Premium smartphone segment in the last one year have seen a lot of new entries not just by prominent brands but also brands which have tried to expand their lineup. Vivo is one such brand we did witness X50 Pro last year, and it make it to the list of disruptive devices. This time around it is the X60 Pro which looks more impactful with its collaboration with German lens maker Zeiss. Let’s find out if the device is just a premium camera smartphone or more than that?

DESIGN AND DISPLAY

The Vivo X60 Pro feels premium as you pull it out of the box. The device takes its cues from its predecessor but is way lighter and feels way sleeker in your hand. I am extremely impressed by the back of this device. It is clean with AG glass with a frosted glass finish and anti-fingerprint coating prevents it from picking fingerprint and smudges. The camera module is well set at the back. Unlike high end premium devices, the smartphone is not bulky neither is the camera module bulging out. This really helps keeping the device cover free even though you get one in the box.

As for its display, the phone sports a 6.56-inch fullHD+ resolution AMOLED screen of 120Hz refresh rate. It is a two-side curved screen with fine contrast, ample brightness, and smooth touch response. The display and the rear panel are protected by Gorilla Glass 6.

Weighing 177g, the phone is lightweight and easy for single-handed use. The device is available in two colors- Midnight Black and Shimmer Blue.

CAMERA

The Vivo X60 Pro is a photographers delight device. It has number of filters and features to make the experience even better. You get the stablisation which makes the process way more fun.

The triple-camera system includes a 48-megapixel (Sony IMX598) primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 13MP portrait sensor. At the front, there is a 32MP sensor for selfies and videos. The camera system is co-engineered with the German optics maker Zeiss.

You experience with the device’s camera for a day-to-day usage is commendable. You get desired results from the primary lens with such great detailing. What makes the experience even more fun is the Gimbal Stabilisation 2.0. This new stabilisation technology detects horizontal and vertical shakes, providing blur and shake free imaging experience without the need of any addition support – like that of gimbal. You can record 4K 30fps, 4K 30fps videos with standard stabilisation; the camera allows ultra-stabilisation only for 1080p videos.

Portrait photography on the device is worth an instant Instagram post. You have multiple filters making the edit way easier and more social media friendly.

The low light photography experience is good too. You again have multiple features to make the picture a perfect memory.

The selfie lens does the work which is needed but the problem that have always had continues it softens the tone and makes the image look too filtered and unreal. This does work well for a lot of people.

PERFROMACE

The Vivo X60 Pro powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 system-on-chip, paired with 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage, the smartphone is no less than a beast while handling multi-tasking. For all gamers you get the Ultra Game Mode which helps you have your single concertation only on the game with no class and updates.

For heavy games this device is of no issue at all. You can easily enjoy your high graphic games without any lag and trouble.

The Vivo X60 Pro ships with Android 11-based FunTouch OS 11.

BATTERY

The Vivo X60 Pro is powered by a 4,200mAh battery, supported by 33W fast charging. Full charge takes an hour and last over a day. With normal day usage if you are using the camera a lot more than the battery life might differ for you.

VERDICT

The Vivo X60 Pro has mostly everything going right for it. Priced at Rs 49,990 (12+256GB) the device has a lot going for it. It has more to it than just a good camera set up. It is a fully rounded device with great design elements and up to date features. Someone who is spending around 50,000 on a device now also has a multiple-choice option where X60 Pro fits in for a true camera lover who does want other premium features.

OnePlus when entered the Tech space it made a unique space for itself. They distinguished themselves by giving a premium product at an affordable price. Now for sure you can debate about its smartphones not being as competitively priced as they use to be. Now it is time for another offering and that is a smartwatch. I was expecting them to enter space much earlier but then better late than never. Is the OnePlus watch as unique as their smartphones use to be or is it just another addition in the array of products? Let’s find out.

DESIGN & DISPLAY

The very first look of the watch is beautiful. I got the Silver variant with a steel grey strap and the watch looks dainty the very first instance doesn’t give a regular smartwatch feel. The all black would be a more unisex option.

While the watch id big it is not uncomfortable to wear. The only downside is the strap. It is way too big and stiff and is not uniformly designed. Being a 22mm strap the good part is it can be easily replaced.

Comes with a 46mm watch face with a 1.4-inch screen, making it one of the biggest smartwatches around. The display is surrounded by a curved black bezel and offers a comfortable smooth touch.

The display is nice and bright. It responds well and quick. The display being large helps you read well on it. It is crisp.

Along with the touch screen, there are two physical pushers on the right side. By default, the top one is to open the app while the one on the bottom starts workouts. Its function can be customized from the settings.

The touch response is great, and the OnePlus Watch has been further optimized to run at over 50Hz on most occasions being better than the rest in class.

HEALTH & FITNESS

The 2 main reasons for someone to get a smartwatch is ease and fitness. Health & fitness being the most common reason for people in indulging into smartwatches. OnePlus watch is bang on in this section. It is a complete fitness watch.

It might not appeal to the real hard-core trainer but would appeal to the mass at large.

Currently, the watch has some 14 workout-tracking modes included, with a future OTA update taking that to over 110. For now, it has running, cycling, walking, swimming, badminton, cricket, mountaineering, yoga, and freestyle training.

With in-built GPS, you can leave your phone behind while going on a run to continue tracking the data.

Details of each exercise can be viewed on the watch as well as the companion app. I have personally been wearing a smartwatch for years now and this one has left me pleasantly surprised how well the OnePlus watch monitored and calculated the entire workout and how accurate it was.

The auto-detection features are also effective as soon as it senses you walking longer than a minute it asks if you want to start the workout.

It also has the usual set of sensors to keep an eye on the vitals. Heart-rate tracking and SpO2 readers. You can also track your sleep well through this watch. Once you get up in the morning you will have a detailed information about your sleep cycle which is very useful.

The OnePlus Health app is the hub for all things OnePlus Watch. You’ll be able to add devices, set your fitness goals, track vitals and workouts in real-time and a lot more. It is well-designed and easy to navigate.

The watch is IP68 and 5ATM which means it can be used in all conditions.

SMART FEATURES

OnePlus Watch works on Real-time operating system (RTOS) with customizations enabled with help from Google.

It is one of the only watches of its kind to be able to initiate, accept, reject and conduct entire calls where most others only allow for rejecting or silencing an incoming call. You can add up to 30 contacts on the watch from the app and use contact directly. The microphone and speaker are good and do the job well.

Music is also under your control through your watch and so is messaging. But the response via the message is limited. We would have preferred more reply to options.

With the recent update you do get an addition on watch faces.

BATTERY

The biggest highlight for this watch is the battery. For me a single charge went as far as one week. This was for sure before the update. Now that they have the always on option the testing shows a drop of 50%. Which honesty is still very good as it gives you around 3- 4 days on a single charge.

VERDICT

OnePlus watch is meant for those who are looking for a smartwatch with a good battery life good fit and finish with a bright display and screen. It is for sure meant for someone who appreciates its calling features. Someone who enjoys a lot of watch faces and is looking for a multi tracking fitness watch then this wouldn’t be your pick. Priced at Rs 14,999 OnePlus watch is surely a good smartwatch option.

Locked down in your house? Well do not forget that your car also is locked down during this time and therefore it requires some special care so that it is ready to run perfectly when the time comes. Not taking good care of your vehicle when it is immobile could result in a visit to the nearest service centre and you could end up paying huge service bills. As the second wave of COVID-19 injects fresh uncertainties, Tata Motors has rolled out an awareness campaign on easy car care steps during lockdown. The idea is to keep customers safe and well-informed amidst the pandemic. Below are some easy-to-follow, car care guidelines, which should have vehicles covered till the end of this lockdown.

PARKING

The car should ideally be parked in a safe spot in the house or your building premises. A covered parking spot always works better for a vehicle when it comes to wear and tear. Moreover, it is also important to preserve the functionality of the car’s internal components. The car should also be shielded from changing weather by using a cover.This will protect the vehicle from getting affected by external factors and will also avoid the layering of dust on the exterior of the vehicle. It will also ensure in protecting the paint job and chrome elements on the car.The wiper arms should also be in an uplifted position.

TYRE CARE

The tyres are very critical to ensure smooth functioning of your car. The idea should always be to avoid flat spots on them and maintain the right pressure. As far as possible one should move the car forwards and backwards to keep it from remaining immobile for too long and avoiding flat spots on tyres.Periodic checks of tyre pressure are imperative to prevent cracking of the rubber and the side spots. Many portable electric air pumps can help you maintain the right tyre pressure using the 12V charging socket in your car. Another integral check that needs to be done is that of the air valves which will ensure that once the car needs to go out the tyres are in perfect condition.

IGNITION

During the lockdown when the car is not being driven it is still extremely essential to leave its ignition on periodically. You can do this once every week for around 20 mins. This will help in keeping the battery of the car always charged and it will not exhaust itself. In electric cars like the Nexon EV, this can be done by starting AC remotely as well. You can also remove the negative terminal of Aux Battery andkeep the state of charge (SOC) between 40% to 60%.To restart the electric vehicle after long storage, refit the negative terminaland charge the vehicle up to 100% SOC on slow charger before using the vehicle on road. In many modern-daycars, you also start the engine remotely by using the connectivity applications. In case of any emergency assistance or if the car is not starting due to prolonged parking/battery discharge, you always can contact 24X7 assistance team of your respective brands.

HANDBRAKE AND FUEL TANK

Keep the handbrake dis-engaged is also a wise thing to do when the car is parked for a long time. Instead of applying the handbrake keep the car parked in reverse gear if parked on a downhill slope, or on neutral on a flat surface and in first gear if it is on an uphill slope.It is important to provide wheel support through the medium of chocks/ bricks available at home. This is an absolute must in case of a vehicle that has an Automatic transmission. When it comes to protecting the fuel tank, the aim is to reduce the effect of changing weather on the vehicle. For this the fuel tank of the car should be kept full to avoid moisture from settling in.

CABIN CLEANING

Regular sanitization and periodic checks of the interior and car parts such as the steering wheel is important to maintain regular hygiene and ensure that the components are functioning well.Interiors can be kept clean by vacuuming the carpets and mats as well as wiping car parts such as door handles with regular cleaning solution or disinfectant. It is recommended that one maintains the cleaning solution -mixture of car shampoo/soap and water in 30:70 ratio. While using a shampoo solution, apply it on the specified surface using microfiber cloth. Avoid spraying the solution directly. This becomes critical on components such as the infotainment system.

The writer is Senior Editor at carandbike.com

WASHINGTON: Microsoft has been trying to build a lighter version of Windows for more than 10 years without success. The latest effort, Windows 10X, has reportedly now been shelved, in favour of improving Windows 10 instead.

According to Mashable, Windows 10X will no longer ship this year, and the OS will likely never arrive in its current form. Microsoft had originally been planning to deliver Windows 10X, a more lightweight and simplified version of Windows, alongside new dual-screen devices like the Surface Neo. This was before the pandemic hit, and Microsoft decided to prioritize Windows 10X for single-screen laptops instead.

The switch was designed to position Windows 10X as more of a Chrome OS competitor. Windows 10X included a simplified interface, an updated Start menu without Live Tiles, multitasking improvements, and a special app container for performance and security.

Microsoft’s overall goal with 10X was to create a stripped-back, streamlined, and modern cloud-powered version of Windows.

Microsoft has always seen Chromebooks as a big threat in businesses and schools, but over the past year there has been a big increase in demand for regular Windows laptops. Despite a global chip shortage, the PC market hasn’t slowed down during the pandemic.

The company has directly benefited with increased Windows revenue. Windows OEM revenue grew by 10 percent in the recent quarter, reflecting strong consumer PC demand. Windows non-pro OEM revenue also grew by 44 percent.

There are currently 1.3 billion active Windows 10 devices, according to Microsoft. That’s a huge number of existing devices, and it appears Microsoft is now focused on improving the core of Windows instead of delivering a new variant.

Microsoft has been gradually working on improving the user interface of Windows 10, with new system icons, File Explorer improvements, and even the end of Windows 95-era icons.

All of these visual changes are part of a broader effort codenamed Sun Valley. Microsoft has not yet officially detailed this work, but a job listing earlier this year teased a “sweeping visual rejuvenation of Windows.” There are expectations about a lot of visual changes to arrive in the Windows 10 21H2 update that should appear in October.

Elsewhere, Microsoft is also focusing on improving Windows for those who rely on it daily. The software maker is finally fixing the rearranging apps issue on multiple monitors, adding the Xbox Auto HDR feature and even improving Bluetooth audio support.

It’s clear Microsoft is getting back to the basics, after more than a decade of trying to simplify Windows. Windows RT first debuted in 2012, and then Windows 10 S arrived in 2017. Both failed to simplify Windows, but as per Mashable, Windows 10X had some interesting changes that will undoubtedly make their way to Windows 10.

NEW DELHI: The pick-up truck from Isuzu the D-Max V-Cross has created a unique space for itself ever since it was launched in India a few years ago. It really appealed to the adventure lovers as it promised a combination of rugged and durable off-roading capability and passenger vehicle like comfort. But the arrival of BS6 emission norms meant the Japanese carmaker had to stop the sales of the SUV in the market. After a rather long wait the V-Cross is back with a new BS6 compliant diesel engine and a more affordable Hi-lander variant. Along with it the company has also launched the BS6 version of its 7-seater SUV the mu-X in the market.

D-MAX V-CROSS

The higher Z Prestige and Z variants of the V-Cross come equipped with Bi-LED auto-levelling projector headlights, shark-fin antenna with gun-metal finish, 18-inch alloy wheels and a sidestep to add a sportier look and user convenience. The Hi-Lander has a high ride suspension that offers higher ground clearance, wider track with longer wheelbase. Here the headlamps are not as flashy, outside rear-view mirrors are grey in colour and 16-inch steel wheels come with wheel covers.

Inside the cabin the V-Cross variants come with steering mounted audio controls and a 7” touch screen audio system with USB input, DVD, AUX, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity. The Z Prestige variant has premium finish dashboard featuring piano black highlights with soft-touch panels and comes with a dual tone brown and grey leather seating. It also gets electrically adjustable driver’s seat, 8-speaker audio system with roof-mounted speakers and cruise control. The Hi-Lander and V-Cross variants come with a 3D Instrument Cluster with chrome rings, AC vents on the 2nd row which also gets a USB Charging Port and a black and grey cabin layout. While the Hi-lander gets manual AC and parking sensors the top variant comes with climate control and reverse parking camera.

The pick-up now comes with 1.9 litre diesel engine that produces 163 PS and a peak torque of 360 Nm @ 2000-2500 rpm. Isuzu claims that the technologically advanced engine enables better and complete combustion at all engine speeds and the NVH levels are lower too. You can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-Speed Automatic depending upon the variant you buy. The 4WD variants get a terrain command feature Shift-On-Fly drive mode, high ride suspension that offers high ground clearance and wider track with longer wheelbase.

The SUV comes with iGRIP platform (Isuzu Gravity Response Intelligent Platform) for better durability and stability. The BOS (Brake Override System) cuts power to the engine in case of panic braking (when the brake and accelerator pedals are being depressed at the same time). The Z Prestige variant has electronic stability control with traction control System and hill descent control. A 4-Channel, 4-Sensor anti-lock Braking System with electronic brake force distribution which avoids wheel locking is also on offer. Prices range from Rs. 16.98 lakh (ex-showroom) for the 2WD manual transmission Hi-Lander to Rs. 24.49 lakh for V-cross Z Prestige 4WD automatic.

ISUZU MU-X

The MU-X full size 7-seater SUV has not had it very easy in the market because it had to take on the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. The BS6 version of the car according to the company comes with soft leather seats, adjustable headrests for all seats and a comfortable third row. The one touch split/fold seats in both, the second and third row is a practical feature to have. It also features a twin cockpit design with controls that are accessible for both, the driver and the front passenger. Other features in the cabin include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, park assist with rear-view camera, automatic climate control, traction control and cruise control.

The 1.9L diesel finds a place here as well which means that the SUV is a little less powerful than earlier. The mu-X is available in both 4×2 (Rs. 33.23 lakh) and 4×4 (Rs. 35.19 lakh) variants but only with a 6-speed Automatic Transmission and there is no manual on offer. The 4×4 variant sports a ‘shift-on-the-fly’ 4×4 select dial for better off-roading capability. Isuzu says the Penta-Link rear suspension provides a comfortable experience for all passengers.

The writer is Senior Editor at carandbike.com.

American technology conglomerate Facebook has partnered with the Indian government to roll out a vaccine finder tool on its mobile app in India, which will help people identify places nearby to get vaccinated.

According to Mashable, earlier this week, Facebook announced a USD 10 million grant for emergency response efforts for the COVID-19 situation in the country. The vaccine tracker tool will allow users to find the nearest vaccine centre locations and their hours of operation as shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The tracker tool will also aggregate and display walk-in options (for 45 years and above) along with a link to register on the Cowin portal and schedule vaccination appointments.

Facebook said in a post on its platform, “Partnering with the Government of India, Facebook will begin rolling out its Vaccine Finder tool on the Facebook mobile app in India available in 17 languages to help people identify places nearby to get the vaccine.”

The company said that it is also will be joining hands with NGOs and agencies — namely, United Way, Swasth, Hemkunt Foundation, I Am Gurgaon, Project Mumbai and US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) — to deploy the funds announced to help build up a stock of critical medical supplies with over 5,000 oxygen concentrators and other life-saving equipment like ventilators, BiPAP machines.

As per Mashable, Facebook also said that the COVID-19 Information Center and in Feed will also have information on how to seek emergency care and how to manage mild COVID-19 symptoms at home, and this will be provided by UNICEF India.