Apple’s ‘made in India’ iPhone 13 now selling at lowest price ever: Check details

A brand new 128GB (Product) RED iPhone 13 is available for as low as Rs 71,990 in India. Those keeping track would probably know, this is the lowest price ever for Apple’s latest gen iPhone, the same iPhone that is now also made in India. The “deal” is only available on Amazon India, though, at the time of writing. Also, for any other colour variant, the price will revert to Rs 74,990, the price the iPhone 13 currently commands on e-retail stores including Amazon and Flipkart. Note that Apple still sells the iPhone 13 at a base price of Rs 79,990 officially.

You can get the 128GB (Product) RED iPhone 13 even cheaper on Amazon India if you opt for exchange. While generally nonsensical, know that Amazon will give you up to Rs 12,500 off in return of an eligible device. The real deal, though, is the bank offer because that’s sure shot guarantee to get you a good discount. HDFC Bank credit card transactions are currently eligible for Rs 5,000 “instant” discount which means if you make the purchase using HDFC Bank credit card, you can get the 128GB (Product) RED iPhone 13 for just Rs 66,990. That’s cheaper than a OnePlus 10 Pro 5G.

Apple recently started assembling the iPhone 13 in India with its manufacturing partner Foxconn at its plant in southern Tamil Nadu state. While it does not guarantee any immediate relaxation in prices, it does ensure adequate stocks in a time of global supply crisis. The fact that Apple makes more iPhone models today than ever also means there’s a good chance one of those models could land a good discount or offer sooner rather than later, especially online. iPhones are still largely aspirational but some of these things are changing the landscape even as Apple looks at India’s as a key market for growth.

The 128GB (Product) RED iPhone 13 discount seems an Amazon exclusive for now. Flipkart doesn’t have it. As and when it does, or if Amazon springs in a surprise by selling any of the iPhones this cheap, again, we will surely update you. So, stay tuned for more.

Source: Apple’s ‘made in India’ iPhone 13 now selling at lowest price ever: Check details (msn.com)

Jabra and Lenovo collaborate on integrated video conferencing meeting room solution

 Jabra has teamed up with Lenovo to offer an end-customer solution delivering intuitive, fast and seamless video conferencing solutions for meeting rooms at the touch of a button.

The solution includes Jabra’s innovative 180° panoramic 4K plug-and-play video solution PanaCast 50 and Lenovo’s ThinkSmart Hub. This is made up of ThinkSmart Hub, which is optimised for business productivity and collaboration, as well as being pre-loaded with Microsoft Teams Rooms to help employees connect and share wherever they are, and the ThinkSmart Hub, 10-point touch HD display that allows users to initiate and control meetings, as well as share content and work with colleagues working remotely.

 

Initially available in the EMEA region, the Jabra PanaCast 50 & Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub brings together the best technology from two of the biggest names in digital collaboration and creates a new standard in meeting room set-ups. Video conferencing and collaboration will be effortless courtesy of the most superior video and audio equipment in one, easy-to-use package.

 

A new standard in video conferencing solutions

This suite of products promises to deliver a new standard in video conferencing and is the ideal solution for flexible working and the modern meeting room. Users can collaborate with their team at the touch of a button, whether they’re working from home, the office or anywhere else in between.

 

The Jabra PanaCast 50 is engineered to be the world’s first new-normal-ready intelligent video bar. Its 180° field of view allows for social distancing in meeting rooms so you no longer have to worry about huddling closely in confined spaces. Also, it effectively takes on the role of the ‘director’ of your meeting – intelligently adjusting the video stream to follow the action in the meeting.

 

Lenovo’s purpose built ThinkSmart Hub is powered by an 8^th Generation Intel^® Core™ i5-8365U vPro® processor and delivers connectivity to support any meeting room configuration. Its understated yet stylish design means it can be placed discreetly, and it has ports to support multiple audio and visual accessories, and integrated cable management.

 

Its easy-to-use Microsoft Teams interface makes it ideal for meetings and collaboration. Users can easily initiate and control meetings as well as share content, making it easy to collaborate with colleagues wherever they are working. It even has Integrated Infrared sensors that detect when participants enter the room and automatically turns the system on and off.

 

Joel Hamon, President EMEA & CALA at Jabra: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Lenovo and the launch of the Jabra PanaCast 50 & Lenovo ThinkSmart hub solutions is an exciting step in delivering intelligent and secure meeting room solutions. With hybrid working the new normal, businesses everywhere are thinking about how best to collaborate and offer the most advanced meeting room set-ups with minimal technical input required. We are confident that this solution will help businesses take their conferencing and collaboration capabilities to new heights.” 

 

Andrea Recupero, Head of EMEA Smart Collaboration at Lenovo: “We are very excited about the features and capabilities of our ThinkSmart Hub solution in conjunction with Jabra’s PanaCast 50 as this will further drive transformation towards smarter working environments. It is crucial that customers have access to technology that empowers greater agility, creativity and engagement. With video conferencing at an all-time high, we continue to strive to deliver solutions that enable improved collaboration around the world.”

 

Availability

The Jabra PanaCast and Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub solution will be available in EMEA from select distributors

Battlegrounds Mobile India’ will bring India’s top teams to compete for ₹20,00,000 prize pool

 Gaming and esports company, Penta Esports, has announced the ‘Penta Invitational - Battlegrounds Mobile India’, presented by Loco. The tournament will have a massive prize pool of ₹20,00,000. 24 top BGMI teams from India have been invited to take part in this event. The tournament will be broadcast live on Penta Esports’ channels on Loco, YouTube and Facebook from 26^th April to 25^th May.

Says Penta Esports co-founder and head of esports Kiran Noojibail, “The ‘Penta Invitational - Battlegrounds Mobile India’ will witness an intense competition between the top BGMI teams of the country. We’re absolutely excited and elated to be able to bring this opportunity to the teams, players and viewers alike. We’re sure it’s going to be amazing!”

The 24 invited teams who will be playing in the tournament are, Godlike Esports, Reckoning Esports, Enigma Gaming, Team XO, Global Esports, Chemin Esports, TSM, 7sea Esports, Team 8bit, Hyderabad Hydras, Team Enigma Forever, Skylightz Gaming, Orangutan, OR Esports, Team iNSANE Esports, Revenge Esports, Team Celtz, Team Blind, Entity gaming, Nigma Galaxy, Rivalry Esports, Marcos Gaming, Revenant Esports and Hydra Esports.

The complete details of the tournament are available on Penta Esports’ platform, pentaesports.com. The platform is a one stop destination for all things esports, including match schedules, match results, VODs of tournaments and leagues, content, news, announcements and much more.

Founded by industry veterans Anurag Khurana, Kiran Noojibail and Akshay Paul, Penta Esports aims to disrupt the ecosystem in India with a holistic approach towards the sector, including leagues, tournaments, content and much more.

Comet, Tyroo's Gaming Vertical is all set to help brands tp the Uncharted Territory of Gaming and Metaverse

 Tyroo, a leading ad tech platform has launched its new gaming vertical, Comet in APAC. Taking the unique opportunity of the Metaverse, gaming is set to be the next big brand space for businesses to shape consumer experiences. With 11% of regular social media users and 56% of influencers already believing they actively participate in the Metaverse, the Indian Domestic market expects a growth of more than 1500 CR in 2023. Additionally, E-sports consumption accounts for 26% of the global internet consumption at present, creating multifaceted revenue opportunities for gaming in the metaverse.

 

With Comet, Tyroo initiates its journey into the vast metaverse of opportunities that lies ahead. The brand seeks to curate customer-centric experiences through in-game offerings, e-sports solutions, and creating Metaverse IPs for brands. The company’s efforts are well-guided, with 41% of regular social media users indicating that they believe social media is going to be soon replaced by Metaverse. Additionally, 38% of gamers into Roblox and Fortnite, enter these worlds to socialize along with gaming. Thus, with highly augmented online gaming, live entertainment, and social media interactions the global Metaverse revenue opportunity could approach $800 billion in 2024.

 

Siddharth Puri, CEO Tyroo says, “Comet comes at a time when the synergy between consumer experiences and brands is at its prime. While Gen X & Millennials shift from social media (a well-tapped space by brands), Gen Z is a generation that socializes via virtual activities and augmented reality. If anything, the last two years has accentuated this effect, and presents a key moment of integration for all generations into this space of opportunities. We believe Comet will emerge as a unique business solution, for brands across verticals to make a play at capturing the extremely engaged audiences of the world of gaming and esports. This opportunity will help brands to access the Multiplayer world through AAA titles, shape experiences powered by augmented reality, boost creator productivity via NFT/shopping goods of the Web 3.0 and community building via interactive ownership of assets.”

 

“Tyroo Comet is set to bring this market together under a single umbrella. The unique deliverable from Comet includes technology that will enable greater transparency, measurability, and accountability pertinent to brands quickly moving into this space.  We will tap into the gaming ecosystem that’s at the forefront of the virtual world and seek to on-board early adopters of Web 3: Genz, Web3:0, uber savvy audiences who are already present in several gaming universes.” Adds Akshay Mathur, CRO Tyroo.  Additionally, with a unique focus on APAC audiences, Tyroo seeks to foster an open decentralized environment to celebrate, engage, and create larger-than-life social experiences using Virtual Worlds. The brand also plans to introduce some top AAA labels to the advertiser community through partnerships.

 

India is currently home to over 430 million mobile gamers and the number is estimated to grow to 650 million by 2025. Additionally, Tier-III cities have joined the bandwagon resulting in 100 - 200 % growth. As most gaming companies in the country struggle to reach a target audience that’s unique to their domain and tap into the Gen Z consumer base with sufficient sustainable purchasing power, Comet seeks to leverage this unique market opportunity and bring together consumers from various walks of life, like housewives, mothers, senior executives, irrespective of their age, gender, location, etc initiating communication between brands and consumers. Tyroo’s funnel focuses on mobile gaming even at its preliminary stage encompasses e-sports, game streaming, content creation, and ends up in a confluence of commerce.

 

Using a decentralized ecosystem for bespoke brand activation and a robust e-sports calendar, Comet leverages a market of 450 million + high-engaged gamers across APAC and relevant cross-border channels. Comet’s ecosystem brings for scalable e-sports inventory access via IP creation for AAA titles such as BGMI, Fortnite, etc., a method for measuring CPM based outcomes, and full-cycle operations management (end-to-end tournament operations, influencer management, etc.).

 

As per research, In a world where 9 in 10 Gen Z’s play games, and 29% of global internet users are Mobile only gamers, 28 % are casual gamers, and 26% are e-sporters, Comet’s opportunities are highly promising. Tyroo seeks to build a multi-market offering across APAC and create a unique opportunity to boost business synergy. Assisted by considerable traffic through engaging virtual social experiences like music, technology, gaming, playing, sports, etc., Tyroo’s COMET is streaking across a bright horizon!

 

Synology Introduces DiskStation DS220j - Simple Data Backup and Multimedia Streaming

Synology has launched DiskStation DS220j, an entry-level 2-bay network-attached storage (NAS) built for data consolidation and management. 

"The ease of taking photos and videos has allowed anyone to become a content creator. Effective management and safekeeping of digital assets, whether for personal use or to share with others, has become a common challenge," said Michael Wang, Product Manager at Synology Inc. "The cost-effective DS220j allows anyone to easily set up a personal cloud to store and organize their data from other devices."

Start backing up your data

Enable automatic photo backups on your mobile device for easy management of content. The personal photo management solution, Synology Moments, allows you to view your entire collection of photos and videos on the go while freeing up valuable space on your mobile device.

Create your own personal cloud with Synology Drive for multi-versioned backups of your files on computers. Easily share and synchronize files with other people and across devices.

Additional features:

• Supports up to 32 TB 
• MacOS Time machine support
• Back up and synchronize with other devices or public clouds

Powered by Synology DiskStation Manager

DS220j runs on DiskStation Manager, the solid platform for data management, featuring data security and work efficiency. Synology has received numerous media accolades, topping the mid-range NAS category in TechTarget's storage solution survey and winning PCMag Business Choice for the sixth time.

For more information on DS220j, please visit https://www.synology.com/en-global/products/DS220j

Special Features

	CPU	Realtek RTD1296 64-bit 4-core 1.4 GHz
	Performance	More than 112 MB/s reading and writing1
	Safe storage	RAID 1 protection to avoid sudden drive failure
	Cost savings	No public-cloud subscription fees
	Price	₹16999 w/tax

Global debut of Redmi Note 9 Pro Max and Redmi Note 9 Pro in India

 Xiaomi, India’s number one smartphone and smart TV brand, today announced the ninth generation of their Redmi Note series smartphones first in India. With an aim to fuel technological development and adoption locally, Redmi Note 9 Pro series brings support for ISRO’s indigenously developed navigation system, NavIC.

Anuj Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer, Xiaomi India, said “Redmi Note series has been the torch bearer of innovation for everyone. Redmi Note 8 series set new benchmarks continuing the Redmi Note legacy and evolved as one of the most sought after series. In 2019, Redmi Note 8 Pro became India’s No. 1 Quad Camera smartphone and Redmi Note 8 went on to become the No. 1 Android smartphone globally.^”

He added, “We are especially excited about Redmi Note 9 Pro Max as we push the boundaries of innovation across hardware and software in its segment. We are especially proud of our deep partnership with ISRO which allows us to bring India’s first navigation system, NavIC, to our Mi fans and consumers. Redmi Note 9 Pro series is built for true Mi Fans and we hope they would appreciate this perfect amalgamation of Aura design, Pro Cameras and Max Performance as we continue to bring the best specs with highest quality at honest pricing.”

Redmi Note 9 Pro Max - Pro Cameras. Max Performance.

Xiaomi India’s best-selling series Redmi Note introduces a Pro Max variant for the first time, pushing boundaries of technological innovation in the segment.

Aura Balance Design

Aura Design, which was introduced with the Redmi Note 7 series sees a paradigm shift with the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max. It features the improved ‘Aura Balance’ design. The 16.9cm(6.67) FHD+ Dot Display with a 20:9 Cinematic Screen brings an immersive experience and the in-display camera on the front eliminates the notch making it Redmi’s largest ever display on a smartphone.

The rear features a quad camera setup that sits snugly on the glass back and the square design enables consistent field-of-view across all the lenses enabling lesser shift in focus while switching lenses.

To further enhance user experience, Redmi Note 9 Pro Max also features the Z-axis linear vibration motor, becoming one of the only devices in the segment to feature it. Z-axis linear motor enables flagship-like haptic experience, with over 150 custom vibration patterns across the UI.

Performance

Powering the new Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is the performance focussed Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 720G, an 8nm chipset featuring a custom Kryo architecture. It is powered by 8 Kryo™ 465 cores (2 x Gold – Cortex A76 clocked at 2.3 GHz + 6 x Silver – Cortex A55 clocked at 1.8 GHz), coupled with the Adreno 618 GPU clocked at 750MHz along with Snapdragon™ Elite Gaming. To further enhance gaming and performance, the device features 2x2 MIMO WiFi, enabling upto 2X throughput, better latency, coverage and call clarity.

Xiaomi’s deep partnership with ISRO and Qualcomm Technologies has resulted in a leap with navigational tech bringing NavIC integration with the support of Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 720G. NavIC is ISRO’s indigenous navigation system, which allows lesser TTF (Time To Fix) and better accuracy across India and 1500km around the Indian subcontinent.  

Redmi Note 9 Pro Max features a massive 5020mAh battery while maintaining a slim profile. Redmi Note 9 Pro Max comes with a 33W fast charger in the box.

Camera: Better Quality, More Creativity

Redmi Note 9 Pro Max features a quad camera setup consisting of 64MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor with a 119° field of view, industry leading 5MP macro sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The front is adorned by a large 32MP sensor enabling high quality photography, videography and AI Face Unlock.

Redmi Note series has always sought to challenge the status quo with its camera performance and with the new Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, camera software has further improved by leaps and bounds. Users can now shoot selfies in dark environments, thanks to the front camera night mode for the first time in a Redmi smartphone.

To enable creativity and content creators, Redmi Note 9 Pro Max features tools for videography like Super Stabilisation on the rear camera, on both the main and the wide angle sensors. Super Stabilisation enables users to shoot videos with a higher level of stability as compared to EIS. Users can shoot in movie mode which allows for a 21:9 frame in their videos. The 5MP macro sensor enables video recording at 1080p, which is rare in the segment. Kaleidoscope, slow motion video on both the rear and front camera enable users to create engaging content. LOG mode, histogram, focus peaking, exposure peaking on the pro mode allows content creators to go beyond casual video making.

                                                             

Redmi Note 9 Pro - The Performance Beast

Redmi Note 9 Pro carries forward the legacy of the Redmi Note series, bringing cutting-edge performance and refined camera experience to the segment. It is the most competitive smartphone in its price segment featuring the latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 720G.

The 8nm Process Technology enables it to run 1 - 1.5° cooler for sustained peak performance than many other 12nm chipsets.  Like the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, it also brings support for NavIC.

Redmi Note 9 Pro’s 48MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM2 sensor builds upon its predecessor to bring true 48MP photography by bringing features like Smart ISO, enabling better results in the toughest of lighting conditions. The 48MP sensor is coupled with an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens, a 2MP depth sensor and a 5MP macro sensor that lets you go as close as 2cm to the subject and support for 1080p macro video. For selfie lovers, there’s a 16MP sensor in the front.

It features the Aura Balance Design which brings Immersive Experience, Impeccable Craftsmanship and Functional Design to Redmi Note 9 Pro. With the side-mounted fingerprint scanner that sits flush on the matt-finish midframe, Redmi Note 9 Pro facilitates a natural approach to unlocking.

Quality

With the highest focus on quality, Redmi Note 9 Pro series feature triple Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5, on the front, rear and on the rear camera lenses. It is protected by P2i, splash proof nano-coating technology which protects them from accidental spills, while the reinforced corners provide better resilience to accidental falls.

Availability

Redmi Note 9 Pro Max will be available in three colour variants, Interstellar Black, Aurora Blue and Glacier White in 6GB + 64GB, 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128GB storage variants for INR 14,999, INR 16,999 and INR 18,999 respectively across mi.com, Amazon India, Mi Homes and Mi Studios starting 25th March.

Redmi Note 9 Pro will be available in three colour variants, Interstellar Black, Aurora Blue and Glacier White 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 128GB storage variants for INR 12,999 and INR 15,999 respectively across mi.com, Amazon India, Mi Homes and Mi Studios starting 17th March.

Both the devices will be available across all offline partner stores soon.

Amazon launches Echo Flex in India

Amazon introduced the Echo Flex, a plug-in smart speaker that saves on space by plugging directly into a standard electrical outlet; no more wires and chargers. It is the most affordable way to voice control compatible smart home devices and get help from Alexa at more places in your home. Echo Flex also has a built-in USB-A port so you can easily charge your phone (7.5W) or other devices, all while using only one outlet.

The Echo Flex plugs into any standard electrical outlet, making it perfect for spaces where power cords can be a hassle like the hallway or a bathroom. You can simply ask Alexa to control compatible smart home devices. Switch on the lights as you enter your home or turn off the AC as you leave the room, all without lifting a finger. Echo Flex works with devices such as smart lights and plugs from brands including Philips, SYSKA LED, Oakter, TP-Link and more.

You can also make announcements on other Echo devices in the household, add items to the shopping list or check the latest score of your favourite sports team, and responses will come through the speaker on the device that’s been optimized for Alexa’s voice.  Just like other Echo devices, you can connect the Echo Flex to your preferred speakers using Bluetooth or a 3.5 mm audio cable for a higher audio output.

“We are happy to introduce Echo Flex for users in India to access Alexa even more conveniently now from any room in the house. Our customers are looking for more options on where they can place Echo devices across their homes. We heard them. With its compact form, Echo Flex can be plugged in directly into an electrical socket to provide all functionalities of an Echo device,” said Parag Gupta, Head of Amazon Devices.

The Echo Flex is built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphone. Additionally, you can also view, hear, and delete your voice recordings at Alexa Privacy Settings or in the Alexa app at any time. To delete by voice, you can also say, “Alexa, delete what I just said" or "Alexa, delete everything I said today”.