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vivo X Flip undergoes Google Play certification confirming its name
2:58 am | March 28, 2023

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

vivo's upcoming first entry into the flip-style foldable space has been in the news a lot lately, and today, thanks to it receiving its Google Play certification, the name has been confirmed. Surprising absolutely no one, the phone will be called vivo X Flip. It makes perfect sense in vivo's naming logic, since X Fold is its other line of foldables, and the X Flip will compete with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip4 and Oppo's Find N2 Flip. Looks like if you want to escape the word "flip" in the name of such devices, you'll have to go with Motorola, as everyone else is being rather...

Realme GT Neo5 SE display details teased ahead of April 3 unveiling
11:09 pm | March 27, 2023

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Realme will unveil the GT Neo5 SE at an event on April 3, that much was officially known since last week. Today, ahead of next week's announcement, we get some details about the phone's display, courtesy of a teaser posted by the company itself on Weibo . The Realme GT Neo5 SE's screen will have 144 Hz refresh rate, and it supports high-frequency 2160Hz PWM dimming (in lieu of support for DC dimming, this is the next best thing for those who are sensitive to lower-frequency PWM). Realme GT Neo5 SE teaser As you can tell from the teaser above, the display is flat and it features a...

Realme GT Neo5 SE display details teased ahead of April 3 unveiling
11:09 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Realme will unveil the GT Neo5 SE at an event on April 3, that much was officially known since last week. Today, ahead of next week's announcement, we get some details about the phone's display, courtesy of a teaser posted by the company itself on Weibo . The Realme GT Neo5 SE's screen will have 144 Hz refresh rate, and it supports high-frequency 2160Hz PWM dimming (in lieu of support for DC dimming, this is the next best thing for those who are sensitive to lower-frequency PWM). Realme GT Neo5 SE teaser As you can tell from the teaser above, the display is flat and it features a...

T3 AirLuxe hair dryer review: with volume boost settings for stylish blowouts
9:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

One-minute review

If you're looking for one of the best hair dryers for 2023, the T3 AireLuxe is worth considering. With its long and narrow head, thin handle and sleek white finish, the this hair dryer stands out for design from rival models. The signature rose gold trim you'll find on other, smaller T3 hairdryers – including the T3 Fit – is welcome, with the T3 AireLuxe unapologetically bold in its size and professional-style features. 

The T3 AireLuxe comes with a powerful ion generator that infuses hair with 10mm negative ions per second to reduce frizz and boost shine. Its custom-engineered T3 RapidAire IQ technology fan propels a 128% wider airflow compared to other leading hair dryer brands. I found that this created a steady flow of air that gently dried my long, wavy hair, leaving a soft and shiny finish. Having used the hair dryer over the course of a month, I was suitably impressed with the speed with which it dried my hair and smooth finish I was able to achieve using it. 

There are two concentrator nozzles included in the box that attach to the main body of the hair dryer – one to rough dry and a smaller one to style in detail. If you want to diffuse your hair you'll have to buy the T3 SoftTouch 3 Diffuser, which is sold separately. The T3 Smoothing Comb, designed for use on curly and coily hair types, is also sold separately. 

I was also impressed with the versatility offered by the hair dryer's controls, which in my opinion makes it a great option for straight, wavy and curly hair types alike. It features five heat and three speed settings that are conveniently positioned on the handle. In addition, a cool shot to hold styles in place and a volume boost switch proves helpful when you’re trying to achieve a more fixed style too. Completing the impressive spec is the satisfyingly long 2.7m cord, which meant I could move around freely when using the hair dryer. 

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer comes with a 9ft cord and two concentrator nozzles included for drying hair and styling. The diffuser can be bought separately.  (Image credit: Future | Photo by Emily Peck )

T3 AirLuxe hair dryer review: price and availability

  • List price: $199.99 / £170

The T3 AirLuxe is the brand's most premium professional-style hair dryer and a bestseller in its range. At the time of writing, it's currently being sold in the  US and UK both direct from the T3 website and on Amazon. 

Within the T3 range, yo'll also find the popular T3 Afar, priced at $179.99 / £150, which comes with a foldable handle that's ideal for travel. There's also the T3 Fit priced $149.99 / £130, which is 20% lighter and 30% smaller than a full-size hair dryer. 

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer review: specs

  • Price: RRP $199.99 / £170
  • Heat settings:
  • Speed settings: 3
  • Cord length: 9ft
  • Accessories: Drying and styling concentrators included

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer on a table

The diffuser attaches smoothly to the hair dryer to gentle dry hair (Image credit: Future | Photo by Emily Peck )

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer review: design

  • Smooth finish and stylish trim 
  • Balanced, lightweight and easy to hold
  • Well-positioned control offering

Design-wise, I found the T3 AireLuxe a joy to use. Its sleek white finish with rose gold trim feels premium and stylish, while the two additional nozzles included in the box  easily attach in place. Likewise, the smoothing comb and diffuser, both of which are sold separately, can also be affixed with ease.   

Those looking for portability should note that the AireLuxes design doesn't make it suitable for travel. Instead, this is a hair dryer for day-to-day use at home. In that vein this is a model that looks great on the dressing table, rather than being hidden away in the drawer.

The T3 AireLuxe handle and head are particularly well balanced, making it super-comfortable in use. In fact, this even weight distribution limited any arm ache I may have felt while blowing drying and styling my hair. The 9ft cord length allows plenty of flexibility whilst styling, while the long handle offers plenty of space around which to wind up the cord after use. 

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer controls

The T3 AireLuxe comes with multiple heat and speed settings and a volume boost button (Image credit: Future | Photo by Emily Peck )

What I particularly welcome about the T3 AireLuxe's design is the successfully integration of the control features on its handle. I could happily hold the hair dryer while styling without accidentally pressing either the heat or speed buttons. 

In fact, the controls are very comprehensively realized. Not only do you get up to five heat settings that are neatly raised with one push of a button, but there's a well-positioned speed button and equally useful volume boost button above it. When I wanted a cool blast of air, I could simply press the cool shot button on the other side of the main control panel. 

All in all, the AireLuxe's design is hard to fault, although do note that it doesn't come with a hanging loop of the type included on the GHD Helios, for example. Neither does it arrive with its own limited-edition presentation box such as the Dyson Supersonic.

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer review: performance

  • Easy to adjust heat and speed settings
  • Well equipped with volume boost control
  • RapidAire IQ technology for fast and gentle drying

At the heart of the T3 AireLuxe is the inclusion of RapidAire IQ technology, which digitally controls the heat through the use of a smart micro chip. This helps to create a gentle airstream that claims to be 128% wider than comparative models, allowing you to dry large sections of hair quickly and without damage. I enjoyed using this hair dryer on my thick, long hair, which usually feels like quite a mission to dry. I found that after a wash and quick towel dry, the AireLuxe was able to dry hair to a satisfying level in no time at all. 

The hairdryer has an ion generator that infuses air with 10 million negative ions per second, which is designed to reduce frizz and smooth the hair cuticle. With the help of a styling brush, I was able to achieve a very smooth blowout that didn’t leave my hair feeling fluffy as some hairdryers do.

There are five heat settings and three speeds to choose from, but I found that even on the hottest setting the level of heat was never uncomfortably hot, as it can be with some hair dryers. The airflow could easily be adjusted and following a few uses I was able to determine the ideal settings for my hair: heat setting four and speed three. 

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer in a box

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer comes in a white box. The diffuser is sold separately (Image credit: Future | Photo by Emily Peck)

My hair is quite thick, so generally tends to be quite voluminous. However, use of the wrong shampoo can sometimes leave it feeling a little limp and lifeless. On the days that I felt like my hair needed a little extra boost, I used the AireLuxe's volume boost button, which turns off the negative ions to deliver more volume. It's this function that really sees the T3 AirLuxe stand out from the crowd. I noticed that my hair felt bouncier with use, leaving it with a texture that was far easier to style into up-dos. My hair is naturally wavy, too, so on days that I wanted to accentuate curls, the diffuser delivered gentle and and effective airflow.

The breadth of heat and speed settings offered by this hairdryer also make it family friendly. I was able to dry both my young children’s long hair using the high heat and speed setting. Plus, in terms of noise, the AireLuxe measured in at 84.6dB using the Decibel Meter app, on the highest settings – which is reasonable for a hair dryer offering up to five speed settings. 

T3 AireLuxe hair dryer

The T3 AireLuxe comes with two concentrators designed for styling and drying (Image credit: Future | Photo by Emily Peck )

Meet our testers

The T3 AireLuxe has been tried out on a couple of hair types.

Should you buy the T3 AireLuxe hair dryer?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

T3 AireLuxe review: also consider

For the best blowouts, also consider these stylish hair dryers...

How I tested the T3 AireLuxe hair dryer

  • I've been using this hair dryer after every wash for a month 
  • I used it with the drying concentrator, styling concentrator and diffuser
  • I measured its noise level with the Decibel Meter app

Having tested a number of the latest hair dryers over the years, including the Dyson Supersonic, the T3 Fit and the Shark Style iQ, I can appreciate the qualities that make  for a good hair dryer. A design that's easy to control, light in hand and delivers satisfyingly smooth results is worth its weight in gold. 

To trial the T3 AireLuxe I used it each time I washed my long, wavy hair over the course of the month and rated it on design, performance and price. I used the Decibel Meter app to measure how loud it got in use, and used it to both blowout and diffuse my hair. Overall, I was impressed by the results and would recommend the T3 AirLuxe as a good option. 

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: March 2023
Vivo X Fold2 surfaces on AnTuTu wielding a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
7:12 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

vivo's upcoming X Fold2 has surfaced on AnTuTu, showing off its key performance specs. The book-style foldable goes by the model number PD2266 and will use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. It's equipped with 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage and has a 120Hz-capable display. The phone scored a combined 1,318,092, with a CPU score of 288,246, GPU score of 579,982, a memory score of 256,004, and a UX score of 193,860. Vivo X Fold2 on AnTuTu Rumor has it the vivo X Fold2 will pack a 4,800mAh battery with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, a 50MP IMX866 primary...

Sony Inzone H3 headset review – Strong sound, flawed design
6:45 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

If you’re after an affordable, workhorse gaming headset then the Sony Inzone H3 is well worth considering. But you will have to do a bit of work to witness the headset at its best. That’s because the Inzone H3’s default sound profile is flat straight out of the box; its lows, mids and highs blending together for an unsatisfying output.

However, when paired with the brilliant Inzone Hub app or the PS5’s 3D audio, the Inzone H3 starts to come alive. The headset boasts fantastic spatial audio for its relatively low price. And the app’s EQ settings, like bass boost and music/video focus, add some much-needed punch for general music listening or immersion and awareness while gaming. Combine that with a crystal clear mic and the Sony Inzone H3 becomes a sound choice for online multiplayer with friends.

It’s a shame that Sony hasn’t sent its best in regards to overall build quality. The headset’s plastic shell feels cheaply made, and the cups dangle in sway in a rather flimsy fashion when not worn. On the flipside, the Inzone H3 does offer a high level of comfort thanks to its headband cushion and soft padding around the cups. Overall, then, the Inzone H3 is a flawed headset that nonetheless continues Sony’s penchant for seriously good sound quality under the right conditions.

Sony Inzone H3: price and availability

The Sony Inzone H3 wired headset can be bought right now for $99 / £89 (around AU$149) either directly from Sony’s website or at most big box retailers. However, the headset is getting close to being a year on the market, initially launching in June 2022. As a result, you may be able to find the Inzone H3 at decent discounts during big sales periods. 

Sony Inzone H3: Design

Sony Inzone H3

(Image credit: Future)
  • Comfy fit
  • Decently long cable
  • Slightly cheap look and feel

You’d be forgiven for feeling a bit let down by the Sony Inzone H3 out of the box. The headset’s off-white plastic feels cheap, and the cups have a habit of swaying flimsily when not being worn. It creates the feel of a headset that requires a delicate touch to avoid wear, tear and breakages.

Thankfully, wearing the headset is a much better experience than its appearance lets on. The Inzone H3 is very comfortable to wear, owing to its cushioned headband and smooth nylon lined cups. The lightweight design also means you’ll barely feel its presence during immersive gaming sessions.

The package keeps things relatively simple. The wired headset can be connected to various devices via 3.5mm headphone jack or, preferably, can be connected to the included audio box for connection via USB. This has the added benefit of extending the cable, too.

The headset’s microphone is a mixed bag, in terms of design. Its build quality is solid, and flips up and down with ease. The mic is automatically muted when in the upright position; a nice touch that saves you from fiddling with settings on your device. Unfortunately, the mic isn’t detachable, making it tough to recommend for outdoor use if you just want to listen to music.

I would’ve liked to see some on-headset functionality with the Inzone H3, but you’re only getting a single volume slider here. Buttons for quick access to EQ selection and spatial audio toggle would’ve been great additions to the headset.

Sony Inzone H3: Performance

Sony Inzone H3

(Image credit: Future)
  • Fantastic spatial audio
  • Punchy EQs
  • Default sound profile falls flat

The Sony Inzone H3 can be used on a wide variety of devices, including PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. However, you’ll likely want to stick to PC and PS5 here, as the headset’s default sound profile is extremely flat. Lows, mids and highs all blend together rather unsatisfyingly without its more bespoke features enabled.

Thankfully, the Inzone Hub app on PC really allows the headset to shine thanks to spatial audio and EQ sliders that come with a variety of presets. Over on PS5, the Inzone H3 is aided greatly by the console’s proprietary 3D audio setting, lending spatial audio to the headset without needing the app.

Of particular note are the Music/Video and Bass Boost EQ presets. The former provides an overall richer sound. It’s excellent for listening to multi-layered, high production soundtracks. I took this EQ for a spin listening to some of my favorite records, including Bjork’s Debut and Silversun Pickups’ Carnavas – two albums featuring layered and unique soundscapes. The H3 was simply wonderful here, able to bring out the subtleties in each albums’ high quality track list.

The Bass Boost equalizer preset is superb at emphasizing lows, adding some much-needed punch to the Inzone H3’s output. Sonic Frontiersthumping drum and bass tracks really shine here, making blasting through those Cyber Space stages all the more enjoyable.

I’m pleased to report that the Inzone H3’s spatial audio settings work brilliantly, especially for gaming purposes. For atmospheric single player titles like Elden Ring and Returnal, the added layer of immersion the Inzone H3’s spatial audio is able to create is palpable.

Taking the action online, spatial audio does a great job in heightening the awareness of the player, isolating footfalls and bullet trajectory with pinpoint accuracy in games like PUBG: Battlegrounds. The Inzone H3’s mic shines in this environment, too, outputting your voice with a high level of clarity. 

Should I buy the Sony Inzone H3?

Sony Inzone H3

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You’re after a workhorse gaming headset
The Sony Inzone H3’s comfort and excellent mic make it a top choice if you’re looking for a gaming headset for long term use.

You want strong and robust sound settings
If you’re on PC or PS5, you’ll benefit greatly from the Inzone H3’s superb spatial audio and immersive equalizer presets.

You have a mid-range budget
The headset is a solid choice if you’re buying at a mid-range price point.

Don't buy it if...

You want a wireless headset
You’ll want to look elsewhere if you’d prefer a wireless connection, as the Inzone H3 is strictly wired.

You’re after better build quality
The Inzone H3 does lack slightly in the build quality department, with cheap feeling plastic somewhat dampening the experience.

Oppo reportedly pulls out of key European markets
6:37 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

In a rather sudden turn of events, Oppo is allegedly exiting several key European markets including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and France. The news broke out on Chinese portal 36 Krypton which shared the details on Oppo’s imminent departure from the UK and Germany, followed by tweets from industry insiders SnoopyTech and Max Jambor who also claimed that OnePlus would also join its parent company out of the aforementioned markets. OnePlus has since issued an official statement where it denies reports of it exiting the European markets. Oppo has not made any official comments...

Motorola Moto Edge 40 and 40 Pro detailed specs arrive
4:45 pm |

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We now have detailed specs of the upcoming Motorola Moto Edge 40 Pro and Edge 40, courtesy of an extensive leak. The Motorola Edge 40 Pro will indeed be a Moto X40 for the global market. That means that a 6.7-inch 1080x2400px OLED with 165Hz maximum refresh rate and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Storage is 256GB of the faster UFS 4.0 type. The Edge 40 Pro has a 4,600mAh battery with 125W TurboPower wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The phone brings a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.5-inch sensor and a 50MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera with macro capabilities. There's...

TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug review: an affordable way in to the Matter ecosystem
4:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

One-minute review

The TP-Link Tapo P125M is tiny, cheap and not especially eye-catching. However, those features pale into insignificance when you consider that it will help turn that dumb device of yours into a smart one.

Whether it's a light that you want to turn on using Alexa or Siri, or an electric kettle you want to set to come on at the point your eyes open of a morning, it can add a level of functionality to those devices, and more, so you don't have to discard them for a smart version. Instead, you can spend from $19.99 / £16.77 / AU$30.40 on the TP-Link Tapo P125M from Amazon. Considering that the Philips Hue Smart Plug doesn't seem to be Matter-certified and sells for $34.99 / £29.99 / AU$69.95, the Tapo P125M offers a pretty good deal, whether you're comparing it to other smart plugs or against the possibility of buying a whole new smart device.

Investing in this smart plug is also more environmentally friendly than tossing out a perfectly good, if somewhat obsolete, device. Although, if you really do want to upgrade (and likely benefit from more nuanced smart functionality), then consider investing in one of the best smart gadgets or best smart lights.

Of course, as Matter-certified devices are just starting to appear in the wild, this smart plug is currently only available in the US. However, in time it will be available worldwide.

The TP-Link Tapo P125M sports an interesting shape. While its depth of 1.5 inches (3.8cm) is expected – after all, there's plenty happening behind the scenes – it's fairly wide at 2.4 inches (6cm). Its width makes its use on surge protectors and power strips a bit unwieldy, since it will cover outlets on either side. Therefore, it's far better to use the Tapo P125M plugged directly in the wall.

Tapo P125M smart plug with LED button on left side

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Beyond its shape, the Tapo P125M's only real distinguishing physical characteristics are an LED button on the left side that lights up when on, and a QR code on the right that you can use for easy setup. This is standard on all Matter-certified devices.

Tapo P125M smart plug: specs

  • Price: $19.99 / about £16.77 / about AU$30.40
  • Wattage: N/A
  • Color: White
  • Color temperature: N/A
  • Lumen output: N/A
  • Lifetime: N/A
  • Matter compatible? Y
  • Works with: HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings

Tapo P125M smart plug review: performance

  • Incredibly simple setup and pairing
  • Very responsive, no matter how you interact with it
  • Using the app delivers flexibility beyond on/off functionality

Getting the TP-Link Tapo P125M set up is incredibly easy. Part of that is due to the standards set out by Matter. All Matter devices come with a QR code that you can scan to get that device working with your smart ecosystem. And, TP-Link not only includes a QR code on the side of the smart plug, but it's also in the box.

TP-Link Tapo P125M smart plug displaying QR code on the side for connecting to Matter

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The Tapo P125M was easily recognized by both HomeKit and Alexa, with minimal steps to set up. Tapo also has its own app where I was able to quickly get the plug paired in a matter of minutes.

Since the Tapo P125M is a smart plug, it seemingly offers limited functionality, with
much of this revolving around turning it on and off. However, it responded immediately whether I was controlling it in the Alexa app, Tapo app, or via voice command through my Echo Dot, which serves as my Alexa hub.

A quick side note here... although Matter-certified devices are made to be used universally, aka with any ecosystem, you will still need a hub to control it. Since I don't have a device to use as my HomeKit hub (iPhones can no longer function as one), I was limited to seeing if the HomeKit app would recognize the plug.

While this universality is a great development for all smart devices, and I appreciate the ability to control the Tapo P125M through whichever ecosystem I want to use, the real magic happens in the Tapo app.

From here, not only can I control whether a device is on or off, but I can create a schedule for when it's on (you can create a routine in the Alexa app as well), put it on a timer, and set it to "Away" mode. The latter is great for use with a light source, allowing you to turn the item on and off randomly to give the impression that someone is home.

Using the Tapo app for scheduling and putting on Away mode

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Tapo P125M smart plug review: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Tapo P125M smart plug review: also consider

If you want to make your home more connected, here are a couple of options to consider...

Tapo P125M smart plug review: How I tested

  • I used the Tapo P125M for about a week
  • I tested its usefulness on a few different devices
  • Not only did I test every feature in the app but also tried it with a voice assistant

I lived with the Tapo P125M for about a week, setting it up with the various apps I had on hand, using it with my Amazon Echo Dot, and testing it with a voice assistant. I used it to power a light and a USB hub. And, while testing it, I went through every function of the Tapo app to see what it does and how well it does it.

The Tapo P125M isn't the first smart device I've used. I've owned and used quite a few different smart speakers, have installed a handful of smart lights, and have dealt with stand-alone smart hubs. Having tested numerous products over the past few years, I have an understanding of what to look for, even when it's a new type of device that I haven't reviewed before.

Read more about how we test

OnePlus 11 Jupiter Rock Edition launching on March 29
2:06 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Last week we got our first set of teasers for the OnePlus 11 Jupiter Rock Edition – the device is based on the OnePlus 11 but will feature an exclusive 3D microcrystalline back finish inspired by the rock materials found on Jupiter. OnePlus China confirmed the device will launch in China on March 29 at 2:30 PM Beijing time. OnePlus 11 Jupiter Rock Edition teasers OnePlus also shared some details about the device on its Weibo profile. The R&D process took one year and OnePlus had to set up a new self-developed production line for the special back material. The new back material...

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