Gadgets
Vivo Launches the X Fold With Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
The Vivo X Fold is here to enter the quickly growing Chinese foldable market. There are no surprises here, as we’ve known what to expect from the numerous leaks in the weeks leading to this event. The Vivo X Fold has a 6.53-inch outer AMOLED display and a folding 8.03-inch 1800x2200px LTPO2 inner AMOLED E5 display. Both operate at up to 120Hz and are HDR10+ ready, with the main one able to slow down all day to 1Hz.
The folding display uses SCHOTT UTG (ultra-thin glass, Schott manufactures Samsung’s UTG). The display has Display Mate’s A+ recommendation. There are two in-display fingerprint scanners on the Vivo X Fold. Both are ultrasonic scanners, not optical ones. The hinge is an aircraft-grade floating wing hinge. It allows the Vivo X Fold to close flat, and to stay open at an angle between 60 and 120 degrees.
Powering the Vivo X Fold is a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip with 12GB of RAM. There’s a 4,600mAh battery that can recharge rapidly. You get 66W through the cable – that tops up the battery in 37 minutes. The Vivo X Fold can also wirelessly charge at up to 50W and reverse wirelessly charge at 10W at the same time.
The cameras are flagship-grade, especially when compared to the Samsung Galaxy foldables. There’s a 50MP f/1.8 main camera with OIS in front of a 1/1.57-inch Samsung GN5 sensor, a 12MP f/2.4 2x (47mm) zoom camera, a 5x periscope zoom camera (with 60x digital zoom), and a 48MP f/2.2 114-degree ultrawide. The Zeiss branding on the camera module further indicates Vivo means business with these images. Zeiss modes include Texture Portrait, Motion Capture 3.0, Zeiss Super Night Scene, Zeiss Nature Color, and more.
r on the outside. You can have two apps running side by side on the larger canvas of the inner display. At the same time, you can also run floating windows on top for an even richer multitasking experience. There’s also a waist-level viewfinder which splits the screen in an L-shape for shooting at waist level. You can also use this mode to take long-exposure shots with the Vivo X Fold on a flat surface.
The Vivo X Fold will be exclusive to China initially. It’s going to be available in Black, Blue, and Grey for CNY 8,999 ($1,415).
Accessories
Other World Computing Launches OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub
Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the general availability launch of the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub – opening a new world of workflow possibilities and performance. By turning a single cable connection into three Thunderbolt 5 ports and one USB-A port, the new OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub breaks the connectivity handcuffs of host machines not offering enough Thunderbolt 5 ports.
With up to 80Gb/s of bi-directional data speed – up to 2x faster than Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 – and up to 120Gb/s for higher display bandwidth needs, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub redefines productivity. Connect portable SSDs exceeding 6000MB/s, up to three 8K displays @60Hz with DSC, today’s USB-C connector compatible devices, and yesterday’s USB-A desktop accessories – all while keeping modern notebooks and tablets powered and charged up for mobile use with 140 watts.
Key Features of the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub:
- Easy Port Expansion – Adds more universally compatible Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports to a Mac, PC,iPad Pro, or tablet to greatly expand device connectivity possibilities and productivity
- Incomparable Speed – Work and play faster with up to 80Gb/s of bi-directional data speed and up to 120Gb/s for higher display bandwidth needs
- Works with Millions – No worries or confusion…connect to Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, or USB4 machine or device with 100% compatibility
- Best Today, Best Tomorrow – Delivers the best performance of devices with today’s computers and the best speed possible in the future with a Thunderbolt 5 Mac or PC
- Multiple Daisy Chains – Create three separate daisy chains of devices – even bus-powered – and remove devices from one chain without affecting the other chains
- Powerful – Safely delivers up to 140 watts to charge the most power-hungry notebook computer
- Stunning Visuals – Connect to the latest and future Thunderbolt, USB-C, and DisplayPort displays for incredible 4K, 5K, 6K, and up to three 8K displays
- Thunderbolt Certified – Built-in OWC reliability and dependability for Mac and Windows
- Silently Cool – Fanless aluminium enclosure for quiet and cool operation
“The bi-directional bandwidth design of the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub enables users to send and receive data simultaneously – making it ideal for connecting high-res displays, SSDs, and more without compromising speed,” said Larry O’Connor, Founder and CEO, Other World Computing (OWC). “With three additional Thunderbolt 5 ports, users gain the flexibility to power multiple displays or create complex daisy chains with ease. The hub’s 140W power delivery guarantees notebooks and tablets remain charged, no matter how demanding the workload.”
O’Connor continued, “For tablet users, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub turns any iPad Pro or tablet into a pro workstation. Connect external drives, displays, and peripherals to unlock the tablet’s full potential – without being tethered to a bulky desktop or laptop.” The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub is available now for pre-order for $189.99 and begins shipping in December.
Artificial Intelligence
The Price of Apple’s Intelligence
Apple has taken its first steps into the generative AI space with the introduction of Apple Intelligence for iPhone and Mac platforms. Currently, only a limited number of the proposed AI apps are available, with a significant update expected in December when ChatGPT will be integrated into iOS and macOS.
This move marks an unusual moment for Apple, a company known for building proprietary systems to control user experience and data usage. The inclusion of ChatGPT signifies Apple’s intent to engage with the broader generative AI community. However, it also highlights Apple’s position lagging behind its competitors in the AI race.
The integration of ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence comes with costs that users must pay to fully benefit from the features. The second beta version of iOS 18.2, scheduled for a December release, introduces the next wave of Apple Intelligence apps. System settings now display a daily limit for ChatGPT usage, with an option to upgrade to the paid ChatGPT Plus plan or revert to an older AI model.
Existing ChatGPT Plus users can sign in on their iPhones, while new users can choose to upgrade. It remains to be seen if Apple will impose its usual 30% fee on the $19.99 monthly subscription for ChatGPT Plus.
While OpenAI has long offered a tiered pricing structure for ChatGPT, Apple’s decision contrasts with other smartphone AI platforms. Google and Samsung, for instance, have provided free AI-powered tools to enhance platform utility. Although Apple is adopting a freemium model, Google and Samsung’s AI services may eventually become chargeable.
Apple’s slow introduction of generative AI contrasts with the marketing surrounding Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 16 series launched a month before Apple Intelligence became publicly available, but this delay was not evident in promotional materials. Mobile networks in the UK have even had to clarify the delayed AI features in their marketing.
Gadgets
OPPO Find X8 Series with ColorOS 15 to Launch Globally on Nov 21
OPPO will launch Find X8 Series and ColorOS 15 at a global launch event, set to take place on November 21, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia. Debuting the all-new Find X8 and Find X8 Pro, each is set to redefine flagship smartphone excellence in its class. “Until now, flagship camera phones with ultra-zoom, power, battery life and AI tools have been weighed down by thick, heavy designs, but the Find X8 Series changes the game. Find X8 is a thin and light powerhouse with ultra-beating battery life and a periscope zoom. Find X8 Pro takes zoom further, delivering ultra-grade experiences without the bulk. And with ColorOS 15’s smart and smooth experience, Find X8 Series is set to mark an exciting shift for the smartphone industry,” said Pete Lau, SVP and Chief Product Officer at OPPO.
OPPO Find X8 is loaded with ultra features. Fitting an incredibly slim periscope zoom camera into a masterfully balanced, sleek, light design at 7.85mm thin and weighing just 193g. Immersive yet compact, it combines a 6.59” display with an ultra-narrow 1.45mm symmetrical border, keeping its size down while making it a joy to handle and behold. And with its fingerprint-resistant diffuse finish available in Star Grey, Space Black and Shell Pink, Find X8 looks as good as it feels.
Fans of bigger screens, get ready for Find X8 Pro. It puts an ultra-immersive 6.78” picture in your palms, showcases quad-curved glass on both sides and debuts OPPO’s dual-periscope telephoto camera for global markets. Find X8 Pro is available in Space Black and Pearl White, with each Pearl White device featuring a unique pearlescent pattern – no two are the same – infusing an exclusive quality to the colour.
Both Find X8 and Find X8 Pro carry forward the Find X line’s tradition of introducing breakthrough camera innovation, with both featuring OPPO’s latest Hasselblad Master Camera System. Going the distance, with AI Telescope Zoom, Find X8 Series can reach further than ever before, activating at 10x and beyond. Each can also freeze time in an instant with Lightning Snap, taking up to seven photos every second without compromising on flagship-grade photo processing.
OPPO’s silicon-carbon battery is ultra-beating at 5630mAh for the Find X8 and 5910mAh for the Find X8 Pro. And with the latest-generation MediaTek Dimensity 9400 power, enjoy the smooth, cool performance for a full day and beyond. It takes world-class software to elevate ultra-grade hardware, and ColorOS 15 perfectly complements the Find X8 Series. Its seamless visuals, intuitive elements, and powerful, time-saving AI tools put everything you need at your fingertips.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login