Category: Tech

The Current’s tech news keeps you upto date with news of new gadgets, tech updates, information about tech startups and technology reviews.

  • Is the iPhone SE 2022 a major flop?

    Is the iPhone SE 2022 a major flop?

    Apple is limiting the production of its recently launched ‘budget’ smartphone, the ‘iPhone SE 2022’ owing to lower-than-expected demand. The tech giant has urged suppliers to reduce the manufacturing of the iPhone SE, by roughly 2 million to 3 million devices, or about 20 per cent of initial booking orders.

    In fact, the iPhone SE is still not as well-known as Apple’s higher-priced iPhones. According to research, from its launch through Q4 2021, the 2020 edition of the iPhone SE contributed to only 12 per cent of total iPhone sales.

    It is worth mentioning that Apple also slashed orders for AirPods by around 10 million devices for the current year.

    The 5g enabled iPhone SE is marketed by the company as an alternative for the premium devices from Apple. However, its price tag of Rs105,238 (excluding PTA charges) still seems surprising as compared to the earlier SE model which was offered with a lesser price tag of Rs72,520 (excluding PTA charges).

    Read more: Apple to offer subscription-based service for selling iPhone, iPad, MacBook

    According to Nikkei, the drop in production is a result of the Ukraine crisis and inflation’s detrimental influence on the demand for gadgets.

    Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several major IT companies, including Apple, ceased sales in the country. The United States, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have all slapped economic sanctions on Russia, causing supply chain disruption and raising inflation concerns.

  • Instagram may introduce voice message replies for stories soon

    Instagram may introduce voice message replies for stories soon

    Instagram is reportedly working on a feature that would allow users to reply to stories with a picture or a voice message. This was signaled by the application developer, Alessandro Paluzzi, who further mentioned in his tweet that Instagram is also testing a feature that will allow users to share posts using a QR code.

    Paluzzi’s screenshots show the traditional message box where you may reply to users’ stories, with a twist, as one snapshot includes a GIF sign, while another has a mic icon in addition to the GIF button that was already available.

    Users will probably use these icons to respond to Instagram stories with an image or a voice message.

    The social media platform introduced a feature in February that allowed users to like other users’ stories without having to respond with a direct message.

    Until then, the only option to respond to a story was to send a direct message to the user through the text box at the bottom of the story (or using pre-set emojis, GIFS, or stickers, which were almost similar.

    Read more: Intel to launch world’s fastest 5.5 GHz CPU on April 5

    The rumored new picture reply function will complement existing capabilities and provide users with more options for creatively responding to stories. These features are also well-suited to Instagram’s long-term strategy.

    All of this may be included in the coming days as the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, had already stated that the Meta-owned platform will be focusing on the videos, messaging as well as creators.

  • Intel to launch world’s fastest 5.5 GHz CPU on April 5

    The Core i9-12900KS processor from Intel which is also claimed as the “world’s fastest CPU” will be released on April 5, 2022. Expert PC builders will demonstrate their abilities by putting together a number of PCs, presumably around the new alder lake processor, at the Intel talking tech event, which will be streamed on Twitch.

    The ‘KS’ version of Intel’s flagship, which effectively features the high-end 12900K silicon capable of being pushed to higher clock speeds and can boost up to 5.5GHz, is advertised as the ‘world’s fastest desktop processor’.

    However, this speed can only be achieved for a short period of time on a single core, with the rumor mill claiming that the all-core boost will be 5.2GHz which again is really amazing.

    Given that we have already seen or heard of the forthcoming flagship advertised on some websites, it is no surprise that the introduction of Intel’s Core i9-12900KS is so close.

    As Intel claims that the 12900KS is the “world’s fastest” desktop CPU considering the clock speeds, what PC customers and heavy gamers really want to know is how well it works in real-world applications and high-end games.

    Keeping in view the overall hype, it does not seem like it is going to disappoint the PC builders or gamer’s community.

  • Apple to offer subscription-based service for selling iPhone, iPad, MacBook

    With a new subscription-based service, Apple is planning to launch a new method to buy iPhones as well as other Apple gear. Which will allow apple customers to pay a monthly subscription fee and receive an iPhone of their choice, as well as free upgrades when new products are released.

    This plan will differ from Apple’s and carriers’ current installment programmes, as it will be a pre-decided or custom monthly fee plan rather than the cost of the phone divided by 12, 24, and 36 months of installments.

    All applications including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+ will all be included in the iPhone subscription service, which will be linked to users’ existing Apple ID accounts.

    It may also offer bundle free Apple Care and even Apple One services, such as Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+.

    The new subscription service may start by the end of this year with iPhones and eventually expand to the rest of Apple’s gadgets including iPads, Apple Watch, and the MacBook.

    Subscription-based selling of phones is not entirely new as Google already operates its Pixel Pass program in the US which lets customers choose between the Google Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro offered with Google’s own first-party services at very affordable monthly charges.

  • VIVO to launch its first-ever tablet by next month

    VIVO to launch its first-ever tablet by next month

    The smartphone maker ‘vivo’ has finally revealed that it is launching its first tablet in the next month. Two of its products including vivo X Note and vivo X Fold were already expected to launch in the coming days.

    A new feature offered in the upcoming tablet is that it will have stylus support, which will be the company’s first-ever pointing tool.

    The device itself will be equipped with an 8 MP front camera and dual cameras at the back with 13 MP and 8 MP modules, accompanied by a LED flash.

    It will be offered with a Bluetooth magnetic keyboard, however, it is hard to say if the company will include it in the box, as it seems like an additional accessory. The vivo pad comprises four speakers for an enhanced audio experience with two microphones on the top and right.

    Coming towards the operating system (OS), the pad is likely to use vivo’s Ocean OS, with the latest android underneath. Keeping in view the leaked renders, the pad is likely to have an 11-inch O-LED display with Dolby Vision for crisp and vibrant visuals, linked to Dolby Atmos for an excellent audio surround.

    As per many credible reports, the Pad will most probably launch within a month. Hopefully, we may get to know about all of its key features in the coming days or at vivo’s upcoming launch event.

  • PUBG developer collaborates with blockchain for NFT-based games

    The South Korean gaming studio ‘Krafton’, who is also the developer of PUBG, has recently announced a partnership with a blockchain company ‘Solana Labs’ for the development, design, and marketing of NFT-based games and services.

    Solana Labs is also the developer of Solana blockchain, an Ethereum-competitor designed to offer fast transaction speeds at a lower cost.

    The partnership comes a month after Krafton announced its plans to step into the world of blockchain gaming and said that it would be working with Naver Z to launch a new Web 3.0 and non-fungible token (NFT) project aimed at building a proper NFT metaverse platform.

    The important context for these deals can be Krafton’s share price, which have considerably dropped in 2022 due to tough competition from Chinese rivals, who are pouring into South Korea following a crackdown from regulators in Beijing.

    As a result, Korean developers are reportedly racing to develop ‘play-to-earn’ games, comprising blockchain technology to shore up revenue.

    The South Korean studio has not announced which of its games might see the addition of blockchain functionality or whether it will be offered in the PUBG series. Undoubtedly, the addition of NFTs in PUBG can double its popularity and earnings with attracting more players.

  • Having issues with your internet speed? Here’s why

    Having issues with your internet speed? Here’s why

    Internet users in Pakistan are reporting slow internet speed since yesterday (Monday). As per Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the internet’s speed in Pakistan is affected by 1 terabyte because of a fault in South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SEA-ME-WE 4) optical fibre submarine cable, reports Geo.

    South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SEA-ME-WE 4) is an optical fibre submarine communications cable system that carries telecommunications between Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria and France.

    As per media reports, internet speed during the peak hours is likely to be further affected. The repair work of SEA-ME-WE 4 will be completed in January 2022.

  • Elon Musk shows interest to start internet services in Pakistan

    Elon Musk shows interest to start internet services in Pakistan

    Officials from the United States-based broadband service provider, Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, has visited Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) headquarters in Islamabad on Monday to discuss the launch of a satellite broadband connectivity in Pakistan.

    The delegation, including Director Middle East & Asia, Ryan Goodnight, and Head of Global Site Acquisition, Ben Macwilliam, met with Chairman of PTA, Maj General Amir Azeem Bajwa (R), and Executive Director, Frequency Allocation Board.

    During the meeting, both sides discussed matters related to the provision of satellite broadband connectivity in Pakistan and future plans to connect Pakistan with global networks through Starlink broadband services. PTA Chairman shared Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of a digital Pakistan to Starlink representatives. He also emphasised the prospects of the internet services market in a country. He gave full assurance for the support from PTA towards the operational framework of Starlink in Pakistan.

    Prior to this, Elon Musk’s satellite broadband services started their pre-booking in India but only in selected cities due to some regulatory issues. They are hoping to apply for a commercial license by January 31, 2022, to officially launch it by next year all over India.

  • Facebook to change its name next week: report

    Facebook to change its name next week: report

    Social media platform Facebook has reportedly planned to rebrand itself with a new name to reflect its focus on building the metaverse, a virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users, reported The Verge.

    The announcement is likely to take place at the company’s annual Connect conference on October 28th.

    “The metaverse is going to be a big focus, and I think that this is just going to be a big part of the next chapter for the way that the internet evolves after the mobile internet,” Facebook Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg told The Verge.

    The Verge stated a possible name for the company could have something to do with Horizon. Recently, Facebook renamed its in-development Virtual Reality (VR) gaming platform named “Horizon” to “Horizon Worlds”.

    Since July, Zuckerberg has been talking about the metaverse.

    Earlier this week, the social media company also announced plans to create 10,000 jobs in Europe over the next five years to help build this metaverse.

    Facebook isn’t the first tech company to change its company name as in 2015 Google entirely reorganized under a holding company called Alphabet.