Orbital

The new three-tiered PlayStation Plus — out next week in India — is finally set to properly compete with Xbox Game Pass. Which one should you pick? Industry insider Rishi Alwani and video game enthusiast Pranay Parab — both Orbital veterans — join host Akhil Arora to discuss that and more. We talk about how the new PS Plus works, split into its three tiers Essential, Extra, and Deluxe. The last of them has a different name in some markets — Premium — and you can learn why on the podcast. Read: PlayStation Plus: India pricing revealed for PS Plus Deluxe, Extra, and Essential We delve into the differences between the new PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass (Ultimate), in terms of their India pricing, game models, and other associated benefits. Along the way, we touch upon the problems with Sony and Microsoft’s approaches, and how video game subscription services can be harmful to both gamers and the industry. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com C

iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, and macOS Ventura are here. Apple unveiled the next iteration of software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch at its developer conference earlier this week, alongside two new MacBooks. Gadgets 360 executive editor Jamshed Avari and reviews editor Roydon Cerejo join host Akhil Arora to discuss all things WWDC 2022. We talk about the changes to iOS 16, including the new customisable lock screen, the ability to edit and unsend messages, and improvements to mail, dictation, and a shared photo library. We delve into the new MacBook Air with M2 that brings some welcome changes, and wonder if the introductions to macOS Ventura might be helpful or just a nightmare. And we close out by touching upon the features of watchOS 9, which is still catching up with offerings of rival wearable makers from years ago, it seems. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters Intro (00:00) iOS 16: what’s exciting?

The flagship smartphone segment has the widest range of prices, but how much can you spend before you start seeing diminishing returns? Gadgets 360 senior reviewers Sheldon Pinto and Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to discuss just that. We talk about the features you cannot get outside of flagships, the compromises you would still need to make around Rs. 50,000, and the phones you should consider if you’re in the market for a value flagship today. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters Intro (00:00) What makes a flagship? (00:17) Phones to consider (02:55) Software promises (09:22) Pixel 6? (17:32) Any iPhones? (21:24) How to avoid compromises (26:36) Outro (32:09) Cover: OnePlus. Photo credits: Motorola, Realme, Samsung, Google, Apple, Samsung.

India’s crypto tax came into effect with the current financial year, and has further impacted a cryptocurrency market that was already reeling globally. Crypto exchange WazirX vice president Rajagopal Menon and crypto tax consultancy Catax founder Gaurav Mehta join host Akhil Arora to discuss the consequences of that. Menon tells us why the cryptocurrency sector is in a freefall since the start of the year — rising global inflation adding to worries over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — and how India’s crypto tax has compounded those miseries. Mehta believes the conflicting definitions of crypto — is it asset or a currency? — are adding to the chaos. If it’s the latter, then the incoming 1 percent TDS (tax deducted at source) from July 1 is unnecessary, Mehta notes. Menon says exchanges are happy to comply with government’s desires to track transactions, but the TDS rate has been set at a very high value. This, he believes, will stifle innovation in the crypto industry. Tune into our crypto tax special epi

Roughly eight months on from X70 Pro+, which itself came just six months after the one before it, Vivo is back with another flagship phone. Gadgets 360 senior reviewers Sheldon Pinto and Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to discuss the Vivo X80 series. Read: Vivo X80 hands-on: promising premium all-rounder We talk about Vivo’s attempts to simplify the new naming convention — this time, we have a Vivo X80 at Rs. 55,000, and a X80 Pro at Rs. 80,000 — and the resulting confusion it creates. We delve into what the two phones offer, be it their triple and quad rear camera setups, the high refresh rates displays on par with Apple and Samsung, or that humongous camera module on the back. Read: Vivo X80 Pro hands-on: worthy upgrade? Along the way, we touch upon how Samsung is pushing the industry to do better with their Android update promises, and why the likes of Vivo need to stop showing off a “cool” new feature with every launch. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to

New phones, new watch, new wireless earbuds, and even a new tablet. Is Google getting serious about hardware? Gadgets 360 executive editor Jamshed Avari and deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo join host Akhil Arora to discuss the best of Google I/O 2022. The only bit actually confirmed for India is the Pixel 6a, a “budget” phone in the US that will likely end up around Rs. 40,000 or more in India. It’s not due before August, so who knows what that segment — already very competitive — will look like by then. With the Pixel Watch, Google finally enters wearables and puts its Fitbit acquisition to good use. No price on that though. The Pixels Buds Pro do have a price, and they seem to be going up against the AirPods Pro and others of its ilk. Google also teased a Pixel Tablet for 2023, and the next generation of its flagship phones — the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro — expected in late 2022. We also discuss Google Maps’ new Immersive Mode, and the new Indian languages coming to Google Search and Translate. Follow

Alexa, what’s the latest episode of the Orbital podcast about? Amazon India’s Alexa chief Dilip R.S. and Gadgets 360’s in-house Alexa expert Ali Pardiwala join host Akhil Arora to discuss Alexa’s growth in India. The biggest challenge for any voice assistant is to make it understand its users. For one, Alexa must adapt to “Indian English” words and our varied accents. On top of that, it must also navigate the fact that we frequently use two (or more) languages in the same sentence. Still, Amazon Echo devices have been bought in 85 percent of pin codes in India, Dilip notes. Of course, it’s another matter how useful they are — and how many are actively being used. For more such trends, tune into the episode. We also touch upon how Amazon pushes to intergrate Alexa into non-Amazon devices and platforms, and how thanks to Alexa, voice is the first mode of interaction with the Internet for some. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters

There isn’t a wow factor about the Xiaomi 12 Pro, but that might actually be a good thing. Gadgets 360 deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo and senior reviewer Sheldon Pinto join host Akhil Arora to discuss the new Xiaomi flagship smartphone. The 12 Pro boasts similar hardware to phones in its range, and it doesn’t have anything to set itself apart. Xiaomi has polished the look and feel though, and the 12 Pro feels like a premium device. Read: Xiaomi 12 Pro first impressions That said, it’s got the lot. A Dolby Vision display that can go down to 1Hz refresh rate, rear cameras with wider aperture than you normally see, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, and 120W fast charging that’s in line what’s currently out there. But in terms of features, the 12 Pro is missing an IP rating, which you can in fact get on more affordable phones such as Samsung’s Galaxy FE range and even Xiaomi’s own budget phones. Hit play to hear us delve into each of those facets. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and

India’s smartwatch market is growing, but that depends on how you look at it. Gadgets 360 senior reviewers Ali Pardiwala and Aditya Shenoy, and IDC India research director Navkendar Singh join host Akhil Arora to talk about that and more. As with all things tech, India remains a cost-sensitive market, with average selling price in fact going down in recent years, Singh tells us. Low-cost smartwatches have taken over from fitness bands (while the premium segment struggles). That’s because these ‘basic’ watches — Rs. 4,000 or less — are cramming in a lot of features, though they naturally don’t naturally fare well in accuracy. But does the Indian consumer care? Read: The best smartwatches to buy in India For those who do, you’re going to have to pay a lot — with premium watches from Apple and Samsung coming in at 5–10 times the price. They’re in the ecosystem play, which could’ve been Google’s were it not for its failures with WearOS. Hit play to hear us delve into each of those facets. Follow Gadgets 3

With 5G services expected before the end of 2022 in India, if you’re in the market for a budget phone right now, should you go with a 4G or 5G model? Gadgets 360 deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo and senior reviewer Sheldon Pinto join host Akhil Arora to answer that and more. Read: The best phones under Rs. 15,000 We discuss how several brands have been launching 4G and 5G variants of the same budget smartphone, why the 5G models are at times missing features that the 4G ones have, and what the whole 5G bands conversation amounts to. We also talk about some of the best budget phones, tell you what specifications to keep an eye on, and why you shouldn’t buy at launch (with caveats). Play the podcast to learn more. Read: The best phones under Rs. 20,000 Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters Intro (00:00) 4G vs 5G (00:16) The compromises (11:12) Best phones (18:19) Buying tips (24:37) Outro (30:08) Cover: Sheldon Pinto/Gadgets

A third Harry Potter spin-off movie — Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore — is now in theatres. Why is this still a thing? Gadgets 360 senior reviewer Ali Pardiwala and pop culture aficionado Nikhila Makker join host and entertainment editor Akhil Arora to talk all things Wizarding World. We discuss how we got here, from the craze around the Harry Potter books and films to dwindling box office returns for Fantastic Beasts chapters, and why Warner Bros. is bent on squeezing every last drop out of it. We also talk about the toxicity around the Potter universe, be it author J.K. Rowling’s repeated transphobic comments, or the several mistakes that Warner has made, with little attempt to show itself in a better light. Along the way, we touch upon other expansion attempts — apps, video games, reunion special, a stage play, and its companion book — and wonder the logical next step if all should fail. A reboot, always. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podc

Is OnePlus’ new heavy-duty flagship — meant to compete with iPhone 13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra — the phone to get in 2022? Gadgets 360 deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo and senior reviewer Sheldon Pinto join host Akhil Arora to talk about the OnePlus 10 Pro. Read: OnePlus 10 Pro 5G review: a perfect ten? We discuss its pricing in regards to the OnePlus 9 Pro, the intriguing changes OnePlus has opted for with its top-of-the-line product, and the facets that haven’t changed (the good, the bad, and the ugly). Along the way, we touch upon the meaningless of CPU stress tests, the biggest competition to the OnePlus 10 Pro, and how OxygenOS is keeping ColorOS at bay following backlash from fans. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters Intro (00:00) The highlights (00:21) India pricing (01:43) 8 Gen 1 throttling? (04:52) Heating troubles (07:25) No official ‘IP68’ (13:06) The four cameras (17:26) Gaming buzzwords (27:27) Improve

At launch, Apple’s “budget” 5G iPhone SE is flailing in India’s mid-range segment. Can it compete with older iPhones and an army of Android contenders? Gadgets 360 executive editor Jamshed Avari and senior reviewer Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to talk about the iPhone SE (2022) that’s now in our hands. We discuss the missing “wow” factor (a non full-HD screen), its outdated design (Jamshed likes the bezels surprisingly), and ponder the future of iPhone SE with Apple rumoured to kill off the iPhone mini. Along the way, we touch upon alternatives from the house of Apple and beyond. Thanks to the Rs. 43,900 price in India, it’s worth looking at iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 11, and even the iPhone XR, depending on what you want from a phone. And of course, there’s no shortage of Android competition if you’re willing to look beyond Apple. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters Intro (00:00) First impressions (00:19) That design (02:5

Asus is one of the known players in the PC and laptops market in India, with a range of ZenBook, VivoBook, and ROG models that cater to a wide range of audience. Gadgets 360 Executive Editor Jamshed Avari joins host Akhil Arora to talk with Asus India Business Head of System Business Group for Consumer & Gaming PC Arnold Su to understand the laptops market in the country and how the company is planning to grow its presence. Su talks about how COVID-19 impacted the PC and laptops market in the country. He also details the online vs offline sales of laptops. Alongside detailing the market trends, Su mentions plans to bring some of the latest models to India in the coming future. He also reveals that Asus is set to bring its foldable ZenBook 17 Fold to the market. We also talk about the market performance of affordable laptops in India. Asus has a list of models under the VivoBook series that target consumers looking for affordable options in the market. The discussion also revolves around how the market

Apple’s spring 2022 event — dubbed “Peek Performance” — brought a 5G iPhone SE, iPad Air with M1, a Retina 5K display, and an all-new Mac Studio with the all-new M1 Ultra chip. Gadgets 360 reviews editor Jamshed Avari and senior reviewer Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to take us through all the Apple launches. We discuss who the 2022 iPhone SE is for, given its India starting price of Rs. 43,900, a design that feels ancient, and a screen that lacks full-HD resolution. That said, it does have the iPhone 13 chip. We delve into the M1 Ultra chip — an upgrade to M1 and M1 Max — that powers the new Mac Studio, a supersized Mac mini or a more affordable Mac Pro, depending on how you see it. Along the way, we touch upon the improved 27-inch 5K monitor called Studio Display that has a Center Stage-equipped webcam, and the 2022 iPad Air that becomes a more affordable iPad Pro with compromises. And we close shop by discussing that new Apline Green colour option for the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro range. Follow Gadg

The year’s biggest phone trade show — Mobile World Congress — returned to the ground in Barcelona, after two years of being cancelled by COVID-19. Counterpoint global content manager Ritesh Bendre and Gadgets 360 deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo join host Akhil Arora to talk about all things MWC 2022. Read: The 10 biggest announcements from MWC 2022 Bendre tells us what it was like to be back on the show floor — the good and the bad of it, from getting more time with preview units to the restrictions on movement and, well, breathing. Along the way, we discuss the major highlights from MWC 2022, including foldables from TCL, an E-ink tablet from Huawei, and the promises of 150W fast charging from both Oppo and Realme. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters Intro (00:00) Back on the ground (00:29) Exciting devices (11:50) Super fast charging (26:41) Outro (41:21) Photo credits: GSMA.

Spotify is celebrating its third anniversary in India, while Gaana is approaching its twelfth. What have they discovered about this diverse market? Gaana CEO Sandeep Lodha and Spotify India market operations head Akshat Harbola join host Akhil Arora to talk about India’s unique music streaming landscape. We discuss what has and hasn’t worked for both — Gaana is veering away from its TikTok strategy, and refocusing on music and podcasts — and what they have planned for the rest of 2022. We delve into the music subscription business’ big challenge: making Indians pay regularly. Gaana and Spotify bust the myth on India’s paid subscriber base. Lodha points out the factors that are limiting growth, while Akshat thinks it’s about figuring out use-cases. With the music catalogue being more or less the same for everyone, original podcasts are one big differentiator. But India’s podcast industry suffers from monetisation challenges, as we also touch upon in the podcast. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, In

Realme has only been around for four years — and it’s already on its “ninth” phone generation. Gadgets 360 senior reviewers Sheldon Pinto and Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to talk about the Realme 9 Pro and 9 Pro+. We discuss Realme’s decision to jump on the colour-changing trend for the back of the 9 Pro+, and the experimental heart rate sensor inside the fingerprint sensor that is under the display. Read: Realme 9 Pro+ review: excellent value for money The camera on the back has optical image stabilisation (OIS), a feature you can’t get on smartphones that are Rs. 15,000 more expensive. We also touch upon the 9 Pro+’s three variants and their pricing. Along the way, we delve into how Google’s Material You push is not only causing delays with Android 12 rollout, but also making custom OS skins like Realme UI 3.0 feel incongruous. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters Intro (00:00) ‘9’ phones in four years (00:20) Colour-

They are here — Samsung has announced its flagship phones and tablets for 2022. And they are synchronising, with both the S22 and Tab S8 series now sporting a base model, a Plus, and an Ultra. Gadgets 360 deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo and senior reviewer Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to talk about the Galaxy S22 and Tab S8 series. We discuss why the Galaxy S22 Ultra is more like a Note and doesn’t belong in the S22 family, how it improves upon the S21 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro, and what might happen to its predecessor. We delve into the level of changes Samsung has reserved for the Galaxy S22 and S22+, how we feel about Samsung’s new promises on Android updates, and whether the Tab S8 Ultra can go up against the iPad Pro. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters Intro (00:00) The new phone trio (00:27) Ultra or the Note? (01:34) S22 and S22+ (15:44) Worthy upgrades? (21:18) iPad (Pro) competition (27:30) Outro (34:44) Ph

Oppo’s flagship smartphones for 2022 are here. But are they any good? Gadgets 360 deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo and senior reviewer Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to talk about the Reno 7 and 7 Pro 5G. We discuss the role reversal that’s going on in the design space — Oppo has given the Reno 6 design to 7 Pro, and vice versa — the new SoC that’s more marketing than features, and Oppo’s love for the AI buzzword. Read: Oppo Reno 7 first impressions: a lukewarm upgrade Along the way, we touch upon the (better) alternatives to the Reno 7 and 7 Pro, and wonder why Oppo has reached a stage in India where it doesn’t seem to have its heart in the race. Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com Chapters Intro (00:00) Oppo’s 2022 (00:20) Reno 7 Pro (03:11) What’s new (08:36) Competition (21:46) Reno 7 (25:20) Competition (29:56) Why are we here (33:09) Outro (37:42) Photo credits: Roydon Cerejo/Gadgets 360