Orbital

Latest Episodes:

PUBG: New State Review Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

There’s a new PUBG in town — there’s no creative naming this time, to get around the bans and the controversies — and it’s already crossed the 10-million download mark in less than a week.

Gadgets 360 deputy video head Cyrus John and in-house PUBG expert Robin John join host Akhil Arora to discuss PUBG: New State.

We talk about what the return of the PUBG moniker means to Indian players. Though frankly, it’s the return of international servers that is arguably more important. You can play PUBG with the world again.

Read: PUBG: New State first impressions

We delve into how it compares to PUBG Mobile, I mean Battlegrounds Mobile India — it looks better (close to PC), and plays a bit different (you’ve drones, EV cars, and the gameplay is more realistic).

But will players migrate? Gamers have invested a lot of time and money in PUBG Mobile. And there’s less incentive for pros as well, given BGMI players can qualify for e-sports at the 2022 Asian Games.

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Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Breath of fresh air (00:27)
Global servers (again) (03:15)
New State vs BGMI (05:37)
Realistic, futuristic (08:50)
Huge community (11:13)
PUBG split (15:04)
A better game (18:38)
Drones?! (19:47)
E-sports and beyond (23:59)
Outro (28:55)

Photo credits: Robin John/Gadgets 360

Red Notice Review Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot in one Netflix movie. Made with a budget of $200 million (about Rs. 1,489 crores). What could go wrong? Turns out, everything.

Gadgets 360 deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo joins host Akhil Arora to discuss Red Notice.

We talk about what the superstar trio bring to the film — Red Notice is all about them and no one else, with audiences turning up to see what they do best. Naturally, they are not playing characters, but a version of themselves.

Read: Red Notice review

And though Reynolds supplies plenty of one-liners and Gadot charms her way through Red Notice, the action in what is meant to be an action comedy is entirely forgettable. Plus, you never feel like you’re there on location.

What did Red Notice do with its $200 million, beyond the $20 million (about Rs. 149 crores) salaries paid to the three stars?

Along the way, we touch upon Johnson’s career and how that affects this film, and delve into Netflix’s desperate hunt for an action franchise.

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Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Not much of a plot (00:29)
Playing themselves (03:12)
Random stuff happening (06:30)
Forgettable action (09:50)
$200 million?! (13:06)
Heavy creative control (15:40)
Netflix is in it for IP (18:18)
Johnson is the franchise (21:34)
Content factory (25:14)
Outro (28:53)

Photo credits: Frank Masi/Netflix, Netflix

JioPhone Next Review Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

It’s finally here — the fruits of Jio and Google’s partnership have come home this Diwali with a new entry-level phone that Reliance hopes will be the 4G smartphone for everyone.

Gadgets 360 video producer Aditya Nath Jha and senior reviewer Sheldon Pinto join host Akhil Arora to discuss the JioPhone Next.

We talk about the phone’s 5.45-inch 720p display and the 1.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 quad-core processor, neither of which is class-leading. The JiPhone next is also stuck with Android Go — rebranded here as Pragati OS — though thanks to Google, the camera’s AI processing is definitely class-leading.

Watch: JioPhone unboxing, in Hindi

But there are problems elsewhere too. The JioPhone Next must have Jio as its primary SIM, Jha tells us, while the secondary SIM is restricted to 2G network. So much for Reliance’s ‘2G-Mukt Bharat’ vision.

And though Jio is bringing EMIs (that can also be paid in cash) to low-cost phones with the JioPhone Next, there are catches. With the most affordable EMI plan, the JioPhone Next will end up costing you over Rs. 13,000. Yes, that includes Jio data and voice plans but they are quite limited.

Additionally, if you fail to pay EMIs on time, the phone can be locked by the financier. No word on whether that will affect basic features such as calls too.

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Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Basic build (00:23)
Removable battery (01:33)
Jio 4G, rest 2G (02:45)
Performance? (04:11)
EMI plan combos (09:03)
Defaulting locking (13:30)
Google camera AI (15:35)
Custom features (18:22)
Alternatives (23:30)
Made for India (26:18)
Outro (33:31)

Photo credits: Aditya Nath Jha/Gadgets 360

How HMD Global Is Planning to Make Nokia Phones Successful in India — Orbital exclusive Oct 29, 2021

Show notes

Nokia brand licensee HMD Global has launched a list of smartphones and feature phones in India in the last one year. But how it is planning to take on the likes of Realme and Xiaomi? We discuss.

Gadgets 360 senior reviewer Aditya Shenoy joins host Akhil Arora to talk about the past, present, and future of Nokia phones in India with HMD Global VP for India and MENA Sanmeet Singh Kochhar.

Kochhar tells us about the different Nokia smartphone series that are aimed to target a variety of Indian consumers. He also talks about the newly launched Nokia XR20 and encourages our listeners to drop the phone to test its ruggedness live.

We also discuss on the ongoing ‘Make in India’ moves by HMD Global and how it is doing research and development (R&D) natively in the country. Kochhar also reveals plans to start importing Nokia phones from India to global markets.

Apart from phones, HMD Global also has accessories under the Nokia brand. Kochhar tells us that there are plans to launch the Nokia T20 tablet in India soon — alongside maintaining the phones and accessories.

We wrap up by asking the executive on how HMD Global stands against the legacy Nokia brand that once became a household name in India and around the world.

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Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
COVID-19’s impact and outcomes (01:36)
Sudden shift in the smartphone market (11:06)
Nokia phones against Realme and Redmi models (15:22)
What’s in store for the premium market (24:31)
The rugged phone (29:08)
‘Make in India’ moves by HMD Global (32:42)
Company's first Android tablet (37:16)
Nokia as a household name (39:54)
Outro (43:05)

Photo credits: HMD Global, MakeinIndia.com

MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max, AirPods 3rd Gen, and Apple Music Voice Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

Time to go Pro — Apple announced two new MacBook Pros with its new powerful chips M1 Pro and M1 Max this week, alongside Pro-like features for the new AirPods and a Siri-driven Apple Music plan. Okay, that last one may not be Pro.

Gadgets 360 reviews editor Jamshed Avari and deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo join host Akhil Arora to discuss the MacBooks and the chips.

We talk about what Apple is promising with the M1 Pro and M1 Max, and why they can’t be compared directly to laptop chips by other manufactureres like Intel and AMD. We dive into the pricing for the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, which might seem incredible but there’s more to it. Along the way, we touch upon the good (ports are back!) and the bad (Jamshed rants about the notch).

Later, senior reviewer Ali Pardiwala hops on to talk about the third generation of AirPods with Roydon and Akhil.

Ali explains how useful the Pro-like features are, be it spatial audio, head-tracking, or the supposed “superior” codec. We delve into the long-term battery issues with AirPods — and all other truly wireless earbuds.

We wrap up by wondering who the new Apple Music Voice plan is for that works only with Siri, and discuss the upsides and downsides of the HomePod mini that is now available in funky new colours.

Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
M1 Pro and M1 Max (00:19)
New MacBook Pros (09:59)
That notch (18:15)
AirPods 3 (25:50)
Better alternatives (31:51)
AirPods battery ded (33:45)
HomePod mini, in colours! (44:10)
Apple Music Voice (47:38)
Outro (52:14)

Photo credits: Apple, Samsung

Realme’s Madhav Sheth — Orbital exclusive Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

Realme isn’t just a leading smartphone brand anymore — it’s also number one in tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and ANC earphones (on Flipkart). How did this happen? We hear it from the horse’s mouth.

Madhav Sheth, Realme VP and CEO for Realme India, Europe and Latin America joins Gadgets 360 reviews editor Jamshed Avari and Orbital host Akhil Arora for a wide-reaching conversation.

Sheth talks about why Realme is making so many products, some that are not even connected to its Internet of Things ecosystem, why Realme and other brands are so big on 5G chipsets, and their plans for the new Realme GT series that expanded this week with the GT Neo 2.

Along the way, Sheth touches upon Realme’s Make in India push that he hopes will move beyond “Assemble in India”, and why Realme doesn’t have different local and global strategies. It’s about understanding the consumer — someone in Mumbai and Madrid might be more similar than next-door neighbours.

Sheth also dicusses deceiving marketing tactics from companies, and advocates for more transparency within offline traders and promoters, who have developed a reputation for recommending brands that provide financial incentives.

Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
New GT Neo series (00:20)
Make in India (07:49)
Local is global (12:23)
Online revolution (14:26)
Small (town) is big (19:36)
A Realme every week (21:52)
Realme laptop (27:33)
Misleading buyers (30:02)
Why the overlap (34:44)
The 5G push (36:33)
Outro (40:54)

Photo credits: Realme

Vivo X70 Pro+ Review Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

Vivo’s new flagship smartphone, coming just six months on from the previous one, improves upon every problem we had with its predecessor.

Gadgets 360 senior reviewer Sheldon Pinto and deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo join host Akhil Arora to discuss the Vivo X70 Pro+.

We talk about its double USP: the X70 Pro+ offers optical image stabilisation (OIS) on all four rear cameras, and the ultra-wide lens also has gimbal stabilisation that does GoPro-like horizon levelling. It’s quite cool.

Read: Vivo X70 Pro+ Review

Along the way, we touch upon Vivo’s imaging chip V1 (that is used for night-mode photography, the Zeiss-branded photo modes, and gaming), and the hybrid Funtouch and Origin OS offering (the latter, heavy on widgets, was exclusive to China).

The big question though, is whether the X70 Pro+ can be recommended — given it’s priced at nearly Rs. 80,000, alongside the iPhone 13 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+. And does Vivo intend to sell it, or is it a halo product like Xiaomi’s perpetually-unavailable Mi 11 Ultra?

Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Solves X60 Pro+ problems (00:22)
No heating issues (04:52)
Vivo listening to us (06:31)
Horizon levelling (08:25)
More (OIS) cameras (11:52)
Vivo’s V1 chip (14:33)
Funtouch + Origin OS (16:36)
Can you recommend it? (20:04)
Hopefully it will be sold (25:09)
Outro (30:49)

Photo credits: Sheldon Pinto/Gadgets 360

Inside Amazon’s Great Indian Festival Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

India’s festive season is here — and with it, comes the return of Amazon’s month-long sale event, the Great Indian Festival, starting October 2 for Prime members and October 3 for everyone else.

Amazon India consumer electronics category leader Akshay Ahuja speaks to host Akhil Arora to give us insight into the Great Indian Festival.

We discuss what customers can expect across the month of October (a lot of new launches!), and how they can enhance their shopping experience (you can shop with Alexa, and on Amazon in eight languages).

Read: How to find the best deals at Great Indian Festival

Ahuja talks about the trends and challenges Amazon India has seen during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with the lockdown impacting the Great Indian Festival last year, and which categories have seen higher interest during the pandemic.

Along the way, we touch upon how Amazon prepares for these big sales, and how it deals with “high-velocity” items such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.

Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Sales, sales, sales (00:35)
Why is it month-long? (01:41)
What to expect (03:34)
COVID challenges and trends (05:54)
PS5 and Xbox Series S/X (11:12)
GIF 2021 vs GIF 2020 (14:17)
What does best in GIF? (16:09)
Headphones first (19:27)
How Amazon prepares (23:10)
Regulatory concerns (24:03)
Outro (25:49)

Logos: Amazon. Composite: Akhil Arora/Gadgets 360

Surface Laptop Studio, Pro 8, Duo 2, and Go 3 Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

Surface, surface everywhere. Microsoft announced a bunch of new hardware this week — with the highlights being the Surface Pro 8, Surface Go 3, Surface Duo 2, and Surface Laptop Studio.

Gadgets 360 senior reporter and Orbital producer Jagmeet Singh and reviews editor Jamshed Avari join host Akhil Arora to discuss all four new Microsoft devices.

We talk about how the Surface products are about setting the vision for what Microsoft wants Windows 11 hardware to be.

The Surface Pro 8 — priced as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro at $1,100 — brings much-needed upgrades with 120Hz refresh rate, better performance, longer battery life, and Thunderbolt ports. While the Surface Go 3 is the poorer cousin of Pro 8, with Microsoft billing it as a family device.

Read: Surface Laptop Studio, Pro 8, Duo 2, and Go 3 launched

The Surface Laptop Studio, on the other hand, is meant to be a halo product, not practical for most to buy. Starting at $1,600 for the Intel Core i5 variant, it goes up to i7 and Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti. The USP though are the three modes — Laptop (normal), Stage (creative), and Studio (tablet) — that transform the Laptop Studio in how you can use it.

That leaves the Surface Duo 2, Microsoft’s only Android device. It might look like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, but it doesn’t have a foldable screen. Otherwise, it’s got the works: 5G, Snapdragon 888, triple rear cameras, 90Hz refresh rate, and games optimised for the dual-screen setup. And oh, it also has huge bezels.

All new Surface devices are out October 5 in the US alongside Windows 11. The Surface Pro 8 and Laptop Studio launch early 2022 in India.

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Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Surface Pro 8 (00:19)
Surface Go 3 (05:52)
Surface Laptop Studio (13:15)
A halo product (18:47)
Surface Duo 2 (22:11)
Android + Windows? (28:53)
Outro (34:28)

Photo credits: Microsoft

iPhone 13, new iPad and iPad mini, and Apple Watch Series 7 Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

They are here — Apple announced the iPhone 13 series this week, alongside two (surprise) new iPads and the Apple Watch Series 7. And they are all on pre-order now, except the new Watch.

Gadgets 360 reviews editor Jamshed Avari and IDC India research director Navkendar Singh join host Akhil Arora to discuss everything from Apple’s California Streaming event.

We talk about what the iPhone 13 prices mean for India, how they will offer a boost for older models (that are also getting price cuts), and why India being in the first wave of launches is important (hello, festive season sales).

Read: Is iPhone 13 the best new reason to buy an iPhone 12?

We delve into the 2021 iPad 9th-gen refresh (it’s boring but will be the one most buy), and the massive iPad mini update that takes a lot after the redesigned iPad Air. But we wonder who it’s for, beyond the industry use cases that Apple is hoping for.>p>

Read: New iPad and iPad mini launched

Lastly, we touch upon the disappointing Apple Watch Series 7 announcement, with Apple providing very little info. This is likely because supply chain constraints have delayed its arrival, which also ties into why Series 3 (kill it!) is sticking around.

Read: These might be the Apple Watch Series 7 specs

Follow Gadgets 360 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters