News

iPhone 12 won’t come with a free charger anymore, analyst says

No more free EarPods, too

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In the past, smartphone boxes always came with your standard array of accessories: a charger, a USB cable, a pair of free earphones, stickers. Sometimes, you can even get a free smartphone case inside the box. However, as these accessories improved in quality, smartphone makers stopped bundling them for free inside the box; instead, they can now come with their own price tags as “optional purchases.”

According to a new rumor reported by MacRumors, Apple is thinning their iPhone boxes even further. Renowned Apply analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that the upcoming iPhone 12 series will not include an Apple charger or EarPods anymore.

Apparently, Apple is developing a new 20W charger for the new series, upending their current 18W chargers by the end of the year. As a result, the company will sell the new accessory as an optional purchase.

On the other hand, the EarPods exclusion will likely boost AirPods sales. Even with the current iPhone generation, Apple still bundles wired earphones to go along with the box. However, iPhone users are likelier to prefer the wireless AirPods over the wired EarPods. That said, it should still be nice to have a choice.

Overall, though, Kuo says that removing both accessories will stabilize the iPhone 12’s price, offsetting the additional costs of including 5G support inside the devices. He expects a price tag not unlike the ones attached to the iPhone 11 series.

Regardless, the exclusions are a big move. As far as this series goes, you’ll get the iPhone you paid for and a USB cable inside the box — at least, according to Kuo’s report.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 12 leak! This is nearly everything

News

US sues Razer over fake Zephyr facemask claims

Advertised N95 filters but didn’t have them

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The pandemic turned facemasks into a fashion trend. While most brands fought over who could present the most stylish way to protect yourself from the virus, tech companies rushed to pack the most features into a light wearable. Because the pandemic introduced health risks that the world barely understood, most of these products aren’t the safest around. Now, years after introducing its RGB-infused mask, Razer finds itself in trouble over disproven claims.

In 2021, Razer introduced the Zephyr. It was cyberpunk-looking facemask that supposedly carried N95 filters. Over the years, the company failed to have its claims certified. What’s worse, critics  analyzed the product and found that the filters did not, in fact, keep 95 percent of particles away. (That’s why an N95 mask is named as such.)

Today, the Federal Trade Commission is asking over US$ 1.1 million in refunds to customers who purchased a Zephyr in the past. According to the proposal, Razer misled consumers by claiming the mask had N95 filters. The company also never submitted the product for testing. Though Razer eventually removed the claims, it wasn’t enough.

Additionally, the proposal is seeking US$ 100,000 in damages and a ban on Razer from selling and marketing any further health-inspired products in the future.

SEE ALSO: Razer officially launches its Zephyr facemask

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Drones

DJI Avata 2 drone now available: Pricing, availability

Improved features, battery life

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DJI Avata 2

The DJI Avata 2 is now available in the Philippines. It is priced at PhP 47,900 for the single battery variant and PhP 55,900 for the three battery configuration. Customers may purchase at DJI Experience Stores, as well as online via DJI’s official Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop stores.

Your ticket to breathtaking aerial adventures

Designed for content creators and even production professionals, the DJI Avata 2 provides an adrenaline-pumping FPV drone experience with improvements in imaging, safety, and battery life.

The Avata 2 has a 1/1.3-inch sensor that covers a 155-degree field of view and can film up to 4K @ 60fps. Its imaging produces results that have brilliant clarity and vibrant colors. The drone also has dual RockSteady and HorizonSteady stabilization technologies for smooth footage.

For quick sharing, the Avata 2 also supports Wi-Fi for media transfer and livestreaming. The DJI Fly app also lets users take advantage of more features and help them with device management.

Battery life has also been upgraded for a total flight time of 23 minutes. When needing a recharge, PD fast charging can fuel the battery back up to 80% in just 18 minutes.

Immersive flight

The Avata 2 is equipped with the new DJI Goggles 3 and RC Motion 3, allowing users to experience the “flight” real-time in an immersive way. The Goggles 3 features micro-OLED HD displays and low-latency transmission, allowing users to observe surroundings without removing the wearable.

Creativity, control, safety

The Avata 2 also includes an Easy ACRO mode, which is ideal for beginners. This mode lets users perform maneuvers with ease for them to capture stunning footage. Moreover, the drone has an improved propeller guard and new sensors for advanced positioning.

Users may also utilize the Return to Home function. And with Turtle Mode, the Avata 2 can also flip back itself automatically into its original position should it turn upside down at times.

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Laptops

ASUS announces new Zenbook S 13 OLED

New product alert!

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ASUS Philippines has announced the availability of the new Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304MA) refresh model. This sleek and powerful laptop comes with the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel AI Boost NPU, offering professionals topnotch performance and efficiency.

The new Zenbook S 13 OLED model retails starting at PhP 87,995 and is available at authorized ASUS stores. This particular variant comes in gray and has a configuration of 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of PCie 4.0 SSD storage.

Slim, powerful

The Zenbook S 13 OLED is just a centimeter thin and only a kilogram light, making it an ultraportable powerhouse. The device is powered by an Intel Core ultra 7 155U processor (12 cores, 14 threads). With up to 4.8GHz of processing power, the laptop can handle even the most demanding tasks smoothly and seamlessly. It includes an assortment of ports, including 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm jack, and 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A.

Moreover, the laptop is pre-installed Windows 11 Home and Office Home & Student 2021 lifetime license. Users will also get a dedicated Microsoft Copilot key to help with their productivity. And with a long-lasting 63Wh battery for up to 15 hours of use, it suits users on the go, without having to worry about charging it when outdoors.

Vibrant colors, crisp details

The laptop also boasts of a 13.3-inch 3K (2,880 x 1,800) OLED display. That’s a little higher resolution than previous variants which display up to 2.8K content. This 16:10  panel delivers vibrant colors and crisp details for an enhanced viewing experience for both work and entertainment. It also has ample maximum brightness should you be using it outdoors or where there is lots of natural light.

Safety ensured

Lastly, customers getting this model will benefit from ASUS’ 4A Quality and Service Warranty. This package includes a standard two-year international warranty, preventive maintenance service, and one-time coverage for customer-induced damages.

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