Tech Bites

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro were launched in China on Thursday alongside the Xiaomi 15 Ultra handset. The TWS earphones also get a Wi-Fi variant, which offers high-resolution lossless audio transmission, alongside the standard Bluetooth version. They support active noise cancellation (ANC) of up to 55dB, call noise reduction features, spatial audio and aptX Adaptive codec. The earphones come with audio tuned by Harman and are claimed to offer a battery life of up to 40 hours along with the charging case. Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Price, Availability Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro price in China starts at CNY 1,299 (roughly Rs. 15,600) for the Bluetooth option, while the Wi-Fi variant is priced at CNY 1,499 (roughly Rs. 18,000). They are currently available for purchase in the country via the Xiaomi China e-store .  The Wi-Fi version of the TWS earphones come in a Mirage Black shade, while the Bluetooth edition is offered in Snow Mountain White and Titanium Gold colour options.  Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro ...

The FBI has attributed the recent attack on Dubai-based Bybit crypto exchange to North Korean hackers. The agency has called on crypto firms to help block the stolen funds. According to Bybit CEO Ben Zhou, a hacker gained control of one of the exchange's offline Ethereum wallets, resulting in a loss of nearly $1.5 billion (roughly Rs. 13,006 crore). Following the attack earlier this month, Arkham Intelligence reported that the stolen assets are already being transferred to new addresses for liquidation. In an announcement posted on February 26, the FBI agency said that North Korean hackers are using the ‘TraderTraitor' activity to convert the stolen funds into other crypto tokens and distribute them across ‘thousands of wallets'. The FBI expects that the stolen assets are likely to be laundered further. As part of the post, the FBI has released a list of 51 Ethereum wallet addresses that have been identified among those holding portions of the stolen assets. These addres...

Nothing Phone 3a series is scheduled to be launched in India and globally on March 4 comprising two models — Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro. While the former is a direct successor to the Nothing Phone 2a from March last year, the latter is a new device which is expected to sit above the Phone 3a in the company's lineup. It is confirmed to come with a new button which, a report suggests, could be called Essential Key and it may support artificial intelligence ( AI ) capabilities. Essential Key on Nothing Phone 3a Pro Citing a tipster, SmartPrix reports that Nothing Phone 3a Pro's Essential Key will serve as an “AI-powered hub”. A press of the button, located on the right spine of the phone, is speculated to invoke a custom AI which has been integrated into a new app which the company calls Essential Space. With this, users may be able to press this button to quickly store digital content such as screenshots, voice notes, and photos in the aforementioned space. The British orig...

Xiaomi 15 Ultra was launched in China on Thursday (February 27), joining the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro in the company's flagship smartphone lineup. It arrives ahead of the Mobile World Congress ( MWC ) 2025 in Barcelona as the successor to last year's Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra, like the other phones in the Xiaomi 14 series, is powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC and ships with the new HyperOS 2   user interface. Xiaomi 15 Ultra Price Xiaomi 15 Ultra price starts at CNY 6,499 (roughly Rs. 78,000) for the 12GB + 256GB storage configuration, while the 16GB + 512GB and 16GB + 1TB variants are priced at CNY 6,999 (roughly Rs. 84,000) and CNY 7,799 (roughly Rs. 93,000), respectively. The phone is offered in multiple colourways — classic black and silver, pine and cypress green, black, and white. Along with the handset, Xiaomi also offers a Professional imaging kit as an accessory which retails for CNY 999 (roughly Rs. 12,000). Xiaomi 15 Ultra ...

Google's Pixel 9a is anticipated to hit stores next month. While  Google is yet to announce a launch date for the new Pixel A series phone, several leaks have surfaced recently and showcased the hardware, design and US pricing of the Pixel 8a  successor. A new leak now suggests that the Pixel 9a will be available at similar pricing as its predecessor. The upcoming Pixel phone is expected to feature a Tensor G4 processor and a 48-megapixel dual rear camera unit. It could be launched in 128GB and 256GB storage options. Google Pixel 9a Price Details Leaked As per a report by Android Headlines, the Pixel 9a will cost GBP 499 (roughly Rs. 55,000) in the UK and $499 (roughly Rs. 43,000) in the US for the 128GB storage variant. The 256GB storage model will be reportedly priced at $599 (roughly Rs. 52,000). This corroborates previous price leaks. The Pixel 8a was also priced the same in the US. In countries like Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain the Pixel 9a will co...

Nothing Phone 3a series is scheduled to debut in India and globally on March 4. Ahead of its anticipated launch, the British original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has now showcased the design of base model in the series dubbed the Nothing Phone 3a. While it shares several design elements with the Phone 3a Pro such as the Glyph interface, the handset's rear camera module has a distinctly different appearance, giving the Phone 3a a more uniform look. Nothing Phone 3a Design Revealed In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nothing shared a glimpse of the upcoming Phone 3a's design. Unlike the Nothing Phone 3a Pro which features a large circular rear camera module with irregularly-placed lenses, the base model in the lineup will sport a pill-shaped unit horizontally placed at the back. It features three camera lenses. Phone (3a) Series. Technically refined. Enlightened in every aspect. pic.twitter.com/vDJlSh7Iyc — Nothing (@nothing) February 26, 2025 Meanwhile, the rest of t...

Amazon Prime continues to be a one-stop solution for digital entertainment and online shopping in India. The service offers a variety of membership plans tailored to meet diverse user needs. These plans come with a plethora of benefits, including access to exclusive content, faster deliveries, and special deals. Additionally, several telecom operators provide prepaid plans bundled with Amazon Prime benefits, enhancing the value proposition for subscribers. So, if you are looking for in-depth information about Amazon Prime membership plans, then you have to the right place. In this article, we will talk in detail about Prime membership, its price in India, benefits, and more. Amazon Prime Membership Plans 2025 Amazon Prime offers multiple subscription tiers in India, each designed to cater to different user preferences and budgets. Rs 299 Monthly Subscription Plan The Rs 299 monthly subscription combines entertainment, convenience, and savings. Enjoy ad-free streaming, fast deliver...

Safeguarding your personal information on social media platforms has become a necessity. Facebook , being one of the most widely used platforms, offers a feature called "Profile Lock" to enhance user privacy. This feature allows you to control who can view your content, ensuring that only your friends have access to your personal information. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore what Facebook Profile Lock is, how to enable it on mobile and desktop devices, the benefits of using it, and how to unlock your profile if needed. What is Facebook Profile Lock? Facebook Profile Lock is a privacy feature designed to give users more control over their profiles. When activated, it restricts the visibility of your photos, posts, and other personal information to people who are not on your friends list. This means that only your friends can view your full-size profile picture, cover photo, stories, and new posts. Additionally, any posts you've shared in the past with the...

Jio, one of India's leading telecom providers, offers users the flexibility to choose a special or fancy mobile number through its Jio Choice Number service. Whether you want a number that matches your birth date, vehicle registration, or simply an easy-to-remember sequence, Jio makes it convenient to get one. This service caters to both prepaid and postpaid users, ensuring that everyone can personalise their mobile experience. Here's everything you need to know about Jio Choice Numbers, including how to buy one through different methods. What Is A Jio Choice Number? A Jio Choice Number is a customised mobile number that users can select based on their preferences. Instead of being assigned a random number, customers can pick a fancy number with a unique combination, such as repeated digits, a specific pattern, or a number that holds personal significance. This service is ideal for individuals who want an exclusive identity, businesses looking for an easy-to-recall contact n...

Realme 14 Pro series debuted in India last month and its global launch has now been confirmed. The company has announced that its lineup, comprising the Realme 14 Pro and 14 Pro+, will be launched at the Mobile World Congress ( MWC ) Barcelona. The event takes place between March 3-6 in the aforementioned nation. This also confirms the company's participation at one of the world's biggest technology showcases of the year. Realme has also reportedly teased an Ultra variant that could join the lineup as a new offering. Realme 14 Pro Series Global Launch Confirmed In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Realme shared a short video clip which confirms that it will launch a smartphone with a “DSLR-level” smartphone camera at MWC Barcelona. While it did not officially reveal its name, it is widely believed to be the Realme 14 Pro series based on its appearance. Both models, the Realme 14 Pro and Realme 14 Pro+ , are expected to have similar features and specifications as their Indian...

The first wave of AI PCs, or as Microsoft calls them, Copilot+ PCs, hit India in the second half of 2024. Snapdragon led the race with its X series chipsets, and several OEMs introduced AI-enabled laptops in the country. While these devices generated a buzz given the hype around artificial intelligence (AI) and the new Copilot-driven features in Windows 11, the impact on the PC market was not significant, with the consumer PC segment witnessing a meagre 2.6 percent shipment growth year-on-year (YoY) in India in 2024, as per market research firm IDC. While the reasons for this can be speculative and multi-faceted, one key aspect was price-based accessibility in a price-sensitive market. In 2024, only two Snapdragon X series chipset models were available — X Elite and X Plus — and both catered to the premium segment. As a result, the laptops that entered the market were priced steeply and primarily focused on enterprise users. With generative AI capabilities still in its nascent stag...

Following the launch of the iPhone 16e as the latest entry-level model from Apple , the focus has now shifted to the flagship iPhone 17 lineup which is slated to debut later this year. According to claims by a seasoned journalist, Apple is aiming to improve the camera capabilities of the iPhone 17 Pro models but it will not just stop at still photography. The Cupertino-based technology company is also expected to emphasise on improvements related to video recording this time around. Improved Video Recording on iPhone 17 Pro Models In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter , Bloomberg's Mark Gurman highlighted Apple's ambitions of its iPhone 17 Pro models potentially being the go-to video recording devices for the vlogging community and other video content creators. The company is reported to deliver a “significant” upgrade, especially with the top-of-the-line Pro models, with a particular stress on improving the video recording prowess. As per Gurman, Apple wants to...

Vivo, a brand known mainly for its mid-premium segment smartphones, is seeing increasing competition with every passing year. While it was difficult to find features such as a good camera and battery life in this segment a few years ago, the competition has now caught up. Xiaomi's Redmi Note 14 Pro+ (which was earlier a part of its budget series of devices) is now delivering good value priced from Rs. 30,999. And the same applies to brands like Poco and Realme, which have gotten increasingly aggressive with pricing. With Vivo now fully aware of the competition, inching closer with every passing year, it has now come up with what we believe is a tolerable successor for its mid-range V40 series. The Vivo V50 has plenty of upgrades over the previous models, and for once, some of these actually make sense. Vivo V50 Design: Quad-curved display done right Dimensions - 163.29 x 76.72 x 7.57mm Weight - 199g Durability - IP68 + IP69 Unlike its predecessors, the Vivo V50 has a slim...

Laptop manufacturers should really stop over-using the term AI to market their products. The recently launched Acer Swift 14 AI , for example, even has an AI activity indicator that glows when performing AI tasks. Luckily, the Swift 14 AI is a lot more than its AI branding. It's got excellent battery life, a good display, plenty of ports, a sleek design, and decent performance. The Acer Swift 14 AI has the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors. Our review unit, which has the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor, costs Rs. 89,999, whereas the top-end variant with the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU costs Rs. 104,999. Should this be your next work laptop? Read on to find out. Acer Swift 14 AI Design The Swift 14 AI sports a simple design that won't turn many heads, though some might be curious about the unusual logo on the lid (other than the Acer branding) or the glowing one on the trackpad. It features an aluminium chassis with a matte finish that can pick up fingerprints and...

Qualcomm  recently announced the launch of its first-ever Snapdragon Experience Zone in India in partnership with Croma , a leading consumer electronics retail chain. Located at Croma Store in Juhu, Mumbai, it is part of the company's wider plans of introducing more Snapdragon Experience Zones across the country. With this collaboration, visitors can experience showcased devices powered by Snapdragon SoCs and get a demonstration of their capabilities, including those powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Croma's Snapdragon Experience Zone As per the company, the Snapdragon Experience Zone showcases ecosystem products such as smartphones, PCs, wearables, and audio products powered by Qualcomm's processors. The store includes staff that have been trained to provide demonstrations of the chip's capabilities, including their on-device AI prowess. Customers can interact with these devices, get a hands-on experience and also seek expert advice from the staff. At laun...

The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ are Samsung's all-new premium S-series smartphones in India. If you followed the Unpacked 2025 launch, you already know the biggest upgrade is under the hood. But does that mean the S25 and S25+ aren't worth upgrading for S24 and S23 users? Well, that question doesn't have a straightforward answer! The Galaxy S25 and S25+ are perfect examples of why you should never judge a book by its cover. That's because you should consider these because of how good the overall package is. And this is not the conclusion, and this is not the end of the review. You will have to stay tuned to this review to know why I just gave it all away. Before jumping into our review, here's a breakdown of the prices. The Samsung Galaxy S25 starts at Rs. 80,999 for the 12+256GB model , while the S25+ begins at Rs. 99,999 for the exact RAM and storage option. Both the models also get 512GB storage trim priced at Rs. 92,999 (S25) and Rs. 1,11,999 (S25+). Now that...