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.

Sony seems to be playing with the idea of a PlayStation controller that comes with a dedicated “rewind” button, as per a recently published patent. The patent spotted by Tech4Gamers is for gameplay rewind technology that would activate when the user pressed "a universal button on a controller during live gameplay."

The button will activate a mode where players can see several image frames of the live gameplay that they can then scroll through. Selecting one will allow the player to review their gameplay from that point.

As per the patent images, the button could be located where the “Share” button on the controller is currently. Another image shows an on-screen interface button similar to those on a TV remote, with images indicating Play, Pause, Next, Previous, Fast Forward, and Rewind. Moreover, there’s also a “Return” button.

Also Read: Sony To Introduce 50+ Games To PS5 Pro On Launch Day

How Will This New Feature Come In Handy For Users

The patent description suggests that this feature would come in handy in a number of ways, such as reminding a player of important quest information they might have missed, or how to reach a location they have been before that they cannot recall how to access.

It also describes that a player might bookmark certain sections of gameplay they may want to revisit later, with the rewind button enabling them to quickly revisit these saved moments. The patent also talks about the challenges:

"Accessing recent gameplay while the player is playing a video game is difficult, and requires hacking an existing service to view the portion of the gameplay of interest," the patent explains.

Also Read: Sony Confirms PS5 Faceplates Are Not Compatible With PS5 Pro

When Will the Feature Go Into Development Phase

"For instance, the player may have to specifically instruct the gaming system to create a file including portions of gameplay for purposes of sharing with other players. The player may have to exit the gameplay in order to create the sharing file. When the sharing file is completed, the player can then access the portion of the gameplay of interest for viewing."

While this patent is certainly interesting, it doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to see a rewinding controller in the coming days. Gaming firms often patent tech they are working on, some of which makes it to market, and some do not. In the last few years, Sony has patented adaptive game difficulty systems, an interactive AR-based trophy system, auto-play and slow mode features, NFT, and blockchain tech.

Microsoft seems to be stepping back from charging Microsoft 365 Personal and home subscribers another $20 per month to get access to AI-powered Office features. The software giant quietly announced it’s making Copilot Pro features part of its Microsoft 365  personal and Family subscription recently, but only in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand for now.

“It’s been nine months since we introduced consumers to Copilot in our Microsoft 365 apps via Copilot Pro. We’ve spent that time adding new features, improving performance, and listening carefully to customer feedback,” says Microsoft in a press release spotted by ZDNet. “Based on that feedback, we’re making Copilot part of our Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions.”

Also Read: Microsoft’s AI-Powered Chatbot Available For Some Xbox Users

Microsoft 365 Getting New Apps In Select Markets

The company is also adding its Microsoft Designer app to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions in these select markets. “Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers will receive a monthly allotment of AI credits to use Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Designer,” explains Microsoft. “The credits will also apply to apps like Paint, Photos, and Notepad on Windows.”

If you have a Microsoft 365 Family subscription in one of these select markets, only the subscription owner will get access to Copilot and it cannot be shared with other family members. While some Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers are getting more for their monthly subscriptions, prices are going up in exchange for Microsoft rolling in Copilot Pro.

“To reflect the value we’ve added over the past decade and enable us to deliver new innovations for years to come, we’re increasing the prices of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family,” says Microsoft. “The price increase will apply to existing subscribers upon their next renewal.”

Also Read: Xbox Game Pass November Line-Up Revealed

Microsoft’s AI-Powered Chatbot Available For Some Xbox Users

Microsoft has been testing their AI-backed chatbot for Xbox for several months and now the update is available for selected users. Dubbed Support Virtual Agent, it is an AI-powered technology designed to help Xbox players resolve support-related gameplay difficulties more efficiently.

As per the tech giant, the AI chatbot can quickly gain information from Xbox help pages to answer questions about Xbox console and game support difficulties. According to reports, Xbox Insiders based in the US can try the Xbox AI chatbot through support. Xbox. Command will address questions about the Xbox console and game support issues.

Megha Dudani, Senior Product Manager Lead Xbox said, “We appreciate feedback from Xbox Insiders on this preview experience, and any feedback received will be used to improve the Support Virtual Agent," as quoted by The Verge.

Beats, Apple’s iconic audio brand, has announced a new collaboration with Kim Kardashian, launching a special-edition version of its Beats Studio Pro headphones and the Beats Pill speaker to the Indian market.

As of November 2024, fans of the brand and Kardashian’s aesthetic can buy the limited-edition Beats x Kim collection on Apple.com/in and at selected Apple outlets and authorized retailers across India.

The Beats x Kim collection gives two popular Beats products a chic makeover, bringing Kardashian’s signature neutral palette to the design. The Beats Studio Pro headphones are now available in three distinctive shades: Moon, Dune, and Earth. Meanwhile, the Beats Pill portable speaker is offered in two colors: Light Grey and Dark Grey.

Also Read: Huawei Launches New Android-Free Mobile Operating System

Beats x Kim Kardashian Headphones, Speakers Price

Available in limited quantities from November 7, the Beats x Kim collection brings a premium price tag. The Beats Studio Pro headphones are priced at Rs 37,900, while the Beats Pill speaker retails at Rs 16,900. 

Customers can find these special-edition products at select Apple stores in Mumbai’s Apple BKC and New Delhi’s Apple Saket, as well as online retailers including Amazon, Flipkart, Croma, and Reliance.

Also Read: HMD Fusion Venom Edition With Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC Teased

Beats Studio Pro Headphones Features

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are designed with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, enabling users to eliminate noise for a focused audio experience. Moreover, the Transparency in varied environments. For an immersive experience, these headphones support Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.

The headphones have prioritized comfort with UltraPlush leather cushions that offer wearability over extended listening sessions. The headphones come with an impressive battery life of up to 40 hours and, with USB-C compatibility, enabling users to enjoy Lossless Audio, making good clarity.

The compact Beats Pill speaker, another highlight of the collection, is designed for portable, high-quality audio with up to 24 hours of battery life. Like the Studio Pro headphones, it charges via USB-C, facilitating faster recharging. The speakers for a fuller audio experience. With compatibility across iOS and Android devices, the Beats Pill caters to a wide range of tech preferences.

Besides, Android users will also be able to use added features through the Beats companion app, making this device accessible across platforms. 

iQOO 13 is set to launch in India soon. The company has confirmed that the smartphone will come packed with Qualcomm’s latest octa-core Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It has teased the design of the handset alongside some display features.

Now, the company has announced the launch timeline of the iQOO in India. The smartphone was launched in China on October 30. the Indian version is said to be similar to its Chinese counterpart in terms of design and key specifications.

The iQOO 13 will hit the Indian market in December, the company confirmed in an X post. As part of the company’s collaboration with BMW Motorsport, the smartphone will arrive in a Legend Edition with blue-black-red tricolor patterns.

Also Read: Oppo Find X8, X8 Pro To Launch In Indian Market Soon

iQOO 13 Under The Hood

The Indian variant of the iQOO 13 will be available for purchase through the official iQOO e-store and Amazon. An Amazon microsite for the handset has gone live. The smartphone is teased with the Halo light feature. The microsite reveals that it will get a 2K LTPO AMOLED display panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. It is said to carry a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC paired with a Q2 gaming chipset.

The iQOO 13 launched in China with a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, an in-house Q2 gaming chipset, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of onboard storage. It ships with Android 15-based OriginOS 5. It is said to arrive in India with a FuntouchOS 15 skin on top. The smartphone sports a 6,150mAh battery with 120W wired fast charging support.

The iQOO 13 comes equipped with a 6.82-inch 2K (1,440 x 3,168 pixels) BOE Q10 8T LTPO 2.0 OLED screen with up to 144Hz refresh rate and HDR support. As for the cameras, the smartphone has a 50MP triple rear camera unit, which has a 50MP telephoto, and a 50MP ultra-wide shooter. The front-facing camera is a 32MP sensor and the phone has an IP68 and IP69-rated build as well as an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for security.

Also Read: Honor Magic 7, Magic 7 Pro Launching Globally Soon

iQOO 13 Posts Impressive Benchmark Scores

The benchmark scores hint at a robust processing power for the upcoming handset. The benchmark shows that the iQOO 13 scored 3,142 points in single-core tests and 10,052 points in multi-core tests. These scores surpass those of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which reportedly achieved 3,069 and 9080 points respectively using an 'overclocked' Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset.

When pitted against Apple’s latest smartphone, the iPhone 16 Pro Max managed to get higher scores in single-core tests with a score of 3,562 but fell short in multi-core tests with only 8,814 points.

This comparison highlights the competitiveness of iQOO’s upcoming smartphone might hold against other flagship devices. Despite these promising features and performance scores, some leaks hint that the iQOO 13 could have slower charging capabilities compared to its precursor, the iQOO 12.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series will reportedly come with a new ‘Slim’ model alongside regular vanilla, Plus, and Ultra models. This new version should come months ahead of the also new and rumored Apple iPhone 17 Slim/Air, providing the Samsung smartphone an edge over other devices. Now, the alleged Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim launch timeline and more details have been reported in the latest development.

Besides, the new ‘Slim’ model, another leak reveals the Galaxy S25/S25+ has two new Sparkling colors. The launch timeline for the Samsung Galaxy S25 series flagships seems to be fast approaching as the speculations intensified in recent days.

Also Read: Samsung Tipped To Launch Affordable Galaxy Z Flip FE in 2025

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim Appears Online
 

The regular Galaxy S25 models reportedly have the model numbers: SM-S931 (S25), SM-S936 (S25+), and SM-S938 (S25 Ultra). Smartprix notes the company is working on a fourth new smartphone with the model number SM-S937U, where the ‘U’ at the end could mean it will be the US version.

The model number has appeared on the GSMA IMEI database. The database listing mentions the market name as just Galaxy, possibly because the company doesn’t want the actual name to come out. The Samsung SM-S937U is said to be the Galaxy S25 Slim US variant, although the moniker is not officially confirmed.

The report suggests that Samsung usually registers its devices in the GSMA IMEI database 6-7 months before the launch. This will give the brand enough time to test before officially launching. Smartprix notes the alleged Samsung S25 Slim will be announced in Q2 2025. This is months after the regular Galaxy S25 launches.

Also Read: Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip Powering Flagships Has Heating Woes

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim To Take On iPhone SE 4

If the timeline turns out to be true, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim will look to take on the Google Pixel 9a and the Apple iPhone SE 4, which are said to launch around the same timeline.

While it’s too early to know the specifications, tipster Ice Universe claims the Galaxy S25 Slim will have an ‘Ultra’ camera. While it is not clear what this exactly means, it is possible the smartphone could pack a similar camera setup as the Galaxy S25 Ultra or better than the regular S25 and S25+ camera setups. Apart from the Galaxy S25 Slim, the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ are said to get two new colors: Sparkling Blue and Sparkling Green.