Nikon’s latest full-frame lens is its most versatile yet with a whopping 14.2x optical zoom that covers the 28-400mm focal length. That optical zoom range beats any other full-frame lens and smartphone today – not counting digital zooms like Samsung’s 30-100x Space Zoom.
Optically, the Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is unlikely to be one of the best Nikon Z lenses – it’s not a ‘S’ lens after all (Nikon’s nomenclature for its professional lenses), but it certainly is the most versatile and could be the only lens you need to take traveling.
At its wide end, the 28-400mm is like the perspective of your phone’s main camera – ideal for everyday observations, but its 14.2x optical zoom goes way beyond any other on the market, extending up to 400mm. That’s plenty close enough for wildlife photos or capturing details of landmarks you simply can’t get close to.
You’ll need a steady hand when shooting at 400mm, so it’s handy that the 28-400mm is equipped with optical stabilization up to 5 stops, or 5.5 stops when used with a Nikon Z camera that features Synchro VR, such as the Nikon Z6 II, with current firmware (see below).
The Nikon Z 28-400mm attached to the Nikon Z6 II. (Image credit: Nikon)
The 28-400mm lens’ versatility stretches beyond its zoom capabilities: you also get excellent close-focusing down to 1.2m at the telephoto end and a max 0.35x reproduction ratio – that’s decent close-up photography skills.
A travel lens is nothing if it’s too heavy, and fortunately the 28-400mm is only 725g, and should balance nicely especially with one of Nikon’s DSLR-style mirrorless cameras like the Nikon Z5.
It also features rubber seals around the mount and lens barrel to prevent dust and water from entering the camera and lens. The design itself is pretty simple: a customizable control ring and a zoom ring with zoom lock to fix it securely in place when tucked away on the move.
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.
The sales start date of the Nikon Z 28-400mm is April 2024, and the list price is £1,299 (we’ll add official US and Australia pricing when we get it, but that equates to around $1,640 / AU$2,510).
There are a few full-frame lenses with around 10x optical zoom and more for the APS-C format, but the Nikon 28-400mm goes a step further with 14x optical zoom. Such lenses with ultra-versatile zooms lack the quality of detail you get with a prime lens, but with today’s best AI image editors you can add a little sharpness and reduce noise, which only makes the appeal of the 28-400mm lens even stronger. If you don’t mind those compromises, it really could be the only Nikon lens you need.
Last month, Samsung launched the Galaxy Book 4 360 and the Galaxy Book 4 Pro in India. The company has now added one more laptop to its 2024 laptop lineup: Galaxy Book 4. It is the most affordable laptop in the Galaxy Book 4 series, and you can now purchase it in India.
This laptop hasn’t been launched in other markets yet.
Galaxy Book 4 pricing in India
The Galaxy Book 4 comes in three variants in India, and the pricing starts at INR 70,990 ($850) for the variant with 8GB RAM and 512GB storage. It goes as high as INR 85,990 ($1,029) for the version with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.
The Galaxy Book 4 has a 15.6-inch LCD screen with Full HD resolution. It has AKG-tuned stereo speakers (2W x2), Dolby Atmos, a dual-microphone array, and a 720p webcam. It has a large trackpad with Windows Precision drivers, a full-sized keyboard with a numeric pad, and a fingerprint reader.
It has the Intel Core 5 120U processor, 8GB/16GB LPDDR4X RAM (two slots available), 512GB NVMe SSD, and a microSD card slot. It has one HDMI port, two USB Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a headphone + microphone combo jack, and one RJ45 ethernet port. It has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
The Galaxy Book 4 is powered by a 54Wh battery and supports 45W fast charging. It comes with a 45W USB Type-C PD charger. It weighs 1.55kg and measures 35.66 x 22.91 x 1.54cm.
Watch our hands-on video of the Galaxy Book 4 Pro, Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360, and the Galaxy Book 4 Ultra below.
The laptop runs Windows 11 and features Galaxy ecosystem apps like Auto Hotspot, Galaxy Book Smart Switch, Private Share, Quick Search, Quick Share, Samsung Flow, Samsung Gallery, Samsung Notes, Samsung Pass, Samsung Settings, Second Screen, and Studio Plus.
Author’s Note:Compared to the Galaxy Book 4 Pro, the Galaxy Book 4 has an LCD screen instead of a Super AMOLED screen, two speakers instead of four speakers, and a non-backlit keyboard instead of a backlit one. It also lacks Thunderbolt 4 ports, and you have to make do with 10Gbps USB Type-C ports. So, for this price, it seems like it isn’t specced as well, and you can get OLED screen-equipped laptops from other brands at the same price point.
After unveiling a range of XPS laptops at CES, Dell introduced ten new Latitude laptops at MWC 2024, including a new 7350 variant. Weighing from just 2.18lb (0.989kg), it’s available as a laptop or a 2-in-1 (with a detachable model arriving soon). As expected from Dell, you can customize its configuration to suit your needs.
Beneath its sleek River Blue magnesium chassis, the Latitude 7350 is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 135U processor. If you need more power, you can upgrade to a Core Ultra 7 165U (Core Ultra 5 125U is also an option).
The Latitude 7350 comes with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM running at 6400 MT/s, with the option to upgrade to either 32GB or 64GB, depending on the CPU you choose.
Choice of displays
For storage, it comes with a 256GB M.2 2230 TLC PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD, with the option to upgrade to 512GB or 1TB.
If you prioritize a lightweight device, the ultralight 13.3-inch FHD+ screen (1920×1200), available in touch and non-touch versions, will be the choice for you. However, there’s also a 2-in-1 Touch QHD+ (2560×1600) option, as well as Laptop Touch FHD+ and Laptop Non-Touch screens to choose from.
The Latitude 7350 comes with either Windows 11 Pro or Home (as with most new PCs the keyboard sports a Copilot key), and includes an FHD or optional FHD IR camera.
In terms of connectivity, the Latitude 7350 features a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with Power Share, an HDMI 2.1 port, and two Thunderbolt 4.0 ports with Power Delivery and DisplayPort. An optional contacted SmartCard reader is also available, but only with the heavier Titan Gray aluminum chassis.
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
The base configuration for the laptop starts at $1,809. The Latitude 7350 detachable model is expected to arrive Q2.
Last month, we exclusively reported that Samsung will hold its next Galaxy Unpacked event in July 2024. At this event, the company will launch its next-generation foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Some reports claim that Samsung will also launch a cheaper version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, but its launch could be delayed by a few months.
Cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6 launch could happen in September or October 2024
According to a new report from The Elec (via @Tech_Reve), Samsung will start the production of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 two to three weeks earlier than usual. So, the launch of those two upcoming foldable phones will likely happen two to three weeks earlier. This report lines up with our earlier report about an early launch. So, the launch of the cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6 will happen around the launch of the iPhone 16 series.
The mass production of Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 components will reportedly begin in early May 2024. Last year, Samsung ordered the mass production of Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 components in late May 2023. Samsung has reportedly set a sales target of 200,000 to 300,000 units for the cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6. While the shipment numbers aren’t high, it will divert consumer attention from the iPhone 16.
Cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6 will lack S Pen and could be thinner than standard version
The report claims that the costlier version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will have a built-in S Pen slot, but the cheaper one doesn’t. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is said to be thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the cheaper version will be even thinner.
Another report claimed that the affordable version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be priced at just $800, which makes it an enticing product. The standard Galaxy Z Fold 6 could have better cameras, a brighter screen, a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and a slightly bigger battery.
The combined sales target of Samsung’s upcoming foldable phones is around 10 million. The estimated sales figure for the Galaxy S24 series is around 35 million. So, the total sales of Samsung’s high-end phones could be around 40-45 million units, an improvement over last year.
Author’s Note:Samsung could launch the Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE with an $800 price tag. It could have a weaker processor, a dimmer screen, and a smaller battery than the regular Galaxy Z Fold 6. Since a $1,800 foldable phone is too much for most people, a $800 foldable phone with a big screen could attract a lot of people, and some people might consider buying their first foldable phone. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Galaxy Z Fold 5-like specifications for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will most likely have the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, more RAM, improved cameras, and a bigger battery.
Five months after unveiling its flagship smartphone chipset for 2024, Qualcomm is introducing a new high-end chipset. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a slightly trimmed-down version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and vows to bring flagship features at a lower cost.
This new chip is made for more affordable high-end phones, popularly known as flagship killers.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 has many of the features from Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (SM8635) is a 4nm chip made by TSMC, similar to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It will be used in smartphones from Honor, iQOO, Realme, Redmi (Xiaomi sub-brand), and Xiaomi.
This new high-end smartphone processor has many of the same on-device AI and Generative AI processing, advanced camera processing, advanced connectivity, and lossless audio features found on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It can run many popular Large Language Models (LLMs), including Baichuan-7B, Llama 2, and Google Gemini Nano.
CPU
Qualcomm is using a downclocked CPU and one fewer high-performance CPU core in the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. It has one Cortex-X4 CPU core clocked at 3GHz, four Cortex-A720 CPU cores clocked at up to 2.8GHz, and three Cortex-A520 CPU cores clocked at 2GHz. All these CPU cores are clocked lower than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
GPU
The chipset also features a downgraded GPU (could be Adreno 735) that has real-time hardware-accelerated ray tracing but lacks global illumination effects. It also lacks Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen global illumination and reflection effects.
The GPU features Snapdragon Game Super Resolution (AI-powered frame resolution upscaling), Adreno Frame Motion Engine (frame rate interpolation), and 10-bit HDR gaming. It also supports OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0 FP, and Vulkan 1.3 APIs. The GPU can drive 4K 60Hz or QHD+ 144Hz screens. It supports a variable refresh rate (1-240Hz, depending on resolution). It also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG video playback. It also supports 1080p 240Hz or 8K 30Hz external displays.
DRAM & Storage
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 supports UFS 4.0 storage and up to 24GB LPDDR5X DRAM (4,200MHz). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports LPDDR5X DRAM clocked at 4,800MHz.
AI/NPU
Qualcomm AI Engine, which combines the processing power of the CPU, GPU, and Hexagon NPU, carries out all the on-device AI and Generative AI processing. It supports more than 30 LLMs and LVMs (Large Vision Models) with up to 10 billion+ parameters. Some of its capabilities include text-to-image generation, on-device Generative AI-powered voice assistant, multi-modal AI (that can take inputs in multiple forms simultaneously), and image/video editing.
Cameras
The Qualcomm Spectra Triple 18-bit ISP inside the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 supports up to 200MP resolution camera sensors. It can operate a 108MP camera, 64MP+36MP dual-camera setup, or 36MP+36MP+36MP triple-camera setup with zero shutter lag. It can seamlessly switch between cameras with active HDR processing.
It can capture HDR images and videos. In fact, it can record 4K HDR video and a 64MP HDR image simultaneously. It can record up to 4K 60fps HDR videos and slow-motion 1080p videos at 240fps. However, it lacks support for 8K video recording, which is present on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
It supports Google’s Ultra HDR video format (Samsung’s Super HDR is powered by this feature) and supports recording HDR videos in Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+ formats. Features like multi-frame noise reduction, video upscaling, and RAW image capture are also supported.
Connectivity
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 has a fully integrated Snapdragon X75 5G modem, the same modem used in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It supports up to 5Gbps download speeds and up to 3.5Gbps upload speeds. It supports SA and NSA 5G networks over sub-6GHz and mmWave bands. For sub-6GHz bands, it supports 4×4 MIMO, while 2×2 MIMO is supported for mmWave networks.
It also supports 8 CA (Carrier Aggregation) and 5G + 5G Dual-SIM Dual-Active SIM. Several AI-powered power-saving features for 5G connectivity and configuration are also included in this chip.
Powered by the Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 system, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 features triple-frequency GNSS (BeiDou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, NavIC, and QZSS), Wi-Fi 7 with 8×8 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.4 (with LE Audio and Auracast, aptX Lossless, and aptX Adaptive), and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (with Type-C port).
Phones with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 to launch in March 2024
Xiaomi will be the first to launch a smartphone using the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset. Other brands will bring their Snapdragon 8s Gen 3-equipped phones later this month (March 2024).
Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Mobile Handsets division at Qualcomm Technologies, said, “With capabilities including on-device generative AI and advanced photography features, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is designed to enhance user experiences, fostering creativity and productivity in their daily lives. We’re elated to introduce the latest addition to our premium Snapdragon 8-series, our most premium mobile offering, bringing a host of exceptional specially selected capabilities to more consumers.”
To check out the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, watch our Galaxy S24 Ultra review in the video below.
Galaxy A15 pricing and availability in South Korea
The Galaxy A15 is priced at KRW 319,000 ($240) in South Korea. The phone is available in three colors: Blue Black, Light Blue, and Yellow. The phone is available through carriers and in factory-unlocked variants.
Lim Seong-taek, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Korea, said, “The Galaxy A15 LTE will be a smart choice for customers who enjoy watching content and taking photos anywhere. We will continue introducing products optimized for various lifestyles and expand the range of customer choices. We will continue to expand.”
Galaxy A15 specifications
The Galaxy A15 features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen with Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. It has Vision Booster and Eye Comfort Shield features. It has a 13MP front-facing camera and three cameras on the rear: a 50MP primary camera, a 5MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP macro camera.
It is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G99 processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB internal storage, and a microSD card slot. It runs Android 14-based One UI 6.0. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and 25W fast charging.
It has Samsung Pay and a side-mounted fingerprint reader. It has GPS, 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone port.
Morteza Mahmoudi is the co-founder of the Academic Parity Movement, an organization that aims to end bullying in academia.Credit: Haniyeh Aghaverdi
Whistle-blower stories
This column is the second of two in which academic whistle-blowers describe how they moved on professionally after raising concerns about their workplaces. In the first article, gender-equality researcher Susanne Täuber writes about challenging her employer’s gender-equity policy, and what she learnt as a result.
I experienced a wide spectrum of academic bullying and eventually had to quit a job because of it. It was a heart-wrenching decision. Since my departure, I’ve found peace in a supportive work environment. I was determined to use all the available means to prevent others from facing similar situations.
So, alongside my scientific work, I study the root causes of academic bullying and harassment and seek solutions to them. I forgave my bully last year, but I still find it challenging to forgive those who protected the bully and ultimately forced my departure.
How to blow the whistle on an academic bully
In 2019, I co-founded the Academic Parity Movement, a non-profit organization based in Brookline, Massachusetts, with Saya Ameli Hajebi, an environmental activist. The organization’s ultimate goal is to bring an end to bullying and harassment in academia. I first met Saya through my wife, who is a friend of her mother.
The first thing we did was raise awareness of the problem among stakeholders, including academics, funding agencies and university ranking agency representatives. We then told them how to recognize bullying, and taught them strategies for addressing it.
Expanding our reach
I collaborated with Sherry Moss, an organizational-behaviour researcher at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to better understand the context of bullying and harassment in academia. We ran a global survey that garnered more than 2,000 responses1 and personal narratives. Some of these appeared in a 2021 story in Science, alongside the survey findings.
This meant that the voices of people who were bullied were being heard on a broader scale. A closer analysis of the survey data revealed that academic bullying and harassment does not affect all scientific fields equally2. This highlights the necessity for tailored and context-specific training, monitoring and intervention strategies when addressing academic bullying.
Bullied abroad: how foreign researchers can fight back
Next, I collaborated with specialists in tackling bullying from various scientific disciplines. We created a comprehensive list of actionable steps and precautions that those being harassed can take, and that bystanders can use to support them.
It took the Academic Parity Movement three years to assemble the necessary advisory board members, spanning different subjects and regions. All are volunteers, driven by a shared commitment to helping others in need. We have a newsletter, published every two months, which includes information about relevant publications, news, conferences and resources around academic bullying and harassment.
Last year, we received 832 requests for help. When a request comes in, we offer the person informal advice. Then, I refer them to a board member in their discipline and cultural context, so that the advice is more relevant and personalized. We also provide a course that helps to empower people by reinforcing the idea that they are not alone. Advice and testimonials from academics who have experienced bullying provides a sense of community and shared understanding.
Last January, we started providing access to lawyers specializing in academic-harassment cases, and also to sessions with counsellors specializing in trauma to help clients to improve their mental well-being. These services are funded by contributions from several of our board members, fundraising initiatives and membership fees.
Underpaid and overworked: researchers abroad fall prey to bullying
We have held three annual conferences so far. They bring together representatives from funding agencies, academic institutions and ombudsperson offices, as well as journal editors and decision makers. The fourth will take place next month at Wake Forest University.
I also shared my own experiences and lessons I have learnt, alongside emerging patterns of bullying and harassment, in ‘A survivor’s guide to academic bullying’3, published in Nature Human Behaviour in 2020. My aim is to raise awareness and to empower people to understand their rights, helping them to protect themselves and their families. It is important to recognize that individuals at all levels of academia, from students to tenured faculty members, can be targets of bullying and harassment. I take immense pride in the progress we’ve made over the past few years, with numerous volunteers joining our cause. We’ve provided advice to thousands of people, financially supported many to get legal advice and mental-health counselling and brought stakeholders together at workshops and conferences.
And although my personal anguish lingers and can still bring me to tears, I hope that the community that we have created will turn the tide so that others — and their careers — won’t suffer as I did.
This is an article from the Nature Careers Community, a place for Nature readers to share their professional experiences and advice. Guest posts are encouraged.
Competing Interests
M. M. is a co-founder and director of the Academic Parity Movement, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing academic discrimination, violence and incivility, and a co-founder of Targets’ Tip, a bullying and harassment education programme. He receives royalties and honoraria for his published books, plenary lectures and licensed patents.
Fiat has revealed the pricing and also started taking orders new Fiat 600 Hybrid and the car starts at £23,965. There are two models in the range the 600 Hybrid for £23,695 and the 600 Hybrid La Prima which costs £26,965.
The car will come in different color options for each vehicle, this includes Red, White, Black, +Sea, Earth, Sky, and Sun of Italy for the 600 Hybrid models and Sea, Earth, Sky, Sun of Italy for the 600 Hyrbid La Prima models.
The launch of the highly anticipated Fiat 600 Hybrid, which will be offered alongside the recently launched, fully electric Fiat 600e, marks a significant milestone and is designed to meet modern drivers’ demands while prioritizing sustainability and performance.
Built on the advanced CMP2 platform, the Fiat 600 Hybrid integrates cutting-edge technology derived from the acclaimed 600e series. With a robust 100 horsepower 48V Hybrid application and a seamless 6-speed automatic gearbox, this groundbreaking powertrain ensures a dynamic driving experience while prioritizing environmental responsibility. Thanks to the innovative integration of an electric motor within the gearbox, the 600 Hybrid boasts full electric capabilities, allowing for effortless detachment of the engine from the transmission.
You can find out more details about the two new models in the new Fiat 600 Hybrid range over at the Fiat website at the link below, the new models are now available to order.
Source Fiat
Filed Under: Auto News
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Samsung is adding some new devices to its Bespoke range of home appliances with the launch of the new Samsung Bespoke Cube Air Infinite air purifiers which Samsung descrivbes as a premium air purifier with an AI function.
The Bespoke Cube Air Infinite line applies ‘4-way surround cleaning’ technology to suck in polluted air in 360 degrees on all four sides and expel clean air evenly throughout the space.
When faster purification and air circulation are needed, the ‘Pop-up Clean Booster’ located at the top of the product operates and sends clean air that has passed through the filter up to 11 meters away. This booster can be customized to your living space by setting the rotation angle range through the SmartThings app, and is designed to be hidden inside when not in operation, so it blends in harmoniously with the surrounding environment.
This product is equipped with an integrated ‘S Filter’ consisting of an ultrafine filter, antibacterial dust collection filter, and charcoal deodorization reinforcement filter, removing 99.999% of dust as small as 0.01㎛, which is smaller than the ultrafine dust standard of 2.5㎛ (micrometer), and eliminating household odors. Removes up to 99% of pet odors.
The new Samsung Bespoke Cube Air Infinite has been launched in Samsung’s home country of South Korea, as yet there are no details on pricing and now details on when they may be available in more countries like the USA, UK, and Europe.
Source Samsung
Filed Under: Technology News
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Aston Martin has unveiled its latest Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1, the new Aston Martin Advantage, and the car will debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024 along with the DBX707 which will continue as the official Formula 1 medical car.
Bernd Mayländer, FIA Safety Car Driver, commented: “It is a pleasure to drive the Aston Martin Vantage. The car comes from an incredible bloodline and this newest version is the fastest yet. My first impressions were very positive as I could immediately feel the improvement in handling and, of course, power. We need a car that is fast and focused so we can respond quickly and safely when we receive the call for on-track deployment and Vantage provides that. I have enjoyed driving Vantage during the past three seasons and I’m happy to now be one of the first to drive the new Vantage and experience its full performance pedigree on the world’s greatest circuits.”
The new Vantage, the most sporting model in Aston Martin’s portfolio, has gone through a rigorous process to become an Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1®. To provide maximum attack on the race track, this unique car has additional, modified underfloor aerodynamics, along with an extended and profiled front splitter. For extra downforce a new rear wing has been specifically fitted in a bespoke position with a tuned Gurney. The FIA lightbar has also received new aero-profiling as every millisecond of performance is vital whilst leading the pack of F1® cars with rapidly cooling tyres.
You can find out more details about the new Aston Martin Vantage which will be the 2024 official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1m over at the Aston Martin website at the link below.
Source Aston Martin
Filed Under: Auto News
Latest timeswonderful Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, timeswonderful may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
