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Tech Wrap May 2: ASUS ROG laptops, Google Voice, Microsoft passkey support
ASUS ROG gaming laptops launched. Google Voice adds three-way calling. Microsoft new accounts are password-free by default. Spotify to roll out iOS app update. Google expands AI Mode in Search
Tech Wrap May 2
BS Tech New Delhi
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ASUS launches new ROG Strix, Zephyrus, Flow line gaming laptops
ASUS, the Taiwanese electronics brand, has introduced its latest lineup of gaming laptops in India, featuring refreshed models from the ROG Strix, Zephyrus, and Flow series. These new laptops come equipped with Intel Core Ultra 9 and AMD Ryzen AI Max processors and are currently open for pre-orders in the Indian market.
Google has rolled out an update for its Voice app, bringing a redesigned call interface and support for three-way conference calls. The enhancements are being gradually deployed and are accessible to select Google Workspace users. According to the official blog post, the updated call screen consolidates essential call controls into a single row.
Microsoft is pushing further into a passwordless future. As of May 1, new Microsoft accounts will be set up without traditional passwords by default. Instead, users will be guided to adopt passkeys, which utilize face recognition, fingerprint scans, or PINs for secure authentication.
Following a recent ruling in the Apple vs Epic legal battle, Spotify has submitted an iOS app update to Apple, enabling the app to display pricing and link users to its website for subscription transactions. The change reflects a shift in Apple's policies, which now prevent it from mandating exclusive use of its in-app purchase system.
After a successful initial trial, Google is broadening the rollout of its AI Mode in Search. Initially introduced earlier this year, the feature is now available across the US via Search Labs, with no waitlist. Additionally, a dedicated AI Mode tab will be introduced in the coming weeks for select users of the Google app.
Samsung is reportedly gearing up to unveil the ultra-slim Galaxy S25 Edge smartphone later this month. According to 9To5Google, several key specs — including its battery and camera — have emerged online. The device is anticipated to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, aligning it with the rest of the Galaxy S25 series.
In the wake of its legal victory over Apple, Epic Games plans to enable developers to launch their own webshops through the Epic Games Store. These shops will allow players to make purchases outside of the Apple and Google app ecosystems. As Epic stated in a blog post: 'In June 2025, we are releasing a new feature enabling developers to launch their own webshops hosted by the Epic Games Store. These webshops can offer players out-of-app purchases, as a more cost-effective alternative to in-app purchases, where Apple, Google, and others charge exorbitant fees.'
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas posted on X that their WhatsApp bot is operational again after a short suspension caused by a dramatic increase in user activity. Previously, Srinivas had shared that the number of incoming queries "is far beyond anything we anticipated," prompting a temporary pause to allow scaling of backend infrastructure. Roughly three hours later, he confirmed the bot was back online.
Samsung to use Exynos for Galaxy Z Flip 7, Snapdragon for Fold 7
Samsung is expected to use its proprietary Exynos 2500 system-on-chip (SoC) for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will likely feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. The South Korean tech giant is anticipated to showcase its 2025 foldable lineup during the Galaxy Unpacked event, which is expected to take place in July.
A rare public disagreement unfolded on Thursday between Nvidia and Anthropic, an AI startup backed by Amazon, regarding US semiconductor export rules. New restrictions on AI chips are set to be implemented soon. An Nvidia spokesperson, speaking to CNBC, stated: 'American firms should focus on innovation and rise to the challenge, rather than tell tall tales that large, heavy, and sensitive electronics are somehow smuggled in 'baby bumps' or 'alongside live lobsters.''
Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that the company now sources half of the iPhones for the US market from India, citing lower tariffs compared to China. Speaking to CNBC after Apple's quarterly earnings, Cook also mentioned that Vietnam is now a key sourcing hub for other Apple products aimed at the US market. Still, he added that the company continues to produce the 'vast majority' of its devices for other regions in China.
As part of its broader strategy to diversify its supply chain, Apple aims to procure more than $19 billion worth of chips from the US this year. CEO Tim Cook noted that Apple is increasingly relying on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., which is expanding operations in Arizona with plans for multiple facilities. Cook also reiterated that in the near future, Apple expects to manufacture the majority of its US-bound iPhones in India, amid escalating trade tensions and tariff threats from the US towards China.
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OnePlus 13s in pink satin User-friendly design Exceptional battery endurance Fast and fluid performance Innovative AI features Cameras could be better Only IP65 No wirless charging The OnePlus 13s packs flagship features in a compact chassis It has Qualcomm's fastest Snapdragon chip and a big battery The phone starts at Rs 54,999 The 13s is not the smallest, thinnest, or even the lightest phone that OnePlus has ever made. A quick check on the internet will tell you, it isn't the smallest, thinnest, or lightest flagship phone available in the market at the time of writing, either. Both Apple and Samsung beat OnePlus at it with the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25, respectively. OnePlus doesn't explicitly say that it has made the smallest, thinnest, or lightest flagship phone in so many words, but what it does claim - with a great deal of confidence - is, it has made the ultimate compact flagship phone. Basically, what it is saying is that it has found the cheat code to fashion a good, high-end phone with all the bells and whistles that money can buy, without being too big or cumbersome to use daily. The 13s is an ultra-phone without the ultra-size That is a tall claim because a) it challenges conventional wisdom, and b) it is not easy because, if it were, everyone would be doing it. It is so difficult that brands have smartly shrugged their shoulders off and passed the blame on to the customer. They say there is not enough demand for good small phones. But there is, at least that is what the launch of the OnePlus 13s suggests. So, why are compact phones so hard to make? Well, it is simple physics. When you have less space, there are only so many parts and components that you can put inside it. There are compromises. Some are obvious, some not so much. The battery is a big one. 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The smart play extends to the phone's charging capabilities with bypass technology letting you charge the phone directly (instead of the battery) when you are running low on juice but can't put it down because you are in the middle of a game. This attention to detail is what sets the OnePlus 13s apart from everything else. It is a wake-up call that competition must pull its socks up now, more than ever. Maybe, the 13s was the revolution the industry needed Speaking of revolutions, the OnePlus 13s is the first phone to bundle 'OnePlus AI,' a comprehensive suite of AI conveniences, that includes anything and everything from search to recording, summarising, and translating calls, meetings, and videos within third-party apps. It is OnePlus's answer to Apple Intelligence and Samsung's Galaxy AI. To make AI more intrinsic and accessible, OnePlus has replaced its signature alert slider with a new Plus Key, which unlocks more customisation, letting users assign a wide range of shortcuts (like the iPhone's Action Button), including waking up the Plus Mind, a sandbox that serves as a one-stop shop to store and curate screenshots. Some of them are okay, some could be better, but there's not even an iota of doubt that OnePlus has caught on the trend in big, meaningful ways that are only expected to get better with time. Phones have always been pocket computers, but when they got bigger, the pocketability suffered. The OnePlus 13s brings back the good old days. The OnePlus 13s is the first phone to launch with OnePlus AI It is hard not to come out impressed with all the things that it can do. Its flat-out 6.32-inch LTPO OLED screen is a treat for your eyes and senses, whether you immerse yourself in content or uninterrupted gaming. It is as if you are interacting directly with what's on the screen like paper, not through glass and a protective cover. The super-slim bezels accentuate the effect to a near-satisfying degree. It doesn't get as bright as some of the other flagships, including the OnePlus 13, but you don't feel it coming in the way of experience when you're out and about. Wet touch and glove mode are two quality-of-life features you learn to appreciate once you start using them day to day [the phone is IP65 certified]. That day-to-day experience of using the OnePlus 13s is what I like to call a 'chef's kiss.' Everything about this phone, be it colour or design choices, seems like it was hand-picked by an artist who worked relentlessly to craft a masterpiece that everyone - both fans and critics - would love. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is a phone you must hold to believe the hype. When you hold the OnePlus 13s, you're not blown away by how slim or light it is, rather, you feel warmth and comfort. It's a place that you want to be. It feels like home. Every nook, every corner of its metal and glass chassis, was put together for a distinct purpose. Most of it has been met. The OnePlus 13s has a dual rear camera setup Some areas could be better, particularly the cameras. The 13s has the same rear setup as the OnePlus 13R: dual cameras with a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-700 primary sensor with optically stabilised f/1.8 aperture lens and another 50-megapixel 2x telephoto. It did not wow much there, and it doesn't move the needle here. It is serviceable at best, which is how I would describe it, which is to say that there are times when it might surprise you, but you'll have to learn to live with some of its limitations, like inconsistent colours/sharpness and hit-or-miss HDR performance. Switching between the two cameras isn't always the fastest, either. All-in-all, this is the only area where OnePlus needs to improve. The hardware is there. And it's not all bad. The front camera, which is 32-megapixel and has autofocus, for instance, does well in most situations. You can record 4K videos from both sides. They are okay. The OnePlus 13s is a masterclass in compact flagship design The OnePlus 13s starts at Rs 54,999 With the 13s, OnePlus has shown that big things can indeed come in small packages without compromising on essential features like battery life or performance. While its cameras are merely serviceable, its exceptional battery endurance, sustained high performance, innovative AI features, and user-friendly design make it an undisputed champion for anyone seeking a powerful, comfortable-to-hold phone that truly delivers on the promise of an 'ultra-phone without the ultra-size." If you've been yearning for a top-tier smartphone that doesn't feel like a burden in your pocket, the OnePlus 13s is unequivocally the phone to buy. It starts at Rs 54,999 for the base variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, while the top-end model with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage will set you back by Rs 59,999 - which is significantly more affordable than the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25. The 13s is not the smallest, thinnest, or even the lightest phone that OnePlus has ever made. A quick check on the internet will tell you, it isn't the smallest, thinnest, or lightest flagship phone available in the market at the time of writing, either. Both Apple and Samsung beat OnePlus at it with the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25, respectively. OnePlus doesn't explicitly say that it has made the smallest, thinnest, or lightest flagship phone in so many words, but what it does claim - with a great deal of confidence - is, it has made the ultimate compact flagship phone. Basically, what it is saying is that it has found the cheat code to fashion a good, high-end phone with all the bells and whistles that money can buy, without being too big or cumbersome to use daily. The 13s is an ultra-phone without the ultra-size That is a tall claim because a) it challenges conventional wisdom, and b) it is not easy because, if it were, everyone would be doing it. It is so difficult that brands have smartly shrugged their shoulders off and passed the blame on to the customer. They say there is not enough demand for good small phones. But there is, at least that is what the launch of the OnePlus 13s suggests. So, why are compact phones so hard to make? Well, it is simple physics. When you have less space, there are only so many parts and components that you can put inside it. There are compromises. Some are obvious, some not so much. The battery is a big one. The OnePlus 13s has a 6.32-inch screen inside a near 6.1-inch chassis thanks to clever design and minimal bezels The OnePlus 13s gets it right. It has a large 5,850mAh battery to begin with, and it can go the distance, easily lasting more than a day regardless of how you push it. I have been using the phone for nearly a month and, believe me, I have tried and tried hard to jostle it - it just wouldn't budge from character. Each day, it would last a bit longer to an extent, it felt like it was teasing me to go and try harder. It's a game I am willing to play for as long as I can. Maybe I'll beat it someday. But today is not my day. On a serious note, most people would rather have a thick phone just so they can get a bigger battery. But that is not ideal. It is a workaround. With the 13s, OnePlus has broken that stereotype, proving conclusively that small phones can have big batteries and great longevity [for benchmark aficionados, the OnePlus 13s clocked over 19 hours in PC Mark]. The phone also supports quick top-ups, up to 80W, with a full charge taking just under one hour and fifteen minutes. The OnePlus 13s is a very fast phone Obviously, it has the fastest chip that Qualcomm makes - the Snapdragon 8 Elite - but remember that this is a small phone and so, taming the beast is easier said than done. This is another big reason why small phones are hard. But the 13s is a rare exception. Not only does it beat the pants off Samsung in benchmarks (scoring higher in AnTuTu by a good margin), but it is also able to pull sustained performance from the chip more consistently without any major hiccups [even if the CPU does show signs of throttling in tests]. Plus Key on the OnePlus 13s replaces the alert slider Yes, it heats up under peak load, say, for instance, while graphics-intensive gaming or using Google Maps, but it takes time and even when it does get hot after extended use, OnePlus has made sure - through smart engineering - that it cools down quickly. The smart play extends to the phone's charging capabilities with bypass technology letting you charge the phone directly (instead of the battery) when you are running low on juice but can't put it down because you are in the middle of a game. This attention to detail is what sets the OnePlus 13s apart from everything else. It is a wake-up call that competition must pull its socks up now, more than ever. Maybe, the 13s was the revolution the industry needed Speaking of revolutions, the OnePlus 13s is the first phone to bundle 'OnePlus AI,' a comprehensive suite of AI conveniences, that includes anything and everything from search to recording, summarising, and translating calls, meetings, and videos within third-party apps. It is OnePlus's answer to Apple Intelligence and Samsung's Galaxy AI. To make AI more intrinsic and accessible, OnePlus has replaced its signature alert slider with a new Plus Key, which unlocks more customisation, letting users assign a wide range of shortcuts (like the iPhone's Action Button), including waking up the Plus Mind, a sandbox that serves as a one-stop shop to store and curate screenshots. Some of them are okay, some could be better, but there's not even an iota of doubt that OnePlus has caught on the trend in big, meaningful ways that are only expected to get better with time. Phones have always been pocket computers, but when they got bigger, the pocketability suffered. The OnePlus 13s brings back the good old days. The OnePlus 13s is the first phone to launch with OnePlus AI It is hard not to come out impressed with all the things that it can do. Its flat-out 6.32-inch LTPO OLED screen is a treat for your eyes and senses, whether you immerse yourself in content or uninterrupted gaming. It is as if you are interacting directly with what's on the screen like paper, not through glass and a protective cover. The super-slim bezels accentuate the effect to a near-satisfying degree. It doesn't get as bright as some of the other flagships, including the OnePlus 13, but you don't feel it coming in the way of experience when you're out and about. Wet touch and glove mode are two quality-of-life features you learn to appreciate once you start using them day to day [the phone is IP65 certified]. That day-to-day experience of using the OnePlus 13s is what I like to call a 'chef's kiss.' Everything about this phone, be it colour or design choices, seems like it was hand-picked by an artist who worked relentlessly to craft a masterpiece that everyone - both fans and critics - would love. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is a phone you must hold to believe the hype. When you hold the OnePlus 13s, you're not blown away by how slim or light it is, rather, you feel warmth and comfort. It's a place that you want to be. It feels like home. Every nook, every corner of its metal and glass chassis, was put together for a distinct purpose. Most of it has been met. The OnePlus 13s has a dual rear camera setup Some areas could be better, particularly the cameras. The 13s has the same rear setup as the OnePlus 13R: dual cameras with a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-700 primary sensor with optically stabilised f/1.8 aperture lens and another 50-megapixel 2x telephoto. It did not wow much there, and it doesn't move the needle here. It is serviceable at best, which is how I would describe it, which is to say that there are times when it might surprise you, but you'll have to learn to live with some of its limitations, like inconsistent colours/sharpness and hit-or-miss HDR performance. Switching between the two cameras isn't always the fastest, either. All-in-all, this is the only area where OnePlus needs to improve. The hardware is there. And it's not all bad. The front camera, which is 32-megapixel and has autofocus, for instance, does well in most situations. You can record 4K videos from both sides. They are okay. The OnePlus 13s is a masterclass in compact flagship design The OnePlus 13s starts at Rs 54,999 With the 13s, OnePlus has shown that big things can indeed come in small packages without compromising on essential features like battery life or performance. While its cameras are merely serviceable, its exceptional battery endurance, sustained high performance, innovative AI features, and user-friendly design make it an undisputed champion for anyone seeking a powerful, comfortable-to-hold phone that truly delivers on the promise of an 'ultra-phone without the ultra-size." If you've been yearning for a top-tier smartphone that doesn't feel like a burden in your pocket, the OnePlus 13s is unequivocally the phone to buy. It starts at Rs 54,999 for the base variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, while the top-end model with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage will set you back by Rs 59,999 - which is significantly more affordable than the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25. Join our WhatsApp Channel
