Technology

AI-embracing musicians and audiovisual artists Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst have a new exhibition where you can see and hear their “GPU organ” in action. Herndon explains that the new-fangled pipe organ “plays music acoustically by controlling the RPM of each fan.”

In the embedded Tweet, above, you can listen to a sample of the GPU organ playing. Images show an ornately designed pipe organ with a wall of fans that control the airflow and thus audio output of the instrument. The hardware isn’t explained in any proper detail, but we don’t see any GPUs. Rather, we think that the GPU organ is just a catchy name for a PWM fan-powered pipe organ.

Some GPUs may well have been used in this art project though, as the music you hear is based on AI modeling techniques. The Serpentine site explains that “To train the AI, Herndon and Dryhurst have composed a songbook of hymnals, singing exercises, and a recording protocol, traveling with the Serpentine Arts Technologies team to record fifteen community choirs across the UK.” The spatial audio installation (i.e. the GPU organ) uses these trained models to create the audioscape you hear.

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In some further informative Tweets, Herndon discusses the training, and says that the music is generated from a diffusion model, creating new songs based on the training data and “can generate infinite scores.” For some exhibition user interactivity, Herndon says there is “a new polyphonic call and response model, developed with @Ircam, that allows you to sing to the model and receive a response back.” There is also a video demo of this in the Tweet thread if you wish to witness some haunting-sounding AI choir call-and-response audio action.

If your interest in the GPU organ has been piqued, and you are visiting London, you can go and experience The Call at the Serpentine Galleries in Kensington. The exhibit is open to the public until February 2025. Let us know if you see any GPUs.

iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS Monterey 12.3 are releasing next week, Apple confirmed alongside unveiling its new devices including the iPhone SE (2022), Mac Studio, Studio Display, and the green shades of the iPhone 13 series. One of the most useful changes that iOS 15.4 will bring to users is the ability to unlock an iPhone using Face ID while wearing a mask. The new iPadOS and macOS versions, on the other hand, will come with Universal Control to let users work seamlessly between an iPad and Mac.

Apple said in its announcement that the iPhone 13 Pro in Alpine Green and iPhone 13 in Green would ship with iOS 15.4. The new iOS version will also be available for existing iPhone users starting next week, the company said.

The iOS 15.4 update will come with the new way to unlock your device with Face ID while wearing a mask. The feature has been in testing since late January. It is also one of the most requested features as people have been facing difficulties in unlocking their devices when wearing a face mask.

Apple did try to address the concern by bringing a faster way to unlock Face ID-equipped devices using passcodes when wearing face masks. It also last year enabled the option to unlock Face ID using an Apple Watch.

However, enabling the facial recognition technology to work with face masks is something that users have anticipated since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

The iOS 15.4 update will also bring an anti-stalking warning for AirTag, which was a part of the updates that Apple announced last month. It was spotted in the fourth beta release of iOS 15.4 a few weeks back.

Apple also confirmed that iOS 15.4 will include a new Siri voice option, expanded language support for Visual Lookup, and a list of emojis.

In addition to iOS 15.4, Apple is bringing iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 next week. The new software releases will come with Universal Control that will allow users to control iPad and Mac simultaneously using a single keyboard and mouse.

Universal Control was announced at WWDC 2021 in June. It was also expected to be a part of the original macOS Monterey release in October. However, Apple delayed that addition.

The Universal Control feature will initially be available as a public beta. The feature uses Apple’s Continuity to establish a connection between the iPad and Mac. Both devices also need to use a single Apple ID and should be within a few metres of each other.

Exact release date of iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS Monterey 12.3 is yet to be revealed.

Apple seems to be getting ready to introduce a new model in its MacBook Pro lineup. A Twitter user has spotted a laptop, believed to be the new MacBook Pro, listed on the Industry Canada Radio Equipment List (REL) database. The device was reportedly approved on the REL database on January 11 and will likely support Wi-Fi 6E/ 6GHz connectivity. Additionally, the Cupertino, California-based company could be coming out with a product announcement today. A tipster, without diving into any details, alerted his followers on Twitter to keep an eye out for an Apple announcement on Tuesday.

According to Twitter user Wade Penner (@wadepenner), the new MacBook Pro has surfaced on the Canadian REL database bearing model number A2779. Penner tweeted that the device will likely feature the new M2 Max or M2 Pro chips and will support Wi-Fi 6E/ 6GHz connectivity.

While the listing suggests that Apple might be gearing up for its first product announcement of 2023, a tipster has hinted that it might be coming today. According to tipster Jon Prosser’s FrontPageTech.com (Twitter: @frontpagetech), Apple could make a significant announcement on Tuesday. A MacRumors report corroborates the claim, saying that an announcement from the tech giant could come this week.

According to the report, Apple could announce a new MacBook Pro or Mac mini models. The MacBook Pro refresh is expected to sport a similar design as its predecessors, but will reportedly come with updated M2 Max and M2 Pro chips. There is no official word from Apple on plans for an upcoming release.

Apple launched its newest line of MacBook Pro laptops last year with the M2 chip onboard the 13-inch model. The lineup also includes 14-inch and 16-inch models, which are powered by the Apple M1 Pro chip or the M1 Max chip.

While this year’s MacBook lineup will likely feature a chip upgrade, future Macs could be getting another major upgrade. A recent report reveals that the company could introduce touchscreen support on its Mac computers and launch its first touchscreen MacBook Pro with an OLED display in 2025.

Honor 200 5G series will be launched in India in the coming days. Confirming the upcoming debut of the handsets, Honor has detailed some specifications of the phones via a press invite on Friday. They will run on Honor’s MagicOS 8.0 skin, which is based on Android 14. It will be offered in two colour options in the country. The Honor 200 series was previously launched in China and Europe. The global variant of Honor 200 and Honor 200 Pro are equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipsets, respectively.

Honor 200 5G series India launch date

Honor 200 5G and Honor 200 Pro 5G India launch date has been set for July 18, and the launch event will kick off at 12:30pm IST. The Pro model is confirmed to be offered in Black and Ocean Cyan shades, while the vanilla Honor 200 will be released in Black and Moonlight White colours. The handsets will be available for purchase on Amazon, Honor India website and leading mainline stores.

Both models will run on MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14 in India. The Honor Pro 5G is confirmed to boast a 6.78-inch quad-curved screen.

While Honor hasn’t detailed specification sheets for the Indian versions of Honor 200 5G series, we can expect them to offer similar features to their European counterparts.

Honor 200 series specifications, price (Expected)

The European variants of Honor 200 family feature full-HD+ (1,224 x2,700 pixels) screens. The Pro model has a 6.78-inch display and runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset. The vanilla model boasts a 6.7-inch display and is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip. They flaunt triple rear camera units comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 50-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle macro camera. On the font, they feature 50-megapixel selfie cameras. They carry 5,200mAh battery units with 100W wired fast charging support. The Pro model supports 66W wireless fast charging.

The Honor 200 is priced at GBP 499.99 (roughly Rs. 53,500) in the UK, while the Honor 200 Pro is priced at GBP 699.99 (roughly Rs. 74,800). Price in India is expected to be similar to that of the European pricing.

The stock has slipped nearly 32 percent this year alone as SanDisk reported a string of issues, including unplanned maintenance at its chip foundry, weak sales of enterprise products and lean inventory levels of NAND memory chips.

The stock’s sell off has left SanDisk with a market value of about $13 billion (roughly Rs. 80,995 crores) as of Thursday’s close, making the company “an excellent takeover target” and attractive to memory chipmakers including Micron Technology Inc and SK Hynix Inc, Bernstein analysts said in a research note.

These analysts say SanDisk is best positioned in the “enterprise NAND” market for applications such as cloud computing, datacentres and networking systems.

Shares of SanDisk, whose flash memory storage chips are also used in smartphones and other mobile devices, rose as much as 5 percent to $67.78 on Monday.

SanDisk was not immediately available for comment.

Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Mehdi Hosseini said Western Digital Corp could be a buyer, adding that if the maker of solid-state drives were to pay about $86 per share, or about $19 billion (roughly Rs. 1,18,377 crores), for SanDisk, the deal would add to its profit by the second year.

However, Needham & Co’s Richard Kugele said Western Digital would find it “extremely expensive” to buy SanDisk, which would appeal more to NAND producers looking to consolidate market share.

That could bring Samsung Electronics Co Ltd or Toshiba Corp, with whom SanDisk has a joint venture to make NAND products, into the picture, RBC Capital Markets analyst Douglas Freedman said.

Samsung, which has been boosting its chipmaking business to help offset declining sales of smartphones, had made an unsuccessful hostile bid, worth $5.85 billion, for SanDisk in 2008.

The joint venture with Toshiba could make it difficult for SanDisk to sell itself to a competitor of the Japanese conglomerate, Wedbush Securities analyst Betsy Van Hees said.

© Thomson Reuters 2015

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Twitter India Said to Be Granted Time Till July 4 to Comply With All Past Blocking Orders

Apple introduced the Emergency SOS via satellite for all iPhone 14 users in November 2022. When there are no other options for contacting emergency services, emergency SOS via satellite feature can help users get in touch with them. Compatible iPhone models make an effort to link customers to necessary assistance via satellite-based communication in the event they are unable to reach emergency services because they are outside the coverage area of cellular and Wi-Fi networks. The feature has been reported to be life-saving in several situations so far. Initially provided for free for two years, the emergency SOS feature will now be available for longer for iPhone 14 users at no additional cost.

The iPhone maker confirmed in a press release that it is extending the two-year free trial of the Emergency SOS via satellite feature for iPhone 14 users by another year. “We are so happy iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users can take advantage of this groundbreaking service for two more years for free,” Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, said in the release.

According to Apple, the free trial will be extended for iPhone 14 users who have activated their device in a country that supports Emergency SOS via satellite prior to 12am PT (1:30am IST) on November 15, 2023. Currently, Emergency SOS via satellite is available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US. There’s no word on when the feature would make its way to India.

Apple launched the iPhone 14 lineup with four models – iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, in September 2022. It was followed by the release of the Emergency SOS via satellite feature in November of that year, initially only in the US and Canada, and later extended to more countries.

Buidling upon the satellite connectivity capability, eligible iPhone 14 users travelling off the grid, that is a location without cellular or wireless connectivity, can also use the Find My app and communicate their location with friends and family via satellite.

Apple also introduced the Roadside Assistance via satellite feature in the US, which connects car-owners to AAA roadside assistance in case of car trouble in a region with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. According to Apple, the feature is included for free for two years, starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 15 or 14 series model, and would require iOS 17 on the device to work.

The Emergency SOS via satellite service has also been extended to iPhone 15 users in 16 countries and regions, according to Apple. The company recently expanded the feature to Spain and Switzerland. Apple launched its latest iPhones at its ‘Wonderlust’ event in September.

Update 10/3/24: Prime Big Deal Days is fast approaching, and we’ve been seeing even more early offers for Dell devices. We’ve been monitoring the prices closely, and we can say that we’ve been loving what we’re seeing so far. Keep checking this page as we add even more bargains whenever we find some!

Gearing up for the upcoming Prime Day on October 8 and 9, there are a lot of excellent Dell deals that are worth grabbing already. In fact, we’re seeing some pretty solid discounts on a wide selection of laptops and workstations from Dell, including some great budget-friendly gaming laptops that you could potentially pick up. With so many options and configurations out there, it can be hard to find something worth picking up, which is why we’ve gone out and looked through Dell’s offerings to find you the best Prime Big Deal Days deals on Dell products.

That said, if you haven’t quite found what you’re looking for below, be sure to check out there Prime Day laptop deals or Prime Day gaming laptop deals, and if you want something that’s closer to a more handheld experience, then maybe these Prime Day tablet deals might be worth checking out.

S24245H monitor — $100 $120 17% off

For a budget-friendly monitor, you can’t go wrong with the S2425H monitor, which is even cheaper right now as it’s sale with a 17% discount for $20 in savings. The 24-inch screen offers Full HD resolution, and it comes with a pair of integrated speakers. It comes with two HDMI ports so you can have two sources connected at the same time, and you can easily switch between them.

Inspiron 15 — $500 $700 29% off

The Inspiron lineup from Dell is its budget-oriented lineup, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they are bad laptops. They are actually great for those who don’t really need anything fancy. Its 15.6-inch FHD screen is great for watching content online, and the 120Hz refresh rate will make you feel as if the whole laptop is a lot smoother. The 12th-generation Intel Core i7 is a mid-range processor that’s more than powerful enough to handle most productivity tasks without an issue, supported by 16GB of RAM. You also get a pretty sizeable 1TB to work with, so as long as you’re not pushing the Inspiron too hard, it will be an overall excellent experience. The Dell Inspiron 15 is 29% off, for savings of $200.

G3223Q 4K gaming monitor — $550 $630 13% off

For a premium PC or console gaming experience, check out the G3223Q 4K gaming monitor, which offers 4K Ultra HD resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate for sharp details and smooth animations — all at 13% off, for savings of $80. The monitor supports AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro so you won’t suffer through stuttering and screen tearing, and the 32-inch display is just the right size for gaming.

G15 Gaming Laptop — $960 $1,260 24% off

Much like the Inspiron, the Dell G15 is a standard laptop when it comes to budget-friendly gaming laptops. While it does suffer a little bit from middling battery life, that’s really the case with most gaming laptops, and for less than $1,000, this configuration of the G15 comes with an RTX 4060. That’s an entry-to-mid-range GPU that should have you playing most modern games with a few graphical compromises, and luckily, the 15.6-inch screen that runs an FHD resolution won’t push the RTX 4060 too far. That said, it can hit a 360Hz refresh rate, so if you want to prioritize that, you certainly have the option. You also get a very solid Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, all of which are excellent with this 24% discount that translates to $300 in savings.

XPS 15 — $1,199 $1,499 20% off

If you’re looking for a thin and light laptop that’s affordable and still packs a punch, this configuration of the Dell XPS 15 might be right up your alley. Under the hood, you’ll find an Intel Core i7-13620H CPU, which is a higher-end processor with quite a bit of power behind it, so it’s perfect for work and day-to-day tasks. The 15.6-inch FHD+ screen is also pretty great, and the 500 nits of peak brightness mean you can use it pretty much anywhere, even with indirect sunlight, although sadly it only runs at 60Hz. Still, the 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage are both respectable for what you’re getting, so it’s worth the compromise. At 20% off, you’ll pocket savings of $300.

Latitude 7440 — $1,200 $1,701 29% off

If you’re looking for a laptop that’s targeted towards business use, then this Latitude 7440 is a good option as the 29% discount will let you save $501. While the Intel Core i7-1365U vPro is a great CPU, where the Latitude 7440 shines is in the additional features, such as the inclusion of a fingerprint reader for added security and authentication. The 14.0-inch Quad HD+ display has an IPS panel for wider viewing angles, and it’s also touch-enabled, which is another nice feature that some folks might find handy in a work environment. It also comes with a substantial 57W battery that will last quite a long time, and the FHD camera is great if you need to have regular meetings. All that said, it does only come with 256GB of storage, which isn’t a ton, so you’ll either have to upgrade the internals down the line, or grab one of these external hard drive deals.

G16 Gaming Laptop — $1,300 $1,950 33% off

Of course, if you’re looking for a bit more gaming power under the hood, then maybe the Dell G16 gaming laptop is the way to go, at least with this configuration. It comes with an RTX 4070 under the hood, which is roughly equivalent to a desktop-grade RTX 4060, so it’s still relatively powerful and shouldn’t get too taxed with the 16-inch QHD+ screen. You also get a surprisingly powerful Intel Core i9-13900HX, which is one of the best CPUs on the market and is great if you want to take on more CPU-heavy tasks, such as streaming. The 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage are substantial, making the 33% discount for savings of $650 look like an excellent deal.

XPS 13 — $1,359 $1,759 23% off

While the MacBook Air is great, if you’re not in the Apple ecosystem and don’t want to be, then one of the best alternatives is the Dell XPS 13, which is 23% off for savings of $400. At just 0.60 inches thick, it’s pretty much the same size as the MacBook Air, and not only that, but this configuration comes packed with great features, such as the powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor. Besides that, the screen is probably one of the best you’ll find on a laptop, sitting at 13.4 inches in size with a whopping 3.2K resolution, not to mention that it’s OLED to boot, so you’re really getting the best of all worlds here. You’ll also very much appreciate the massive 32GB of RAM you’ll find, which is often much lower on MacBooks in general, and any upgrades in RAM tend to come with a steep premium.

XPS 14 — $1,450 $2,000 28% off

For those who like the XPS 13 but still want something a little bit bigger, then the XPS 14 is the best middle ground. While there are a lot of configurations you can go for, this deal gives you a little bit of everything and makes it a very versatile laptop. For example, you not only get a great Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, but also the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card. Besides that, the 14.5-inch screen runs on Full HD+ resolution, so anything you watch will look crisp and excellent. The 16GB of RAM is also very much appreciated, as is the 1TB of storage, so you get a little bit of everything. At 28% off, you’ll enjoy savings of $550.

XPS 16 — $2,560 $3,260 21% off

The newest entry into the XPS lineup is the XPS 16, and it replaces the XPS 17, which sadly isn’t being made anymore. Even so, the 16.3-inch monitor is still pretty big, and it even comes with OLED and a UHD+ resolution, much like the other configurations on the list. Even better, you get a powerful RTX 4070 GPU, which will handle quite a lot of modern games, although the resolution might mean that you’ll have to make some graphical compromises. As for the CPU, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is more than powerful enough for most needs, and the same applies to the 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage, so if you’re willing to pay the price, this configuration of the XPS 16 is one of the most versatile on the list. With a 21% discount, you’ll get savings of $700.

Precision 5860 Tower Workstation — $2,949 $3,489 15% off

While all the options so far have been for laptops, if you’re the sort of person who really needs a productivity powerhouse in the form of a workstation, then this Precision tower is the way to go. The Intel Xeon W3-2435 is an enterprise-grade processor and can easily handle the much more complex calculations a normal commercial CPU can’t handle. The same goes for the NVIDIA T1000 GPU, which is made to handle things like transcoding, video editing, and really any sort of 3D pipeline that you might deal with. That’s also helped by the 32GB of RAM, and is a great option for those who do a lot of CAD or programming work. The only big downside is the 512GB storage, which isn’t a lot given the purpose the Precision is meant to fill, although you can always upgrade that down the line at some point with one of these SSD deals, so it’s not a dealbreaker. Hurry if you want the 15% discount, which is equivalent to savings of $540.

How to choose a Dell deal on Prime Day

While there is a lot that goes into any decision to buy a computer, there are certain baselines that we have come to expect and that we wouldn’t really recommend going under. For example, when it comes to RAM, anything below 8GB for a Windows laptop these days is really not worth it, mostly because Windows itself likes to take a substantial chunk of that, leaving you with not much else. Also, when it comes to gaming, 16GB is generally the minimum amount of RAM we want to see for similar reasons. In truth, if you can snag 16GBs, it’s always best to go that route, even if it costs a little bit extra, which is why most if not all, the deals here are at 16GB. Also, while 32GB is great, it’s not worth it unless you program a lot or do a lot of CAD work.

Another example is the CPU. While you can certainly find laptops with something like an Intel i3 or Ryzen R3, those really are too entry-level at this point to give you a good experience unless you’re going for something really bare-bones. In fact, even Dell doesn’t offer many laptop configurations with i3s or R3s, so that’s not something you’ll necessarily have to worry about, but it’s still something you should be aware of. Similarly, it’s worth keeping in mind that AMD CPU configurations tend to be cheaper than Intel configurations, and if you’re going for gaming, the latest 13th and 14th generation of Intel CPUs have been having issues, so it’s probably better to go with an AMD configuration if you’re gaming. That said, AMD is not as common, so that can be a bit harder to find, if at all.

Finally, one thing that’s worth noting is storage, and while it shouldn’t be a big issue for most folks, if you’re planning to buy a gaming laptop then you really want to have as much storage as possible. The unfortunate reality is that a lot of modern games have quite large storage, so if you download a few AAA games, you’re already going to eat up a lot of a 512GB storage SSD. As such, you’ll want to aim for a gaming laptop that has at least a 1TB SSD or more if you can find it, although larger sizes tend to be much more expensive. Luckily, a lot of laptops these days can have their internals upgraded, so it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker if you want to find something with a smaller storage.

How we chose these Dell Prime Day deals

Whenever a deal goes on one of these pages, a lot of decision-making process goes on behind the scenes, and it doesn’t only come down to something that has a good deal on it, but whether the item itself is worth grabbing. For example, Dell has dozens and dozens of various configurations for each lineup, some with deals, some without, and often, we have to go through everything that’s on offer to make sure that anything we recommend does a good job of balancing cost vs. performance. After all, you could, in theory, buy a laptop with something like an RTX 4090, but that’s incredibly overkill and will cost you a ton of money, and really, laptops don’t have the sort of thermal dissipation that can handle a card that powerful, which means they are often performance throttled, in which case, you might as well spend less money on a laptop with an RTX 4080 Super or even an RTX 4070.

Beyond that, we also look at historical prices and our reviews and compare them to the configurations that may add or subtract from any single deal before posting it on this page. We also have decades of combined experience in tech and commerce, so we have a good knowledge base to rely on whenever we recommend a deal.

Lunar, a 2-in-1 foldable mini keyboard that squeezes in a full computer inside its tiny package, is now available to support on Kickstarter. This tiny PC launched earlier this year, in July, and the Kickstarter version is virtually unchanged from what was shown at that time.

The machine has an AMD Ryzen 8840U processor paired to either a 16GB RAM/512GB SSD or 32GB/1TB SSD combination. Aside from that, it features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, plus a single USB Type-A (USB 3.0) and two USB Type-C (USB 3.2 and USB4) ports. For a portability boost, the mini keyboard PC has a built-in 59.2Wh (16,000mAh) battery, allowing you to use it for up to 8 to 10 hours for light office work away from an outlet.

This is an interesting form factor as this device provides you with the full Windows experience practically anywhere. And since we’re surrounded by displays and screens, Lunar decided to forego a built-in display that will consume a lot of power and make the device unnecessarily large. Instead, you can connect an external monitor with its own power, thus allowing you to extend the battery life of the mini keyboard PC. It also offers wireless display streaming to various devices, like iPhones, iPads, or even Apple computers, so you don’t need to bring a different screen just to use it.

Alternatively, you can pair the Lunar with AR glasses, like the XReal Air 2, if you want to do some computing in a discreet, low-profile manner. But if you like to get the most immersion even if you’re in a coffee shop, it will also work with VR headsets, like the Apple Vision Pro.

Aside from its Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity options, you can also turn the Lunar mini keyboard PC into an offline hotspot for better device connectivity. This will make it easier to share content and, more importantly, setup multi-display solutions even if you’re away from a formal desk.

The only major surprise we have had since July is the device’s price increase. This foldable mini keyboard initially launched at $412 for the 16G/512G version, and $495 for the 32G/1TB. However, the early bird crowdfunding price is now at $600 — a 45% increase — while the top-spec option is $770 for early bird customers, meaning you have to pay 55% premium over the original announcement. 

Nevertheless, this is an interesting form factor that has potential in some niche applications. We hope that this becomes a successful product and that we get future iterations that are powered by AMD Ryzen AI, Intel Core Ultra 200V, or even by the Snapdragon X chips, especially as these new processors are known for the impressive battery life they offer to users.

If you want to show your support for this project, head on to its Kickstarter page to leave your pledge. However, note that pledging your money to a crowdfunding project is not equivalent to buying it. Instead, you’re investing toward its success, and the hope that you’ll be the first to get a new product in exchange for your pledge. 

While Kickstarter will do its best to protect your interests and ensure that you get the device you want, it’s still not a guarantee that you’ll get the PC. Sometimes, it’s just wiser to buy an item after it’s been tested by your trusted reviewers. That way, you know you’re getting your money’s worth with your purchase.

Apple hosted its first product event of the year on Tuesday, where it unveiled the anticipated iPhone SE (2022) — alongside the iPad Air (2022), Mac Studio, and the Studio Display. While the Mac Studio is the showstopper here, the iPhone SE might be the most important announcement for both Apple and its audience at large. It doesn’t have any noticeable changes — however, the iPhone SE (2022) does have iPhone 13’s internals, including the A15 Bionic SoC as well as an upgraded rear camera.

Host Akhil Arora speaks with Executive Editor Jamshed Avari and Senior Reviewer Aditya Shenoy to talk about all the products Apple introduced at its Tuesday event on this week’s special episode of Gadgets 360 podcast Orbital.

For this year’s iPhone SE, Apple has retained the same design and aesthetics that it introduced on the iPhone SE (2020) a couple of years back. There are, though, few minor changes on the designing front — including the new glass protection at the front and back that is claimed to be the same panels that debuted on the back of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 models last year.

The new iPhone SE also comes in an IP67-rated dust- and water-resistant aerospace-grade aluminium build. Further, there are slightly different colour options that Apple calls Midnight, Starlight, and (PRODUCT) RED.

However, the iPhone SE (2022) comes with the A15 Bionic chip that is touted to deliver up to 1.8 times faster CPU performance over the iPhone 8. The new chip also enables features including Live Text in the Camera app and on-device dictation — thanks to the built-in 16-core Neural Engine.

The other major change in the iPhone SE (2022) is the presence of the new rear camera that comes with computational photography benefits that were earlier available on the iPhone 13 and previous flagship models, including Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode.

Apple has also included 5G support on the iPhone SE (2022) to make it a viable option in markets where the next-generation cellular connectivity is already available or is about to roll out.

Put all that aside and pricing is a sticking point, at least in India. iPhone SE (2022) price in India starts at Rs. 43,900 for the base 64GB variant. It also comes in a 128GB model at Rs. 48,900 and the top-end variant with 256GB storage at Rs. 58,900.

In India, the iPhone SE (2022) isn’t an affordable option to pick. Moreover, its design is too dated up against most Android phones today.

You can also get an iPhone 12 mini at around the same pricing or even at a lower price for the base variant during festive sales.

But nonetheless, the iPhone SE (2022) comes with Apple’s top-of-the-line mobile chip and the form-factor that was available only on older models up until now. It could, therefore, be a worthy upgrade for the existing users who are on iPhone 6 or iPhone 7.

Alongside the iPhone SE (2022), Apple this time brought the iPad Air (2022) as its new regular iPad offering. The new iPad Air also comes with the A15 Bionic SoC and an upgraded front camera with support for Center Stage. It also has a 5G option for you to choose from.

With the iPad Air (2022), Apple essentially seems to be focusing on customers who want an iPad not just from a consumption perspective, but also for creating new things, including artwork. It can also be paired with Apple’s keyboards and Pencil (2nd generation) to deliver an upgraded productivity experience.

This week’s Apple event has also introduced Mac Studio and Studio Display as the two new hardware offerings specifically for pro-users. The Mac Studio is designed for people looking for a modular computer that can deliver top-notch performance in a form-factor that is smaller in size over the Mac Pro and is similar on the footprint with the Mac mini, albeit taller.

The Mac Studio is powered by Apple’s all-new M1 Ultra as the new SoC — the new chip is essentially a combination of two M1 Max chips to deliver a faster computing experience.

To make things clear, Apple confirmed that the Mac Studio will not replace the existing Mac Pro. It said that the upgrade to the Mac Pro will debut later this year.

The Studio Display, on the other hand, is designed to offer an enhanced viewing experience. It works as an external 27-inch 5K monitor, with a camera that supports Center Stage and inbuilt speakers to deliver high-fidelity audio.

We discuss more about all these new Apple products on this podcast episode that runs for over 30 minutes. So, hit the play button on the Spotify player embedded above to listen to our full conversation.

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New Orbital episodes release every Friday — this week is an exception due to the Apple event. So, make sure to tune in each week.