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The sale stoppage went into effect when the company failed to meet local requirements.
Apple has offered $100 million to Indonesia as part of an effort to lift a recent ban of the iPhone 16 in the country, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The company has presented an investment plan that would use that $100 million to set up a manufacturing plant in the nation.
Earlier this month, Apple offered the country $10 million to reverse the ban. This latest proposal is worth ten times that, so the company certainly sees Indonesia as an important market. After all, the country is home to 280 million potential smartphone customers. The Ministry of Industry of Indonesia is scheduled to review Apple’s proposal this week.
This all started because Apple missed a local investment threshold by around $15 million. Indonesia mandates that certain devices sold in the country must have at least 40 percent “domestic content.” This percentage can be met by using domestically-sourced materials, building manufacturing plants or by employing local workers.
Apple previously invested around $94 million in the country through a variety of means, but it wasn’t enough to stave off the ban. The sale stoppage also applies to other recently-released Apple products, like the Apple Watch Series 10. The ban doesn’t impact older Apple devices, which are still available for purchase throughout the country.
Apple has opened up several developer academies throughout the country, but an actual manufacturing plant would be a major boon for Indonesia. Both Samsung and Xiaomi have already set up factories in the nation.
The Garmin Edge Explore 2 bike computer is receiving a new public beta update, version 25.19. This is an unusual back-to-back update, which requires users to install different firmware before proceeding with the update. The change log notes that the release brings support for camera controls.
The Garmin Edge Explore 2 is being updated with beta version 25.19. (Image source: Garmin)
Garmin is rolling out anew beta updateto the Edge Explore 2 GPS Bike Computer. This is the first public release in the 25.xx testing cycle, despite it being version 25.19. The previous software, version 24.20, brought a wide range of features and improvements to the product, including Garmin Share and hazards support.
Beta version 25.19 is a relatively minor update. The change log states that the Edge Explore 2 now supports camera control. The release notes also indicate that the update brings bug fixes, though Garmin has not listed these changes. As with recent updates for other models like theEdge 540andEdge 1050bike computers, this is a back-to-back update. Users must first install version 24.54, which allows the Edge Explore 2 to use MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) when transferring files between the device and a computer. After the installation is complete, the bike computer will reboot.
Once this has finished, you can proceed with the download of update version 25.19. According to a Garmin team member, this beta update has already reached at least 50% of eligible users. TheGarmin Edge Explore 2 is currently available for $269 at Amazon.
The QuietComfort Earbuds offer a lot of bang for your buck – they have a longer battery life than the Ultra, more equaliser options, voice controls and wireless charging. And all for a lower price. Unfortunately they can’t keep pace with the Ultra in terms of performance, but for the money they’re still well worth considering.
Bluetooth: 5.3 (SBC, AAC) Noise-cancelling: Yes Wireless charging: No Battery life: 6hrs (+18hrs from charging case) Weight:6.2g (per earbud)
Thanks to their peerless noise cancellation and very good sound quality, the Ultra are some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy. True, they are outdone by their cheaper counterparts in terms of features, and the Bose Immersive Audio tech is a bit hit and miss, but in terms of performance, these come out tops. Their price is also falling by the day…
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: design and build
(Image credit: Future)
The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) represent a departure from the stem-style look of the Ultra model. Instead, they opt for a more rounded shape, which could appeal to those who prefer a less conspicuous look. The new design comes in three colour options: black, white, and a rather fetching chilled lilac.
Both models offer a choice of ear tips and stability bands to ensure a secure fit, which is crucial for both comfort and sound quality. And so they prove – both pairs are comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions, and stay firmly in place.
In terms of durability, both earbuds feature an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to splashes and sweat – ideal for workouts or rainy days.
One notable difference between them is in the charging cases. The Ultra’s case doesn’t support wireless charging out of the box (requiring an additional case accessory to unlock this feature), while the QuietComfort Earbuds case includes wireless charging as standard.
** Winner: Draw **
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: features
(Image credit: Future)
Both models are packed with features, but there are some key differences. The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) introduce a rather novel Remote Selfie feature, allowing the earbuds to act as a remote shutter for your phone’s camera. Whether or not there’s a high demand for such a feature we highly doubt, but we’re certainly not ones to stifle companies trying something new. The new QuietComfort Earbuds also support voice control via a “Hey Headphones” wake word, which will appeal to fans familiar with hands-free assistants.
The Ultra Earbuds, on the other hand, boastBose’s Immersive Audiotechnology, which aims to create a more spatial sound experience. This feature is notably lacking in its more affordable sibling (though it is slated to arrive sometime in 2025). The Immersive Audio feature has two modes – Still and Motion – with the latter incorporating head tracking, in a similar way to other implementations such asApple Spatial Audio. We found the feature to be hit and miss during our testing of the Ultra model so we don’t think it’s going to be a huge loss.
Both pairs offer active noise-cancelling (ANC) – you can read how they compare in the relevant section below. And in terms of connectivity, both models supportBluetooth 5.3andmultipointconnectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously.
Lastly, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) use a new companion app, which includes an upgraded 5-band EQ for more precise sound customisation. The Ultra Earbuds use the standard Bose Music app with a 3-band EQ, which, like the lack of wireless charging, is another feature that’s oddly missing from the more expensive product – though one which we hope can be added with a future software update.
** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) **
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: battery life and charging
(Image credit: Future)
On paper, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) have a slight edge in battery life, offering up to 8.5 hours of playback on a single charge. The Ultra Earbuds, in our testing, managed six hours and 11 minutes.
Both models’ cases provide additional charges, with the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offering a total of 29 hours, compared to the Ultra’s 24 hours. As mentioned earlier, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) case supports wireless charging without needing an additional accessory.
It’s worth noting that using features like Immersive Audio on the Ultra Earbuds can significantly reduce battery life, dropping it to around four hours per charge.
** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) **
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: active noise cancellation
(Image credit: Future)
Bose is still the reigning champ when it comes to active noise cancellation (ANC). So how do its two pairs compare?
In our testing of the Ultra Earbuds, we found Bose’s formidable noise cancellation at work, effectively reducing the impact of noisy environments in a manner that few rivals can match. They work well when tasked with a number of different sounds to compete with, too. “They’re able to take the noisiest environments, whether it’s the rumble of heavy machinery as you walk past a building site or the loud chatter and sound system of a crowded pub, and reduce their impact quite dramatically,” we wrote in our review.
The Ultra allow you to preset different levels of noise-cancelling for different situations, and cycle through them. But the ANC on the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) is less advanced – it’s just on or off, though it does have the same Aware mode (which lets in some ambient sound) as the Ultra.
They do a good job of eliminating mid- and low-frequencies, but you really feel the lesser signal processing and lack of CustomTune calibration (which adjusts the ANC to your hearing profile). But the Ultra are just a cut above, especially higher up the frequency range: “The Ultra’s ANC delivers a stronger sensation of things being cancelled, making background noise that bit quieter,” we wrote in our review.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: sound
(Image credit: Future)
In our review, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds impressed us with their punchy, musical sound and solid bass response. They offer a rich, full-bodied presentation that we found engaging across various genres. We also noted their ability to deliver a good sense of openness and spaciousness, with clearly defined edges to drum thwacks and a real sense of dynamism.
The Ultra also supportaptX Adaptive, which provides better audio quality when paired with compatible devices. The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) lack support for this codec, which affects the audio quality.
But this aside, they do sound very good indeed, full of drive and musicality. As we put it in our review: “They’re powerful and punchy performers that build an entertaining sound on the foundations of robust low frequencies, an expressive midrange and controlled highs.”
The bass is rich and solid with great levels of insight. But they can’t match their pricier siblings in terms of sound – the Ultra have “a greater sense of spaciousness and even greater detail and dynamic differentiation,” we noted. Which is expected, given the higher price.
** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds **
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: verdict
Unsurprisingly, the Ultra are the more accomplished performers. But what is surprising is just how much the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offer for the price. They have a better battery life, more EQ options, voice controls and wireless charging – all features which the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds lack. True, they lack Bose’s Immersive Audio feature, but it will arrive at some point, and anyway, it’s far from a dealbreaker in our view.
The Ultra have the better sound quality and noise cancellation, but if you can’t – or don’t want to – stretch to the higher price, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offer a lot of what makes the Ultra so great for a lot less money.
Symphony Creative Studio users can create AI-generated videos and avatars with ease by simply providing raw video clips or speech scripts. The tool can also translate videos into multiple languages with AI-voice cloning to reach the global audience.
TikTok Symphony Creative Studio now available to all advertisers. (Image source: TikTok)
TikTok has opened Symphony Creative Studio access to all advertisers on the platform. The AI-powered tool has a variety of video and speech-related features that allow users to create compelling and effective content more quickly.
Many companies and creators are finding that an increasing part of their sales are coming from online leads. A greater percentage of younger users also get the news from TikTok versus other news sources, including traditional television. This affects not only elections, but also which platforms companies are spending their marketing dollars and efforts on. The global reach of influencer marketing on TikTok along with its proprietary algorithms for presenting videos makes it an effective platform to advertise on.
The Symphony Creative Studio leverages TikTok’s data on the effectiveness of its top-performing content to help create video clips for its users. Users simply provide raw video assets and product information, which can come from a web page link, and the Studio AI will generate an effective video using those assets along with licensed ones TikTok provides for free. Although such videos are labeled “AI-generated”, TikTok noted that one company saw increased sales from posted videos created from product URLs alone.
Users can also create virtual people to explain products, introduce companies, and present other information to viewers. These virtual spokespeople can be AI-generated from pre-built avatars or custom avatars that are built on the likeness of participating company representatives. This enables companies to continue using the same, popular spokespeople forever, even if one passes away. Symphony Creative Studio can also translate videos to other languages and use cloned voices to redub videos for a global audience.
Readers who need a new computer to edit their viral TikTok videos on can use an AI-powered computer like the Microsoft Surface Pro 11.
After providing video clips or scripts, the TikTok Symphony Creative Studio can automatically create AI-generated video mixes or scripted videos spoken by AI avatars. (Image source: TikTok)
Advertisers and creators can have their videos automatically translated into different languages using AI-cloned voices to reach a global audience. (Image source: TikTok)
Americans most frequently searched to relocate to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, data shows
Trump’s recent victory has driven many Americans to search about moving abroad(REUTERS)
Donald Trump may have a different immigration talking point since becoming the president-elect: Americans wanting to move abroad.
As emotions ran high after Trump won the presidential election on Wednesday morning, the number of Google searches to leave the country increased by 1514 per cent, according to VisaGuide.World.
From Election Day through November 6, search traffic for “immigration” related pages on its site grew by 338 per cent, as disgruntled Americans looked up where they had the best shot of moving to, the website said.
Pages with information about relocating to specific countries also gained traction. Norway was the most popular of those pages, followed by the UK, Ireland and New Zealand.
Germany-Visa.org also saw a 336 per cent uptick in traffic for pages related to immigration, with particular interest in the country’s Opportunity Card — a residence permit that allows anyone from a country outside of the European Union to live in Germany for up to one year to find a job.
Google searches in the US for migration topics are roughly 15 times higher this week compared to the week before the presidential election.
“Moving to New Zealand from the US” was the most-searched term, with searches for the phrase up 76 times from before Trump’s victory. Similarly, “moving to Germany from the US” was 42 times more searched this last week, and searches for “Moving to the Netherlands” was searched 32 times more, the site found.
Americans most frequently searched for information about relocating to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
OnePlus has announced the OnePlus 13, and we now know the impressive battery life upgrades it brings along. We have an even larger battery than before that utilizes new battery materials to help keep the phone thin while still increasing the battery capacity.
There are no charging upgrades this year besides the support for reverse charging via a cable. But it is not like we were hoping to see any improvements in this are; the predecessor already offered very fast 100W of wired and 50W of wireless charging, which is also what the OnePlus 13 is capable of.
A new breed of batteries that will change world of smartphones
For a long time now, phone manufacturers have been using batteries made out of graphite. Graphite is good at storing energy, but it is not the best. Recently, the mobile tech industry has began using a new type of batteries for smartphones, they are called silicon-carbon or also silicon anode batteries.
This is exactly the tech OnePlus has utilized to manage to back a 6,000 mAh battery inside the OnePlus 13, while making it even thinner and lighter than the OnePlus 12!
Silicon-carbon or silicon anode batteries are better than graphite batteries because they can store more energy in a smaller space. This is because silicon atoms can store more lithium ions than carbon atoms.
Here’s a simple analogy: Imagine you have two boxes. One box can hold 10 marbles, while the other can hold 20. The box that can hold 20 marbles is like a silicon anode battery, while the box that can hold 10 marbles is like a graphite anode battery. Because silicon-carbon batteries can store more energy, they can make devices like smartphones and laptops last longer on a single charge.
Does the OnePlus 13 have better battery life? OnePlus hasn’t given any numbers on its website about the battery life of the OnePlus 13, but given increase in capacity we suspect it will last at least as long as the predecessor. For reference, we gave the OnePlus 12 an estimated battery life of 8 hours and 9 minutes, which placed it at the 7th spot among all phones we have tested.
It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to see the OnePlus 13 offer even longer battery life thanks to its innovative battery, especially if the Snapdragon 8 Elite proves more power efficient.
How much battery does the OnePlus 13 have?
The OnePlus 13 comes with the astonishing 6,000 mAh battery capacity, which is well above the average for modern flagship phones. This is also a 10% increase over last year’s generation, which came with a still pretty large 5,400 mAh battery.
How fast does the OnePlus 13 charge? OnePlus says that the OnePlus 13 will charge to 50% in about 13 minutes, while about 36 minutes is how long it takes to charge it to 100%. Here are all of the OnePlus 13 charging specs:
Wired — 100W
Wireless — 50W
Reverse wired — 5W
Reverse wireless — 10W
What charger does the OnePlus 13 use?
Just like with previous flagship OnePlus phones, theOnePlus 13comes with a 100W charger inside the box. In order to utilize the full charging speed of theOnePlus 13you need a Supervooc charger, which is developed by OnePlus’ sister company Oppo.
As for the wireless charging, you don’t get the Airvooc 50W wireless charger when you buy theOnePlus 13. That one you have to purchase separately, as long as you want the 50W of wireless charging. The phone will still charge with less powerful wireless chargers, it will just be slower.
I already included the Surface Pro 9 on this list, but the Surface Pro X deserves its own callout. The Pro 9 and Pro X share the same design along with keyboard and stylus support. What makes the Pro X different is that it’s powered by Microsoft’s SQ1 or SQ2 ARM-based processor. That’s the same kind of processor architecture that’s used by Apple in its Apple Silicon chips currently found in the iPad Pro and several Macs.
The benefits of moving to an ARM processor are seen in battery life and, in the case of the Pro X at least, the addition of LTE connectivity. However, there are some downsides. One of which is that apps need to be rebuilt to support ARM processors, instead of the tried and true Intel or AMD processors Microsoft uses in the rest of its Surface products.
Verified customers say that if you want a tablet that has LTE connectivity so that you can work from anywhere, the Pro X is worth considering.
Microsoft Surface Pro X tech specs: Display:13-inch PixelSense display | Processor: Microsoft SQ 1 or SQ 2 | Storage:128GB SSD | Memory: 8GB LPDDR4x | Cameras: 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video, 10.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD and 4k video | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.28 inches | Connections: 2 USB-C, Surface Connect port, Surface Keyboard port, nano SIM | Battery: 15 hours
Factors to consider when choosing the best large tablet
Even though there aren’t many options for tablets with large displays, we considered a few key points while comparing models:
Price: While we can expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars for a basic tablet, tablets with large screens and/or premium components and features can cost thousands.
Storage: Because having a tablet that you can’t actually use is no fun. I chose large-screen tablets that had varying levels of internal storage as well as microSD card expansion slots.
Connectivity: While Wi-Fi connectivity is now standard for tablets and other mobile devices, it may also be worth looking at tablets that also support LTE cellular data for when Wi-Fi networks are unavailable. This feature is great for mobile professionals who may not always be able to access traditional internet networks.
Weight: Large screens are all fine and dandy, but if the tablet is a pain to carry around, it’s not going to get used much. I made sure to choose large-screen tablets that were still on the lightweight side for better portability.
What are the different tablet sizes?
Tablets range in size from small to large. Small tablets are usually five to seven inches. Mid-size tablets have a screen ranging from nine to 11 inches. Then, there are large tablets with screen sizes from 12–14 inches.
Keep in mind that the larger the tablet, the heavier it will usually be.
Does the size of a tablet matter?
Yes, the size tablet you choose definitely matters. A tablet’s screen size determines its portability, how much you can zoom in and out, and how it feels to hold it and work on it. Bigger doesn’t always mean best, but large-screen tablets are handy if you plan on using a tablet as a laptop replacement.
Do I need a keyboard and stylus for a large-screen tablet?
Neither accessory is a requirement. It all depends on how you plan to use the tablet. If you’re going to use it for watching movies, playing games, or reading books, a keyboard isn’t required.
However, if you plan on using it as a weekend replacement for your laptop, or for school, then, yes, you’ll need to spend the extra money on one. You can get Bluetooth options online or at electronic stores, and they’re perfect traveling companions for when you want to work or play on the go.
Is there really that big of a difference between Android and iPadOS?
There is a big difference in terms of the quantity and quality of apps that are available for iPadOS over Android. Apple and third-party developers have spent years fine-tuning the experience on the larger display device.
Google has all but admitted it gave up on making Android tablets, and developers have taken the company’s lead. You’ll find a lot of apps you can install and use, but ultimately they’re nothing more than the phone version of the app, and many just don’t work as they should.
When do tablets go on sale?
The best time to snag a deal on a tablet is during big sales events like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. In addition, some brands have their own events, such as Discover Samsung, where tablets and other devices are discounted on Samsung’s website.
Honoris known primarily as a smartphone manufacturer, but the Chinese company’s portfolio extends to tablets such as the excellentHonor Pad 8, wearables (bands, watches and earbuds) and the MagicBook range of 14-inch, 15-inch and 16-inch laptops. The Honor MagicBook 14 (2022), This buys you a 12-core (4 Performance, 8 Efficient) Intel Core i5-12500H processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. A model with discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 graphics .
The build is very solid, and the aluminium shell should prove resistant to knocks and scratches in the normal course of events. The 1.58kg weight, while on the high side for a 14-inch laptop, didn’t trouble me as I carried this device around in my rucksack. At 16.9mm thick it’s not super-thin either, but the chassis does allow room for a full-size HDMI port and USB-A on the right side, plus a pair of USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headset jack on the left. One of the USB-C ports is used to charge the laptop.
The 14-inch screen sits in bezels thin enough to earn a claimed screen-to-body ratio of 88.15%, and there’s a 720p webcam above the screen. The screen’s resolution of 2,160 by 1,440 pixels means content is sharp and clear although its 300 nits maximum brightness is on the low side. Still, I found it perfectly adequate for indoor working. The 170° viewing angle meant I could easily share content with someone sitting to one side of me.
Keys have 1.5mm of travel and there’s a combined power button/fingerprint reader in the top right corner.
My review unit had a US keyboard layout, but otherwise I found it efficient and comfortable to use. There’s 1.5mm of key travel and good bounce-back, and the gentle clicking generated by typing should suit those who like to work in relative quiet. There is a fingerprint sensor in the upper right of the keyboard, integrated into the power button. The touchpad is responsive and easy to get to grips with, and as large as the wrist rest allows.
The Honor MagicBook 14 (2022) performed well for the mainstream knowledge-worker tasks I threw at it during testing, the array of ports is quite strong, and battery life was good. If you’re looking for a workhorse laptop for everyday usage, and can find it on sale, the MagicBook 14 is worth considering.
The disappointing feature as far as the user experience is concerned is the speaker system. Their grilles are on the underside of the chassis, which muffles the sound when you’re working with the laptop on your lap or any softer surface. Top volume isn’t as high as it could be, and there’s a fuzziness to the sound output that makes music listening a little disappointing. The speakers are fine for spoken-word content, but if you’re looking for a strong audio performer for after-hours entertainment, you might want to look elsewhere.
The 75Wh battery is specified as good for 15 hours of 1080p local video playback. My experience during testing suggests that 10 hours of battery life might be closer to the mark. Still, that ought to be enough for a productive day away from mains power. Honor has launched a system called OS Turbo, which can recognise usage scenarios and adjust power consumption accordingly. According to the company, this can reduce power consumption by up to 20%. Honor provides a 135W charger, which it says can take the battery from empty to 100% in 80 minutes.
