Xiaomi 14 confirmed for India launch

Xiaomi has officially confirmed that its flagship Xiaomi 14 smartphone will launch in India on March 7, following its global debut on February 25. The Xiaomi 14 series, comprising the Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro, and Xiaomi 14 Ultra models, initially debuted in China last October. However, Xiaomi India's teaser hints that only the standard Xiaomi 14 variant will be released in India first. The Xiaomi 14 features a triple rear camera system developed with Leica, including a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 50MP telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle sensor. It also sports a 32MP front camera. With a 4610mAh battery, the Xiaomi 14 supports 90W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging. In China, it's available in Jade Green, Black, White, and Snow Mountain Pink color options, priced from CNY 3,999 to CNY 4,999. In India, the base model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage is expected to start around Rs 50,000, while the higher-end variant may cost up to Rs 60,000.

Mozilla Firefox Launches Mozilla Monitor Plus Subscription for Privacy Monitoring

Mozilla Firefox has upgraded its free privacy monitoring service, Firefox Monitor, to Mozilla Monitor Plus, a subscription-based model. This move underscores Firefox's longstanding commitment to user privacy, bolstering its array of protective features like ad blockers and tracking protection. Mozilla Monitor notifies users about potential data exposure on broker sites and data breaches. Users can opt for a one-time scan or subscribe to Mozilla Monitor Plus for continuous monitoring at $8.99 monthly. The premium service not only initiates data removal requests but also conducts monthly scans to ensure personal information remains off broker sites. Mozilla assures users of encrypted data and adherence to its privacy policy. Initially available in the United States, Mozilla Monitor Plus offers users proactive control over their online privacy, reflecting Mozilla's dedication to empowering users amidst growing privacy concerns.

Infinix Smart 8 new variant launched in India

Last month, Infinix introduced its budget-friendly smartphone, the Infinix Smart 8, in India, and now, it has unveiled a new variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Priced at Rs 7,999, this version of the smartphone boasts a 50MP main camera and an HD+ display. Available in Timber Black, Shinny Gold, Galaxy White, and Rainbow Blue color options, it joins the previously released 4GB RAM and 64GB storage model, which costs Rs 7,499. Exclusive to Flipkart, the Smart 8 will be on sale starting February 8, with an additional 10% discount for ICICI Bank credit and debit cardholders. Featuring a 6.6-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits peak brightness, the device is powered by a MediaTek Helio G26 chipset, offering smooth performance. Running on Android 13 Go Edition with XOS 13, it also includes a 50MP main camera with Quad LED Ring flash, an 8MP front camera, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, all supported by a 5000mAh battery for extended usage.

YouTube is experimenting with red, blue, and green video feeds

YouTube is currently experimenting with a new feature that enables users to filter videos on their home feed based on colour preferences, aiming to enhance the browsing experience. Initial reports from 9to5Google and discussions on Lemmy have unveiled this novel functionality. Select users on Android and iOS mobile devices have encountered a prompt within the YouTube app, inviting them to customize their video feed by selecting from various hues like red, blue, or green. However, this feature remains in the experimental phase and has not been widely rolled out. Upon selecting a colour filter, users observe colour-coordinated results as a new feed option atop the YouTube app interface, though the precise filtering mechanism remains opaque. While primarily serving as an aesthetic enhancement, akin to colour coordination techniques in marketing strategies, there's speculation about its potential role in data collection to understand user behaviour and preferences.

ASUS Chromebook CM14 launched in India

ASUS debuts its latest Chromebook, the CM14 (CM1402C2MA), in India, featuring a 14" FHD display and MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor enabling Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Boasting up to 15 hours of battery life, this Chromebook ensures seamless entertainment and productivity. Equipped with an octa-core processor and 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, it offers smooth performance and robust security, ideal for remote work and learning, according to ASUS. The device also sports a spill-resistant keyboard, MIL-STD 810H military-grade certification, and a 720p HD camera with a privacy shutter. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and multiple USB ports. Available in Gray, the ASUS Chromebook CM14 (CM1402C2MA) is now retailing on Amazon India for Rs. 26,990.

Android's Google Maps Now Displays Weather Updates

Similar to its iOS counterpart, Google Maps for Android now integrates weather and air quality index (AQI) data directly onto the map interface. A small box situated below the search bar displays the current temperature, along with an icon representing weather conditions and AQI information. Users can tap on this box to access more detailed weather updates, including 'Feels like' temperature, daily high/low temperatures, and a 12-hour forecast. Additionally, tapping on the AQI section provides access to the Air Quality map layer. Although the weather box is relatively small, it updates dynamically as users navigate the map. Notably, this feature has recently been introduced to Android devices, following its prior availability on iOS. Users may need to force stop Google Maps to ensure they have the latest version (11.113.x) and access to this functionality.

Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus launched in India

Sennheiser debuts ACCENTUM Plus, its latest wireless headphones featuring Hybrid ANC and a remarkable 50-hour battery life, in India. These headphones boast touch controls, aptX support, and a 37mm dynamic transducer for exceptional audio quality. Quick charge capability adds 5 extra hours of playback in just 10 minutes, while the USB-C cable facilitates music streaming and voice communication during charging. Intuitive touch panel and companion app offer gesture controls for managing listening levels, media controls, and transparency mode, alongside a 5-band EQ. Additional features include automatic wind-reduction for outdoor use, multipoint connectivity for seamless device switching, and an included audio cable for in-flight entertainment. ACCENTUM Plus, available in black and white, is priced at Rs. 15,990, with a special pre-booking offer of Rs. 14,990 until February 13th on sennheiser-hearing.com and Amazon.in, ahead of its February 14th release.

Amazfit Active launched in India

Amazfit introduces its latest smartwatch, the Amazfit Active, in India after much anticipation. Boasting a 1.75″ AMOLED display, stainless-steel frame, and lightweight build, it offers an array of features. The AI-driven Zepp Coach ensures tailored workouts for users of all fitness levels, while five satellite positioning systems guarantee precise navigation. Features include Bluetooth calling, offline music playback, 120+ sports modes, Smart Recognition, Amazon Alexa integration, and 5 ATM water resistance. With a battery life of up to 14 days on a single charge, it's a reliable companion for extended use. The Amazfit Active's specifications include a 1.75-inch AMOLED screen, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, Zepp OS 2.0, BioTracker 3 PPG biometric sensor, heart rate and stress monitoring, and more. Available in Midnight Black, Petal Pink, and Lavender Purple, it retails at Rs. 12,999 and hits Amazon.in shelves on February 10th.