Orbital

Latest Episodes:

iPhone 13 leaks, rumours, and everything we know Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

Will the iPhone 13 be a full-fledged upgrade, or more like an iPhone 12S?

Gadgets 360 reviews editor Jamshed Avari and deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo join host Akhil Arora to discuss next week’s iPhone 13 launch and Apple event.

We talk about the leaks and reports we’ve seen so far, much of which have been focused on the Pro models. They are expected to get iPad Pro-like ProMotion displays that support 120Hz refresh rates. And every new iPhone 13 is expected to have an always-on display. You can expect the phones to be thicker as well, thanks to larger batteries.

The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are also said to get new camera features, including portrait video (that focuses on the subject and blurs the background) and the ability to record high-quality ProRes video. Meanwhile, the regular iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini might have their cameras arranged diagonally.

Read: iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7, AirPods 3 key specifications and features leaked

Due to the new (Pro) features and ongoing chip shortages, iPhone 13 prices are expected to rise. Could iPhone 13 start at Rs. 80,000 in India? What matters more here is where the older models will fit in, as Apple always reduces prices when new iPhones are announced. We also speculate when we might get them in our hands (and if they will even launch together).

Lastly, we touch upon leaks for the Apple Watch Series 7, expected to have slightly bigger displays, and a flatter design to match the iPhone. And could AirPods 3 be the one more thing?

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Room for surprises (00:21)
Better rear cameras (02:55)
Flashier display (08:41)
Higher price! (16:01)
Launch dates? (19:32)
Apple Watch 7 leaks (21:01)
One more thing… (23:22)
Outro (25:22)

Photo credit: Apple

Drones in India: new rules mean less regulation, but privacy concerns abound Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

How will India’s new liberalised drone rules impact the industry? And where are they left wanting?

Skye Air Mobility co-founder Swapnik Jakkampuddi, Internet Freedom Foundation associate counsel for surveillance and transparency Anushka Jain, and Tech for Wildlife founder-director Shashank Srinivasan join host Akhil Arora to discuss just that.

We talk about how the Drone Rules 2021 do away with unnecessary and time-consuming security clearances, and are much easier to parse than the old ones — but it’s worth noting that these are still early days, and there’s a lot they leave out, including basic stuff such as the legality of DJI drones (the most popular in the world) or counter-drone measures (can you shoot down a drone if it flies over your property?).

Read: Drone Rules 2021 announced

Additionally, the new eased regulations have made misuse of drones much easier, be it on an individual peeping-tom level or via the police who are taking to new technology more and more. There are major questions over privacy, data security, and mass surveillance — none of which are addressed by Drone Rules 2021. And you may face many legal hurdles in taking someone to court over being surveilled by drones.

This vacuum isn't just harmful to fundamental rights of humans, but also other species. We delve into the need for more clarity over e-waste disposal, better enforcement for protected areas like national parks, and ensuring that drones do not further expand the divide between oppressed communities and the authorities. We also touch upon the medicine-from-the-sky trials currently being undertaken.

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Fewer restrictions (01:25)
What about privacy? (05:45)
Working with locals (09:59)
Tech > Enforcement (12:25)
Still early days (15:27)
Scope for misuse (20:05)
Wildlife conservation (27:32)
Legal hurdles (33:03)
Outro (39:27)

Photo credit: Kushal Medhi

Realme GT 5G and GT Master Edition Review Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

Realme has retired “X” — and introduced the GT series with two new sub-Rs. 30,000 and 40,000 phones.

Gadgets 360 senior reviewers Sheldon Pinto and Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to talk about the Realme GT 5G and GT Master Edition.

We discuss Realme’s counterintuitive approach with the naming and the design. The GT Master Edition is the more afforadble phone, while the plainly named GT 5G is the more expensive one. They have a vegan leather option (sounds premium), but it’s only on the cheapest variant.

Read: Realme GT Master Edition first impressions

We delve into their performance — the GT 5G has a Snapdragon 888 that calls for compromise elsewhere — the many cameras on offer, and the Realme UI software that emerged out of Oppo’s ColorOS which has now been merged with OnePlus’ OxygenOS. If you know, you know.

Speaking of OnePlus, we also touch upon their competitors that includes the Nord 2, as well as the gaming-focused Poco F3 GT. Oh hey, is that where Realme got the idea for “GT”? The new Realme phones don’t have hardware triggers, though they do have better-supported Snapdragon chipsets.

Read: Realme GT 5G first impressions

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
GT is the new X (00:22)
GT ME competition (02:15)
Cheap tactics (04:42)
Vegan leather (07:08)
Performance (10:20)
Cameras and more (15:53)
What does GT 5G offer? (19:58)
GT 5G competition (25:25)
Specs and software (30:24)
Outro (35:33)

Cover credit: Sheldon Pinto/Gadgets 360. Photo credits: Pinto, Roydon Cerejo, Jamshed Avari, Aditya Shenoy/Gadgets 360

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 Preview Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

Are the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 still made for enthusiasts — or are they good enough for everyone?

Gadgets 360 reviews editor Jamshed Avari and deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo join host Akhil Arora to talk about Samsung’s new foldables.

We discuss the India pricing of the two new Galaxy Z devices (and the cashback and offers you can avail), and how Samsung has improved on their respective previous iterations (120Hz display and S Pen support among them).

Read: Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 launched in India

We delve into the downsides of an under-display camera (and the potential upsides), the multiple use cases of their multiple cameras (the Flip 3 is its own tripod), and how Android works on foldables (and what Samsung brings to it with One UI).

Along the way, we pick our favourites between the Fold 3 and Flip 3, and wonder why there aren’t many companies in this exciting category (hello Moto).

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
India prices (00:20)
Where’s the competition? (05:43)
Samsung’s new vs old (09:41)
Under-display camera (14:39)
Android on foldables (20:22)
Our favourites (25:16)
Outro (28:11)

Photo credits: Samsung

Fast & Furious 9 Review / The Suicide Squad Review Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

A double delight for John Cena fans this week, purely by happenchance, as Orbital dives into two of his latest movies: the DC supervillain get-together The Suicide Squad, and the heist family saga Fast & Furious 9.

Gadgets 360 chief sub-editor and comic book fan Shayak Majumder joins host Akhil Arora to talk about The Suicide Squad. We discuss James Gunn’s shock-and-awe tactics and how he makes use of the giant ensemble, led by Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, Joel Kinnaman, and Cena.

We touch upon Gunn’s mannerisms that contribute to a bonkers over-the-top movie, the multiple Guardians of the Galaxy cameos he stuffs here, and why we enjoyed everything about King Shark. Lastly, we look at where The Suicide Squad lands in the DC Extended Universe canon.

Read: The Suicide Squad Review

Later, Gadgets 360 senior reviewer Ali Pardiwala and sub-editor Jasmin Jose — both Fast & Furious fans — join Akhil to discuss F9.

We delve into the sheer craziness of the film, with returning director Justin Lin putting a meta spin on how these street racers have become invincible superheroes along the way. They seemingly cannot die, and even when they do, they can always be brought back.

But Fast & Furious 9 wastes some of its cast (Charlize Theron and Sung Kang) or doesn’t know how to use them (Cena). Lin also loves action gimmicks — he was behind the bank vault chase in Fast Five — and on Fast & Furious 9, he turns to electromagnets. He also sends the Fast crew to space!

Ali, Jasmin, and Akhil wrap up by picking their favourite Fast & Furious chapter — there’s no common ground, surprisingly.

Read: From F9 to The Suicide Squad, what to watch in August

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

The Suicide Squad (00:00)
Unlike all of DCEU (04:55)
Peacemaker vs Bloodsport (08:23)
Gunn-isms, ft. King Shark (15:02)
Starro the Conqueror (19:09)
More Squad, and where it falls (23:40)
Fast & Furious 9 (28:03)
Racers to superheroes (36:26)
Back from the dead (39:42)
Electromagnets! (43:28)
Young Torettos (45:27)
Our favourite F&F (47:30)

Cover credit: Universal Pictures. Photo credits: Jessica Miglio/DC Comics, DC Comics/Warner Bros., Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Nothing Ear 1 and India’s TWS earphone market Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei is back, with Nothing. Its first product is Ear 1, a pair of true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones like the AirPods.

Gadgets 360 audio guru Ali Pardiwala, Headphone Zone founder and CEO Raghav Somani, and MySmartPrice editor-in-chief Ershad Kaleebullah join host Akhil Arora to talk about Nothing and India’s TWS market.

We discuss why Nothing is making its debut with wireless earbuds, what it’s offering in terms of features (including active noise cancellation), and how it’s undercutting competition in India. The Ear 1 cost just Rs. 5,999 as opposed to $100 (~Rs. 7,500) and £100 (~Rs. 10,400) elsewhere.

Read: Nothing Ear 1 first impressions

Along the way, we delve into the big problems with TWS earphones — owing to tiny (custom-made) batteries, they don’t last very long and in turn, are generating a lot of e-waste — and what Indians generally want when they are in the market for new wireless buds.

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Why truly wireless earbuds (00:49)
Ear 1 are good (03:11)
…but not too good (07:01)
That price tho! (08:48)
Who is Nothing? (10:53)
Android vs iPhone (13:37)
ANC is a checkbox (16:21)
But most don’t care (21:00)
Battery life meh (23:20)
TWS’ biggest problems (24:51)
Outro (29:34)

Photo credit: Nothing

OnePlus Nord 2 5G Review Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

Is OnePlus cannibalising itself with the Nord 2 5G?

Gadgets 360 deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo and reviewer Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to talk about all things Nord 2.

Read: OnePlus Nord 2 5G first impressions

We discuss how it fits into OnePlus’ ever-expanding line-up, how it fares against its competition, and the switch to a MediaTek chipset — a first for OnePlus.

Read: OnePlus Nord 2 vs Poco F3 GT: battle of the affordable flagships

Along the way, we delve into the OxygenOS-ColorOS UI bleed that is happening thanks to OnePlus’ merger with Oppo, and what that could mean for the future of phones from both manufacturers.

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
vs Nord and Nord CE (00:22)
Competition (04:35)
Good all-rounder (08:50)
Qualcomm -> MediaTek (11:39)
Oppo bleed (16:09)
Who is it for? (24:56)
vs OnePlus 9R (28:00)
Outro (32:16)

Photo credit: Aditya Shenoy/Gadgets 360

Prime Day 2021 Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

Amazon’s annual shopping extravaganza and giant advertisement for its subscription service is back — for a two-day event on Monday, July 26 and Tuesday, July 27.

Gadgets 360 community manager and deals expert Harpreet Singh joins host Akhil Arora to talk about all things Prime Day 2021.

We discuss what you should expect (the best discounts are always on Amazon products) and how to prepare (set up wishlists and notifications). We also give you tips on deal hunting and tell you what to stay away from.

Read: How to get the best Prime Day deals

Lastly, we touch upon why you might want to wait for festive period sales (that are closer to Prime Day this time), and when you shouldn’t. As always, we will highlight the best deals on Gadgets 360, so stick around.

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
What is Prime Day? (00:19)
What to expect (03:13)
Amazon is always on sale (05:02)
How to prepare (06:37)
What to do on sale day (09:44)
The kinds of deals (12:25)
Hey, impulse buyers (14:39)
What to avoid (16:50)
Prime Day vs festive sales (18:58)
Outro (21:50)

Loki Review Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

This week on Orbital, it’s time for Loki, the Marvel Cinematic Universe series that ended its six-episode run Wednesday on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar.

Gadgets 360 chief sub-editor Shayak Majumder and deputy news editor Veer Arjun Singh — both Marvel fans — join host Akhil Arora to talk about the Tom Hiddleston-led TV show.

Major spoilers ahead.

Read: Loki Season 1 Review

We discuss the fitting nature of Loki (Hiddleston) falling in love with another Loki aka Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), Hiddleston and Owen Wilson’s dynamic that powered early episodes, and Marvel’s recurrent problem with killing off characters — or rather, its inability to.

We analyse Jonathan Majors’ introduction as Kang the Conqueror/ He Who Remains, and what his multiverse monologue means for what’s to come in the MCU. And along the way, we see how Loki compares to its predecessors: WandaVision, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Kang the Conqueror (00:34)
Sylvie and comic tweaking (06:44)
vs other Marvel series (10:41)
Mobius and Loki (15:56)
vs other Marvel series pt. 2 (21:29)
Future of the MCU (26:58)
Kang the Conqueror pt. 2 (28:44)
Loki loves Loki (37:31)
Outro (39:30)

The Best Smartphone Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

What is the best smartphone in India right now?

Gadgets 360 deputy reviews editor Roydon Cerejo and reviewer Aditya Shenoy join host Akhil Arora to discuss the crème de la crème.

We talk about the obvious lakhpati kids in the room (hello, Apple and Samsung), the premium flagship killers (from Xiaomi and OnePlus), and a specialist device for mobile gamers (hi, Asus).

Along the way, we touch upon what you get for paying through the nose, and look at upcoming phones (from Google and beyond) in the second half of 2021.

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
What to expect >Rs. 50,000 (00:36)
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (04:59)
iPhone 12 (Pro / Pro Max) (11:05)
S21 Ultra vs iPhone 12 (21:25)
Mi 11 Ultra (24:37)
OnePlus 9 Pro (28:36)
A specialist choice (36:41)
What’s coming in rest of 2021 (44:50)
Outro (51:19)

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