Innehållsförteckning för January 2024 från T3 India

From ₹1,06,999 store.google.com The Google Pixel 8 Pro is one of the phones that most grabbed our interest in 2023. That’s because its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro, was one of our favourite phone releases in 2022 – an obvious contender for the best Android phone and, in that instance, the T3 Award-winning handset of the year – so surely the 8 Pro could only be even better? Well, yes and no. While at first we thought the Pixel 8 Pro was a lot like its predecessor, it’s a fairly different handset overall. First off, it removes the curved screen of the 7 Pro for a flat one. But while we can appreciate the Pixel 8 Pro’s flat screen is more practical, it just looks less special. That’s a ‘head…

It’s that time of the year when we reflect on all that has transpired and make resolutions for the future. Despite the challenges faced by the print publishing industry in 2023, our radical experiments at T3 India have proven successful. In the post-COVID era, the asset-lite model - led by a solo Editor and supported by freelancers, independent consultants and domain experts - has been the key to success for publishers in Europe and the USA who have managed similar disruption well. We have incorporated learnings from the same model at T3 India, and are delighted with the results so far. In addition, we’ve amplified our web, social, and video presence, particularly on Instagram and on our website, leading to increased engagement with our readers. Looking ahead to 2024, we’ll…

Why is it that USB and HDMI cables hardly ever reveal what standard they are? Different standards make a huge difference to things like data and charging speeds and, in the case of HDMI, factors like maximum supported resolutions and refresh rates. When you’re desperately trying to connect something to your new 4K or 8K TV, you might really want to know if your cable is the latest HDMI 2.1b or, if not, which one of the dozen or so different standards that preceded it. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to tell. USB is as bad. It’s now notched up somewhere between seven and 17 different versions (depending on how you classify them) from the original 1.1 to the latest USB4 Gen 3x2. And that’s before you consider the similar-looking…

Have you noticed that the YouTube algorithm has gone a bit bonkers? In its newfound desperation to pump up smaller channels, it recommended GaGu a video profiling a new DAW, and he is forced to now recommend the same to you: the app (Windows/Mac/Linux) is called Blockhead, and it’s a completely different way of putting sounds together. Guru cannot list all the ways it is unique, but given that you can test out alpha builds by throwing its creator a ₹105 a month on Patreon, he thinks you should probably just find out for yourself. Enjoy the noise. Speaking of noise, Guru continues to be amused by Bang & Olufsen’s attempts to rummage around in the pockets of the super-rich. He is not saying he wouldn’t like a ₹2.3 lakh…

HOBBIES Life shouldn’t be all work, work, work – especially with goodies like this 1 STORIGRAPHIC GEO JOURNALS Combining two primary paths to mindfulness – bullet journaling and adult colouring – into super-handsome little notebooks, Storigraphic’s Geo Journals are the perfect gift for at least one person in your life. It’s hard not to appreciate their geometric patterns, the aesthetic inspiration they offer, or the fact that a four-pack is just ₹3,100. From ₹1000, storigraphic.com 2 RAZER SEIREN MINI While nobody needs any more podcasts in their lives, everyone’s got one in them. Razer’s cute smaller Seiren is a fantastic stocking-friendly way to help someone’s dulcet tones meet their device of choice. It’s also good for streaming, video calls, or anything else audio – and the extremely tight angle of…

Bollywood has been a rich source of music for Indian audiences and the tradition starts from Bollywood’s early days. Indian music composers have, by and large, produced unforgettable tunes and Indian audiences have lapped them up. Yes, some tunes have been inspired from the West but considering the overall body of work, the vast majority of tunes have been original. Selecting just 10 albums is very difficult and several film albums had to lose out. Here is our selection. 1) BARSAAT (1949) Raj Kapoor’s maiden venture with music directors Shankar Jaikishan turned out to be a mega success. No reference can be made to Bollywood music without mentioning the music of Barsaat. Shankar Jaikishan gave almost all the songs to rookie singer Lata Mangeshkar and the music catapulted her to…

₹89,900 apple.com For the casual onlooker, the physical difference between the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Ultra seems negligible. It’s the same 49mm case size, the same button layout, and has almost identical band options to choose from. But look closely and you’ll reveal some pretty significant changes, like the brighter LTPO OLED screen, which has a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits. It’s incredibly bright for a small screen (well, small compared to smartphone displays) and said to be 50% brighter than its predecessor. It also has beefed-up green credentials. When purchased with the new Alpine or Trail Loop, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Carbon Neutral certified, thanks to its recycled titanium case, which extends up to surround and protect the flat sapphire front crystal from…

₹2,71,995, canon.co.in Launched in November 2022, the Canon EOS Mark R6 II is the successor to the R6. It is a high-performance hybrid camera featuring a 24MP full-frame sensor and weighs only 670 gms. The Canon R6 Mark II delivers exceptional image quality by utilizing its 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor in conjunction with the RF mount lens system, producing stunning shots. With an impressive dynamic range and the ability to capture images in RAW format, you can enhance your photos in editing, achieving the clarity and colors that Canon is known for. The Canon EOS R6 Mark II boasts an advanced autofocus system that includes dual-pixel CMOS AF2 and 4897 AF points, ensuring that the images are captured with sharpness and precision. You can control the focusing points easily using…

₹79,899, global.rokid.com In the ever-evolving realm of augmented reality (AR), Rokid has entered the scene with a promising solution - a portable Android TV device designed for AR Glasses. One of the standout features is its impressive comfort level. During a continuous three-hour use session, I got no headache or faced no discomfort. This attribute is crucial for a device that aims to seamlessly integrate into daily life, making it suitable for extended use without causing visible fatigue. The sound quality of the Rokid device is a mixed bag. While it may not provide thumping bass, the overall audio experience is clear and balanced. You can pair your wireless headsets, to enhance the sound experience. The visual aspect of the Rokid Portable Android TV device is undoubtedly a highlight. The…

If you’re looking for the very best tech available today, you’ve definitely come to the right place. Best of the Best is the most useful gadget-buying guide you will ever encounter. To create it, we’ve extensively tested the best tech the world has to offer, to bring you rock-solid recommendations for your home life, daily commute and the tech you use all the time. In 21 different categories, we’ve chosen the top three products, so you can choose one that’s just the right mix of features and budget for what you need. These rankings come from real testing by our team of experts – they’re the products we’d choose for ourselves, and we can’t recommend any higher than that. PREMIUM PHONES APPLE IPHONE 15 PRO MAX ₹159,900, apple.com/in This flagship…

MARANTZ CD 50N ₹TBA, marantz.com A premium CD player from Marantz with support for HEOS, allowing users to enjoy digital audio from any source. This product has been designed in such a way that, it combines a modern and timeless look and is capable of supporting up to PCM 384 kHz/32 bit and DSD 128. It also supports HDMI Arc, allowing users to pair this to a modern smart TV. For digital audio enthusiasts, the Marantz CD 50n allows users to directly connect it with an amplifier to experience most musical sounds. Similarly, users can also stream music using AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal, and TuneIn Radio from a smartphone. With a built-in pre-Amp, users can directly control the volume output even when driving a power amplifier. T3 SAYS: Premium…

I’ve been a keen exerciser for most of my life, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, given my position as an Active Editor at T3, a vertical that encompasses outdoors, wearables and fitness, among other categories. Of all the things I write about, performance wearables have played a crucial part in how I see and do physical activity in my everyday life – that’s understandable, I guess, as they often gamify sports, which can help you stay active. However, in recent years, I’ve noticed a change in how smartwatch users perceive health and fitness, which was confirmed during an interview I did with Sander Werring, CEO of Polar Elektro, manufacturer of fan-favourite multisport watches such as the Polar Vantage V series. “In the past, sports were an enabler for good…

The smartwatch industry is booming right now, and some of the biggest names in tech have just launched arguably their most advanced pieces of kit to date. As timing goes, now is the perfect opportunity to upgrade from that analogue timepiece to a digital number that acts as an extension of your smartphone for the wrist. Apple brings all-new functionality to its Series 9, with things like Gesture Control allowing users to interact with the user interface via stealthy taps of the thumb and forefinger. As with Samsung, with its Galaxy Watch 6, and Google’s Pixel Watch 2, Apple’s Watch is also now faster, smoother to use and easier to read in all situations thanks to ultra-bright next-gen displays. What’s more, the humble smartwatch has slowly morphed into the ultimate…

55 INCHES AND UNDER TV LG OLED55C3 LG’s mid-range C series of OLED TVs have become one of the home entertainment world’s most glorious certainties. Their joyous combination of stunning, contrast-rich picture quality (courtesy of each of their OLED pixels creating their own light), fantastic smart features courtesy of LG’s ground-breaking WebOS system and class-leading support for cutting-edge gaming and video has made the C series a long-time favourite among AV aficionados. As you’d hope, the latest C3 range, as represented here by the great value 55-inch model, is the best C series yet, adding new processing to boost how HD and high dynamic range sources look on its 4K screen to the already stellar efforts of its predecessor. In short, the best mid-range TV in town just got even…

HOW WE TEST In T3, we feature only the finest gadgets out there, and we believe that you – our loyal reader – deserve only the best tech in your life. We don’t want you to waste time, and money, on inferior products, and that’s exactly why our Tested section exists. In here you’ll find only the latest and hottest tech. Each product has been handpicked and tested by T3’s experts. We only choose people with special knowledge for each test, so you know you’re going to get an outcome based on many years of experience in their respective field. As well as our traditional five-star rating system (right), we also give out awards to particularly exceptional gadgets, using the line-up below - so when you spot one of these,…

₹3699, www.wonderchef.com The Wonderchef Nutri-Blend Smart is a versatile and space saving kitchen appliance that combines the functionalities of a mixer, grinder, and blender, making it a valuable addition to any modern kitchen and is especially useful for those with a fast lifestyle but simple blending needs. It looks cool and does its job well - be it blending smoothies, protein shakes after the gym or making simple chutneys for your dosas. The package comes with seven simple components that are easy to assemble and use. The main pieces are the motor base, the 500ml jar for blending smoothies and shakes and the 300ml jar for grinding chutneys and masalas. The 22000 rotations per minute, 500 watt copper motor is pretty powerful and gets the job done with e’ciency. At…

₹43,999 sonos.com Like the original Sonos Move, which launched back in 2019, the Move 2 looks more like a static, indoor smart speaker. But thanks to the cleverly designed built-in handle and the internal battery, you can pick it up and take it on the move. The Sonos Move 2 comes in at a rather sustainable price of B47,000. That’s B5,200 more than the original model (which is also still available) and the same price as the rather excellent Sonos Era 300 home speaker. It’s actually more expensive than any other portable Bluetooth speaker on the market. The question is, does that really matter if it’s the best? The ultimate selling point of the Move 2 is its ability to provide great sound outdoors, or away from a power source.…