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.

With RCS coming to the iPhone recently, Google is planning to bring new features including cross-platform end-to-end encryption (E2EE) between Android and iPhone. The GSMA body says the “next major milestone is for the RCS Universal Profile to add important user protections such as interoperable end-to-end encryption.” 

“This will be the first deployment of standardized, interoperable messaging encryption between different computing platforms, addressing significant technical challenges such as key federation and cryptographically-enforced group membership. Additionally, users will benefit from stronger protections from scams, fraud, and other security threats.”

Google added that it’s “working with the broader ecosystem to bring cross-platform E2EE to RCS chats as soon as possible.” The Google Messages app on Android now provides its own E2E encryption for RCS 1:1 and group conversations that does not extend to iPhone chats.

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Apple Working With GSMA To Add Encryption

Google said, “We’re proud to have offered end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in Google Messages with RCS since 2020. We believe that E2EE is a critical component of secure messaging, and we have been working with the broader ecosystem to bring cross-platform E2EE to RCS chats as soon as possible. Google is committed to providing a secure and private messaging experience for users, and we remain dedicated to making E2EE standard for all RCS users regardless of the platform.”

In 2023, the company detailed plans to support the MLS protocol for interoperable E2E encrypted messaging. When RCS for the iPhone was announced, Apple said it wanted to work with GSMA members to add encryption to the messaging standard. Google also said that it is looking “forward to Apple adding the ability to react to media, reply directly to messages in group chats, and more.”

The RCS Universal Profile 2.7 was finalized in June with two new features:

• Enabling Replies and Reactions (including Custom Reactions) to send and receive messages.
• For the message sender, to Edit, Recall and Delete messages that they sent earlier for themselves and the message recipient

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

Google’s Circle To Search Feature Coming To More Smartphones

Google’s visual lookup feature Circle to Search is being rolled out to more Android devices, according to a new leak. The AI feature that enables users to quickly run a web search on any visual element on the screen is currently only available on a few Samsung and Pixel smartphones. However, this could change as tipster claims that the Circle to Search feature is being added to the Tecno V Fold 2, launched recently.

The feature first made its debut with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January and was later expanded to older Galaxy smartphones and the Pixel smartphone series. Nine months later, the feature has not been released for any other brand of smartphones. However, tipster Mishaal Rahman claimed that Circle to Search is being added to the Tecno V Fold 2.

Snap Inc. chief executive Evan Spiegel believes that augmented reality (AR) hardware will be the next big thing in computing. He hopes that the social media company's early leaps with the budding technology will give it an advantage over rivals, including Apple, Google, and Meta.

At the company’s annual Partner Summit, Spiegel revealed a new operating system called Snap OS that is purpose-built to power its fifth generation of Spectacles AR glasses and future hardware.

The new OS comes with a natural interface that uses the person’s hands and voice and the main menu is in the palm of their hand, with no controllers needed, as per the demos shown by Spiegel at the event.

Also Read: Reliance Jio Providing 1-Year Free Jio AirFiber Connection

Spiegel Wants to Attract Developers To The New Platform

"Snap’s Spatial Engine understands the world around you, powering immersive Lens experiences that integrate into your natural environment. An astounding 13-millisecond motion-to-photon latency renders Lenses with incredible accuracy," Spiegel said.

Lenses are a kind of AR experience that allows people to add 3D effects, objects, characters, and transformations to the environment before taking a picture or a video. The Snap chief also wanted to attract developers to build software for the new platform.

"We’re developers ourselves. So we know what it feels like to deal with the arbitrary rules and high developer taxes that platforms demand today. We know how hard it is to build something great and we want to make it easier for all of you" Spiegel said.

The company is also joining forces with ChatGPT maker OpenAI to offer developers access to multimodal large language models, letting them easily build Lenses that recognize objects around them and provide more context. "We want developers on Spectacles to be able to invest in building amazing Lens experiences. So we’re launching Spectacles with no developer tax," he said.

Also Read: Samsung Starts Pre-Reserve For Its Next-Gen Galaxy Tabs In India

Developers To Face Some Initial Hurdles

Developers who wish to build and test lenses for the new platform will face some big initial hurdles: a big upfront cost. The new Spectacles are available for developers to access through the Spectacles Developer Program in Lens Studio, which costs $99 plus the tax per month with a one-year commitment, which effectively translates to $1,188 plus tax per year. The program is currently available only in the US.

During the keynote, Spiegel said that developers and partners, like LEGO Group, ILM Immersive, Niantic, and Wabisabi Games are using Lens Studio and Snap OS to create new Lenses for Spectacles.

This move comes as Meta is said to bring its AR glasses to its Connect conference soon. In April, the company announced that it is opening up Meta Horizon OS, the OS powering its Meta Quest mixed reality headsets, to third-party hardware makers.

OnePlus has announced the launch of its latest budget true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones, the Nord Buds 3 in India today. The highlights of these earbuds include support for active noise cancellation (ANC), up to 43 hours of battery life, and support for Google Fast Pair. It is a more affordable offering than the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, which was launched in India a few days ago.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 comes at a price of Rs 2,299 and will be available for buying starting September 20. They will be available on Amazon, Flipkart, OnePlus’ official website, and several offline partners. It comes in two stylish colors: Harmonic Gray and Melodic White.

Prospective buyers will get a Rs 200 discount on ICICI Bank and OneCard credit card transactions. Additionally, OnePlus is offering a Rs 200 discount to students on its website and its app.

Also Read: Motorola Edge 50 Neo With Dimensity 7300 SoC In India

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Under The Hood

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 comes with a 12.4mm dynamic driver with a bass-rich audio experience. It has the company’s native BassWave technology which allows users to fine-tune bass frequencies specifically to match their listening style.

The TWS earphones offer up to 36dB of active noise cancellation (ANC) and also come with a Transparency Mode, which seamlessly combines ambient external sounds with audio from the connected device. The Nord Buds 3 come with an IP55 rating which makes the earbuds resistant to sweat and water.

The earbuds come with a 58mAh battery on both earphones, while the charging case features a 440mAh battery and a USB Type-C charging port. The company claims that Nord Buds 3 can offer up to 43 hours of total battery life with ANC disabled and with ANC enabled, users can expect up to 28 hours of usage. Connectivity options include dual device support, Google Fast Pair, and Bluetooth 5.4.

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

OnePlus 13 To Launch In October 2024 With SD 8 Gen 4 SoC

Chinese tech giant OnePlus has officially confirmed the launch of its much-anticipated OnePlus 13 flagship smartphone, slated to launch next month. The announcement was made by Louis Lee, President of OnePLus China, who revealed that the upcoming device will likely be backed by Qualcomm’s latest offering, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset, according to GSM Arena.

This launch marks a notable moment for OnePlus, as it will be one of the first smartphone manufacturers to introduce a flagship device so soon after the debut of Qualcomm’s latest chipset, which is expected to be announced in mid to late October. The timing of the launch showcases the company’s focus on keeping pace with the latest advancements in mobile technology.

Reliance Jio has released a new offer ahead of Diwali, offering users a chance to claim a 1-year free JioAirFiber connection under its ‘Diwali Dhamaka’ promotion. The offer, which is available to both new and existing JioFiber as well as JioAirFiber users, can be availed by shopping at Reliance Digital stores or opting for a special Diwali plan. However, there’s a catch.

New customers looking to get a JioAirFiber connection can claim this offer by spending Rs 20,000 or more at any Reliance Digital or MyJio store. The price seems pretty high for eligibility, but the offer could likely benefit people who are already planning to purchase products such as AC, fridge, TV, or a phone.

Also Read: First ROG Phone 9 Leak Reveals SD 8 Gen 4, Upgraded Display

How To Get 1-Year Free Jio AirFiber Connection

Apart from this, the existing JioAirFiber users can also claim this offer by recharging with a 3-month Diwali plan priced at Rs 2,222, which will make them eligible for the 1-year free service. Existing users will be able to take advantage of the offer by making a one-time advance recharge of the same plan.

As per Reliance Jio, the eligible customers will get 12 coupons over the course of the year, starting from November 2024 to October 2025. These coupons will be the same as the value of the user’s active JioAirFiber plan and can be redeemed at any Reliance Digital, MyJio, JioPoint, or JioMart Digital exclusive store.

However, to use a coupon, customers must make a purchase of Rs 15,000 or more on electronics within 30 days of receiving each coupon. The Diwali Dhamaka offer is valid from September 18, 2024, to November 3, 2024.

Also Read: Black Myth: Wukong DLC To Reportedly Come Out In Early 2025

JioPhone Prima 2 Feature Phone Launched At Rs 2,799

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has launched yet another budget 4G feature phone -- JioPhone Prima 2. The feature phone is powered by a Qualcomm chip with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage.

Compared to its precursor, the JioPhone Prima 2 is capable of making direct video calls without any third-party app. The latest 4g phone from Jio comes at a price of Rs 2,799 and has a candy bar-style design with an easy-to-replace 2,000mAh battery. The device has two cameras, one on the rear panel and a selfie camera, which users can use for video calls and selfies.

The JioPhone Prima 2 runs on KaiOS and comes with apps like YouTube, Google Assistant, Facebook, and JioPay with support for UPI payments, JioCinema, and JioChat. The phone does not support WhatsApp, as Meta recently removed WhatsApp support from KaiOS. The phone also supports 23 different Indian languages.

Samsung has started pre-reservations for its upcoming flagship Galaxy tablets in India. Consumers can already pre-reserve these devices through multiple channels, including Samsung.com, Samsung India Smart Cafés, e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.in and Flipkart.com, and authorized retail stores.

Consumers will be able to secure the upcoming Galaxy tablets by paying a token amount of Rs 1,000. Those who pre-reserve will receive benefits worth Rs 3,499. The pre-reservation is open across online and offline platforms. Customers will be able to access Samsung’s website, Smart Cafés, Amazon.in, Flipkart.com, or authorized stores to secure their devices.

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

What To Expect From New Samsung Galaxy Tablets

Samsung has yet to announce the release date for the new Galaxy tablets, but early access benefits are available for people who pre-reserve.

Samsung flagship Galaxy tablets are set to bring performance optimization, creative tools, and adaptive features designed to boost productivity. These tablets will build upon the company’s previous innovations in the tablet market, aimed at multi-taskers seeking a productivity solution.

Consumers can pre-reserve the device by paying Rs 1,000 through any of the listed channels. Early customers will be eligible for benefits worth Rs 3,499. Additional details regarding the specifications and pricing of the new Galaxy tablets are said to be launched closer to their official release.

Also Read: Motorola Edge 50 Neo With Dimensity 7300 SoC In India

Samsung Planning To Launch Rollable Phone In 2025

Samsung is reportedly gearing up to launch a groundbreaking smartphone featuring a rollable display, which could hit the market as early as 2025. This innovative device is said to have a flexible display that will extend outward, transforming into a significantly larger display when needed. If the launch timeline turns out to be true, this would mark six years since the company launched its first foldable device.

Although Samsung has yet to officially confirm the development of this new device, the company has a track record of launching cutting-edge technologies, including a hybrid model that both folds and slides.

As per a report from The Elec, Samsung’s upcoming rollable might expand to a 12.4-inch display, matching the size of some tablets. If accurate, this display would surpass the recently launched Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design, which sports a 10.2-inch display.

Samsung’s rollable device is also rumored to come with an under-display camera (UDC), curbing the need for a visible camera cutout and offering a seamless viewing experience. However, with its advanced technology and expansive screen, the phone might carry a premium price tag.