CTC BLOG

Abigail BanerjiNov 30, 2021 16:04:21 IST

Vacuum cleaners are so not an Indian thing. We dearly love our house helps and the good ol’ jhaadoo (broom). In any situation, we would be hard pressed to let them go. But that doesn’t mean vacuum cleaners aren’t making a case for themselves today.

I got to test out the Realme Techlife Handheld Vacuum Cleaner recently, and I have to say, I am impressed. What was once a back-breaking chore was made quite enjoyable. Priced at Rs 7,999, this vacuum cleaner is affordable, compact and a low-risk investment with high returns.

The Realme Techlife Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is priced at Rs 7,999. Image: Tech2/Abigail Banerji

Over the weeks that I used it, there were multiple home renovations, furniture being moved and even a building that was pulled down in the vicinity. The presence of dust was constant, and this gadget couldn’t have come at a better time.

Easy to assemble and super intuitive, I spent more time charging it than reading the user manual, and it still tends to run out of steam at the most ill-opportune time. But we’ll get to that later.

The construction

The vacuum cleaner is made up of several moving and detachable parts. Initially, I was quite intimidated by it and occasionally even reached for my trusty broom while I got used to working with this machine.

The entire thing is made of five parts excluding the cleaning brush, charger and a wall mount. The main vacuum houses the dust box and the battery. It comes with an extendable arm that can be added to each of the three heads to make those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies more accessible.

The vacuum cleaner comes with a total of five detachable parts. Image: Tech2/Abigail Banerji

The two brush heads and the auto-rotating floor brush sucked in gunk and dirt like magic. The best part about using a vacuum cleaner is not having to deal with those lines of dirt that refuse to get into the dustpan.

The good

The main selling point of this vacuum cleaner is the price. It is affordable and aimed at the working millennial who cannot work around a house help’s schedule. The sleek, all-white design makes it a modern-looking gadget that I loved having at home. It is also small and thin enough to be tucked away behind a door or between a cupboard and a wall.

The vacuum cleaner weighs in at 1.3 kg. Image: Tech2/Abigail Banerji

Dust is collected in an adequately large bin at the end of the main body. The bin can be emptied with a push of a button and even completely removed from the vacuum for an easier clean up. It has a HEPA filter which can be removed, gently washed and reused.

A high efficiency particulate air filter can remove around 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).

The bad

Realme claims its vacuum is ‘calmer and quieter’, but I disagree. This thing is loud. While it may not wake up your neighbours, it is quite noisy. Don’t even think of taking a phone call if you are anywhere in the house while the vacuum is switched on. There will only be a lot of Hellos and I-can’t-hear-yous to go with the cacophony.

It also blows a lot of hot air when switched on. This leads to an uncomfortable user experience and makes the handle, quite literally, too hot to handle. On several occasions, I had to give the vacuum a break to cool down even though I had only just picked it up.

Using the vacuum for extended durations can get uncomfortable. Image: Tech2/Abigail Banerji

Another issue was the short battery life. After its first five-hour charging session, the battery would take around 2-2.5 hours to be completely charged. The handy blue flickering lights let you know when it is fully charged.

The 1.3 kg vacuum is a lot heavier than a broom. It can get quite cumbersome to lug it around your house. While cleaning my two-BHK apartment, there were several instances when I would have to either stop or switch hands due to a cramp.

Verdict

Even with the bad, I quite liked the Realme Techlife Vacuum Cleaner. There were a few shortcomings, but they’re not deal-breakers. A handheld vacuum cleaner has always been something we have mostly seen in those kitschy Hollywood movies. While a little late, the Indian market is primed and ready for it. The pains posed by the COVID-19-induced lockdowns make a vacuum a super handy gadget to have today.

There are already several vacuum cleaners of different types on sale, catering to different budgets. However, the Realme Handheld Vacuum Cleaner can be a good starting point for new users. It is affordable and gets the job done without a lot of fuss. Easy to use, the vacuum makes cleaning the house less of a chore and a little more fun than it is otherwise.

Pros
Affordable
Compact
User-friendly

Cons
Takes forever to charge
Runs out of charge quickly
Loud

FP TrendingNov 30, 2021 17:05:21 IST

XGIMI has launched the Halo+ projector in India, at an introductory price of Rs 99,999. XGIMI says this projector is the brightest portable projector in its category with a luminance of 900 ANSI lumens.

The Halo+ houses a DLP cinema-grade display technique, a 200-inch display screen and a resolution of 1080 FHD, aimed at providing users a perfect movie night experience at home. The projector is fitted with a dual 5 W Harman Kardon speaker so users can enjoy a clean, distortion-free sound.

Image: XGIMI

A unique feature of the Halo+ is the automatic keystone correction alignments, that allow a 45-degree angle alignment, making the projector extremely user-friendly.

The Halo+ also offers Intelligent Screen Adaption (ISA) technology, which is an autofocus feature. It is  also embedded with an obstacle avoidance technology, making viewing ideal from anywhere in a room.

Equipped with a wireless connection and built-in Chromecast, the Halo+ gets the Android TV 10.0 operating system. Other features include the HDMI 2.0, USB 2.0 and headphone ports and a built-in, 59 W battery for extended playtime.

After the introductory offer ends, the Halo+ will be available at a price of Rs 1,05,999. However, the MRP of the product is set at Rs 1,25,000 and, it can can be ordered from XGIMI’s India website.

OverdriveNov 24, 2021 14:40:16 IST

Royal Enfield has just revealed its SG650 concept motorcycle at EICMA 2021. The SG650 concept, which has arrived in celebration of the brand’s 120th anniversary, is a preview of the company’s upcoming 650cc cruiser motorcycle, which will soon join the ranks of the company’s 650cc twins, the RE Interceptor 650 and the RE Continental GT 650.

The SG650 concept looks gorgeous in the pictures, with oodles of retro charm. It’s said to combine the company’s classic design while including few futuristic touches as well. At its core, the message underpinning the concept build was about celebrating ‘transition’ – marking another chapter in the brand’s 120-year-long journey of creative expression and conceptual development.

The SG650 concept features a ‘digital’ graphics scheme which signals the transition from the analogue to the digital era. Image: Royal Enfield

The concept motorcycle can be seen finished with heritage-inspired polished aluminium front end along with a digital graphics scheme which signals the transition from the analogue to the digital era. The motorcycle also features a round headlight, which has a nice flow to it, neatly integrating the twin-pod instrument cluster. The SG650 features low rise extra-wide bars, a tank that’s been CNC billet-machined from a solid block of aluminium with a blue ‘RE’ logo that really stands out, a chopped rear fender and chunky tyres.

The Royal Enfield SG650 concept has a USD fork up front with integrated aluminium top yoke, aluminium switch cubes, and twin shocks at the rear. Even those twin discs at the front with their bespoke designed brake callipers add to the bike’s visual appeal along with the chic hand-stitched black leather floating solo seat.

The SG650 is expected to debut in production form sometime in 2022. Image: Royal Enfield

The SG650 concept cruiser is powered by the same 650cc parallel-twin engine that’s found in its 650cc siblings, the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. The engine produces 47 hp and 52 Nm.

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Ameya DalviNov 29, 2021 11:17:38 IST

The competition in the sub-Rs 40,000 segment in India got even hotter this quarter. Given the quality of options on offer, choosing just five smartphones in this price band was incredibly tough. So much so that there’s no room for an Apple iPhone SE on this list this time. But rest assured, you have handsets with either a Snapdragon 870 or 888 SoC, ample RAM and storage, 5G compliance, high refresh rate AMOLED displays, some with 108 MP cameras and more. Here are your options.

Best phones to buy under Rs 40,000 in India

Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro 5G

Xiaomi’s Mi 11X Pro 5G remains a great pick in this budget. It flaunts some true flagship features starting with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 SoC. You get 8 GB RAM and either 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage to go with it. You also have a 108 MP camera at the back to capture some impressive shots in different modes and lighting. It is accompanied by an 8 MP ultra-wide shooter and a 5 MP macro camera. There’s a 20 MP front camera for selfies and video calls.

Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro. Image: Tech2/Nachiket Mhatre

The vibrant display is one of the most impressive aspects of this phone. You get a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED Full HD+ display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ compliance and a peak brightness of 1300 nits. The screen is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and so is the phone’s glass back. The 4,520 mAh battery comfortably lasts for over a day of moderate use, and the bundled 33 W fast charger promises to charge it fully in under an hour. Mi 11X Pro runs Android 11 with MIUI 12 on top.

Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro 5G price in India: Rs 36,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage; Rs 38,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 256 GB storage

OnePlus 9R

The OnePlus 9R is a great all-round player in this segment. You get its 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant in this budget, and Amazon India is currently offering another Rs 3,000 instant off on this device making it an even better deal for 37K. It has a 6.55-inch Full HD+ Fluid AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ compliance. A 16 MP selfie camera is in a tiny punch-hole at the top of the screen. The metal frame and glass body protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 gives it an elegant look. The phone runs OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 out of the box; still one of the best Android UI around.

OnePlus 9R. Image: Tech2/Ameya Dalvi

You get quad cameras at the back starting with a 48 MP primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), 16 MP ultrawide shooter, 5 MP macro camera and a 2 MP mono camera. The cameras manage to capture crisp images in different lighting and modes. The main camera can be smartly used to capture some high-quality zoom shots too. The OnePlus 9R is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 chip. A 4,500 mAh battery keeps the phone powered for over 30 hours of moderate use, and the bundled 65 W Warp charger juices it up in just about 40 minutes.

OnePlus 9R price in India: Rs 39,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

Motorola Edge 20 Pro

The Motorola Edge 20 Pro is another great option in this budget with the key bases covered, and some more. This phone too is powered by a Snapdragon 870 chip along with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage. Its large 6.7-inch Full HD+ OLED display flaunts a 144 Hz refresh rate along with HDR10+ compliance and capability to display a billion colour shades. There’s Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection against scratches at the front and back.

Motorola Edge 20 Pro. Image: Motorola

The camera department on the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is helmed by a 108 MP primary camera, and the support cast is equally impressive. You get a 16 MP ultra-wide shooter and an 8 MP telephoto camera with OIS that offers you 5X optical zoom. Lastly, the 32 MP front camera is bound to impress the selfie enthusiasts. Its 4,500 mAh battery lasts for over a day of moderate use and supports 30 W fast charging. This phone runs Android 11, and like most Motorola phones, you get a clean and near-stock user interface.

Motorola Edge 20 Pro price in India: Rs 36,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

iQOO 7 5G/ iQOO 7 Legend 5G

Two handsets from the Vivo sub-brand hold on to their places in this list. The iQOO 7 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chip too, and you get the 8 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage variant in this budget. Its 6.62-inch HDR10+ compliant Full HD+ AMOLED display has a 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling in compatible apps. The rear camera department is quite versatile, featuring a 48 MP primary camera with OIS. Giving it company are a 13 MP ultra-wide camera and a 2 MP depth sensor.

iQOO 7 5G. Image: iQOO

If you need more processing power and a few extra features at the cost of internal storage and a few more bucks, you can opt for the 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant of the iQOO 7 Legend. It has a more powerful Snapdragon 888 SoC and comes with a 13 MP telephoto camera that gives you 2X optical zoom. Both phones run Android 11 with FunTouch OS 11, and one can expect two more major Android updates in the future for these devices.

iQOO 7 5G price in India: Rs 33,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 256 GB storage
iQOO 7 Legend 5G price in India: Rs 39,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage

Vivo X60

If you are looking for style, the Vivo X60 would be a right fit for you. Measuring just 7.4 mm in thickness, there’s more to it than what meets the eye. The rear cameras boast of Zeiss optics and click some excellent shots and videos. The 48 MP primary camera, a 13 MP ultra-wide camera and a 13 MP telephoto camera for 2X optical zoom do a great job across various modes and lighting. The 32 MP front camera is good enough to impress the selfie crowd. The phone runs Android 11 with FunTouch 11 UI.

Vivo X60. Image: Vivo India

The vibrant 6.56-inch Full HD+, HDR10+ compliant AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate is equally impressive. It is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 6. Just like several phones in this list, the Vivo X60 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC, and you get to choose between either 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage or 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage variants in this budget. Despite its slim body, you get a 4,300 mAh battery that lasts for over a day of moderate use. A 33 W fast charger is present in the bundle to juice it up quickly.

Vivo X60 price in India: Rs 34,990 for 8 GB RAM/128 GB storage; Rs 39,990 for 12 GB RAM/256 GB storage

Amaan AhmedNov 29, 2021 15:47:53 IST

Witnessing remarkable growth in sales over the last five months, Ather Energy has today announced it will set up a second plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, to scale up production and meet surging demand for the Ather 450 Plus and Ather 450X electric scooters. The second Ather plant, which will be in the vicinity of the facility that went live earlier in 2021, will have a total annual production capacity of 280,000 electric scooters, which will give Ather Energy a cumulative annual production capacity of 400,000 units – that’s nearly four times the start-up’s current production capacity of 120,000 units.

The second Ather plant is expected to go live in 2022, and the company says it has committed an investment of Rs 650 crore towards ‘enhancing operational efficiency and production capacity’. In its statement, Ather also says the new facility will focus on lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Tech2 has reached out to Ather Energy for specific inputs on the plant itself, and we’ll update this story when we have them.

The second Ather plant will have an annual production capacity of 280,000 scooters. Image: Ather Energy

This announcement comes at a time when all electric two-wheeler manufacturers in the country are witnessing overwhelming demand for their products post the revision of FAME-II subsidy for electric two-wheelers and the rollout of state-specific EV subsidies. In its statement, Ather Energy says sales have grown by 20 percent every month since November 2020, and that bookings for the 450 Plus and 450X have grown four-fold between April and October this year. In fact, Ather Energy had its best month yet in terms of sales in October, when it sold close to 2,800 units, according to analytics firm JMK Research; a 12-fold increase over its figures in October 2020.

On 17 November, Ather Energy CEO Tarun Mehta had tweeted an image of the first Hosur facility, noting how the plant had gone from hosting 600-700 scooters to having zero holding inventory.

This place used to have 600-700 scooters. Now there’s 0 holding inventory! pic.twitter.com/VQdL0o5ZSx

— Tarun Mehta (@tarunsmehta) November 17, 2021

Commenting on the second plant, Mehta said the current facility is already working at full capacity in the face of heightened demand, and that next year, Ather will be India’s leading maker of EVs.

“The EV demand has been shooting up across the country, and customers are coming in expecting electric scooters to wow them. This customer expectation is why our 450 series of electric scooters – the 450X and 450 Plus is seeing massive demand as it is the best electric scooter in the country today. Our experience centres are scaling up rapidly, and our retail footprint is set to grow by six times in the coming quarters. So, within just ten months of opening our current facility, we find ourselves already operating at full capacity. We are commissioning the second plant to be ready for 2022. With this capacity expansion, Ather is well on its way to becoming the country’s largest EV producer by next year”, said Mehta.

Having only been present in Bengaluru initially, Ather Energy is today present in 23 cities across India, and plans to set up a total of 150 experience centres in 100 cities by March 2023. Its Ather Grid fast-charging network comprises of over 200 charging points across the country at present, and Ather is already collaborating with Hero MotoCorp to help India’s leading two-wheeler manufacturer incorporate its fast-charging system into Hero’s upcoming electric two-wheelers.

Ather isn’t the only player talking about producing electric two-wheelers at a large scale – Hero Electric has announced it will ramp up operations to have an annual production capacity of five lakh units, while Ola Electric has previously revealed it will have a capacity of ten lakh units in Phase 1 of its Futurefactory setup.

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tech2 News StaffNov 29, 2021 12:33:19 IST

While it may be late to the party, BMW will soon join the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Audi to launch a luxury electric vehicle (EV) in India, as the Germany carmaker readies to introduce the BMW iX SUV next month. The iX will be the first of three EVs to come from the BMW Group in the next six months, and before it embarks on its electrification journey, the company has expressed it hopes the Indian government will provide support in the form of temporary import duty reductions.

In a recent interaction, BMW Group India President and CEO Vikram Pawah said a reduction in import duties on electric vehicles (EV) for a limited time or for a limited number of units will help create demand in order to help manufacturing of such vehicles in India and bring new technologies quicker to the country. BMW, which has been locally manufacturing many vehicles in its India portfolio over the last decade and a half, considers creating demand is key to localisation of manufacturing.

The iX will be the first EV from BMW for the Indian market, and will be launched in December 2021. Image: BMW

“What we always do is we create demand for a model and then localise it. We believe these new technologies also have a potential to be localised in future, but you need to create a mass demand for that critical mass (for local manufacturing to be viable),” BMW Group India President and CEO Vikram Pawah told PTI.

The only way to do that, according to him, is to fast track it, create the demand before the infrastructure develops or create the demand which will create the infrastructure.

“Then we can localise by that time these technologies which are mature and then we can apply it into the country,” he added.

BMW has joined Tesla and Hyundai in seeking a reduction in import duties on EVs from the Indian government. Image: Tesla

Pawah further said, “For that what we are seeking from the government is very simple thing, that yes, let us have some reduction in import duties, but only for limited time or limited quantities.”

The rationale behind such a demand, according to him is “it will allow us achieve both the objectives. We will be able to keep manufacturing into India, and we will be able to bring these technologies quicker into India.” Reiterating that the company has consistently maintained this stand, Pawah said, “That is what our consistency has been always that at any point any new technologies we should do that. It will allow even safety technologies, environment, green technologies to come into India faster.”

The BMW i4 electric sedan is expected to arrive in India by June 2022. Image: BMW

Currently, India imposes 100 percent import duty on fully imported cars with CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) value more than USD 40,000 and 60 percent on those costing less than the amount.

BMW’s views on the matter echo those of Tesla (which is understood to be pushing hard for a reduction in import duties ahead of its imminent India entry) and Hyundai, which also plans to introduce more electric vehicles in India.

Following the launch of the iX in December, the BMW Group will launch the Mini Electric in India by February 2022, and the second all-electric BMW to arrive will be the BMW i4 sedan, which will reach Indian shores by June 2022.

With inputs from PTI

Amaan AhmedNov 24, 2021 15:40:37 IST

Ola Electric’s aggressive launch strategy has lost some steam in the last few weeks, as the start-up grapples with delays said to be caused by the global semiconductor shortage and an emerging paucity of lithium-ion cells. Having already intimated the first set of buyers that deliveries of the Ola S1 and S1 Pro have been pushed to mid-December, Ola Electric has now decided to push the opening of the second purchase window for potential buyers to next year, as it aims to first ease out of the tricky spot it finds itself in at present.

An email sent to customers with active reservations says the purchase window will now open late-January 2022. Image: Tech2

As per an official email sent to customers seen by Tech2, the second purchase window for the Ola S1 and S1 Pro – which was to open on 16 December, according to the most recent update – has now been pushed by a full month, and will now open only late in January 2022, with the exact date to be confirmed sometime early next year. This is not the first time the purchase window opening has been rescheduled – after closing the purchase window within two days of the scooter going on sale, Ola had promised to reopen the window on 1 November. Reservations remained open even after the purchase window closed, and Ola Electric continues to accept Rs 499 as a pre-booking amount from prospective buyers at the time of this report being filed.

However, facing challenges with getting series production underway, Ola Electric had to push that to 16 December, along with rescheduling deliveries for the end of November; a change from the plan to commence deliveries in October as was announced at the launch on 15 August. The start-up only began test rides on 10 November, with short rides being offered across nine cities only to customers who had paid the second instalment of Rs 20,000.

Pre-orders for the Ola S1 electric scooter had opened in July, and deliveries were originally promised in October. Image: Ola Electric

The pushing of the second purchase window comes as no surprise, as Ola is currently seeking to fulfil the orders in hand – estimated to be around one lakh orders – by tackling a crippling chip shortage as well as a quickly-developing battery cell shortage, which is understood to also be affecting other electric vehicle manufacturers in India. Industry estimates suggest the chip shortage will extend well into 2022, and the lithium-ion cell shortage is a result of hampered supply and battery makers’ decision to prioritise markets with higher levels of demand.

Shortage of electronic components aside, the Ola S1 also seems to be some time away from being fully ready for customers at this point. Several media outlets that tested pre-production scooters early in November reported software glitches, heating issues and erratic throttle behaviour. Ola is said to be working on fixing these problems with software updates before it starts sending these scooters to buyers, which is also a challenge, as the company is aiming to do something completely novel – sell and deliver the scooter directly to the customer’s doorstep.

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Amaan AhmedNov 24, 2021 14:35:39 IST

India’s first all-electric motorcycle, the Revolt RV400, garnered attention at launch not just for being the first of its kind in the country, but also for its surprisingly extensive battery warranty. When it was introduced in 2019, the RV400 came with a rather comprehensive battery warranty of eight years or 1,50,000 kilometres (whichever comes first), but that is no longer the case, as Revolt Motors has slashed the warranty on the RV400’s 3.24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and has also hiked the price of the motorcycle.

The battery warranty for the Revolt RV400 has now been reduced to six years and 1,00,000 kilometres (whichever comes first), a reduction of two years and 50,000 kilometres. Despite the reduction, Revolt’s warranty coverage is still more comprehensive than that of other electric two-wheeler manufacturers, with even prominent players such as Ola Electric and Ather Energy only offering a three-year warranty on the batteries of their scooters.

The Revolt RV400’s price is now Rs 1.25 lakh in most cities (ex-showroom, including FAME-II subsidy but excluding state subsidies where applicable). Image: Revolt Motors

The RV400 is also considerably more expensive than before. Up until a few months ago, the ex-showroom price of the RV400 was Rs 1.07 lakh, and even dipped to under Rs 1 lakh in certain locations thanks to the FAME-II subsidy revision and announcement of state-specific subsidies for electric two-wheelers. However, Revolt has now hiked the ex-showroom price of the RV400 by up to Rs 18,000, so it now costs Rs 1.25 lakh in all locations except Mumbai, where it’s priced at Rs 1.26 lakh. As a result, in states with no buyer-side subsidies on offer, the Revolt RV400 now costs over Rs 1.40 lakh (on-road).

What’s worth noting is that the higher price is applicable even to those customers who booked the motorcycle before the hike was introduced and are yet to take delivery, with Revolt Motors communicating to such customers that the hike is because of ‘a sudden & significant increase in the raw material cost’ and that the company will not be able to deliver bikes at ‘the price prevailing at the time of booking’.

When contacted by Tech2, Revolt Motors declined to comment on the reason behind the reduction in the RV400’s battery warranty.

In October, the electric two-wheeler manufacturer confirmed it will go from selling the RV400 electric motorcycle in just six cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Chennai – since its launch in 2019 to 70 cities in the coming months, covering 26 states and union territories in India. Revolt recently opened its 15th outlet in the country, in Vishakhapatnam.

Revolt also plans to launch the RV1 early in 2022, a new entry-level electric motorcycle that will replace the Revolt RV300.

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News18 NetworkNov 25, 2021 10:07:44 IST

Instant messaging app WhatsApp has brought in a new feature that allows users to create their own custom stickers within WhatsApp Web. The feature is rolling out for WhatsApp Web currently, and will be shipped to the WhatsApp Desktop app in the coming weeks, the company said. The feature was launched by the Meta-owned instant messaging platform on Wednesday, 24 November. With the new feature, users don’t have to download third-party stickers for WhatsApp and can create stickers using a few simple steps.

The sticker maker offers various customisation options. Image: WhatsApp

Users can create stickers from the same window they use to send stickers to their contacts. “Sticker Maker is available now on WhatsApp for Web and rolling out in the coming week on Desktop. To use Sticker Maker, download the latest version of WhatsApp for Web or Desktop, from a chat window select the attachments icon (paperclip), then the Sticker icon, and from there you can upload a photo and make your own magic,” the company said in a press release.

To create their own stickers, users need to follow the given steps:

1. Open WhatsApp, then open any chat
2. Click attach (paperclip icon)
3. Select Stickers
4. Upload a photo and make your own sticker with a variety of options for text and effects
5. Click the send button when done

WhatsApp has given tools like the ability to doodle, add text, crop, and add emojis to the custom stickers that users will create. It is not known when these features will be rolled out for mobile app users.

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News18 NetworkNov 25, 2021 10:04:57 IST

Amazon is hosting its new sale event, the Amazon Fab Phones Fest in India, where the e-commerce giant is offering temporary price cuts coupled with other deals on a bunch of smartphones. During the sale event, buyers can enjoy up to 40 percent off on smartphones from brands such as Xiaomi, Samsung, OnePlus, and more with deals like no-cost EMI, exchange offers and more. Some of these phones will get an additional discount if users use SBI debit and credit cards for the final payment. The Amazon Fab Phones Fest is live now and will go on till 28 November.

Xiaomi 11 Lite. Image: Xiaomi Global

Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G

Its price starts at Rs 26,999 for the base 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, but customers can lower the price to even Rs 19,999 with exchange deals and SBI Bank offer. The phone comes with a 6.55-inch screen that has Full-HD+ resolution, 64 MP triple rear cameras, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. Image: Tech2/ Sheldon Pinto

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

Priced at Rs 39,990 for the 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE can be purchased at Rs 38,740 with the SBI Bank offer. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC, 6.5-inch screen with 120 Hz refresh rate, three 12 MP cameras at the back.

OnePlus 9 Pro. Image: OnePlus

OnePlus 9 Pro

Available at an effective price of Rs 54,999 with Amazon coupon and City Union Bank deal at the Amazon Fab Phones Fest, the OnePlus 9 Pro features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset and a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display with 120 Hz. There are also Hasselblad-tuned triple cameras at the back.

iQoo Z5 5G. Image: iQoo

iQoo Z5 5G

Customers can also check out the iQoo Z5 5G that is retailing at an effective price of Rs 20,615 (including coupon and bank offer) for the 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage model. Similar to the Xiaomi phone, we get a Snapdragon 778G processor that is capable of handling multiple tasks and gaming. There’s also a 120 Hz screen, 64 MP triple cameras, and 44 W fast charging support.

iQoo Z3 5G. Image: iQoo

iQoo Z3 5G

Similarly, the old-gen iQoo Z3 5G, which is as good as the current model, is retailing at Rs 17,865 including coupon and bank offers. The smartphone comes with a 12 0Hz display, 55 W fast charging and 64 MP triple cameras.

Xiaomi Mi 11X 5G. Image: Xiaomi

Xiaomi Mi 11X 5G

Another Xiaomi phone you can check at the Amazon Fab Phone Fest is the Xiaomi Mi 11X which comes with a 6.67-inch Full-HD+ screen and Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC. We also get triple rear cameras at the back and a 4,520 mAh battery that supports 33 W fast charging. It is retailing at an offer price of Rs 21,749 with an exchange offer and SBI Bank offer.

Samsung Galaxy M12. Image: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy M12

Lastly, if you’re looking for a budget option, the Galaxy M12 is effectively available at Rs 10,349 including the SBI Bank offer. The phone comes with a 6.5-inch HD+ display and a large 6,000 mAh battery. You also get a 48 MP primary camera.

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News18 NetworkNov 25, 2021 14:20:33 IST

Apple has reportedly delayed the rollout of a new feature that would allow users to add their driver’s licences or IDs to the Wallet app on their iPhones until early 2022. In an update to the official iOS 15 website, Apple said the functionality will now arrive sometime in early 2022. The company previously planned to launch in late 2021, reports MacRumors.

Apple at WWDC 2021 announced that it is working with several states across the country, which will roll out the ability for their residents to seamlessly and securely add their driver’s licence or state ID to Wallet on their iPhone and Apple Watch. Arizona and Georgia will be the first states to introduce this new innovation to their residents, with Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah to follow.

Image: Apple

“The addition of driver’s licences and state IDs to Apple Wallet is an important step in our vision of replacing the physical wallet with a secure and easy-to-use mobile wallet,” Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet noted.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will enable select airport security checkpoints and lanes in participating airports as the first locations customers can use their driver’s licence or state ID in Wallet.

Built with privacy at the forefront, Wallet provides a more secure and convenient way for customers to present their driver’s licences and state IDs on their iPhone or Apple Watch.

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Amaan AhmedNov 26, 2021 17:03:11 IST

Hero MotoCorp’s electrification journey begins in 2022, with the world’s biggest two-wheeler player set to launch its first electric scooter by March. While the e-scooter space is witnessing spectacular growth, Hero MotoCorp’s core business still lies in the motorcycle segment, and given the dearth of e-motorcycles in the country at present, it’s a valid question to ask – will Hero also roll out an electric motorcycle of its own? The answer to that, at least for the foreseeable future, is no, as Hero sees present-day limitations making e-motorcycles unfeasible on several fronts.

Motorcycles – which are heavily favoured by the Indian masses for their daily commutes – are more efficiency-oriented than scooters, and have the kind of power and high travel range to appeal to two-wheeler buyers, especially to those who live beyond urban settings. Additionally, there’s the cost factor – in Hero’s case, its most popular models, the Splendor and HF series, are also its most affordable models.

Hero MotoCorp doesn’t see electric motorcycles becoming feasible anytime soon. Image: Hero MotoCorp/Zero Motorcycles/Tech2

To build an electric motorcycle that could offer the power and range to match petrol-powered bikes, Hero would need a substantial battery pack and a suitably powerful electric motor, which would drive costs up, and that is why the company believes pure electric motorcycles are “way off” as things stand.

“EV in motorcycles is way off in our view. There’s a big difference in the fuel efficiency of a motorcycle versus a scooter, especially entry-level motorcycles. Secondly, you also look at the pricing, which is different. Thirdly, if you look at the range and power required to suit the average motorcyclist’s usage and the distances they need to cover, if you are to cater to that consumer, the battery pack size and capacity has to be far more. On one hand, you have to cater to a lower price but with a higher battery capacity and higher range, because the use of a scooter, on daily average, would be far lower than a commuter motorcycle’s”, said Niranjan Gupta, Chief Financial Officer at Hero MotoCorp, during a recent interaction with analysts.

The Revolt RV400 is currently the only electric motorcycle on sale in the country, and only faces competition from made-in-China kit bikes. Image: Revolt Motors

At present, the only options for those seeking to buy an electric motorcycle in India are the Revolt RV400 (which recently received a hefty price hike) and a glut of made-in-China kit bikes. Hero is of the opinion that given the current battery technology, the cost of incorporating a pure electric powertrain into a commuter or even a mid-capacity motorcycle would be too high, and that electric motorcycles currently only make sense for players operating in the premium segments.

“There are some players globally at the super-premium end where a customer can pay a huge premium for possessing that vehicle, but as far as commuter and right up to probably mid-capacity segment is concerned, they are way off”, remarked Gupta.

The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is currently the only all-electric motorcycle from a globally established bikemaker. Image: Harley-Davidson

In overseas markets, too, there aren’t many electric motorcycles to choose from – the only established bikemaker to have an e-motorcycle in its portfolio is Harley-Davidson, which rolled out the LiveWire a couple of years ago, and reception for the bike was lukewarm at best. Other major names in the business are in the process of readying electric motorcycles – Ducati will supply motorcycles to the all-electric MotoE class of MotoGP with an eye on eventually building e-bikes for road use, and Triumph is set to unveil its first electric superbike, currently known by its working name ‘Project TE-1’, in 2022.

For now, Hero MotoCorp believes it is scooters that will lead the proliferation of electric vehicles in the country in the time to come. The company is open to revisiting the idea of an electric motorcycle when present battery technology evolves significantly enough to make it feasible, or if alternative battery technologies prove to be more effective solutions.

“EV penetration, at least over the next few years, will be driven by scooters, and thereafter as battery technology develops, where you can pack more with less and with costs reduced; maybe other cell technologies (like solid-state batteries) emerge, only then can we look at it”, said Gupta on the prospects of an electric motorcycle from Hero MotoCorp.

Hero MotoCorp’s first electric scooter is expected to have a fixed charging system. Image: Hero MotoCorp

Hero’s first electric scooter – which is expected to rival the likes of the Ather 450X and Ola S1 – has been developed at the Hero MotoCorp CIT in Rajasthan, in collaboration with the Hero Tech Centre in Germany, and will be manufactured in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.

To gain an edge on other manufacturers, Hero MotoCorp has decided to adopt Ather Energy’s fast-charging tech for its electric scooters that will have a fixed charging system, and has also partnered with Gogoro to roll out Hero-branded e-scooters with a swappable battery, the first of which may arrive sometime in the second half of 2022.

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FP TrendingNov 26, 2021 19:35:08 IST

London-based consumer tech firm Nothing has rolled out a special offer as part of Black Friday week. As a special treat for potential customers, the brand has priced the Nothing ear (1) TWS buds at Rs 6,299 only, to mark this occasion. The Nothing ear (1) buds will be available at this price starting today, 26 November, till 29 November, on the e-commerce platform Flipkart.

Along with announcing this deal, the brand has also made other important announcements this week. The company announced the arrival of some strategic and private investors from India. The names include film director Karan Johar, cricketer and entrepreneur Yuvraj Singh and fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

Image: Tech2/Tushar Burman

Other known personalities that believe in Nothing’s vision and have invested are music composer and singer Jasleen Royal and digital content creator Ranveer Allahbadia.

Along with the limited-duration price of the earbuds, the Nothing ear (1) buds will also be available with no cost EMI schemes and buyers will also get a free six-month Gaana Plus subscription.

An additional Rs 500 discount will be available for customers who make the purchase through their debit or credit cards. The discount is available on all credit and debit cards.

ICICI Bank credit card holders can claim an additional discount of 10 percent on the checkout price as part of a special offer.

Also read: Nothing Ear (1) long-term review – EDC essential

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News18 NetworkNov 26, 2021 09:12:12 IST

Popular caller ID app Truecaller has announced that the app is updating to Version 12. The new update comes with an all-new design and several new features like video caller ID, call recording, and more. Truecaller said the new change comes with features that the community has been asking for. The new app comes with all features that Truecaller offers including call alerts, call reason, full-screen caller ID, inbox cleaner, smart SMS, and more. Truecaller Version 12 will be launched for Android users initially in the coming weeks, but it is not known when this will be rolled out for iOS users.

The new and redesigned Truecaller app (Version 12) comes with a redesigned interface, a call recording feature, support for 46 languages, a Ghost Call feature, and Call Announce. “The power-packed features will be gradually rolled out for all Android users in India in the coming weeks and several other countries soon,” Truecaller said while making the announcement. Rishit Jhunjhunwala, Chief Product officer and Managing Director for Truecaller India, said that Truecaller will continue to remain focused on user demands and meet them with innovative solutions and offerings. “All these new features will allow people to enjoy and exercise greater control over their communication, offering a safe, fun, and fulfilling experience at the same time,” Jhunjhunwala said.

Call recording, support for 46 languages, a Ghost Call and Call Announce are among the new features in Truecaller Version 12. Image: Truecaller

Truecaller Version 12 will include a video caller ID feature that will allow users to set a short video that plays automatically when they call friends and family. Users can choose this video from a database within the app or record their own. This feature will be available for all Truecaller Android users. Further, the new interface brings tabs for calls and SMS. “With separate tabs, you can now get to all of your SMS, Truecaller Group Chats and individual chats with just one tap,” the company said.

Call recording is another feature that Truecaller is introducing with Version 12 of the app. This feature was initially available for premium customers but will soon come to all Android users with the new app. This is an optional feature and users can start recording with a single tap in either Full-Screen or Pop-Up Caller ID after the initial setup process.

There’s also a Ghost Call feature that helps users get out of sticky situations or play a harmless prank on friends. With Ghost Call, users can set any name, number and photo to make it appear as if they are getting a call from that person. Users can also choose a person from their contacts for this. Ghost Call will only be available to Truecaller Premium and Gold subscribers.

Lastly, a new Call Announce feature will read out the name or the number of the person calling you. This works for saved contacts as well as for numbers identified by Truecaller.

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If you’re looking at VPNs, you’ve likely heard of at least one of these two names before. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the two biggest VPN providers on the global market and are renowned for their premium quality and rapid speeds. 

As the world becomes an increasingly digital place, internet security is of the utmost importance, and tools to protect your privacy become more vital every day. Enter VPNs, an easy way to hide from prying eyes and keep personal details hidden when surfing the web.

With this article, we’re going to compare NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN to decide which service offers the best quality of all and which is worth your dime.

Overview

	ExpressVPN	NordVPN
Lowest Pricing	$8.32/month	$3.67/month
Server Count	3,000+	5,000+
Country Count	94	62
Number of Devices	5	6
Money-Back Guarantee	30 days	30 days
Encryption	256-bit AES	256-bit AES
Accessibility	10/10	10/10
Live Support	Yes (24/7)	Yes (24/7)
Logging	Strict no-logging	Strict no-logging

What is NordVPN?

NordVPN is the first example of a VPN provider becoming a downright household name. With its massive advertising budget, it has swept the world by storm, quickly becoming the single most commonly-used VPN app worldwide. 

As you’ll notice, NordVPN’s software goes for an excellent minimalistic design, bringing a blend of easy user accessibility and efficient manoeuvring to get to where you need. It runs beautifully on all devices and is nearly identical across different platforms, with all the same features. 

This is a rarity for most services but is extremely handy for switching between devices freely without having to memorize a different interface for each one. It makes the process of using the VPN with different devices completely stress-free.

You can freely swap between any server that NordVPN has available at any time. In case you’re new to VPNs, Nord has the fastest and most reliable server for your location selected by default as a way to recommend it to you if you’re not sure which server to pick. It also comes loaded with any number of useful features you might need, such as split-tunnelling, killswitch, etc.

NordVPN’s Speeds

In testing, we were all but certain that NordVPN’s speeds would be lightning-fast. Even still, they managed to surprise us. Simply by the way a VPN works, they are almost always expected to drop your internet speed by at least a small margin. A VPN’s speed decides how much that margin really is.

We tested on a connection that clocked in at about 100 Mbps without any VPN enabled. Upon enabling Nord on the quickest server it could find for us, we ran the test again. NordVPN managed to pull a stable 94 Mbps, less than a 10% drop in speed.

That kind of speed is unheard of for most services, which tend to range commonly around a 50%-30% drop at best. Not just this, but NordVPN also offers alternative connection methods, such as Nord’s WireGuard protocol service, NordLynx. When testing with NordLynx, the speeds were even more impressive, clocking in at a consistent 98 Mbps, and in some cases, even going higher than our original speeds.

It’s safe to say that NordVPN is one of, if not the single fastest service currently on the market. Even if you somehow manage to find a location that isn’t near one of NordVPN’s 5000+ dedicated servers, testing at further locations never dropped our speeds below 90 Mbps.

NordVPN User Feedback

On Reddit, real-life users of Nord sing its praises more than any other provider. Its reputation is supported by trusted experts and hobbyists alike who have used the service for years.

Whether you’re brand new to the VPN world, or an experienced veteran, you’ll find it hard to come across a better all-purpose VPN than Nord.

You can download NordVPN here.

What is ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is a revered service that is commonly known as the fastest VPN available. It offers some genuinely great features, such as highly secure torrenting support and well-optimized software for all major devices. It has a large number of servers spanning almost 100 countries, meaning there are few places in the world where you’d be hard-pressed to find a close, quick connection.

Its software is extremely easy to use with quick drop-down menus and easy-to-navigate settings. It has one of the lowest learning curves of any software we’ve tested, meaning you should be able to navigate and customize the VPN like a pro within a matter of minutes after purchase. It performs so well that you could leave ExpressVPN running and not even notice it as you go about your business.

Like everything else about the software, switching servers is fast, fluid, and reliable. We never had a single crash or ‘infinite loading cycle’ like with certain services. However, should the need ever arise, the instant killswitch works perfectly, as well as any other feature you could want from a VPN (except for, curiously, an adblocker).

ExpressVPN’s Speeds

One of ExpressVPN’s claims to fame is being the fastest there is. While it might dominate most other services, does it really compare to what NordVPN is capable of? We tested it on the same 100 Mbps speed in order to find out.

First, we tested its speeds with the recommended server for the fastest connection. After a few tests, we found ExpressVPN to hold a consistent speed of about 92 Mbps. That’s less than a 10% drop, which is excellent for any service! However, it doesn’t beat Nord’s lightning-fast speeds.

Finally, we tried using further servers. We were pleasantly surprised to see that even using servers on the other side of the world from us didn’t drop ExpressVPN’s speeds to anything lower than 85 Mbps. Once again, astounding speeds for any premium service, but just below Nord.

ExpressVPN User Feedback

Similar to Nord, ExpressVPN finds high praise on sites like Reddit, where users are willing to forgive the high price tag in exchange for a truly outstanding service.

It’s true, ExpressVPN has quite the hefty price tag to it (its cheapest plan coming out to a little under $100 a year), but if that doesn’t turn you away from wanting to give it a try, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

You can download ExpressVPN here.

Best VPN per category

Category	VPN	The Verdict
Best VPN for Windows		While ExpressVPN is without a doubt a high-quality service, NordVPN’s software and servers run so smoothly on Windows that it would be an outright crime to call it anything less than the single best Windows VPN available.
Best VPN for Mac		NordVPN’s highly optimized software and excellent reliability make it a perfect pick for Mac users. The ability to choose your protocol to find your best fit also makes it able to perform so much more smoothly on Mac devices than ExpressVPN can.
Best VPN for Android		Unfortunately for NordVPN, ExpressVPN’s speeds don’t falter over any of their devices, offering consistent speeds with mobile as well as desktop. NordVPN’s speeds hiccup slightly with Android devices, leaving ExpressVPN as the winner here.
Best VPN for iOS		Just like with Android, ExpressVPN wins with iOS devices as far as speed, stability, and consistency. While the features are nearly identical, NordVPN’s software and servers just seem to have the occasional struggle with iOS mobile devices.
Best VPN for Torrenting		ExpressVPN provides airtight security for P2P connections that is almost unbeatable. While NordVPN’s built-in protection comes close, it only allows P2P for specific servers, and none of its protocols offer the level of security and performance that ExpressVPN does for torrenting.
Best Overall VPN		While ExpressVPN has Nord beat in the mobile department, overall, NordVPN’s service is just too much to compete with on desktop devices. Its speeds, reliability, performance, and software features all trump what ExpressVPN can offer, even if by just a small margin.

Our verdict

Overall, NordVPN seems to win this rivalry. However, it’s important to note that ExpressVPN has some strengths over Nord, such as its torrenting and mobile support. While Express has some excellent versatility in its functions, NordVPN has it beat as an overall VPN. Its reputation in the VPN community doesn’t just stem from its enormous advertising budget. It really does deserve its praise.

That said, we can’t stress enough how incredible both of these services are. Every VPN is tailored to different users, and if ExpressVPN looks as if it would better suit your interests, there’s a good chance it would. A large portion of it comes down to preference, and we can assure you that both of these providers get a thumbs up from us when it comes to their premium quality.

tech2 News StaffNov 25, 2021 16:40:08 IST

The all-new Suzuki S-Cross has made its global debut in Europe ahead of its launch in select markets overseas in the coming weeks. With the first-gen SX4 S-Cross having come out all the way back in 2013, the second-generation model makes its world premiere almost nine years later, and going by the pictures, this one doesn’t adopt its predecessor’s crossover philosophy. Suzuki has stressed over the point of the new S-Cross being a proper SUV, and not a crossover like the original was, and you have to say it surely looks the part.

Piano black grille and large headlights add attitude to the 2022 S-Cross’ more SUV-like front-end. Image: Suzuki

While the outgoing S-Cross looked soft, rounded and more like a beefed-up large hatchback, the 2022 S-Cross bins that design philosophy and opts for a more upright, SUV-like front-end, with the large piano black grille, double-bar chrome band sporting the big ‘S’ logo and three LED position lamps in the headlights adding some attitude to the S-Cross’ face; something the original always lacked. It has faux skid plates at the front and rear, squared (and lightly flared) wheel arches, an upswept window line, chunky 10-spoke alloy wheels, clear-lens tail-lights linked by a chrome bar to enhance visual width.

All in, it’s a certain step-up from the outgoing S-Cross, but interestingly, despite looking visually bigger, the new S-Cross is identical to the original in terms of dimensions, measuring in at 4,300 mm in length, 1,785 mm in width and 1,585mm in height, with a 2,600 mm wheelbase.

Despite looking bigger than its predecessor, the new S-Cross is identical in terms of dimensions. Image: Suzuki

Suzuki says the new S-Cross is even more spacious on the inside than the original, and the boot capacity, at 430 litres, is notably higher than the current S-Cross’ (353-375 litres). The big change inside is a completely redesigned dashboard which appears to incorporate a leather-covered panel and soft-touch materials. Taking centre stage on the dash is a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with in-built navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality. However, some elements – including the steering wheel, analogue instrument cluster and switches for the dual-zone climate control system – appear to be carried over from existing Suzuki models.

Other notable additions include 360-degree cameras and a large panoramic sunroof. Also included on the new S-Cross for the first time are advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane departure prevention and rear cross-traffic alert.

A 9.0-inch touchscreen takes centre stage on the new S-Cross’ dash. Image: Suzuki

Under the new S-Cross’ hood is the 1.4-litre BoosterJet turbo-petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Peak power output is rated at 129 hp, and torque is rated at 235 Nm, with the mild-hybrid system’s electric motor adding as much as 13 hp and 50 Nm under acceleration. In Europe, the S-Cross will also be offered with Suzuki’s AllGrip Select all-wheel-drive system with different drive modes. Gearbox options will include a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic, and Suzuki has confirmed it will also offer a strong hybrid version of the new S-Cross – which will have a bigger battery and more powerful electric motor to enable pure-electric drive – in Europe sometime in 2022.

Maruti Suzuki launched the first-gen S-Cross in India back in 2015, and while it has been the carmaker’s flagship model since, it has generally languished at the bottom of sales charts, with buyers choosing to go for more butch-looking midsize SUVs available for the same money. While there is no official word on it yet, Maruti Suzuki could well bring the bolder-looking second-gen S-Cross to India, but it remains to be seen if the S-Cross will still have a place in Maruti’s portfolio, given that the next-gen Vitara Brezza is likely to move upmarket, and Suzuki is already developing a new midsize SUV in collaboration with Toyota as part of its global alliance.