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Is it time for the Harry Potter universe to die? Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

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 podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
Rise and fall (00:22)
The Potter lens (05:49)
Universe expansion (08:06)
Original movies (13:34)
Rowling and beyond (21:15)
Self-cursed (27:19)
Outro (31:40)

Cover: Warner Bros. Photo credits: Bloomsbury, WB, Rowling, Akhil Arora/Gadgets 360

OnePlus 10 Pro review: toying with the flagship Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

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)
Improved display (31:11)
Software + battery (32:01)
Outro (37:01)

Photo credits: Roydon Cerejo/Gadgets 360

iPhone SE (2022): pros, cons, and the India story Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

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 (02:56)
And that price! (05:27)
Make in India benefits? (11:15)
vs Android (13:57)
Future of SE and mini (18:38)
Who it’s for (24:44)
Outro (27:45)

Photo credit: Jamshed Avari/Gadgets 360

How Asus is planning to win the laptops market in India Mar 18, 2022

Show notes

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 is shifting towards form-factors including thin-and-light and 2-in-1 models.

And we conclude the talk by discussing how Asus as a brand is received in India, and how buyers in the market rate the company compared with other possibly more familiar names in the PC laptop industry.

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
COVID emerged as an opportunity (00:57)
Market of budget laptops in India (07:42)
Online vs offline sales (12:16)
What's coming from Asus? (16:42)
Foldable laptop and other exciting models incoming (21:36)
Smartphones challenging PCs these days? (26:39)
Outro (30:28)

Photo credits: Asus, Samsung

iPhone SE, Mac Studio, M1 Ultra, Studio Display, and iPad Air 2022 Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

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

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
iPhone SE (00:19)
Mac Studio (17:42)
iPad Air (30:55)
Green! (33:04)
Outro (35:38)

Photo credits: Apple

MWC 2022: return to Barcelona and the big announcements Mar 04, 2022

Show notes

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.

How Gaana and Spotify are navigating India’s unique music streaming landscape Feb 25, 2022

Show notes

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, Instagram, and YouTube.

Write to us at podcast@gadgets360.com

Chapters

Intro (00:00)
What excites them (00:27)
Spotify’s 3 years in India (02:24)
Gaana is refocusing (09:36)
Figuring India out (12:59)
Why won’t Indians pay? (19:50)
Original podcasts (26:45)
Podcast monetisation (32:09)
Roadmap for 2022 (36:39)
Outro (39:03)

Illustrations: Akhil Arora/Gadgets 360. Photo credits: Gaana/Spotify/Screenshot by Arora/Gadgets 360.

Realme 9 Pro+ review: the new mid-range king? Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

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-changing 9 Pro+ (01:52)
Heart in my finger (04:34)
Android 12! (08:26)
Super cameras (15:28)
60W charging (20:17)
Pricing? (23:49)
The affordable 9 Pro (27:22)
Outro (33:26)

Cover: Sheldon Pinto/Gadgets 360. Photo credits: Pinto/Gadgets 360, Realme

Samsung Galaxy S22 and Tab S8 series Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

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)

Photo credits: Samsung

Oppo Reno 7 and 7 Pro review Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

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

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