Gmail biggest security update

Google has divulged information about an enhanced technique employed to enhance spam detection on its free email service, Gmail. In the latest Google Security blog post, the tech giant emphasizes that this marks one of the most substantial defense upgrades Gmail has undergone in recent years. Google asserts that its latest model demonstrates superior text identification capabilities and has elevated spam detection by an impressive 38%. Text classification models, crucial for identifying harmful content like phishing attacks, inappropriate comments, and scams across platforms such as Gmail, YouTube, and Google Play, encounter challenges due to spammers employing adversarial text manipulations. These tactics, including homoglyphs, invisible characters, and keyword stuffing, make it difficult for machine learning models to classify such texts.

To enhance the stringency and efficiency of text classifiers, Google has introduced a new multilingual text vectorizer named RETVec (Resilient & Efficient Text Vectorizer). This innovation aids spam filter models in delivering more precise classification performance while significantly reducing computational costs. Google details how RETVec is utilized to safeguard Gmail inboxes. Over the past year, Google extensively evaluated RETVec's effectiveness and found it to be highly impactful for security and anti-abuse applications. Replacing Gmail's previous text vectorizer with RETVec resulted in a notable 38% improvement in the service's spam detection rate and a 19.4% reduction in the false positive rate. Additionally, the use of RETVec led to an impressive 83% reduction in the model's power consumption.

Notably, RETVec is language-agnostic and works with "all UTF-8 characters" without requiring any text preprocessing. This characteristic makes it ideal for on-device, web, and large-scale text classification deployments. Google asserts that "models trained with RETVec exhibit faster inference speed due to its compact representation." Furthermore, these smaller models reduce computational costs and decrease latency, which is critical for large-scale applications and on-device models. Models trained with RETVec can be converted to TFLite for deployment on mobile and edge devices. The open-source model is available on Github, contributing to the broader accessibility of this innovative technology.

OnePlus 12 launched in China

OnePlus has unveiled its 10th-anniversary flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 12, in China. This latest device boasts wireless charging, an enhanced USB port for faster connectivity, and an upgraded camera system. Offering various RAM and storage configurations, the OnePlus 12 features a glass sandwich construction. Fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and equipped with a VC cooling system for efficient thermal dissipation, the smartphone represents a notable addition to the Chinese company's product lineup.

The OnePlus 12 builds upon the success of its predecessor, the OnePlus 11, launched in China in 2022 and subsequently in India earlier this year. Noteworthy improvements include the reintroduction of wireless charging, a speedier USB port, and an enhanced camera system. The device is available in different RAM and storage variants, with the base model supporting 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, priced at CNY 4,299 (approximately Rs 50,500). Other configurations, including 16GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1TB, and 24GB + 1TB, are priced at CNY 4,799 (almost Rs 56,400), CNY 5,299 (almost Rs 62,300), and CNY 5,799 (almost 68,200), respectively. Color options include Rock Black, Pale Green, or White.

The design language of the OnePlus 12 remains consistent with its predecessor, featuring a glass sandwich construction with a central metal frame and IP65-rated water and dust resistance. The smartphone showcases a 6.82-inch curved OLED display supplied by BOE, supporting a resolution of 3168 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 510 PPI, and a variable refresh rate (LTPO) ranging from 1 to 120Hz. The 10-bit screen offers up to 4500 nits of local peak brightness and 2160Hz of PWM dimming.

Driving its performance is Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, coupled with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. For efficient thermal management, the phone integrates a 9140mm² VC (Vapor Chamber) cooling system covering an area of 38,547mm². The camera setup, akin to the OnePlus Open and the Oppo Find N3, includes a 50MP Sony LYT-808 primary sensor with OIS, a 64MP OmniVision OV64B sensor with OIS-assisted 3x periscope zoom lens, and a 48MP Sony IMX581 ultra-wide unit with autofocus. The front features a 32MP shooter, all tuned with Hasselblad's image processing.

Connectivity options abound with dual SIM support, 5G connectivity, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, GNSS, NFC, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. Notable features include an alert slider, an IR blaster, an x-axis linear vibration motor, and a dual stereo speaker setup. Running on ColorOS 14 based on Android 14, the OnePlus 12 is powered by a 5,400mAh battery and supports 100W wired, 50W wireless charging, as well as 10W reverse wireless charging. The smartphone is currently available for pre-order in China and is set to go on sale on December 11.

Best Air Purifiers for Every Budget [DECEMBER 2023]

1) Under 5k - Rosekm Small

2) Under 10k - Xiaomi Smart 4 Lite

3) Under 15k - Coway AirMega 150 Professional

4) Under 20k - Daikin MC55XVM6

5) Under 25k - Philips 3000 Series AeraSense AC3256

6) Under 30k - Dyson Pure Cool Link Tower TP03

Best Smartwatches Under ₹2,000 [DECEMBER 2023]

1) Noise ColorFit Pro 4 Alpha

2) beatXP Vega

3) CrossBeats Hustl

Best Soundbars Under ₹2,000 [DECEMBER 2023]

1) CrossBeats Blaze B24

2) Portronics Decibel 23

3) boAt Aavante bar 600

4) Blaupunkt SBA25 Gaming

Best 32 inch TVs Under ₹15,000 [DECEMBER 2023]

1) TOSHIBA V Series HD Ready Smart Android LED TV 32V35MP

2) Mi A series HD Ready LED Smart Google TV 2023 Edition

3) LG HD Ready LED Smart WebOS TV 2023 Edition (32LQ643BPTA)

Best TWS Under ₹5,000 [DECEMBER 2023]

1) Realme Buds Air 5 Pro

2) Oppo Enco Air3 Pro

3) JBL Tune 230NC

4) OnePlus Buds Z2

5) Nothing Ear (stick)

Best Tablets Under ₹25,000 [DECEMBER 2023]

1) Xiaomi Pad 6

The Xiaomi Pad 6 tablet made its debut on April 18, 2023, featuring an expansive 11.00-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 2880x1880 pixels and a pixel density of 309 pixels per inch (ppi). Driving its performance is an octa-core Snapdragon 870 SoC processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM. Running on Android 13 and fueled by an 8600mAh battery, the Xiaomi Pad 6 boasts a robust set of specifications. In terms of imaging capabilities, the rear of the tablet houses a 50-megapixel primary camera alongside a 2-megapixel camera, while the front sports a 20-megapixel camera. The Xiaomi Pad 6 operates on MIUI for Pad 14, based on Android 13, and offers ample storage with its 128GB inbuilt capacity. The tablet's dimensions are 253.95 x 165.00 x 6.51mm (height x width x thickness), and it weighs 490.00 grams. Available in Graphite Grey and Mist Blue colors, the Xiaomi Pad 6 provides diverse connectivity options, including USB Type-C, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS, and USB OTG. Equipped with various sensors such as an ambient light sensor, compass/magnetometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and accelerometer, the Xiaomi Pad 6 is priced at Rs. 26,999 in India.

2) Realme Pad 2

The Realme Pad 2 presents itself as a sleek and upscale tablet designed primarily for media consumption, offering budget-friendly performance. While it does not include optional accessories, its solid construction, featuring a blend of metal, glass, and polycarbonate, ensures commendable build quality. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, a chipset commonly found in budget smartphones and tablets, this device distinguishes itself with the added advantage of cellular connectivity, enhancing both its pricing and overall value. The tablet's camera performance aligns with typical expectations for a budget device, with smartphones at this price range generally offering superior capabilities. Nevertheless, the front-facing camera proves effective for video calls, complemented by a quad-speaker audio setup that enhances the immersive quality of games and movies. Notably, the Realme Pad 2 boasts excellent battery life, lasting a full three days on a single charge, regardless of whether a SIM card is inserted, making it a reliable companion for extended use, fitting the profile of a true road warrior.

3) OnePlus Pad Go

The OnePlus Pad Go tablet serves as a more affordable successor to the OnePlus Pad, which was launched earlier this year in February. Differing slightly from its predecessor, this latest tablet boasts a marginally smaller display, along with reduced resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness. In a departure from the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset of the OnePlus Pad, the OnePlus Pad Go opts for a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, complemented by 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. Emphasizing portability and a lighter form factor, the OnePlus Pad Go is specifically tailored for extended multimedia use and prolonged streaming sessions. The tablet is equipped with an 8,000mAh battery to support these endeavors and incorporates quad Dolby Atmos speakers for an enhanced audio experience.

4) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ tablet made its debut in October 2023, featuring an 11.00-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels. Running on an octa-core Snapdragon 695 SoC processor and equipped with 8GB of RAM, the tablet operates on Android 13 and is supported by a 5100mAh non-removable battery. In terms of imaging capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ sports an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera for selfies. Running on OneUI 5.1.1 based on Android 13, the tablet offers 64GB of inbuilt storage, expandable via a microSD card. It is a dual-SIM tablet that accepts both eSIM and Regular cards. The tablet's dimensions are 305.00 x 204.00 x 37.00mm (height x width x thickness), and it weighs 510.00 grams. Available in Grey, Silver, and Dark Blue colors, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ provides connectivity options such as USB Type-C, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Featuring sensors like ambient light sensor, compass/magnetometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and accelerometer, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is priced at Rs. 20,999 in India.

5) Lenovo Tab M10 5G

The Lenovo Tab M10 5G tablet was introduced on the 14th of July 2023, featuring a 10.61-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1200x2000 pixels. Powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 695 5G SoC processor and accompanied by 6GB of RAM, the tablet runs on Android 13 and is supported by a 7700mAh non-removable battery. In terms of photography, the Lenovo Tab M10 5G is equipped with a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera for selfies. Running on Android 13 and offering 128GB of inbuilt storage, the tablet measures 8.30 x 160.34 x 252.74mm (height x width x thickness) and weighs 490.00 grams. It is available in the Abyss Blue color variant. Connectivity options on the Lenovo Tab M10 5G include USB Type-C, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, and GPS. Priced at Rs. 24,999 in India, the tablet provides a comprehensive set of features for users seeking a versatile and capable device.