crore of budget, almost 15% of the amount – ₹5.25 lakh crore has been allocated to the Ministry of Defence.

Cement & Construction

The government is planning to build affordable homes for the low-income groups, which will boost the market for the sectors such as industrials, cement, engineering, and major construction companies such as UltraTech, Ambuja, and Birla.

Solar

The finance minister of India announced to allot ₹19,500 crores to facilitate the manufacturing of solar modules under the government’s flagship PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme, which will create 60 lakh new jobs in the near future.

Infrastructure

Ahead of the 2024 elections, the government plans to build robust roads in rural areas and modern transit options in cities, along with 400 Vande Bharat trains in the coming three years, which will amplify the infrastructure industry and its key players.

Metal Industry

The piped water has been a dream for many households in India, and to cure that, the government has allotted 600 billion rupees to provide piped water to 38 million homes in India, which will benefit India’s metals manufacturers.

EV Batteries

The adoption of EVs instead of fuel-based vehicles is soon going to be the next big thing, and to make it possible briefly, the government has announced to promote clean transport technology along with a battery swapping policy for electric vehicles.

Precious Metals

The government has reduced the custom duties on gold & silver by 10%, which means the prices are going to fall, and at the same time, stainless steel sees a 7.5% cut in customs duty. Along with these precious metals, copper and iron prices will see a price drop.

Negative Outcomes:

Electronic Devices

We’re surrounded by electronic devices that help us make our life easier. The government knows it well, and that’s why they decided to increase the customs duty by 2.5% on a few things, such as mobile phones, air conditioners and refrigerators.

Automobile

The government plans to develop public transportation to the next level, and as a result, they’re increasing the import duties on auto parts by 15% and possibly we’ll witness a rise in fuel costs too.

Digital Currency

The budget indicates that the Reserve Bank of India will introduce the digital rupee in FY 2022-23, but at the same time, it has also declared that any earnings from the digital asset transactions, including cryptocurrencies and NFTs, will be taxed at the rate of 30% per cent.

Public Sector Banks

The finance minister had announced a ₹20,000-crore capital infusion for Public Sector Banks, but at the same time, the government plans to start a digital currency to cope with the global world, which is certainly going to affect traditional banking in the country.

Stainless Steel

In the latest budget, the government revoked the anti-dumping and countervailing duties on select steel products, affecting the giant stainless steel producers, Jindal Stainless Ltd. and Tata Metaliks Ltd.

Coal & Thermal Power

The government is planning to push for the use of biomass in coal-fired thermal power plants for environmental purposes, which might upset the biggest coal importers in the country.

Fabric

The import duties on fabrics like cotton and silk are going to rise by 10% and 5%, respectively. In contrast, nylon witnesses a reduction of 5% in customs duty.

The Longest Speech Ever

The Prime Minister said the Union Budget 2022 was more for poor and middle-class citizens of the country, but nobody’s from this section looks happy, especially after listening to the 160-minutes speech of the Finance Minister, which is considered the longest one in independent India.