Gadgets
OPPO Launches the Pad 2 with 7:5 Aspect Ratio Display and Dimensity 9000 Platform
OPPO has launched the new OPPO Pad 2 tablet. It comes with a 7:5 aspect ratio display, the Dimensity 9000 platform, and an upgraded operating and interaction experience. OPPO claims that the Pad 2 is the first tablet with a 7:5 aspect ratio display, sharing a similar aspect ratio to PCs, A4 paper, and books, thus offering users a comfortable and familiar reading experience. Compared to conventional 16:10 Android tablets, the OPPO Pad 2 offers a nearly 10% expanded viewing area.
Furthermore, the aspect ratio remains consistent at around 7:5 whether in full-screen or split-screen mode, ensuring ratio consistency across various modes. The 11.61-inch screen boasts flagship-level parameters, including a high resolution of 2800×2000 for ultra-clarity and enhanced image details. It supports a 144Hz ultra-high refresh rate and five levels of adaptive refresh rate adjustment for smoother visuals and more efficient power consumption.
The display achieves ultra-high colour accuracy with ΔE<2 colour tuning, delivering more lifelike, vibrant visuals with support for 1.07 billion colours. Additionally, it is certified by TÜV Rheinland to meet the Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) standard, enabling users to comfortably enjoy visual content for longer stretches of time. The OPPO Pad 2 is equipped with four symmetrical-placed speakers with 8.0cc sound cavity, along with support for Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos. These elements work together to deliver theatre-like audiovisual enjoyment with vivid pictures and captivating audio.
The OPPO Pad 2 is also among the first tablets to integrate the flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9000 platform, built upon advanced 4nm process technology. Paired with LPDDR5 high-speed memory and UFS3.1 flash memory, the platform offers industry-leading performance with efficient power consumption, ensuring smooth operations even with resource-intensive apps and multitasking.
For those who rely on a tablet for work and entertainment throughout the day, the OPPO Pad 2 features an extended battery life of up to 12.4 hours of continuous video playback on a full charge, thanks to its large 9510mAh battery. Moreover, the tablet boasts an incredible 67W SUPERVOOC flash charge, recharging the battery back to 100% in just 81 minutes, eliminating battery life concerns for users.
The new OPPO Pad 2 provides an intuitive and seamless experience for working across multiple devices. With Multi-Screen Connect 2.0, the tablet seamlessly connects to any smartphone using the same OPPO account via Bluetooth, allowing users to gain full access to communication features like calls, texts, and the internet using the phone’s data directly from the tablet. This eliminates the need to switch devices and boosts productivity.
Multi-device interaction is made even more convenient and efficient, supporting real-time viewing, editing, and saving of videos, photos, and files on either device. Moreover, notifications and apps from the phone can also be displayed and operated on the OPPO Pad 2 in real-time through Screen Mirroring, enhancing multi-device workflows. Similar convenience can also be found through continuous screencast. This feature enables users to seamlessly switch from watching videos on their phone to the larger OPPO Pad 2 screen without interruptions, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted flow of content across devices.
Despite all the features packed into the OPPO Pad 2, the tablet is designed to be thin and lightweight, with a thickness of just 6.54 mm and a weight of 552 g. The OPPO Pad 2 boasts a durable gray-colour metal unibody, with a curved middle-frame for a visually thinner appearance and a comfortable grip. On the back, a unique metallic texture surrounding the camera adds a premium aesthetic and a more comfortable in-hand feel to the device.
The OPPO Pad 2 is available to purchase in the UAE across OPPO’s regional websites and retail partner stores at a retail price of AED 1899.
Gadgets
Drop Announces New Drop + Grell OAE1 Headphones
Drop, CORSAIR’s community-driven e-commerce brand, today announced its latest Grell headphone collaboration, with the latest edition of the Drop + Grell OAE1. Building on the momentum of the signature headphones that launched earlier this year, selling all 1,000 units in a short period, this new edition offers the same world-class engineering and immersive sound profile at a more accessible price.
Based on community feedback, Drop made key adjustments to the new OAE1 headphones to improve the listening and user experience. The OAE1s feature a lighter clamping force and single-sided 6.3mm cable with an insert indicator for added ease of use, as well as a new all-black colourway with dark grey accents. The headphones, rooted in Axel Grell’s three decades of audio engineering and audio product development, feature a driver-forward, open-around-ear structure to map to the human ear and achieve a more natural and realistic sound field.
By moving the drivers in front of and away from the ears, the new OAE1 headphones enable the sound field from the transducers to take advantage of the ear’s natural structure to direct sound into the ear canal. The open-around-ear design minimizes acoustic reflections and controls sound pressure, with the culmination of both innovations resulting in improved stereo imaging, a natural sound field, and the uncovering of the deepest dimensions of any song.
“Building on the success of the signature headphones that sold out earlier this year, the new OAE1s bring the same level of audio innovation and sound precision to a broader audience,” said Grell. “With the Drop + Grell OAE1 headphones, we’ve maintained our commitment to precision engineering and high-fidelity sound while offering a more accessible price point. It’s all about making premium audio experiences accessible to more listeners without compromising on quality.”
The Drop + Grell OAE1 Headphones are available today for $249, $100 less than the previous signature headphones.
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.
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