Tag: Computers

We finally got our hands on the Pixel 8 Pro, and as expected, the first thing we did was test Google’s latest Tensor G3 chipset. In this article, we have benchmarked the Tensor G3 on many standard tests to evaluate the performance improvement in CPU, GPU, storage, modem, and more. We have thoroughly tested the Google Tensor G3 on Geekbench, AnTuTu, CPU Throttling test, 3DMark, and other tests. So, without further ado, let’s check out the Google Tensor G3 benchmark and thermal efficiency results.

Google Tensor G3 Specifications

Tensor G3: Geekbench 6 Score

To test Tensor G3’s CPU performance, we ran Geekbench 6 on the Pixel 8 Pro. It scored 1,771 in the single-core test and 4,429 in the multi-core test. It’s not a bad score per se and falls in line with our expectations (close to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1). Google has underclocked the CPU, as expected, and it becomes clear when you check the temperature.

At idle, the Pixel 8 Pro had a temperature reading of 30°C and after the Geekbench test, the temperature rose to 37.3°C, which is on par with other flagship chipsets. That said, the Google Tensor G3-powered Pixel 8 Pro did show inconsistent scores initially, and we could not pinpoint the reason behind it.

Tensor G3: CPU Throttling Test

In the CPU Throttling test, the Google Tensor G3 disappoints. To keep the temperature and efficiency in check, it heavily throttles the CPU, indicating that if you perform back-to-back heavy tasks on the Pixel 8 series, it’s highly likely to throttle. In a 15-minute CPU throttling test, the Tensor G3 throttled 60% of its maximum performance.

It scored a maximum score of 274,898 GIPS, an average of 180,333 GIPS, and a minimum of 156,142 GIPS. Having said that, the temperature was around 39°C after a 15 minute test. You are going to get better battery life on Google Tensor G3, but at the cost of performance.

Tensor G3: AnTuTu Benchmark

In the AnTuTu benchmark, the Tensor G3 scored a respectable 1,021,731 points, crossing the 1 million mark. Again, the temperature hovered around 37.5°C, which is quite good. And in the AnTuTu storage test, the Pixel 8 Pro, which comes with an old UFS 3.1 storage, scored 37,511 points.

It has a sequential read speed of 1717.3 MBps, sequential write speed of 266.7 MBps, random read speed of 226 MBps, and random write speed of 212 MBps. At least, Google could have paired the Tensor G3 with UFS 4.0 storage to offer better speed and efficiency.

Tensor G3: 3DMark Wildlife Test

To test Google Tensor G3’s GPU performance, we ran 3DMark Wild Life tests on the Pixel 8 Pro. In the standard Wild Life Stress test, the Tensor G3 scored a best loop score of 8,489 with 68.3% stability. Moreover, runinng the more intensive Wild Life Extreme Stress test, the Tensor G3 scored a paltry score of 2,396 with 66.2% stability. The temperature was close to 43°C after 50% of the test, which is a little on the higher side.

Google should have gone with 9 cores or packed the Immortalis GPU with at least 10 cores in the Tensor G3 chipset. However, the 7-core Mali-G715 GPU in the Tensor G3 is decent enough to pull you through most tasks. Sustained GPU performance will be something to look out for which we will let you know in our full review.

Tensor G3: 5G Speed Test

Google seems to be using the old Exynos 5300 5G modem by Samsung, but surprisingly, it performed quite well in our quick 5G test. The Pixel 8 Pro went up to 559 Mbps in download speeds and 67.9 Mbps in upload speed on Jio’s 5G network in India.

The interesting thing we noted is that the phone didn’t get hot or even warm during multiple 5G speed tests. Seemingly, the modem on the Tensor G3 has gone through a 4nm fabrication process and that might be helping in efficiency. We can give a more conclusive verdict in our full review of the Pixel 8 Pro. Previous-gen Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 phones are known to have connectivity issues, so we plan on doing an in-depth connectivity test to give you a fuller picture.

Furthermore, we would suggest reading our in-depth comparison between Google Tensor G3 vs Apple A17 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It includes not only a theoretical specs comparison but also benchmarks for all three chipsets.

Microsoft has finally released the Windows 11 23H2 update for the general public. However, it will take a few more weeks or months for the company to begin the rollout process. If you cannot wait that long to have a feel of the new features available to your PC, this article is for you. It will also be useful to users who will not receive the update prompt even after Microsoft rolls out the update. This guide will help you do it yourself without asking for the help of any I.T specialist.

What’s New in Windows 11?

In late September 2023, Windows 11 received an update known as Windows 11 23H2. This update brings improved security, bug fixes, and new features to the operating system. One notable addition is Windows Copilot, a helpful tool that’s currently available in select regions but will expand to more areas in the future. The update aims to enhance the overall performance and security of Windows 11, addressing common issues and introducing new features to provide a better user experience. Keeping your system up to date with these improvements is essential.

You may need to wait for the Windows 11 23H2 update to reach your computer if you rely on Microsoft’s standard protocols. However, you can speed up the process by following these three simple methods to request and install the update at your convenience.

Guide to Install Windows 11 23H2 Via Windows Settings

Microsoft’s rollout protocols for major updates can be a bit mysterious, but there is one setting that can trigger the installation of Windows 11 23H2.

1. Press the Windows Kay together with the “I” key to open Windows Settings. Select Windows Update from the left pane.
2. Turn on the setting that says, “Get the Latest Updates as Soon as They’re Available” and then click the “Check For Updates” button.

This simple step may be enough to initiate the Windows 11 23H2 update installation. You may see a new entry for 23H2 after a short wait, and you can click “Download And Install” to begin.

Keep in mind that this method may not always produce the desired result due to the unpredictability of Microsoft’s update procedures.

Using Installation Assistant to Install Windows 11 23H2

If you want a more reliable way to install Windows 11 update 23H2 on a single PC, you can use Microsoft’s Installation Assistant. Here’s how:

1. Open your web browser and go to the Windows 11 download support website.

2. Look for the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant” section and click the “Download Now” button.

Once the download is complete, double-click the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file and follow the on-screen instructions. The Microsoft Installation Assistant will take care of the installation, upgrading your system to the new Windows 11 23H2 version while keeping your files, settings, and applications intact.

Using Media Creation Tool to Install Windows 11 23H2

For situations where you need to install Windows 11 23H2 on multiple computers, especially for small or medium-sized businesses, the Media Creation Tool is the ideal solution. It allows you to create a reusable USB drive to update each PC.

To get started, open your preferred web browser and go to the Windows 11 download support website. Scroll down the page until you locate the “Download Now” button under the “Create Windows 11 Installation Media” section.

Once the download is finished, double-click the MediaCreationToolW11.exe file and proceed with the instructions. Note that you’ll require a USB drive with at least 8 GB of free space to complete the process. Alternatively, you can create a DVD compact disk instead of using a USB drive.

After successfully creating the installation USB drive, insert it into a PC and double-click the setup.exe file found on the drive. Follow the on-screen instructions, and the update to Windows 11 23H2 will commence.

The mob candidates for the Mob Vote 2023 have been revealed recently. They are three cute animals with uses geared toward player quality of life. Usually, players are quite quick to decide who their favorite mob is. However, this year, that’s not the case. People don’t want one or two, but all three mobs to be added to the game in the next major update. In this article, we’ll explain the petition to stop Minecraft Mob Vote 2023.

Stop the Minecraft Mob Vote Petition: Explained

A member of the Minecraft community started the petition on 6th October to stop the Minecraft Mob Vote 2023. If you visit the official petition page, you’ll see that over a whopping 350K people have signed it so far. This may seem like a massive joke and just a desire of the community to play around with all three mobs. However, if you look at how the petition has been titled, as well as the text below, you may realize that it’s more than just a joke.

The goal of the petition is to “put an end to the scrapping of great ideas.” Reading the petition’s description, it’s pretty clear that Mob Vote, in general, even though community-engaging, is also kind of harmful. It encourages conflicts, leaves fantastic ideas behind, and teases content we’ll never see in the game. Also, even with the financial help of a massive corporation such as Microsoft, we receive much smaller content updates than years ago.

The petition also states that discontentment with the Mob Vote is not new, as other fan favorites like Moobloom haven’t made it into the game.

So, the question is: will Mojang listen to the community? Will we receive all three amazing cute mobs in Minecraft 1.21? Or is this community effort in vain? What do you think? Have you signed the petition yourself? Tell us in the comment section below!

Earlier this year, we heard some news about the upcoming iQOO 12 made by vivo. It was rumored to feature a special camera with a 64-megapixel Now, a person who’s known for telling us early information about phones confirmed it. So, the iQOO 12 does indeed have a 64-megapixel camera for zooming in on things that are far away. This camera incorporates the OmniVision 64B sensor. It also has something called a 3x telephoto lens, which helps it zoom in, and it even has a feature called OIS to keep the pictures steady.

IQOO 12 Camera Details

The main camera on the iQOO 12 is also from OmniVision, and it’s called the OV50H. This camera is really good, with 50 megapixels, which means it can take really clear pictures. It also has OIS to help with shaky hands. Another camera on the iQOO 12 is the ultrawide-angle camera. This one has 50 megapixels as well, and it uses a Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor. While the technical terms may be overwhelming, rest assured that these cameras are capable of capturing stunning images.

Leakster, Digital Chat Station spoke about all this, and they’re usually right about these things. So, it’s likely that what they’re saying is true. The iQOO 12 doesn’t use a periscope lens for zooming like some other phones do. The last time the company used a periscope lens was six phones ago with the iQOO 5 Pro 5G, which had an 8-megapixel camera for 5x zoom. But the new iQOO 12 doesn’t need a periscope lens because it has a 64-megapixel camera with OIS. This is actually a big improvement because the last iQOO phone, the iQOO 11 Pro, didn’t have OIS.

iQOO 12 Aims to be More Versatile

The iQOO 12 is part of a series of phones that are aimed at people who really like using their phones for lots of things. Before, the iQOO phones were mainly for people who like to play games on their phones. But now, with the new vivo V3 ISP, which is a special component within the phone, the iQOO 12 series should be really good for taking pictures and videos. So, if you like taking photos and videos, this phone might be great for you.

In a move to persuade people to buy the Premium plan, Spotify, the popular music streaming service, is now removing some features for free users that were otherwise available for all. This change has started rolling out in India. Here are the details to know.

Spotify Free Users Won’t Get These Features Anymore

It is revealed that those using Spotify for free won’t be able to get functionalities like repeating songs, rewinding to a specific portion of a song, or going to previous songs. There also won’t be the ability to customize the playlist orders.

Free users won’t also get to shuffle songs. Instead, there will now be the Smart Shuffle feature (by default) for people to get song recommendations based on their song choices and music streaming habits.

It is said that these changes are now live on the Spotify app. Spotify is also sending in-app updates to users to notify them of the change. Putting certain features behind a paid plan to attract more subscribers is a move many follow but Spotify’s decision could attract backlash given that these are pretty basic features one can get on any music streaming platform. This could also result in people switching to other apps like YouTube Music.

However, there will be a set of people who won’t mind becoming a Spotify Premium user. For those who don’t know, the plan is priced at Rs 119 a month of individual subscription and includes ad-free music, group sessions, and 10K song downloads per device and can be used on 5 different devices. There’s also a Duo plan costing Rs 149 a month and a Family plan of Rs 179 per month.

There’s a Mini plan too, which is priced at Rs 7 a day. Spotify also offers special student discounts and is currently providing an individual Premium subscription for free for a month. So for those looking to upgrade, the free trial is up for grabs. Will you go for the Spotify Premium plans or would rather let go of the features that are no longer available for free? Let us know in the comments below.

The Vivo V29 Pro has recently made its debut in the market, promising a slew of top-of-the-line features and specifications. Priced at Rs 39,999, this smartphone aims to impress potential buyers with its sleek design, impressive camera capabilities, and reliable performance. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the different aspects of the Vivo V29 Pro to determine whether it lives up to the hype.

vivo V29 Pro specifications

• 6.78-inch (2800×1260 pixels) 1.5K AMOLED 20:9 aspect ratio screen with HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut
• Octa Core (4 x 2.4GHz + 4 x 1.8GHz Kryo 670 CPUs) Snapdragon 778G 6nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 642L GPU
• 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5 RAM with 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
• Android 13 with Funtouch OS 13
• Dual SIM (nano + nano)
• 50MP camera with f/1.88 aperture, OIS, Samsung GN5 (V29) / Sony IMX766 (V29 Pro), 8MP ultra-wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture, 2MP depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture (V29) / 12MP portrait camera with Sony IMX663 sensor with f/1.98 aperture, Aura light, 4K 60 fps video recording
• 50MP autofocus front camera with f/2.0 aperture, 4K 60 fps video recording
• In-display fingerprint sensor
• USB Type-C audio, bottom-ported speaker
• Dimensions:164.18×74.37×7.46mm; Weight:186g (V29) / 188g (V29 Pro)
• 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3,GPS (L1 + L5), USB Type-C
• 4600mAh (typ) battery with 80W fast charging

Design and Build: A Sleek and Lightweight Device

When it comes to design, the Vivo V29 Pro does not disappoint. With its slim profile and lightweight build, this smartphone is a joy to hold and use. The metal frame adds a touch of durability, while the glass back panel showcases a mesmerizing Himalayan Blue color option or the Space Black one we had in our hands. Vivo has implemented an innovative 3D magnetic particle design on the back, creating a unique light and shadow effect. Although the edges of the phone can be a bit sharp, Vivo provides a clear silicone case in the box to address this issue.

Vivo V29 Pro Display: A Visual Delight

The Vivo V29 Pro features a 6.78-inch Full HD+ 3D curved AMOLED display. With a resolution of 2800×1260 pixels, this display offers sharp visuals and vibrant colors. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and everyday navigation, while the 1300 nits peak brightness makes it easy to read texts even in bright outdoor conditions. Whether you’re watching your favorite series on Netflix or scrolling through Instagram, the V29 Pro’s display won’t disappoint.

Cameras: Capturing Every Moment with Precision

One of the standout features of the V29 Pro is its impressive camera setup. The primary rear camera boasts a 50-megapixel OIS sensor, delivering sharp and detailed photos. The secondary rear camera is a 12-megapixel portrait lens, perfect for capturing stunning portraits with smooth bokeh effects. Additionally, there is an 8-megapixel wide-angle camera for capturing a wider field of view. The Vivo V29 Pro also comes with a 50-megapixel front camera, ensuring that your selfies are always on point.

The Smart Aura Light feature on the V29 Pro is a game-changer, especially in low-light conditions. It helps to enhance the clarity of your photos, allowing you to capture stunning shots even in challenging lighting situations. You have the flexibility to adjust the color temperature of the Aura light between 1800K to 4500K, giving you more control over the ambiance of your photos. The Vivo V29 Pro’s camera performance is top-notch, whether you’re shooting in daylight or at night.

Performance: Smooth and Reliable

Under the hood, the Vivo V29 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC. With its 8GB or 12GB RAM variants and 256GB of storage, this smartphone offers smooth multitasking and ample storage space for all your apps and files. Whether you’re browsing the web, playing casual games, or using resource-intensive applications, the V29 Pro handles it all with ease. The benchmarks indicate that the Vivo V29 Pro performs relatively better than its predecessor, the Vivo V27 Pro.

The software experience on the Vivo V29 Pro is a mixed bag. While the FuntouchOS 13 offers a light design and smooth animations, the presence of pre-installed apps can be overwhelming. Vivo has promised two years of Android OS updates and three years of security updates, which is a decent commitment. However, it would be great to see Vivo extend the duration of OS updates to match the industry standards set by other brands.

Battery Life: Long-lasting and Fast Charging

The V29 Pro is equipped with a 4,600 mAh battery, which provides a good backup for everyday use. During our testing, the device easily lasted a full day with some battery percentage remaining at the end. The 80W fast charging support is a game-changer, allowing you to charge the Vivo V29 Pro from 0 to 100 percent in just 48 minutes. Whether you’re running low on battery or need a quick top-up, the Vivo V29 Pro’s fast charging capabilities have got you covered.

Vivo V29 Pro review verdict: A Great Package Overall

In conclusion, the Vivo V29 Pro is a great smartphone that offers a stylish design, impressive camera capabilities, and reliable performance. The sleek and lightweight build, coupled with the mesmerizing Himalayan Blue color option, makes it a standout device. The display provides a visual delight with its vibrant colors and smooth scrolling experience. The camera setup captures every moment with precision, whether you’re shooting in daylight or at night. The performance is smooth and reliable, thanks to the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC. Lastly, the long-lasting battery and fast charging support ensure that you stay connected throughout the day.

While the presence of pre-installed apps and the average selfie camera might be minor drawbacks, the overall package offered by the Vivo V29 Pro is impressive. If you’re looking for a smartphone that excels in design, camera performance, and overall user experience, the Vivo V29 Pro is definitely worth considering.

The God of Mischief is back with a bang in Loki season 2 and by the looks of its first episode, Loki Season 2 episode 2 is just gonna get bigger while the other Loki episodes follow suit. The first episode of Loki was packed with action sequences and breathtaking visuals that kept us on the edge of our seats. However, the episode left us craving more thus increasing the excitement for the upcoming episodes for this season. In this article find out the Loki Season 2 Episode 2 release date and time in your region and stay tuned for further updates!

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for Loki Season 1 and Loki Season 2 Episode 1 so we recommend you proceed only after you have watched the previous episodes and season.

When is Loki Season 2 Episode 2 Coming Out

Loki Season 2 Episode 2 is releasing on 12 October 2023 at 9:00 PM ET/ 6:00 PM PT. Now if you’re wondering “When does it come out in my region?” don’t you worry, find out the release date and time for Loki Season 2 Episode 2 in the table given below.

• United States: 9:00 PM EDT / 6:00 PM PST on October 12
• India: 6:30 AM IST on October 13
• United Kingdom: 2:00 AM BST on October 13
• Canada: 9:00 PM EDT on October 13
• Australia: 11:00 AM AEST on October 13
• Japan: 10:00 AM JST on October 13
• France: 3:00 AM CEST on October 13
• Germany: 6:00 AM CEST on October 13
• China: 9:00 AM CST on October 13

When do New Episodes of Loki Season 2 Air?

Loki Season 2 will have a total of 6 episodes airing its episodes in a one-episode-per-week manner. We don’t yet know what will be the names of these episodes, you know, Marvel being Marvel with its secrets. However, in order to find out the Loki Season 2 release date schedule, refer below!

• Loki Season 2 Episode 1: “Ouroboros“- Aired on 5 October 2023
• Loki Season 2 Episode 2: “TBA”- Airs on 12 October 2023
• Loki Season 2 Episode 3: “TBA”- Airs on 19 October 2023
• Loki Season 2 Episode 4: “TBA”– Airs on 26 October 2023
• Loki Season 2 Episode 5: “TBA”- Airs on 2 November 2023
• Loki Season 2 Episode 6: “TBA”- Airs on 9 November 2023

Where to Watch Loki Season 2 Episode 2

Loki Season 2 Episode 2 will be exclusively streamed on Disney+ as it doesn’t share the rights for Loki with any other streaming platform. The only other streaming platform that’ll stream Loki season 2 in India is going to be Hotstar as Hotstar was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 2019 when it acquired 21st Century Fox, its US parent company.

Loki Season 2 Episode 1 Recap

Loki Season 2 Episode 1 picks up right where Loki Season 1 ended. Loki approaches Mobius and Hunter B-15 but they don’t recognize him and start chasing him thinking he’s an intruder, when he is almost captured, he glitches and finds Mobius again who recognizes him now and Loki realizes he’s slipping in time when he glitches. Mobius and Loki go to a council of officials among whom some are in favor of Loki proposing to stop pruning timelines but General Dox wishes to find and capture Sylvie for killing ” He Who Remains”.

Mobius takes Loki to OB or Ouroboros played by Ke Huy Quan who works at the lowest level of TVA and is a technician. He tells Mobius and Loki that Loki is time slipping. With great difficulty and Mobius almost dying, Ouroborous, Loki, and Mobius succeed in fixing Loki’s time-slipping. However, in another frame, we see a huge army of Minutemen going to hunt Sylvie in a manner that looks more like an “execute” mission than “capture”. The episode ends with a post-credit scene that shows us Sylvie landing in a branched timeline and walking into a McDonald’s.

Google today launched the Chrome 118 stable version update. This update fixes 20 security vulnerabilities and brings some new features and changes. The most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for arbitrary code execution. This makes it important for users to update their browsers as soon as possible. The latest updates for this browser on different systems are as follows

• Chrome for Mac and Linux: 118.0.5993.70
• Chrome for Windows: 118.0.5993.70 and 118.0.5993.71
• Chrome Extended for Mac: 118.0.5993.70
• Chrome Extended for Windows: 118.0.5993.71
• Chrome for Android: 118.0.5993.65

Vulnerabilities

Among the security vulnerabilities repaired this time, the most noteworthy vulnerability tracking number is CVE-2023-5218. This exists in Site Isolation and is a use after free vulnerability. The other publicly disclosed vulnerabilities are “medium risk” and “low risk”. “danger” level.

The biggest highlight of Chrome 118 is its support for Encrypted Client Hello. When users open websites and services in the browser, domain names are protected from being leaked to network operators. Therefore, it improves privacy because network operators such as ISPs no longer know which websites users visit.

Another security feature is enabling Enhanced Safe Browsing in Chrome. This remotely disables extensions that are not installed from the Chrome Web Store. Another enhanced Safe Browsing change improves deep scan functionality. Chrome 118 users may now be prompted to provide a password for archived files to allow Safe Browsing to analyze them.

Here are some of the key features and updates in Chrome 118:

Safe Browsing Protection Level

In Chrome 118, some users will see new text describing the Safe Browsing protection level on both the Security Settings page and the Privacy Guide. The update clarifies the Enhanced Protection level by adding a table and linking to a help centre article where users can learn more. The new table helps users understand the trade-offs when selecting that option versus choosing the other options. The descriptions for Standard Protection, No Protection, and the password compromise warnings toggle have been simplified to make the options clearer.

Security Vulnerabilities

Chrome 118 includes fixes for 20 security vulnerabilities, including several that could allow for arbitrary code execution. One of these vulnerabilities was being actively exploited in the wild, making it especially important for users to update their browsers. The severity of these vulnerabilities underscores the importance of keeping browsers up to date with the latest security patches.

Other Updates

In addition to security fixes, Chrome 118 includes several other updates and enhancements. For example, some users will see minor updates to the red Safe Browsing interstitials, including a new danger icon that replaces the previous warning icon. There are also updates to the Memory Saver feature, which automatically hibernates inactive tabs on desktops. Other updates are behind-the-scenes things that users have to enable explicitly via flags.

Overall, this update includes important security fixes and updates that users should install as soon as possible. By keeping their browsers up to date, users can help protect themselves against the latest security threats and vulnerabilities.