With the esports boom in the last decade, the demand for good gaming monitors has skyrocketed. Gone are the days of 60hz TN panels, and in their place are versatile high refresh rates IPS panels that have shaken up the budget gaming monitor segment. The ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO is a great example of prioritizing what's important to gamers while keeping costs low.

Coming in at just Rs. 9,999, the VX2479-HD-PRO provides incredible value to consumers, featuring an IPS panel, 165 Hz capabilities, and a good selection of ports. Additionally, its 1ms response time option ensures gamers aren't seeing ghosting in esports titles with fast movements. At such a low price, the question arises, what compromises have been made? 

The answer to that question is that the right tradeoffs have been made. Expensive technologies like G-Sync have been foregone to make way for more crucial features like the super-responsive IPS panel and high refresh rate. Here's a detailed look at the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO and why it's a great value proposition for budget gamers.

Also read: Microsoft To Launch AI-Based "Auto Super Resolution" Feature In Upcoming Windows 11 Update
 

ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO: The best starting point for budding esports professionals and gamers

Specifications

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 165 Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) supported 
• Panel type: IPS, HDR10, LED
• Response time: 1 ms
• Color space: 8 bit (6 bit + FRC)

Specs-wise, the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO ticks almost every box. To the budding esports enthusiast, three things stand above all else: Response time, refresh rate, and anti-ghosting. Thankfully, ViewSonic has listened. Less critical features like FreeSync (that add latency anyway) have been omitted, making for an extremely focused monitor that does exactly what one would expect from a budget option.

In many ways, the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO outdoes its price tag. When it came to testing motion blur, the VX2479-HD-PRO posted comparable results to monitors nearly double its price bracket, featuring great picture clarity even at high movement speeds. 

However, the VX2479-HD-PRO isn't perfect. One of the biggest sacrifices made is having support for just 6-bit + FRC color spaces. While the image quality is by no means poor, the contrast offered by the monitor leaves a bit to be desired. Additionally, flipping on the 1 ms Motion Picture Response Time (MPRT) mode will drop the brightness significantly, and turn off HDR.

Design and Build Quality

• The bundled stand features no adjustability options, only offering 20 degrees of swivel 
• All-plastic monitor frame and metal stand included
• 100x100 VESA mount compatibility
• Connectivity: one 3.5 mm audio out port, two HDMI 1.4 slots, one DisplayPort 1.2 slot
• Thin bezels
• No inbuilt speakers

Coming to the design, the VX2479-HD-PRO features a clean, understated plastic frame with thin bezels and a decent stand. Unlike its more expensive counterparts, the stand for this monitor features no ergonomic features. This means that other than 20 degrees of swivel, users cannot adjust its height, tilt, or rotation. While not a huge issue, fans that require height adjustments may have to shell out a couple thousand rupees more for a stand.

Another place where ViewSonic has omitted superfluous features is the speaker. This monitor does not come with any speakers but does feature a 3.5 mm audio jack that users can directly plug into. No USB hub is present, meaning users can't directly plug a microphone into the monitor. However, considering the price point, these aren't deal-breakers.

Display Performance

• Peak brightness: 250 nits
• Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
• Viewing angles: 178º horizontal, 178º vertical
• Matte anti-glare coating
• HDR 10 support present

When it comes to display performance, the VX2479-HD-PRO requires a bit of optimization to look the best that it can. Out of the box, the default options have a few critical options set to off. First up is the overclock option present in the OSD. Without setting this to 'on,' fans won't be able to get to the advertised 165 Hz refresh rate.

HDR mode does provide a decent uplift to image clarity, provided users calibrate the HDR profile on Windows to their liking. However, turning on 1 ms Motion Picture Response Time (MPRT) mode for better response time will turn HDR off. For most users, the 104% sRGB on this panel should be sufficient for games and light media consumption. Unfortunately, the peak brightness of the monitor is fairly low, leading to visibility issues if situated in a brightly lit room.

Gaming Performance

• Response time: 1 ms
• Motion blur reduction features: 1 ms Motion Picture Response Time Setting Available (Drops peak brightness and disables HDR)
• Overdrive: 3 Overdrive options available to reduce ghosting and blurring

This is where the monitor shines. Booting into CS:GO, Valorant, or any super high frame rate boasting titles, the VX2479-HD-PRO comes alive. Ghosting and overshoot are nearly impossible to detect and are further reduced when the 1 ms MPRT mode is turned on. This comes at the cost of brightness, but not so much to be a deal breaker.

Overdrive is present under the 'Response Time' section on the OSD under the Manual Image Adjust tab. These options are split into Standard, Advanced, and Ultra Fast. Usually choosing ultra-fast in most monitors comes with the tradeoff of inverse ghosting when dealing with frame rates lower than the monitor's refresh rate. However, even after repeated testing of games and media at extremely low frame rates like 24 fps, ghosting and overshoot wasn't an issue at all.

Functionality

• OSD: 5-button menu navigation system
• No USB hub or other additional ports
• OSD crosshair supported

Helping users navigate the calibration menu are five On-Screen Display (OSD) buttons present at the bottom-right corner of the monitor. While not bad in any sense, having multiple buttons is a lot less intuitive than having one. LG pioneered the 'joystick' present under monitors that use directional inputs to navigate the OSD. Opting for this in future entrants would be a lot more intuitive.

While not the most fair in terms of competitive integrity, the monitor also has the option to add a crosshair to the center of the screen for players looking to center themselves with snipers. 

User Experience

• Easy and hassle-free setup process
• Menu navigation could be better using the joystick input method like in LG monitors
• Great response time and high refresh rate for esports titles at the cost of brightness and color accuracy

For less technically inclined users, the OSD provides a bunch of presets and color profiles that they can use as per their liking. From our testing, the sweet spot for calibration was to keep the View Mode as standard, up the brightness to max, and keep the contrast at 70. USB ports are not present on the monitor to plug peripherals into, meaning users with shorter cables may run into a few issues. Other than that, driver setup and usage were flawless, truly fitting the plug-and-play moniker.

Conclusion and Verdict

• Overall the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO is incredible value for the price
• The omission of cost-additive but not-so-critical features like FreeSync is welcome, making for a great starter monitor
• Color accuracy could have been better, the addition of true 8-bit color + FRC would solve this
• Peak brightness needs to be improved in successors

All in all, the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO is an extremely targeted monitor that gets straight to the point. Fast, fluid, and clear gaming at very high refresh rates. This monitor is ideal for either first-time gaming PC builders or younger gamers starting their journey with esports titles but don't want to break the bank.

While the lack of an ergonomic stand is a bit of a hindrance, the extra 3-4 thousand rupees for a stand could go to more crucial components like a better mouse, keyboard, or microphone. The super competitive price point of Rs. 9,999 makes it a great value proposition even for those just looking to get a second monitor that can game.

The boat has launched two new smartwatches, the Enigma Orion and Enigma Radiant, created for users who wish to have a blend of luxury and functionality. Both feature sleek metal bodies with functional crowns for ease of use.

Both smartwatches come with the Crest App Health Ecosystem, which makes the experience better with badges, wellness crews, fitness buddies, and personalized fitness plans. Both offer features like alarms, timers, a world clock, camera controls, and voice assistant support (Google & Siri).

The Orion and Radiant are rated IP67 and IP68, respectively, for dust, sweat, and splash resistance. Besides, they have a 1-year warrant and come in different colors. The Orion comes at Rs 1,999, while the Radiant starts at Rs 2,699. Both can be purchased through Boat’s website, Amazon, and Flipkart.

Also Read: Samsung Smartwatches Could Soon Get Powerful Health Features

Boat Enigma Orion And Radiatn Features

The Orion comes with a 1.39-inch round HD display (320 x 320 resolution) and supports Bluetooth calling with a built-in microphone and speaker. It comes with a dial pad and enables contact storage directly on the watch.

For fitness, the smartwatch has heart rate, SpO2, and sleep monitoring, along with daily activity tracking, sedentary alerts, and over 100 sports modes. Users can also choose from over 100 cloud watch faces for personalization. It packs a 390mAh battery that can offer up to 7 days with regular use and 3 days with Bluetooth calling enabled.

The Radiant boasts a bigger 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a sharper 466x466 resolution and 600 nits brightness. It comes with an Always-On Display for constant access to information. Similar to the Orion, the Radiant features Bluetooth calling with a microphone, speaker, and dial pad for managing contacts.

It also offers heart rate, SpO2, and sleep monitoring, plus guided breathing exercises to help with stress management. Besides, there are over 100 sports modes, so users have plenty of options for staying active. Users will be able to personalize the smartwatch with more than 200 cloud watch faces. It provides a battery life similar to the Orion—7 days on normal use and 3 days with Bluetooth calling active.

Also Read: Amazfit GTR 4 New Smartwatch Launched In India For Rs 16,999

Amazfit GTR 4 New Smartwatch Launched In India For Rs 16,999

Wearable tech brand Amazfit has launched its latest addition to its GTR series, the Amazfit GTR 4 New. This updated smartwatch is available in two elegant variants: Galaxy Black and Brown Leather, with a price tag of ₹16,999.

The Amazfit GTR 4 New can be purchased through Amazon or directly from the company’s India website. The smartwatch sports a 1.45-inch AMOLED display with a 331 ppi resolution, making sure the visuals are crisp. The watch also features an always-on display option and offers users the choice of more than 150 watch faces.

YouTube recently launched a bunch of new features and changes to YouTube Shorts, which the company says will make short-form content more useful and engaging. In a blog post, YouTube announced that starting October 15, creators can upload Shorts that are up to three minutes long.

However, the change is only applicable to videos that are square or have a tall aspect ratio and any of the older videos won’t be affected. YouTube also brought some changes to its Shorts player, which it claims will help creators take center stage and allow viewers to focus on the content they love.

Also Read: Google Messages Discreetly Discontinues YouTube PiP Support

New Updates To Help YouTube Creators

In the coming months, YouTube says creators will be able to tap into the vast universe of their favorite videos, and music videos and even pull from multiple clips on the platform. Speaking of YouTube mobile, users will now see the new Trends page for Shorts and get a preview of the Shorts’ comment section from the feed itself.

YouTube says it is working to add a “Show fewer Shorts” button, which will help users reduce the amount of Shorts they see on their feeds. This can be enabled by clicking on the tree dot menu in the upper of any Shorts on the home feed.

Last month, the company announced its plans to bring its in-house created AI video model Veo with YouTube Shorts. The move is said to give Google an edge in the industry and make it easier for content creators to be more creative.

Also Read: YouTube Premium Users Could Soon Get Built-In Sleep Timer

YouTube Boosts Premium Service Subscription Prices In India

YouTube Premium, the subscription service that offers ad-free streaming, offline downloads, and access to YouTube Music, has announced a significant price increase for its membership plans in India. The price increase was first brought to attention by an X (formerly Twitter) user known as @MrSahilBawa, who shared a notification from YouTube detailing the new pricing scheme.

“To continue delivering great service and features, we’re increasing your price to? 299.00/month. We don’t make these decisions lightly, and this update will allow us to continue to improve Premium and support the creators and artists you watch on YouTube,” it said.

The Family plan, which enables up to five members to share a single subscription, has seen a major increase of 58%. The monthly cost for this plan has surged from Rs 189 to Rs 299. With a YouTube Premium Family plan, users will be able to share their membership with up to 5 additional people who live in their household. As the plan manager, they can add family members to the plan. Each member must have a Google account and will get their own private and personalized account.

Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp constantly updates its app to bring new features to offer a better user experience. Now, WhatsApp has rolled out a few new features for status updates. As per the company, WhatsApp Status is the best way to stay connected with friends and family and the new features will make it better.

Users will now be able to like others’ statuses and will have the ability to reshare a status they are mentioned in. Also, users will be able to privately mention — and tag others — their contacts in status updates.

Also Read: WhatsApp To Allow Users Public Figures For Meta AI Voice Mode

How Will WhatsApp’s New Features Work

According to WhatsApp, there could be times when users will miss out on seeing a few important updates. “Make sure those closest to you see your status, and let them share it easily with their audience, by privately mentioning them,” noted WhatsApp in a blog post. People who mentioned in status updates will be notified privately, and the mention won’t be shown on their status.

Status likes will be like any other tool on other platforms. With a single tap of the button, users will be able to like their contacts’ status updates. WhatsApp said that status likes are private and don’t have an answer, so only the person whose status users liked can see them in the list of viewers.

These features are now starting to roll out and will be available across the globe soon. So, in case users don’t see these new features immediately, they should wait for a few days as it is a gradual rollout. “We’ll be bringing more features to Status and the Updates tab over the next few months to make it easier to stay closest to those who matter most,” added WhatsApp.

Also Read: WhatsApp To Let Users Send Messages And Call Other Apps

WhatsApp Brings New Backgrounds, Filters For Video Calls

Meta’s WhatsApp has introduced exciting new features that would appeal more to the youth. Users will be able to personalize their video calls with custom backgrounds and filters and add creative and personal touch to both one-on-one and group calls.

In a post on his WhatsApp channel, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote, “Rolling out some new filters and backgrounds for video calls, so had to test them out,” while sharing some of the filter and background effects.

According to Meta, “Filters are designed to help you create a more playful atmosphere, whether that’s adding a splash of color or creating a more artistic feel for your video. With backgrounds, you can keep your surroundings private and transport yourself to a cozy coffee shop or comfortable living room for a cleaner and more polished look.”

Facebook owner Meta on Friday revealed a new AI model dubbed Movie Gen that can produce realistic-looking videos using only text prompts. Meta’s announcement comes just 6 months after OpenAI took the AI industry by storm by unveiling its text-to-video generator, Sora.

Movie Gen is also capable of generating background music and sound effects that are synchronized with the video content. The AI tool can generate up to 16 seconds of video in different aspect ratios and up to 45 seconds of audio.

The company also shared data from various blind tests where Movie Gen outperformed its other competitors in the segment, such as Runaway Gen 3, OpenAI’s Sora, and Kling 1.5.

Also Read: Threads To Soon Start Showing Instagram Comments

How Will Meta’s Movie Gen Help Users

Movie Gen can also create custom videos by using an image or video of a person to create a video that features that person in ‘rich visual detail’ while preserving human identity and movement. Meta claims that the new AI tool can be used to edit existing videos by adding different transitions or effects. In a video shared on the company’s blog, Movie Gen was able to add clothes to animals, change the background of the video, and add new elements.

Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox while sharing an update about Movie Gen in a post on Threads wrote, “We’re sharing our progress today on Movie Gen, our project to develop the state of the art for AI video generation. As of today, our evals show it’s industry-leading on text-to-video quality across a number of dimensions, with 16s of continuous length, plus a leap forward for the state of the art on video-matched audio, precise editing, and character consistency/personalization”

He also confirmed that the new AI tool isn’t ready yet for public release because the model is ‘still expensive and generation time is too long’. 

Also Read: WhatsApp To Allow Users Public Figures For Meta AI Voice Mode

Meta Won’t Tell Whether Ray-Ban Smart Glass Videos Are Private

Meta is reportedly staying mum on whether it is collecting video and image data from its AI wearable device Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to train its large language models (LLMs). The company announced a new real-time video feature for the device using which users can ask the AI to answer queries and ask for suggestions based on their surroundings.

The feature offers real-time video capability that enables Meta AI to “look” at the users’ surroundings and process that visual information to answer any query a user might have. For example, a user can ask it to identify a famous landmark. All of these functionalities require the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to take passive videos and images of the surroundings to understand the context. 

Last week, a Taiwanese company named Novatek announced that they will kick off the production of a new OLED display featuring a new technology dubbed touch and display driver integration (TDDI), which could be seen in next year’s iPhone 17.

The report comes from the Asian paper DigiTimes, shared by MacRumors, which claims that the new TDDI displays will go into the production phase in the second quarter of 2025. As per the report, Apple is said to be one of Novatek’s first customers.

"While industry insiders remain tight-lipped about potential end customers, speculation suggests that Novatek's proposed shipping schedule could align with the next-generation iPhone displays in 2025," claims DigiTimes.

Also Read: Apple Rolls Out macOS Sequoia Without Apple Intelligence

Apple To Use Breakthrough OLED Display For iPhone 17 Air.

The new TDDI tech could allow Apple’s future devices to have thinner OLED screens since the touch and display layers are integrated, which could point to the future of the much-rumored iPhone 17 Air. It’s not clear if Apple will adopt the technology from Novatek.

Since the rumor is mere speculation, the report also suggests that Apple might test the new display on some other products, including future iPads and Apple Watch models. It’s also possible that the company could use the thinner display on the rumored iPhone Flip or a potentially folding iPad.

As of now, the only other rumors regarding the iPhone 17 Slim and its potential display is that the new Air model could replace the Plus variant and have a similarly large display at 6.6 inches. It could come with a smaller hole and a pill-shaped cutout to accommodate the Dynamic Island.

If the tech does make its way to the mainstream iPhone 17 series, it could join a potential 120Hz ProMotion display, which is supposed to be an LTPO OLED panel.

Also Read: Apple Plans To Withdraw Its Legal Case Against Pegasus Spyware

Apple Reportedly Has A Low-End iPhone Model In The Works

Apple seems to have an updated iPhone SE in the works. The updated version will serve as a new low-end model and is also aiming to manufacture new iPad Air models, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The refreshed Apple products are said to be launched early next year, the report said.

This will be the first instance of the iPhone SE since 2022 when Apple added 5G and a faster A15 Bionic chip to the model. The model helps the company to better compete with industry leaders Samsung, Xiaomi, and others in the mid-range smartphone market. Apple is yet to respond to a Reuters request for comment.