Motorola Edge 50 with Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Chipset Unveiled in India

Photo: Flipkart

Motorola has officially launched its latest mid-range smartphone, the Motorola Edge 50, in the Indian market. The device boasts several notable features, including the advanced Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, a stunning 6.67-inch pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a versatile triple rear camera system anchored by a 50MP sensor, and support for rapid 67W fast charging. The Motorola Edge 50 is poised to enter a competitive market segment, contending with devices such as the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, OnePlus Nord 4, and Realme 13 Pro. Customers in India will be able to purchase the Motorola Edge 50 through the Flipkart e-commerce platform.

Motorola Edge 50: Pricing and Availability in India

The Motorola Edge 50 is introduced in a single storage configuration consisting of 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The device carries a price tag of Rs 27,999 in the Indian market. Regarding color options, customers can choose between Jungle Green and Pantone Peach Fuzz, both of which feature a vegan leather back. Additionally, a Koala Grey color variant with a vegan suede back is available.

The Motorola Edge 50 will go on sale in India on August 8th at 12pm IST. It will be available for purchase through Flipkart and Motorola's official website, motorola.in. Buyers who utilize Axis Bank credit cards will receive an instant discount of Rs 2,000 on their purchase.

Motorola Edge 50 Specifications and Features

The Motorola Edge 50 showcases a remarkable 6.67-inch pOLED curved display with a captivating 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth and responsive visuals. The display also boasts an impressive peak brightness of 1,900 nits and is fortified with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for enhanced durability. At its core, the smartphone is driven by the efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Motorola has optimized the software experience by pre-loading the device with Android 14 based Hello UI, ensuring a modern and intuitive user interface. Furthermore, customers can expect two years of software updates and three years of security patches to keep their device up to date.

In terms of photography, the Motorola Edge 50 is equipped with a versatile triple rear camera system. The primary sensor is a 50MP Sony-Lytia 700C camera, accompanied by a 10MP 3x telephoto camera and a 13MP ultra-wide camera, offering a range of shooting options. For capturing selfies and video calls, the smartphone features a 13MP front-facing camera.

Powering the Motorola Edge 50 is a robust 5,000 mAh battery that supports rapid 68W fast charging, enabling quick replenishment of the device's battery life. Additionally, the smartphone offers 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, providing convenient charging options. The Motorola Edge 50 also boasts immersive audio experiences with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio support. Furthermore, it incorporates an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure biometric authentication and benefits from an IP68 rating, signifying its resistance to dust and water.

Google Lens Integration Coming to Chrome Address Bar, Expanding Circle to Search Functionality

Google is set to expand its Circle to Search feature, officially known as "Drag to Search," to desktop Chrome and Chromebooks. This integration will introduce a prominent Google Lens icon in the address bar, enhancing the visual search capabilities for users.

Functionality and Activation: On Chromebooks, users can initiate Circle to Search by tapping the new Google Lens icon located next to the bookmark star in the address bar. Upon activation, users will be prompted to "Select anything to search with Google Lens," accompanied by the distinctive shimmer effect familiar to Android users.

User Interface: The cursor transforms into a crosshairs with a "Drag to Search" loupe featuring the Lens icon. Users can select areas by double-tapping, with the option to adjust the selection box subsequently. Search results will be displayed in a dedicated Google Lens side panel.

Development and Release: This feature is currently live in the ChromeOS 127 beta and Chrome 128 beta versions. Its appearance on the "What's New in Chrome" page suggests an imminent stable release.

Windows and Mac Implementation: For Windows and Mac users, the feature will be accessible through the overflow menu, where a new "Search with Google Lens" option can be found. Users have the option to pin this feature alongside other side panel shortcuts for convenient access.

Google's official description emphasizes the versatility of this tool: "Google Lens in Chrome facilitates easy searching of any on-screen content, including videos, livestream slides, or webpage images. Results are provided within the active tab, allowing users to continue browsing with newly acquired information."

This integration marks a significant enhancement to Chrome's search capabilities, bridging the gap between mobile and desktop visual search functionalities.

Enhanced Viewing Experience: Prime Video Unveils Modernized Streaming Interface

Pic: Amazon

Prime Video, an integral service within the Amazon ecosystem, has recently introduced a series of updates aimed at enhancing the streaming experience for its users. These improvements, which span across user interface design, content discovery, and playback features, are designed to provide a more intuitive and enjoyable experience for subscribers.

Pic: Amazon

Refined User Interface

One of the most notable enhancements is the redesign of the user interface. The updated design focuses on simplicity and ease of navigation, enabling users to find their desired content more efficiently. This includes a streamlined menu structure and improved search functionality, ensuring that users can quickly access movies, TV shows, and other content without unnecessary complexity.

Enhanced Content Discovery

In an effort to facilitate better content discovery, Prime Video has implemented advanced algorithms that offer personalized recommendations based on viewing history and preferences. This feature aims to present users with relevant content that aligns with their interests, thereby reducing the time spent searching for new shows or movies to watch.

Improved Playback Features

The new updates also introduce several playback enhancements. These include smoother streaming capabilities, reduced buffering times, and higher quality video resolutions. Additionally, Prime Video now supports more advanced audio and subtitle options, catering to a diverse audience with varying needs and preferences.

Seamless Multi-Device Integration

Recognizing the importance of a seamless viewing experience across multiple devices, Prime Video has optimized its service for compatibility with a wide range of hardware. This includes smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, and gaming consoles. The updates ensure that users can enjoy a consistent and high-quality streaming experience, regardless of the device they are using.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Prime Video’s recent updates underscore Amazon’s commitment to providing a superior streaming service. By continually refining and enhancing its platform, Prime Video aims to remain a leader in the competitive streaming market, offering its subscribers an unparalleled entertainment experience.

These updates are now available to all Prime Video users, marking a significant step forward in the platform’s ongoing development. Subscribers are encouraged to explore the new features and enjoy the improved streaming experience that Prime Video now offers.

Pixel 9 Pro XL Compared Side by Side with iPhone 14 Pro Max: A Closer Look

Google is set to unveil the much-anticipated Pixel 9 series of devices at the upcoming “Made by Google” event slated for August 13, marking a departure from the traditional October product launch timeline. The event is expected to introduce four new Pixel phones this year, encompassing the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Amid an array of leaks, the potential design of the forthcoming Pixel phones has been extensively revealed. Notably, a recent hands-on comparison video has juxtaposed the Pixel 9 Pro XL with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, shedding light on the key design differentiators between the two devices.

The video showcases the Pixel 9 Pro XL featuring flat sides and rounded corners, closely resembling the design language of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. However, a notable distinguishing factor is the positioning of the rear camera housing. While the iPhone 14 Pro Max sports a prominent large square camera module located in the top-left corner, the Pixel 9 Pro XL adopts a horizontal primary camera module towards the top.

Contrary to earlier reports that suggested a closer resemblance between the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the recent leak indicates otherwise. It is evident from the images that the two devices exhibit discernible design disparities. Additionally, another video has compared the regular Pixel 9 with the Pixel 8, primarily emphasizing their design similarity and size.

Anticipation surrounds the prospect that the XL variant will emerge as the most high-end offering within the Pixel 9 series. Equipped with the potent Google Tensor G4 processor, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is anticipated to offer either 12GB or 16GB of RAM, and feature a 6.7-inch or 6.8-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED panel. The device is slated to deliver a maximum screen refresh rate of 120Hz, complemented by support for HDR10+ content.

Furthermore, notable features set to adorn the Pixel 9 Pro XL include an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, as well as a new modem aimed at enhancing connectivity. In the camera realm, the XL model is expected to house a main, ultrawide, and periscope telephoto lens at the rear. As the official launch event draws near, scheduled for August 13, enthusiasts await with anticipation to witness the unveiling of the much-anticipated Pixel 9 series.

This article provides an insightful glimpse into the design variations between the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, offering a sneak peek into the anticipated technical prowess and features set to distinguish Google's upcoming flagship device.

Google Wallet to Potentially Offer ID Document Digitization Feature

Google Wallet appears to be developing a feature that will allow users to digitize their physical identification documents for convenient storage within the platform. This feature was initially revealed in mid-May during Google's recent Google I/O event and is now seemingly nearing its official release, though its practicality may have some limitations.

Recent findings by Android Authority suggest that the functionality within Google Wallet to convert physical ID documents and passes into digital card formats is on the brink of becoming available. While the feature has not yet been fully integrated into the standard app for all users, traces of its code are present in the latest Google Wallet app update, potentially accessible by those with specific knowledge to enable it.

The new capability aims to streamline access to a user's various passes and ID documents by consolidating them in a single location. It is tailored for items that are not inherently supported by the application. According to reports, the feature is expected to be compatible with several document categories, including but not limited to loyalty cards, passports, residence permits, student IDs, tax ID cards, vehicle registrations, voter ID cards, library cards, health insurance cards, driver’s licenses, car insurance cards, business cards, and more.

Once available, users will be able to scan their documents using Google Wallet and conveniently store them within the "Everything Else" section. Following a successful scan, users can assign the document to a specific category of their choice. The app appears to restrict the available categories based on the document type detected while also automatically populating recognized fields. Users will have the ability to manually edit field data or create new fields as needed.

It is important to note that Google Wallet will preserve the original photo of both the physical pass or ID document alongside the digital card it generates. Additionally, the app explicitly states that the saved documents do not serve as a substitute for the originals. The disclaimer emphasizes that the digital cards are user-generated and may contain inaccuracies, underscoring that they are not official IDs, replacements for physical IDs, or suitable for verification purposes.

While the introduction of digital cards within Google Wallet is a promising development, the utility of this feature remains to be seen. Given that official authorities in various regions are likely to continue requiring physical document verification, Google would need to navigate complex legal agreements with local entities to potentially change these practices. Although there is no indication of current efforts in this direction, the feature could provide added convenience for less formal situations in the future.

This enhanced functionality in Google Wallet showcases a potential shift towards greater digitization and organization of personal documents, presenting users with a modern solution for document storage and access within the digital realm.