PABLO AIR Unveils Innovative Versatile Drone ‘FB04’ at CES 2024

  • Debuts Award-Winning UAM Traffic Management Platform ‘UrbanLinkX’ at Eureka Park
  • Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul City and CTA President Join in the Innovative Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Eureka Park Inauguration Ceremony
  • First-ever Unveiling of Korea’s Only Versatile Drone, Highlighting Precise and Dynamic Performance… Targeting the North American Market

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — PABLO AIR, a leading expert in autonomous swarm control for unmanned vehicles, is thrilled to announce its participation in CES 2024, the world’s largest IT and electronics exhibition, taking place in Las Vegas from January 8th. The company will showcase groundbreaking technologies and introduce its latest performance drone, ‘FireBird 4’ (FB04), at the Eureka Park startup exhibition.

PABLO AIR is set to make its debut at CES 2024, unveiling the first look of the performance drone FB04.
PABLO AIR is set to make its debut at CES 2024, unveiling the first look of the performance drone FB04.

Visitors can explore the PABLO AIR booth to witness the future of drones, featuring the versatile high-performance platform, ‘FireBird 4’ (FB04), and the award-winning Urban Air Mobility (UAM) traffic management platform, ‘UrbanLinkX.’

The ‘FB04,’ making its debut at CES 2024, is a versatile performance drone crafted by PABLO AIR, the sole company in Korea specializing in fireworks drone shows, leveraging its expertise. Developed with entirely domestic technology, it incorporates key components and solutions, enabling precise formation flights and designed for dynamic maneuvers with swift mobility.

PABLO AIR is commencing mass production and entering the sales phase of the FB04 this year. As the first mass-produced product, it provides insight into the design direction of the upcoming drone lineup. Additionally, it is engineered to ensure convenient operation in all weather conditions by enhancing wind resistance and waterproof capabilities. The drone introduces an innovative charging method aimed at improving efficiency and convenience for battery operation and management.

The award-winning ‘UrbanLinkX’ is a platform designed to efficiently operate and manage Urban Air Mobility (UAM) by reducing operator workload, enhancing economic viability, and mitigating operational risks. PABLO AIR has received high praise for ‘UrbanLinkX,’ recognizing its potential to address future transportation challenges in smart cities and contribute to improving the quality of life in urban areas.

Kim Young-Joon, CEO of PABLO AIR, expressed, “I am honored to receive the innovation award for UrbanLinkX, a technology that can contribute to humanity in this new era.” He added, “Starting from today’s inauguration ceremony, we aim to expand our drone device export business in the Americas region, ensuring profitability, with CES 2024 as a turning point.”

PABLO AIR plans to expand its presence in international markets, including North America, starting this year. In particular, for business expansion in the Middle East, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabia’s accelerator ‘NMOHUB’ for project procurement and the expansion of its fireworks business. Additionally, to facilitate the smooth development of drone art show projects in the Middle East and surrounding countries, PABLO AIR has secured partnerships by signing MOUs with the Spanish fireworks specialist ‘IGUAL’ and the local events company ‘ALBAHIYA PALACE’ in Oman.

ForexVox Rebrands to MarketsVox: A Landmark Evolution Reflecting Growth and Innovation

LONDON, Jan. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ForexVox, a prominent name in the online trading sphere, proudly announces a significant transformation with its rebranding to MarketsVox. This momentous shift goes beyond a mere change in name; it symbolizes a strategic and forward-thinking approach that encapsulates the company’s vision for the future.

ForexVox becomes MarketsVox
ForexVox becomes MarketsVox

The decision to rebrand is grounded in a multifaceted strategy aimed at better representing the extensive array of financial instruments offered by MarketsVox. While Forex has been a cornerstone, MarketsVox now extends its offerings to include indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and metals. The new name is a nod to the company’s commitment to evolving with the ever-changing landscape of financial markets.

“Markets” in the rebranded name embodies the company’s dedication to exploring diverse markets and providing clients with a broader spectrum of trading opportunities. The evolution from ForexVox to MarketsVox is not just a change; it’s a declaration of the company’s growth, adaptability, and commitment to staying at the forefront of the trading industry.

This rebranding is not the only exciting announcement from MarketsVox. The company is introducing a host of enhancements to enrich the trading experience for its clients. Among these are new payment options that offer increased flexibility, the introduction of a unique social platform featuring copytrading capabilities, and notable updates to the partner program, promising more rewarding collaboration.

In addition to these changes, MarketsVox is proud to share recent improvements to trading conditions. Fixed spreads have been implemented for three major pairs: EURUSD, GBPUSD, and USDJPY. This enhancement aims to provide traders with greater transparency and stability in their trading activities. To experience the trading conditions, you can open the live account here.

MarketsVox remains dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive trading environment. The rebranding and associated developments are a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation, client satisfaction, and the pursuit of excellence in the financial markets.

MarketsVox will be releasing new and exciting products in January. Stay tuned.

About MarketsVox

MarketsVox is a leading online trading platform committed to providing a comprehensive suite of financial instruments, including Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and metals. With a focus on innovation and client success, MarketsVox empowers traders with cutting-edge tools, a unique social platform, and a rewarding partner program.

Marketsvox.com

Contact:
Slava Biletska 
slava.biletska@marketsvox.com 
+44 2071678176  

Dell Unveils New UltraSharp Monitor Line-Up Ahead of CES 2024

Dell’s monitors have long been one of the most sought-after monitors available. Dell’s most popular is the top-of-the-line Dell UltraSharp Monitors. The lineup is packed with cutting-edge features and features most users are looking for when it comes to productivity. The UltraSharp Monitors also set the pace for Dell’s monitors every year.

Dell UltraSharp Monitors CES 2024 8

The Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U4025QW) leads the way this year. Yep. It’s a mouthful but comes with everything – including the kitchen sink; which in this case is the whole USB-C hub functionality. This USB-C Hub functionality allows for power pass-through to charge devices as well as extend your connectivity options – particularly if you’re coming from a thin and light laptop like the Dell XPS laptop. With Thunderbolt 4 support, you’ll be able to power the monitor with a single cable. The hub also supports high-speed ethernet connectivity through an RJ45 port, and display inputs with HDMI 2.1 FRL (Fixed Rate Link) and DisplayPort 2.1

The new monitor has improvements over its predecessor including a doubled refresh rate of 120Hz. It comes with an improved version of Dell ComfortView Plus. This helps further reduce blue light exposure from 50% to lower than 35% in the new Dell UltraSharp Monitors. The built-in ambient light sensor also helps preserve eye health as it automatically adjusts screen brightness and colour temperature according to the ambient conditions of the room.

  • Dell UltraSharp Monitors CES 2024 U4025QW 4
  • Dell UltraSharp Monitors CES 2024 U4025QW 5
  • Dell UltraSharp Monitors CES 2024 U4025QW 6
  • Dell UltraSharp Monitors CES 2024 U4025QW 7
  • Dell UltraSharp Monitors CES 2024 U4025QW 8

Of course, Dell’s UltraSharp Monitor Line-up continues to have a display panel with high resolution and a wide colour gamut. It is the line’s signature feature. This year’s edition comes with a 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space. The colour accuracy can also be calibrated using the Dell Color Management software. The Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor comes with an IPS panel with VESA DisplayHDR 600 and IPS Black Panel technology. It’s also a 5K resolution display.

You may be wondering, we’ve been saying lineup for so long but only talking about a single monitor, well, if 40 inches is too much for you, Dell is also launching a smaller 34-inch monitor. The new Dell UltraSharp 34 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U3425WE) comes with a WQHD resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. It comes with mostly the same specifications including IPS Black technology and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. However, it has a lower power delivery over Thunderbolt 4 of only 90W.

Pricing & Availability

Dell Technologies has not announced any pricing details for the monitors just yet. However, they will be available in the market starting end of February 2024.

ARTERY AT32 MCU-based Solutions for High-speed Multi-Functional Peripheral

HSINCHU, Jan. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Office facilities are always fundamental to business. To save manpower and promote efficiency, more and more user-friendly office equipment have been introduced, and one of the most brilliant device is the multi-functional peripheral (MFP) that integrates copier, printer, scanner and fax machine. It also supports networking, which brings risks of privacy leakage. To eliminate such risks and guarantee stable operation, microcontrollers are used to manage communication and collaboration among functional modules by executing complex instructions with the help of its programmability and powerful processing and control capabilities.

AT32F435/437 series, powered by ARM® Cortex®-M4, have excellent data processing performance and can reach up to 288 MHz computing speed. It supports up to 4032 KB Flash memory and 512 KB SRAM, and features a single precision floating-point unit (FPU), digital signal processor (DSP) and rich peripherals such as 2x QSPIs, 2x OTGs, DVP, communication interfaces and XMC interface (for SDRAM, SRAM and PSRAM) for flexible applications. In addition, it has 3x high-speed ADC engines (5.33 Msps), which supports MFPs to perform for printing, scanning, copying and faxing with fast responses and efficient algorithms.

Main features of AT32F435/437 in MFP applications:

  • High-performance CPU capability, providing a configurable hardware pipeline to support printing, scanning, copying and faxing
  • Support multiple high-speed PWM outputs for simultaneous motor control
  • Multi-channel ADC/DAC designed with sensors for accurate sensing and printing control
  • Up to 18 timers to realize highly integrated motion control for printing unit output, and lower system cost and complexity
  • Small-sized PCB, with built-in high-speed oscillator and providing various package types
  • Support security library (sLib) settings to protect the defined area with a code, thus improving security
  • Integrate high-speed communication interfaces including USART/UART, USB OTG, CAN, SDIO and Ethernet (AT32F437 only) to improving networking efficiency and stability
  • Support software OTA update, which allows users to update, iterate and expand MFP functions

Diagram of hardware system:

Diagram of AT32 MCU MFP applications
Diagram of AT32 MCU MFP applications

About ARTERY:

ARTERY Technology is a global MCU design company focusing on promoting innovative development of ARM® Cortex®-M4/M0+ 32-bit MCUs. As of the year 2023, ARTERY has launched a total of 15 AT32 MCU product series including nearly 200 parts, bringing about 80~288 MHz computing speed and supporting 16~4032 KB FLASH and 9~512KB SRAM. AT32 MCUs also designed with 12-bit ADC to capture external signals, rich communication interfaces and multi-channel PWM to offer solutions for applications such as IoT, industrial control, motor control, consumer electronics and commerce. https://www.arterychip.com 

5 Demos to check out on PC/Steam Jan 2024

As we move into 2024, what better way than to start the first weekend with some new games. 

For those who want to save on some cash after the festive sales, exploring demos on steam is the perfect solution. Besides, this is a perfect way to try out new games and different genres to see if the vibes match.

In this article we will be listing 5 entertaining and diverse game demos on steam that you should check out. If we miss any great demos on Steam do feel free to write in the comments below.

Backpack Battles

Prepare to fight off other players in this Tetris style fantasy inventory management autobattler game. Similar in mechanics to Backpack Hero, you will be buying items and strategically place them in your back to fight other real players to climb the ladder. With different styles of plays and heroes, this demo is constantly being tweaked and updated. A nice little strategy game to fill up your weekend.

Bopl Battle

Bopl Battle Launch Trailer!

Recently released Nov, 2023, Bopl is a fun couch/online battler similarish to Smash Bros. Have fun with changing the environment you can manipulate to literally crush your foes. Choose to attach rockets to fly islands away or set things on fire. The choices are many and they are all yours as you find new combos to use with or against your friends. There are no bots so bring a friend to play, Bopl supports up to 4 players.

Bread & Fred

Bread & Fred | LAUNCH TRAILER

Released earlier last year in May, 2023, Bread & Fred is a cute co-op platformer game. Playing as two penguins, your goal is to help navigate them up the top of the snowy summit. You will be timing your jumps and swinging each other across gaps hoping not to fall down the mountain. This game is great for playing with your significant partner or potential partner as the New Year starts off. 

If you don’t have anyone to play with, there is a single player mode available. You get to play with Jeff, a pet rock. Only issue is you can’t blame Jeff if you fall, this climb is all on you.

dotAGE

DOTAGE Launch Trailer - out NOW!!

Released recently in Oct, 2023, dotAGE is a fun survival roguelite turn based city builder. For those who love board games and resource management, this game should be right up your alley. Take on the role of the villager elder as you navigate and plan around Doom and Prophecies of the Apocalypse to save your village. As a bonus this works well on Steam Deck and has an active single developer happy to fix bugs in this game of passion 9 years into the making.

TEKKEN 8

TEKKEN 8 - Story & Gameplay Teaser Trailer

Releasing soon on 26 Jan, 2024, TEKKEN 8 will soon be fighting it out with Street Fighter 6 for the attention of all fighter game players. In the demo you will be able to test out Story Mode, Arcade Quest, Super Ghost Battle, Player vs. Player, Player vs CPU, and Gallery Mode. You will have access to 3 stages, Urban Square (Evening), Yakushima, and Sanctum while playing with popular characters Paul Phoenix, Jin Kazama, Lazuya Mishima, and Nina Williams. Also there has been talks on the web that is might be possible to unlock the other characters to try out on the PC version of the demo.

Dell’s XPS Line-Up Refreshed with Focus on AI

Dell’s XPS lineup has been at the forefront of the company’s portfolio for the better part of two decades. The line has always been about pushing boundaries when it comes to performance, work and design. This year is no different, the XPS lineup continues its legacy as one of the best laptops that Dell has to offer.

XPS Expanded and Better than Ever

The new Dell XPS line is expanded. Where we had the XPS and XPS 15, there are now 3 entries: the XPS 13, XPS 14 and the XPS 16. Each laptop takes Dell’s thin and light flagship and caters it to different needs. However, they do share a similar design – one that Dell debuted with the XPS 13 Plus. The sleek design consists of tone-on-tone colours and CNC-machined aluminium. The biggest change is the inclusion of touch-enabled function buttons which line the top of the haptic trackpad. These buttons seamlessly switch between media and function keys when needed. The keyboard on the laptops is also larger with larger keycaps for a more coherent and comfortable typing experience.

Dell XPS CES 2024 4
Source: Dell Technologies

The XPS lineup continues to feature the InfinityEdge panels with options for OLED touch, variable refresh rate and high resolution. This year brings improvements to the audio experience with a new quad speaker design that supports Dolby Atmos, and 3D stereo surround from MaxxAudio Pro by Waves. The XPS lineup will also feature a 1080p FHD webcam.

New Intel Processors with a Focus on Bringing AI Mainstream

The New XPS lineup will be coming fully equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra processors. These processors features an additional NPU (neural processing unit) that Dell is leveraging to bring impactful AI-powered features to its XPS line up. That isn’t the only thing that’s changing with the NPU; these laptops will be able to leverage the NPU to speed up features that rely on AI. This also frees up CPU and GPU resources which can be better mobilised to undertake non-AI focused tasks.

In addition, the XPS line up will be coming with configurations supporting the Intel Core Ultra 7 on the Dell XPS 13 and XPS 14. While the XPS 16 supports configurations with up to the Intel Core Ultra 9. These configurations are supplemented with up to 64GB of RAM across the board and up to 4TB of PCIe 4 SSD memory. This combination alone should give you enough performance on the go for most tasks.

The XPS 14 and XPS 16, however, come with NVIDIA’s RTX Studio certification. The XPS 14 comes with a configuration supporting the NVIDIA RTX 4050. On the other hand, the XPS 16 continues to be the powerhouse of the line up with configurations supporting the RTX 4060 and RTX 4080 as well as the RTX 4050. These laptops come with support for NVIDIA’s Studio drivers out of the box and are primed for content creation on the go. They can even handle 3D rendering when you’re out and about.

Specc’d to Kill

The XPS series continues its legacy of being a top performer with more than just processors though. The line up comes with a bevvy of displays including high resolution touch displays. The XPS 13 caps out at a 3K OLED touch display while the XPS 14 pushes the boundaries a little bit more with a 3.2K OLED touch display. The XPS 16, on the other hand, caps out at a 4K OLED touch display.

Dell XPS CES 2024
Source: Dell Technologies

Of course, connectivity on the go is important for the XPS line up. Dell has decided to leverage WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 on the XPS 13 and XPS 16 while the XPS 14 has WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Pricing & Availability

The XPS lineup will be available starting in Q1 2024. Malaysia, in particular, will see the laptops in stores starting end of February 2024.

ModelBase SpecificationsPricing (US)Pricing (MY)
Dell XPS 13Intel Ultra 5 / 16GB / 512GB / 13.4” FHD+ / Intel RPL-P P28 UMA (Iris Xe) UMAUSD$1,299RM5,499
Dell XPS 14Intel Ultra 7 / 16GB / 512GB / 14.5” FHD+ / No GraphicsUSD$1,699RM8,499
Dell XPS 16Intel Ultra 7 / 16GB / 512GB / 16.3” FHD+ / No GraphicsUSD$1,899RM8,999

Zero Zero to Bring HOVERAirX1 Pocket-Sized Self-Flying Camera to CES

The brand will preview its upcoming Gesture Control feature, which leverages advanced computer vision to control the camera with arm movements

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Zero Zero Robotics, experts in user-friendly devices featuring machine vision and precise control systems, is excited to announce its participation at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. They are set to showcase their best-selling HOVERAir X1 pocket-sized 2.7K self-flying camera at the Venetian Expo Halls A-D, Global Pavilions, booth no. 55745 from January 9 – 12, 2024. Attendees will get a first look at the camera’s new Gesture Control feature, a breakthrough in user interaction that utilizes advanced computer vision to direct the camera through simple arm movements.

Fun-Filled Flight,
Zero Zero at CES 2024
Fun-Filled Flight, Zero Zero at CES 2024

2023 marked a significant milestone for HOVERAIR X1, with the initial Indiegogo campaign generating overwhelming support, attracting over 5,000 backers and raising $1.8M USD. This success was followed by a robust direct sales launch, and subsequent introductions on Amazon USA, Canada, and Australia. To date, the HOVERAIR X1 has sold tens of thousands of units across nearly 40 countries.

Meet HOVERAir in Real Life
Meet HOVERAir in Real Life

Weighing a mere 125g, HOVERAir X1 is a lightweight device that frees users from the hassles of registration in most parts of the US, thanks to its compact design. The HOVERAir X1 epitomizes the fusion of fun, portability, and performance. Launching effortlessly from the palm within seconds, it offers a suite of autonomous flight modes, ensuring crisp visuals, stabilized recordings, and uniquely, outstanding audio clarity, all housed within a safety-first, cage-like design.

“We’re excited to bring HOVERAir X1 to CES this year and introduce our new Gesture Control feature which levels up the ability of users to easily and intuitively create unique and creative videos,” said MQ Wang, Founder & CEO of Zero Zero. “This new technology is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries, enhancing the user experience, and opening up new creative possibilities.”

The device boasts a rapid 3-second launch and landing protocol, springing to action from the palm and returning with equal ease. Its enclosed design prioritizes user safety, while the recording specs, ranging from 2.7K@30fps to 1080P HDR, offer a plethora of high-definition filming options. Features like Burst mode and hybrid stabilization promise fluid, high-quality footage. Its sleek, foldable design makes it the perfect travel companion, fitting seamlessly into pockets or purses.

An array of five cinematic flight modes (Hover, Follow, Zoom Out, Orbit, Bird’s Eye) offer unique perspectives and are easily activated with a single touch. For those desiring finer control, a dedicated app allows for real-time composition adjustments, editing, and instant sharing on social platforms. The device’s cutting-edge computer vision and robust tracking capabilities allow it to follow users at speeds over 15mph. Utilizing Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO) technology and a ToF laser altitude system, it ensures centimeter-level precision, facilitating seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments.

“Through HOVERAir X1, we aim to redefine the way people capture and share their moments,” continued Wang. “Gesture Control is just the beginning of a series of new capabilities we plan to introduce, revolutionizing personal photography and content creation.”

The HOVERAir X1 defines what a flying camera is—no controller, no app, just intuitive, hands-free operation. With its light frame, enclosed design, and versatile flight modes, this camera is an indispensable tool for capturing life’s fleeting moments.

Media wishing to experience a live demo of HOVERAir X1 at CES or interview Zero Zero’s personnel should contact PR agency representative Borjana Slipicevic.

About Zero Zero              

Zero Zero was co-founded in 2014 by Stanford Phds, MQ Wang and Tony Zhang. Zero Zero specializes in embedded AI technology to create intelligent devices characterized by machine vision and high-precision control systems. Zero Zero’s team members are dreamers, engineers, inventors, and builders hailing from top universities and research institutions around the world. Its investors include IDG, ZhenFund, and other top US investors. Zero Zero holds more than 120 core patents and has pioneered new technologies, such as fully enclosed portable propeller design and bi-copter design.

CONTACT:
Borjana Slipicevic
Proper Propaganda
borjana@properpropaganda.net

Vivo X100 Series Lands In Malaysia; Prices Start at RM3,499

The Vivo X100 series made its debut late last November in China. The new X100 series is the next edition of Vivo’s ambitions to be the go-to camera smartphone for the masses. The new X100 series comes with the latest imaging technology from both Vivo and its partner – ZEISS.

vivo X100 series 08

Powerfully Similar With Minute Differences

Vivo is touting the X100 series as its most powerful flagship to date. Both the X100 Pro and the vanilla X100 run on the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 processor. This processor marks a change in architecture that focuses on supercharging smartphone performance. Previously, smartphone processors came with a combination of performance and efficiency cores. With the Dimensity 9300, this paradigm shifts to only performance cores. However, that doesn’t mean that power efficiency is taking a backseat.

When it comes to the silicon, both smartphones differ only in their image processing chip; the X100 comes with the Vivo V2 which debuted last year while the X100 Pro comes with the brand new Vivo V3. The Vivo V3 comes with updated fabrication technology and supports more complex imaging features like multi-concurrent AI-ISP architecture and second-generation Frame Info Tunneling (FIT) technology. Both the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro come with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal memory. No lower variants or the 1TB variant have been indicated at this time.

vivo X100 series 10

The X100 comes with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 120W Dual-Cell FlashCharge. The Vivo X100 Pro, on the other hand, comes with a larger 5,400mAh battery with support for wireless FlashCharge and 100W Dual-Cell FlashCharge. Both versions of the X100 come with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

ZEISS Co-engineered Cameras with Improved Features

The Vivo X100 series also carries forward the partnership between ZEISS and Vivo when it comes to camera technology. The new X100 Pro comes packed with some of the latest innovations when it comes to smartphone photography. That said both versions of the X100 come with formidable setups.

vivo X100 series 13

The vanilla X100 comes with a triple camera setup with a 50-megapixel VCS True Colour sensor for the main camera. This is complemented by a 64-megapixel ZEISS Telephoto sensor and a 50-megapixel super wide-angle camera. Meanwhile, the X100 Pro ups the ante with a 1-inch, 50-megapixel ZEISS sensor as its main camera. This is complemented by a 50-megapixel ZEISS APO Floating Telephoto sensor and a 50-megapixel Super wide-angle camera. The 50-megapixel ZEISS APO Floating telephoto sensor comes with the new Vario-Apo-Sonnar standard from ZEISS. Thanks to this, you’ll be able to take more detailed and vibrant close-up and long-distance shots even at 6X and 10X zoom. Both of the smartphones come with the ZEISS T* coating.

Pricing & Availability

The Vivo X100 will be retailing for RM3,499 while the X100 Pro will be priced at RM4,599. Both variants will be available in two colours: Asteroid Black and Startrail Blue.

X100 Pre order

The Vivo X100 series is available for pre-orders online starting on 4 January 2024. Physical pre-orders will start on 6 January 2024. During the pre-order period, purchases of the X100 will come with complimentary 180-day screen protection valued at RM300 and vivo TWS air earbuds free. Pre-orders of the X100 Pro will come with the same 180-day screen protection, a vivo TWS 2e earbuds and a vivo selection smartwatch.

Xiaomi Redmi 13C In-Depth Review

IMG 20231222 113111

Regarding phones, Xiaomi is never far behind in its release, be it their flagship series like the recently released Xiaomi 13T and Xiaomi 14T (China only). Xiaomi always has something that keeps their customers on their toes. This time around they released the Redmi 13C, which goes just slightly above the norms of budgeted phones. The Redmi 13C comes in 4 vibrant colours: Midnight Black, Navy Blue, Glacier White and Clover Green. Priced at RM499.00 on their official store. The unit I received for review was the Navy-Blue Variant.

First Impressions and Unboxing

The box has a set of double-point charger heads, a USB Type-C cable, and a user manual. The unwrapping experience is still enjoyable as it was seamless and easy to open with the general kit you would normally see. I would like to say that I was happily pleased with the inclusion of a charger head as not many phones supply the charger heads anymore. Besides that, my first impression of the phone surprised me. At first glance, it looked polished and nearer to the high-end looks, thanks to its sleek and clean design and larger screen. This is one of its main highlights that I like.

Design

Xiaomi made a bold move by updating the Redmi 13C with a more refined and modern look. Minimal bezels and a U-shaped notch house the 8MP front camera, while the 6.74-inch LCD screen takes centre stage. The back has a matte coating that hides fingerprints and gives the device a shiny, clean appearance to appreciate. However, the back material makes it very smooth and, in my experience, makes it very slippery on certain surfaces and even when holding it in my hand.

Besides the slippery backside, the phone has a lightweight design and is decently sturdy. This phone provides a pleasant experience for any user. It also has a separate microSD slot for expandable storage, which can go up to 1TB. A 3.5mm headphone jack and a side fingerprint sensor, thoughtfully placed on the phone, all of which contribute to its user-friendliness. However, note that while using the phone, the side buttons feel incredibly flat against the surface. While some will take that as a plus, I found it a bit of a worry as the power button, which is also where the finger sensor is located, is so flattened that I worry if usage of pressing the power button can have it stuck down or wear it down to the point you can’t click it which is something to look out for long-term use.

Display

IMG 20231222 113311

With a 90Hz refresh rate, the 6.74-inch LCD screen of the Redmi 13C has an immersive viewing feeling that most users will enjoy without any issue. However, during my phone use, there was an annoying glare from the display in certain positions or from certain viewing angle. It shouldn’t be much of an issue for most standard smartphone users in daily use. The display and screen are equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring scratch resistance and long-lasting protection. The display’s mix of colour accuracy and vibrancy makes for a great everyday experience.

With a peak brightness of 600 nits, it tackles outside visibility and decently holds itself even in dark or low-lighting areas. Besides that, to ensure users’ eyes are always protected, the display also has reading and dark modes, which can easily be turned on or off with a tap. It’s also to note that the brightness display and control is quite unorthodox to me as it was longer than standard brightness control bars, but it gives more minute control to users, that’s for sure, on how bright or dim they wish it to be.

Performance

The Media Tek Helio G85 processor allows the Redmi 13C to breeze through regular chores. With 128 or 256 GB of storage and a choice of 4, 6 or 8 RAM, you can multitask with ease and speed. According to benchmark ratings, this smartphone performs admirably compared to others in its price range. But I wouldn’t recommend it for long gaming periods as the phone can overheat pretty decently and has a warning system. Besides that, the phone, thanks to its processor, can hold up decently with most heavy base games like Mobile Legends, and if you can tweak it a bit, it can even run to play heavy-duty games like PUBG or even Call of Duty. Still, it won’t be as smooth or visually pleasing compared to more expensive phones.

Redmi 13C also comes installed with MIUI 14.0.1, which improves the software experience and is based on Android 13. But some features are missing from this phone, such as the floating or minimised screen feature. If you used this function a lot on your previous phones, it’s sad to say you will not get it here. Kinda feels like a small nifty feature that would make this phone easily better.

Camera

The Redmi 13C has a 50MP primary camera, a 2MP macro camera, and an 8 MP selfie camera. Good and Standard results are achieved in daylight photography, while low-light performance is decent enough. Still, overall, when taking photos using the back camera, it seems reasonable and can keep up with most standard users who don’t have a lot of needs for their photography. Despite its 2MP resolution, the macro lens makes close-up photography quite lovely. While it doesn’t have many features compared to more expensive phones, the features include Portrait Mode, Night mode, Macro mode and 50mp mode. Besides that, when it comes to video recording, the quality is decent at 1080p, and it also has a nice time-lapse feature.

Charging and Battery Life

Screenshot 2023 12 21 09 27 53 394 com.miui .securitycenter

During my use of the phone, the most appealing part of it is its excellent battery life, lasting over two days for moderate users (when not using intensively or using it heavily), which is due to its large 5000mAh battery but when used for daily be it as a student or a working adult, the phone can easily last all day.

Now there is a large downfall here. While its battery life can withstand extended usage, the charging is so slow. A standard charger of 10W can easily take up to 1 to 2 hours (depending on your phone percentage when you plug in to charge) to reach 100 per cent. But when a fast-charging wire or charger head is used, a full charge can be reached in under two hours, and the charging process takes approximately 40-50 minutes, depending on how low your battery percentage is. So, if you’re in a rush and the battery is low, I recommend a power bank on the go because even with fast charging, it isn’t so fast.

Conclusion

Overall, the Redmi 13C shines out from the rest thanks to its sturdy, upgraded design and good all-rounded performance. It can easily compete successfully in the budgeted smartphone market as it also supports 5G and has a feature-rich MIUI. This phone’s only major downfall was its slippery nature without a phone case and the prolonged charging. Besides that, the Redmi 13C is a budget and user-friendly phone with features that make it seem more than a regular budgeted phone and still has the class to it. Overall, my experience with the phone has been a positive one, and I would recommend this phone to those who want a phone that won’t burn a hole in their pocket and, overall, is able to hold up close to some of the more expensive phones in this bracket.


Hyundai, Kia and Samsung Electronics to Collaborate on Connecting Mobility and Residential Spaces

  • Hyundai Motor and Kia will link Samsung’s ‘SmartThings’ IoT (Internet of Things) platform to their connected car services
  • The three companies aim to break the boundaries between living spaces and mobility spaces, enhancing the time value of driving before, during and after
    — Car-to-Home service to provide remote and touch-based control of various home appliances through voice commands while driving
    — Home-to-Car service to check vehicle status, control functions and manage charging before and after driving
  • Customers can also experience seamless connectivity with OTA and USB-based updates

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced that they have signed an agreement on January 3 with Samsung Electronics for a Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car service partnership, aiming to enhance the connectivity between residential and mobility spaces.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Samsung Electronics for a service partnership, aiming to enhance the connectivity between residential space and mobility space. Through this agreement, they plan to expand the Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services to overseas markets.
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Samsung Electronics for a service partnership, aiming to enhance the connectivity between residential space and mobility space. Through this agreement, they plan to expand the Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services to overseas markets.

Under this agreement, Hyundai and Kia customers will be able to remotely control digital appliances via touch and voice commands through their cars’ in-car infotainment systems. Conversely, they will have remote vehicle control via AI speakers, TVs and smartphone apps to control various vehicle functions.

This is made possible through the organic integration of Hyundai and Kia’s connected car services and Samsung’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform, ‘SmartThings’. Customers are expected to use it in various ways in their daily lives, enjoying uninterrupted connectivity experiences.