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Xiaomi expands the Mi 11 series with Mi 11 Ultra, Lite

And many other products

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Xiaomi just went all out. In a massive global launch, the company unveiled a whole batch of new devices that we can all look forward to. The devices are (*take a deep breath) the Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11i, Mi 11 Lite 5G, Mi 11 Lite, Mi Smart Band 6, and Mi Smart Projector 2 Pro.

That’s… a lot. Here’s a quick look at each one.

Mi 11 Ultra

The Mi 11 Ultra is the absolute best that the company has to offer right now in terms of smartphones. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset with a 6.81-inch WHQD+ AMOLED Quad-curved display. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, DCI-P3, and is reinforced by Gorillas Glass Victus.

On the front is a 20MP f/2.2 selfie camera. Flip it over and you’ll spot the main camera module that houses the 50MP f/1.85 main camera, 48MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle lens, and a 48MP f/4.1 telephoto lens that can go 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom, and 120x digital zoom.

Unique to this model is the 1.1-inch AMOLED rear display that can function as a notification window, preview screen for selfies, and always-on display.

The device has a 5,000mAh battery with support for 67W Turbo charging, wireless turbo charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging. It’s available in a 12GB +256GB variant. It retails for EUR 1,199.

Mi 11i

If you’re not into curved screens, then this is the one for you. It features a 6.67-inch flat AMOLED DotDisplay but with all the bells and whistles of the Mi 11. They share a similar battery capacity with the Mi 11i packing 4,520mAh with support for 33W fast charging.

They share a similar camera setup — 108MP main, 5MP telemacro, 20MP selfie — with the only difference being the ultra-wide angle lens. The Mi 11 has 13MP while the Mi 11i has 8MP.

It still carries the Snapdragon 888 chip so you don’t have to worry about performance and it will come in 8GB+128GB (EUR 649) and 8GB+256GB (EUR 699) variants.

Mi 11 Lite 5G and Mi 11 Lite

You can think of the Mi 11 Lite as the younger sibling of the group. Both phones have a 4,250mAh battery with 33W fast charging, and a 6.55-inch FHD+ AMOLED DotDisplay with a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10.

They also have the same camera setup: 64MP f/1.79 Wide. 8MP f/2.2 UWA, 5MP f/2.4 Telemacro, and 16MP selfie camera.

The Mi 11 Lite 5G is powered by Snapdragon 780G and comes in the 6GB+128GB and 8GB+128GB variants starting at EUR 369. Meanwhile, the Mi 11 Lite is powered by Snapdragon 732G and comes in the 6GB+64GB and 6GB+128GB variants starting at EUR 299.

Mi Smart Band 6

Xiaomi’s most popular wearable line gets a refresh. It now sports a 1.56″ fullscreen AMOLED display. That’s 50 percent more screen than its predecessor. It has 30 workout types and has auto-detection for six common fitness activities.

Naturally, it also has health tracking functions like SpO2 measurement, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking. It retails for EUR 44.99.

Mi Smart Projector 2 Pro

Probably the odd one in the bunch, the Mi Smart Projector 2 Pro offers a new way to experience entertainment. It offers 1080p HD picture quality, up to 13000 ANSI lumens high brightness, and HDR support.

The Projector also has built-in 10W speakers with DTS-HD and Dolby Audio. It runs on the Android TV system and has functions like Chromecast and Google Assistant. It retails for EUR 999.

Apps

Disney+ launches a TikTok-coded vertical feed called Verts

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TikTok has changed how we consume media. Everything is now vertical. Even the most established streaming services, often a bastion for traditionally horizontal content, is adopting the different format. Now, Disney+ is getting a vertical feed called Verts.

Like its contemporaries, Verts presents a continuous feed of content but tailored to show the plethora of titles from the Disney+ library. This might include the first scenes of shows or notable highlights. The hope, of course, is to direct users to the longform content.

Directly from the Verts feed, users can easily add the respective title to their watchlist or go straight to the title’s page. In turn, the feed is accessible from the homepage since it has its own tab.

According to Disney, early experiments with the feature have driven engagement to available content. Right now, the feed is mostly for clipping enticing content from shows. However, the platform will experiment further with the format for new ways to tell stories.

Though Verts surely stands for “verticals” in this case, “adverts” might fit better as its full government name. Still, it might be a useful tool if you’re figuring out what to watch for the night.

Currently, Verts is available for Disney+ subscribers in the United States. Disney also has plans to expand the feature to ESPN for sports-related content.

SEE ALSO: Live NBA action on Disney Plus now available in the Philippines

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Apps

Google Maps is finally getting a 3D mode

The app will also have a Gemini chatbot baked inside.

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Some of today’s navigation apps are living in the future. Instead of a two-dimensional map, these apps render the user’s surroundings in 3D. It’s a nifty upgrade that helps drivers more accurately visualize directions on the fly. Finally, Google Maps is getting a much-needed upgrade and will take navigation to the third dimension.

In a new update rolling out today, the new Immersive Navigation feature will bring your surroundings to life. The 3D view creates a render of the surrounding buildings, overpasses, and terrain around the car. It takes the guesswork out of navigation by showing precisely where to turn and what landmarks to look out for.

In the same vein, you can now use Street View to preview your destination before you arrive. Google Maps will also highlight your destination’s entrance, side of the street, and nearby parking.

Outside of how the map is visualized, Google Maps is also infusing its service with Gemini. The new Ask Maps feature will let you engage with the app in a conversational manner. For example, if you’re in the middle of a long drive, you can now ask Maps where the best place is to stop over and have a coffee break. Ask Maps will provide directions, a potential itinerary, and even helpful links to book a reservation ahead of time.

Now, availability for both of these features is still a bit limited. Immersive View is rolling out today to compatible devices and vehicles in the United States. Further, availability will expand over the coming months.

Meanwhile, Ask Maps is available now in the United States and India for Android and iOS. A desktop version is coming soon.

SEE ALSO: Google Maps is finally getting a power saving mode

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Entertainment

KPop Demon Hunters is officially getting a sequel

Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans will return to write and direct.

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This feels like a formality at this point. Netflix and Sony have officially confirmed that KPop Demon Hunters is getting a sequel.

If you feel like you’ve read this exact title before, then you’re not alone. Since its massive success last year, the hit animated film constantly spawned talks of a potential franchise. It probably helped that the title quickly became Netflix’s most-watched film of all time. From the last we’ve heard of the rumors, Netflix was reportedly eyeing a 2029 premiere for the sequel.

Now, it’s official. As posted by Netflix itself, KPop Demon Hunters will get a sequel soon. Even better, the follow-up will be written and directed by the same duo, Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans.

Kang, who celebrated the first movie’s ability to tell a Korean story, says that there’s a lot more to explore in the film’s universe. “There’s so much more to this world we have built and I’m excited to show you. This is only the beginning,” she said.

Right now, the plot’s sequel is still unknown, especially since the Saja Boys were defeated in the first film.

Given how big the original movie got, the sequel is no surprise. Besides bagging the top spot on Netflix’s charts, the film also got an eventual release in theaters. KPop Demon Hunters is up for a potential Oscars win after it was nominated for Best Animated Feature. Its hit song, “Golden,” is also nominated for Best Original Song.

SEE ALSO: KPop Demon Hunters is now Netflix’s most-watched movie

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