Gadgets And Technology Daily News | 23 Jun 2023
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Apple Releases visionOS Developer Tools to Create Apple Vision Pro Applications: Details
Apple on Wednesday released the visionOS SDK, a set of tools that will enable developers to build apps for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset. The Cupertino company's first spatial computer will go on sale in the US next year and Apple is providing app developers with the tools required to build apps for the device. Unlike other Apple products, the company's upcoming mixed reality headset will use a combination of three different modes of interaction using a person's eyes, hands, and voice. The visionOS SDK will allow developers to tailor their apps around this functionality while making use of the specialised hardware on the device.
The company announced on the Apple Developer website that the visionOS SDK is now available to developers. In order to create spatial computing apps for the Apple Vision Pro, developers will have to download Xcode 15 Beta 2 that includes the latest visionOS SDK along with a tool to visualise and preview 3D content for the headset called Reality Composer Pro.
Developers will be able to use a simulator for visionOS, which will let them interact with their apps as they are built, while also testing how they will appear in different lighting conditions or in a variety of room layouts, according to Apple. The SDK will let users port an existing app project for the headset, or allow them to create a new application from the ground up.
Apple's visionOS will allow developers to display apps on a large canvasPhoto Credit: Apple
Apple also stated that it will open labs where developers can test their apps on the Apple Vision Pro, starting in July. These developer labs will be set up in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. The company's engineers will also be available to provide support to developers looking to create applications for the Vision Pro headset.
Meanwhile, the company will also open up applications for Apple Vision Pro developer kits. Instead of testing at the company's developer labs, these kits will allow app creators to build their apps and test them at a faster rate on the mixed reality headset. However, there's no word from Apple on whether these developer kits will only be available to developers in the US, or the criteria for applying to receive these kits.
Announced by Apple at WWDC 2023 earlier this month, the Apple Vision Pro is the firm's first mixed reality headset that supports both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. It is controlled with a user's hands, voice, and eyes. The device also features Apple's EyeSight technology allowing a user to be aware of their surroundings. Apple's Vision Pro will also feature support for optical inserts for users who require vision correction, and the prescription lenses will be available when the headset goes on sale in the US next year.
Vivo Y36 With Snapdragon 680 SoC, 44W Fast Charging Launched in India: Price, Specifications
Vivo Y36 has been launched in India on Thursday, June 20. The new Vivo Y series handset comes in two colour options with a 2.5D curved glass body. The mid-range offering runs on Snapdragon 680 SoC, coupled with 8GB of RAM. With the extended RAM feature, the Vivo Y36 can separate some portion of the storage and consider it as RAM for improved performance. The Vivo Y36 has a 50-megapixel dual rear camera unit and is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging support. The handset was initially launched in Indonesia last month.
The Vivo Y36 is priced at Rs. 16,999 for the sole 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model. It is offered in Meteor Black and Vibrant Gold colours. The phone is available for purchase via Vivo India's E-store, Flipkart, and all partner retail stores.
Flipkart is offering a flat Rs. 1,500 cashback for purchases made using HDFC bank debit cards and EMI transactions. Other offers include an extra Rs. 500 off on purchases with SBI cards and EMI transactions.
The dual-SIM (Nano) Vivo Y36 runs Funtouch OS 13 based on Android 13. It features a 6.64-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,388 pixels) LCD display with 90Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate. The display has a centrally placed notch for the selfie camera. Under the hood, the handset is powered by an octa-core 6nm Snapdragon 680 SoC with 8GB of RAM and 8GB of extended RAM.
For photos and videos, the Vivo Y36 packs a dual rear camera setup that includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.8 lens and a 2-megapixel bokeh shooter. At the front, it houses a 16-megapixel selfie shooter that has an f/2.0 aperture. The camera setup supports different photography modes including Super Night mode, Multi Style Portrait, and Bokeh Flare Portrait along with others.
It comes with 128GB of storage that is expandable via microSD card (up to 1TB) via a dedicated slot. Connectivity options on the Vivo Y36 include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, GPS/A-GPS, and USB Type-C port. Sensors onboard include an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, e-compass, and gyroscope. There is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner as well on the Vivo Y36.
The Vivo Y36 is backed by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 44W fast charging. This in-house fast charging technology is claimed to fill the battery from zero to 30 percent in just 15 minutes. In terms of dimensions, it measures 164.06x76.17x8.17mm and weighs 202 grams.
iOS 17 Beta 2 Released for Developers; Introduces Key Siri Command Update, Cross Fade in Apple Music, More
iOS 17 beta 2 was released by Cupertino-based tech giant Apple on Wednesday for developers alongside the iPadOS 17 beta 2. The iOS 17 update was released earlier this month at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023. The updated operating system introduced a StandBy mode, a Journal app, and an AirDrop feature called NameDrop for easily sharing contacts with other iPhone users. The new iOS beta release also carries several important updates including a changed Software Update interface within the Settings application.
As spotted in a 9to5Mac report, the newly-launched developer's beta version carries a small but important update for the Siri command. Users can now easily choose the app that they want to use to message using the virtual assistant, without additional commands.
Previously, up until iOS 16, when users used the 'send a message' command, Siri would send it through Apple's own Messages app. With the iOS 17 beta 2 update, users can now easily select any messaging applications, including third-party ones to send the message. They no longer have to give out a longer 'send message via WhatsApp' or 'send message via Telegram' command.
This updated feature is compatible with any Siri-compatible third-party applications, like WhatsApp and Telegram. This update also enables users to change the contact information of the receiver or edit the concerned message, with a single tap within the virtual assistant interface.
Apple also updated the user interface of the Software Update sub-section with a new design in the Settings application. The iOS 17 beta 2 also enables the tapping of two iPhone together for a quick AirDrop feature, which was announced at the WWDC 2023.
With iOS 17 beta 2, users can control the data and settings of the Fitness application through a dedicated section. The cross-fade effect in Apple Music using a slider control is also available in this beta version, that allows users to transition between two songs seamlessly.
Samsung Galaxy M34 5G India Launch Teased via Amazon; Dimensity 1080 SoC, 5,000mAh Battery Tipped
Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is confirmed to launch in India soon. The South Korean smartphone brand had earlier created a dedicated support page for the latest M-series smartphone on the Samsung India official website. Now, Amazon India is teasing the arrival of the Galaxy M34 5G with a ‘Coming Soon' tag. However, the exact launch date of the smartphone is still under wraps. Meanwhile, a well-known tipster has leaked the specifications of the upcoming Galaxy M34 5G. It is said to run on MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC and could pack a triple rear camera unit led by a 48-megapixel primary sensor.
Amazon has created a dedicated landing page on its website to tease the India launch of the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G, indicating that the phone will be available for purchase via the e-commerce store. The teaser page has listed the phone with a ‘Coming Soon' tag. In a promotional video on the site, the handset is seen sporting three camera sensors at the rear alongside an LED flash.
Samsung has not shared the exact launch date of the Galaxy M34 5G yet. Recently, the support page of the handset with the model number SM-M346B/DS was spotted on the company's India official website, suggesting an imminent launch.
Separately, tipster Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) has leaked the specifications of Galaxy M34 5G. It is said to come with a 6.6-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and run on Android 13. The display is expected to have a waterdrop-style cutout to house the selfie camera. It is tipped to be equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC.
A triple rear camera unit on the Galaxy M34 5G is said to include a 48-megapixel primary sensor, accompanied by an 8-megapixel secondary camera and a 5-megapixel sensor. For selfies and video chats, there could be a 13-megapixel camera at the front as well. Connectivity options might include Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 5.
The Galaxy M34 5G could be backed by a 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging support. It is tipped to measure 8.2mm in thickness and weighs 199 grams.
Motorola Edge 40 Viva Magenta Colour Variant Unveiled in India, Moto G32 Gets Two New Shades
Motorola Edge 40 is getting a new colour option in India. The handset arrived in May in the country with three colour options — Eclipse Black, Lunar Blue, and Nebula Green. Additionally, the Moto G32 is also receiving two new colour options. These new colour variants will sit alongside the Mineral Grey and Satin Silver colours options that have already been available in the country since the phone's launch in March. The Motorola Edge 40 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8020 SoC, while the entry-level Moto G32 packs a Snapdragon 680 SoC under the hood.
The Motorola Edge 40 in Viva Magenta shade is currently up for grabs in India with a price tag of Rs. 29,999 for the sole 8GB RAM + 256GB storage option. As mentioned, the new colour option will sit alongside the Eclipse Black, Lunar Blue, and Nebula Green colour variants that have already been available in India since the phone's launch last month.
The Moto G32 received new Rose Gold and Satin Maroon colour options in India. The handset is currently listed on Flipkart in new finishes with a price tag of Rs. 10,499 for the base 4GB RAM + 64GB storage model and Rs. 11,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model. The Moto G series phone debuted in two distinct colour options — Mineral Grey and Satin Silver — in India in March this year.
Motorola Edge 40 has a 6.55-inch full-HD+ (1,080 x 2,400 pixels) pOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 8020 5G SoC paired with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB of USF 3.1 inbuilt storage. Other key highlights of the device include a dual rear camera unit, led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 32-megapixel selfie camera and 256GB of USF 3.1 inbuilt storage.
The Motorola Edge 40 carries a 4,400mAh battery with 68W TurboPower wired charging and 15W wireless charging support.
Moto G32 features a 6.5-inch full HD+ (2,400 × 1,080 pixels) LCD display with a refresh rate of 90Hz. It is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC. It flaunts a triple rear camera unit, led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor, and a 16-megapixel selfie sensor. The smartphone is backed by a 5,000mAh battery and supports 33W TurboPower fast charging.
Xbox Game Pass and Series X Consoles Are Getting a Price Hike: Report
Xbox Game Pass subscriptions around the world are getting a price hike, starting next month. As per The Verge, Microsoft's new prices will be visible to newcomers, starting July 6, though if you're already subscribed on a yearly basis, the changes won't take effect until the membership ends. In India, the Game Pass Ultimate pricing has gone up from Rs. 499 to Rs. 549, in what the company describes as an adjustment to ‘reflect the competitive conditions in each market.' Meanwhile, Game Pass for console sees a minor price hike — Rs. 349 to Rs. 379 monthly. Additionally, the company will be raising prices for its Xbox Series X console in select markets, from August onwards.
The report does not mention any pricing changes for PC Game Pass, which means that it will likely maintain its Rs. 349 per month price. While in most regions, this would be the first time Xbox Game Pass goes through any pricing changes, India had already seen a heavy reduction in early last year across all its plans. Back in April, Game Pass membership codes were finally made available at retail, as digital codes available to purchase from Amazon India. These codes are a bit cheaper when compared to buying from Microsoft's official website since no additional taxes are levied. You'll get it for MRP. For the uninitiated, an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership grants access to hundreds of high-quality games on both console and PC, an EA Play membership, and Xbox Live Gold that allows for online multiplayer.
“We've held on our prices for consoles for many years and have adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market,” Kari Perez, head of communications for Xbox, said in a prepared statement to The Verge. From August 1, Xbox Series X prices will go up in most countries — besides the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia — to match the price hike Sony brought to its PS5 consoles, last year. The Series X is already overpriced in India, as it is — Rs. 55,990 — so for now, it's unclear whether this upcoming price increase applies here. The report does not mention the Asian region, either. In most European markets, the current-gen console will now cost EUR 549.99 (about Rs. 49,500), while in the UK, it will be listed at GBP 479.99 (about Rs. 50,200). In Canada, the console will now cost $649.99 (about Rs. 40,500) and in Australia, it'll be listed at $799.99 (about Rs. 36,000).
The lower-end Xbox Series S prices will not see any changes, though it's worth noting that in India, that console had already received a hike, earlier this year, now costing Rs. 39,990. At launch in 2020, the console was listed at Rs. 34,900. In October, Xbox Game Studios CEO Phil Spencer hinted that the current prices for the Xbox consoles would not hold forever and that some changes would surely be on the way. Those changes seem to be finally taking shape.
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