India

How Alexa wants to be your round-the-clock assistant

The future is inclusive and connected

Published

on

Amazon is popular for its marketplace but the company has ambitious expansion plans that range from enterprise-grade data centers to an on-demand personal assistant. Dubbed Alexa, the voice-enabled assistant is the backbone of their in-house Echo line of speakers.

We had a closer look at how these devices are going to help users in their day-to-day life and the results so far are amusing as well as promising. The company’s goal is to let you focus on what matters and just dictate commands to the assistant. We’ve seen a similar concept on Google Assistant as well as Apple’s Siri. So, how is Alexa different?

All day, all-around assistant

Thanks to a wide range of speakers that come across all sizes and budgets, Amazon is able to push Alexa right into your bedroom. The service is also available via a standalone app on Android, iOS, Fire TV and Kindle HD tablets.

To start off, the mic onboard Echo speaker’s is always listening by default and can be muted if required. The always-on feature lets you dictate command whenever you want and background noise isolation is excellent. You can ask basic questions like “How’s the weather today?” as well as some complicated trivia like “Who’s the President of Hungary?”

With a well-programmed backend that supports multiple third-party platforms like AccuWeather and WikiHow, any question that you have will never go unanswered. Similarly, Amazon has worked with curated developers to offer additional functionality for display enabled speakers like the Echo Show 5. This includes Prime Video, YouTube, as well as cooking guides.

If you have multiple speakers in your house, they can be synced via a single account and even use to broadcast messages from one room to another. You can also pair the speaker with an Alexa-enabled accessory or appliance like a bulb, geyser, or TV and operate it via voice commands. How cool would it be if you could say “Alexa, switch on the AC”, and you’re done!

For kids, special additions include trivia apps, quizzes, audible stories, and more. Amazon wants Alexa to be a learning companion and security measures have been taken to ensure they don’t veer off.

Apps that are meant for kids need to undergo screening before they get published. For privacy, Amazon guarantees the mic doesn’t store any personal data on their servers and a mute button is provided on almost all speakers. With the recently launched Echo Show 5, a camera has been incorporated on the front and it’s accompanied by a physical shutter to turn it off.

Amazon is working on voice profiling technology that can detect who is speaking to Alexa and provide customized content in return. But, this is still in development and we expect it to materialize in the coming years.

Amazon’s regional push

For India, a few dedicated regional applications have been added like Bollywood Quiz, Curated Cooking Guide by Sanjeev Kapoor, and regional music from Amazon’s library. Additionally, third-party connections like Zomato, Uber, and Ola have also been added. Amazon also announced that Alexa will soon be able to communicate in regional languages.

India

The vivo V60 is a rebadged vivo S30 for international markets

The first V-series phone with periscope telephoto lens

Published

on

By

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

vivo is just on time with its biannual refresh of the V-series.

After the V50 launched last February 2025, the Chinese company has just revealed the newest vivo V60 in India six months after.

Rebadged vivo S30

If you’ve been following vivo for quite some time, you won’t be surprised that the China-exclusive vivo S30 will be the next V-smartphone in their global roster.

For the most part, it is a rebadged vivo S30 for the international market.

vivo V60

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Internals are identical: Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 4nm 8-core SoC, Adreno 722 GPU, up to 16GB LPDDR4X memory and 512GB UFS 2.2 storage.

It may be a good or bad thing but the vivo V60 has an 8+128GB base model whereas the S30 starts with a bigger 12+256GB configuration.

Snapdragon 7 Gen 4

Cameras are neither different: 50MP f/1.88 main, 8MP f/2.0 Ultra-Wide Angle (UWA), and 50MP f/2.2 selfie.

However, the vivo V60 now sports an additional 50MP f/2.65 periscope telephoto lens that its predecessor lacks. It’s also the same shooter found on the flagship-grade vivo X200.

vivo V60

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

This newly-added camera is based on Sony’s widely-used IMX882 sensor and supports OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).

It can take 3x optically zoomed photos, and clear 10x shots through Stage Portrait Mode.

vivo V60

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

50x zoomed shots is also possible via vivo’s all-new AI Hyper Zoom.

vivo’s signature ring flash dubbed “Aura Light Portrait 2.0” is here to stay.

vivo V60

A 6500mAh Si/C BlueVolt battery is also here alongside vivo’s speedy 90W FlashCharge standard.

Wireless charging is still absent but reversed wired charging is present for those who need it.

Dual IP68+IP69 water and dust resistance ratings also remain.

Not a total clone

The vivo V60 is not a total clone of the S30 as there are some differences that may or may not matter to most of you.

The vivo V60 has a slightly bigger 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display but only with a Full HD+ resolution and pixel density of 388ppi.

vivo V60

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The Chinese vivo S30 has a smaller 6.67-inch screen of the same tech, but with more resolution at 1.2K and tighter 460ppi.

As expected, the Chinese model runs OriginOS 5 while the latter still runs Funtouch OS 15 that are both based on Android 15 — shutting the rumor that vivo Global will adopt their Chinese OS in the new V-phone.

That also means vivo’s already rich AI prowess are ever-present with improvements in AI Erase and Image Expander as well as highlighting newly-added AI capabilities such as AI Magic Move, AI Photography Suite, and even AI Four-Season Portrait.

vivo V60

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

As expected, the vivo V60 still rocks the ZEISS Camera System that its Chinese counterparts never had since the S18 Pro (Chinese version of the V30 Pro).

Indian vivo V60s are also expected to have an exclusive Wedding vLog and Portrait Studio presets.

vivo V60 India

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Lastly, the vivo V60 has executed premium finishes and colorways: Auspicious Gold, Moonlit Blue, and Mist Gray.

That’s in contrast to S30’s pastel slash two-tone options derived from the S30 Pro mini (or X200 FE).

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Although the gold and blue options have glass backs, the gray one is made from plastic.

That also makes up for its varying thickness: 7.53mm (gray), 7.65mm (gold), 7.75mm (blue).

All in all, the vivo V60 is slightly thicker over the S30 (7.49mm).

Pricing and Availability

Although there’s no “V60 Pro mini” (nor a V60 Pro), the X200 FE already exists as the global version of China’s vivo S30 Pro mini.

And unlike the vivo X200 FE where it was launched first in Malaysia and Taiwan, the vivo V60 headlines the global launch in India.

Here are India’s specific pricing per configuration:

  • 8+128GB = INR 36,999
  • 8+256GB = INR 38,999
  • 12+256GB = INR 40,999
  • 12+512GB = INR 45,999

It will just be a matter of time which markets the vivo V60 will come right after India.

vivo V60 Malaysia

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

It’s good to note though that vivo Malaysia already teases the V60 up on their website with two different colorways opposed to the Indian options: Berry Purple and Summer Blue.

Continue Reading

India

Marshall Minor IV earbuds price, availability in India

Small in size, big on Marshall signature sound

Published

on

Marshall Minor IV

Marshall has unveiled the Minor IV True Wireless earbuds. This entry-level audio wearable sets new standards with Marshall signature sound, supreme comfort, and exceptional battery life. It will retail for INR 11,999 locally. Elsewhere, the product will be available from June 15 on Marshall.com.

Created for music lovers, the Minor IV features a 12mm dynamic driver that delivers expertly balanced sound. Design wise, it stands out with Marshall’s classic look, coming in a black-colored leather-like material. The brand logo is situated in front of the charging case. The water-resistant earbuds themselves feature a reangled design so it can fit better inside the ear canal.

The Minor IV earbuds can play music and other content for up to seven hours on their own. And with a charging case, the total playtime extends to more than 30 hours. When drained of power, the Minor IV will take just about over an hour to recharge. The case, meanwhile, will replenish back to full in two hours using USB-C charging.

Users will find it easy to navigate and manage calls with Marshall’s dedicated app. They may also connect multiple devices simultaneously with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity.

Along with the Major V, the new earbuds will support Bluetooth LE Audio soon. This technology allows the device to deliver higher audio quality, while also increasing the streaming range and improving audio sync.

Continue Reading

India

India imposes a ban on imported laptops, tablets, and PCs

Personal orders are still allowed

Published

on

There’s no doubt that India is a major market for technology. While the country has its own brand preferences outside of the world’s usual, everyone still wants to get a piece of the market. To the dismay of global companies, the country is realizing the potential of its own market. Effective immediately, India has started restricting imports for new laptops, tablets, and PCs.

Recently, India made some headlines in the smartphone industry. A few companies, including Apple, have poured funds into building factories in India. Locally produced devices will allow these companies to attract the Indian market better. With the new regulations out today, it looks like these brands are going to enjoy a head start over others who aren’t in the country yet.

The Indian government introduced a new restriction (via Reuters) against the importation of “laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra-small form factor computers and servers” made from other countries. Customers, however, will get an exemption. Airline passengers can still bring in these devices in their luggage. Additionally, a single imported device is allowable when bought through e-commerce platforms. Companies can import their products only by applying for a special license.

In a nutshell, bulk orders without a license are out. The government is instead encouraging users to buy locally produced products as part of its “Make in India” program. At the very least, it’s not a total ban on foreign brands. For example, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are exempt from the regulations since they already have production facilities built in the country.

SEE ALSO: Samsung overtakes Xiaomi as top phone brand in India

Continue Reading

Trending