Latest news with #VishalMathur
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
OnePlus Pad Lite review: For the price, gets it absolutely right
By launching its most affordable tablet yet in the Indian market, OnePlus is indicating two clear trends. First, Indians are buying tablets and increasingly so now, and the learnings from the OnePlus Go from a couple of years ago have been revised well. Equally, there are certain equalities with their more premium Android tabs, such as the OnePlus Pad 2 and the OnePlus Pad 3. Also gives OnePlus a little more in the arsenal against Xiaomi's very capable Redmi Pad line-up. The OnePlus Pad Lite is well built, good to hold and has the sort of finishing that doesn't immediately betray its pricing. (Vishal Mathur/ HT Photo) Speaking of which, the OnePlus Pad Lite's pricing which starts around ₹15,999 for the 6GB memory and 128GB storage spec (a step up is 8GB+128GB and LTE for ₹17,999), will compete with the Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2, which is priced ₹13,999 onwards, and also balances Wi-Fi and LTE spec options. At this stage, one can confidently recommend a budget Android tablet, since these are far superior than anything Lenovo or Nokia or Honor have sold at these price points, over the years. For starters, OnePlus' choice of Aero Blue as the only colour option going on sale in India, deserves a hat tip. This is a marked move away from the fatigue that's set in for the conventional blacks and greys that usually dot tech product lines. This blue, with a very nice matte finish (that also helps with grip), is a good balance to find among the many shades of choice. You'll notice a duality of colour on the back, and that adds a subtle visual cue. The OnePlus Pad Lite is well built, good to hold and has the sort of finishing that doesn't immediately betray its pricing. That's always a good thing. The 11-inch display, which is primarily the spec that puts the OnePlus Pad Lite in direct comparison with the Redmi Pad 2 for anyone who's choosing one. The OnePlus Pad Lite does well enough in terms of viewing angles, brightness levels and colours. For most potential buyers, it may tick all the boxes, but the context of having used the Redmi Pad 2m brings forth the element of pixels — the OnePlus Pad Lite has a 1900x1200 resolution, while the display Xiaomi has used, golds 2560x1600 which is comparatively sharper with text. Performance, if we are to test very closely with synthetic benchmarks, may vary slightly between the two — the OnePlus Pad Lite is powered by the MediaTek Helio G100 chip while the Redmi Pad 2 gets the MediaTek Helio G100 Ultra. Most users couldn't care less about synthetic benchmark scores, and in that realm, performance doesn't betray any superiority or inferiority. The OnePlus Pad Lite is fairly fast in responding to your aspirations of opening new apps even under a fair load of multi-tasking, as well as switching between them. Only occasionally may you bear witness to a momentary pause as things move along, but that could also be attributed to app optimisations and background processes. At no point does the OnePlus Pad Lite leave a user complaining about performance — as long as you remember what you brought this for. Software is familiar, and that includes OnePlus tablets and to a large extent, phones too. Screen Mirroring from the phone to the tablet should be useful if you have a OnePlus phone too, and as would be clipboard sharing to copy and paste between devices. Open Canvas is easy to get the hang of, as you would want to, for sharing the screen space between more than one app — the ideal is two side-by-side, and that's what Canvas does for now. Kids Mode is useful, if there is an intention to share the tablet with a young one at home. That said, the lack of placement for the OnePlus AI suite is disappointing, though circle to search (that's a Google Gemini feature, theoretically) is there. As is AI transcription for voice recordings. The OnePlus Pad Lite is, and there's little doubt, a compelling option in the budget Android tablet segment that's slowly but surely firming up with better quality and specs. At ₹15,999, it also represents OnePlus' strategic push into what would assume is the price segment where a large chunk of growth in India's tablet market is going to come from. There is a definitive OnePlus-esque refinement that the OnePlus Pad Lite brings to the table, a collective of the software and hardware in play. Ideally, a dependable Android tablet for media consumption, light productivity, and family use — without breaking the bank.
India Today
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Eicher unveils next-gen Pro Plus range of light, medium duty trucks
Eicher Trucks and Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has launched its latest Pro Plus Series, a new range of next-generation Light and Medium Duty (LMD) trucks. With this launch, Eicher aims to redefine its leadership in the segment by delivering high-performance, future-ready, and connected mobility solutions tailored to India's fast-evolving logistics and supply chain new Eicher Pro Plus range builds on the trusted legacy of the Eicher Pro Series and introduces significant enhancements in payload capacity, fuel efficiency, and driver comfort. The trucks come with a factory-fitted air-conditioned ergonomic cabin, offering intelligent climate control and segment-first features aimed at improving both vehicle and driver to maximise lifecycle profitability for fleet operators, the range offers 100% connectivity through Eicher Live and the MyEicher app. These platforms provide real-time diagnostics, fleet insights, and remote support, complemented by a nationwide dealer network and a 24x7x365 Uptime Centre to ensure seamless service and maintenance support. Vishal Mathur, Executive Vice President, Light & Medium Duty Trucks, VECV, said, "Over the years, Eicher Trucks and Buses have won the trust of customers by delivering solutions that enhance value to their business. With our continued focus on fuel efficiency, uptime, and digitalisation, the Plus range provides customers with a profitable combination of performance and sustainability. These trucks are built not only for today's needs but also for the rapidly evolving demands of India's supply chains. The new range is a result of deep customer engagement and future-focused engineering. By combining industry leading vehicle productivity with features that improve driver productivity, we are offering customers a truly differentiated platform that supports both intra-city and longer-haul applications. This range further enables us to lead with value, innovation, and customer-centricity in the LMD segment."Each model in the Pro Plus lineup is engineered for a specific application. The Eicher Pro 3018XP Plus is ideal for long-haul transport, equipped with a powerful 160bhp engine, sleeper cabin, and multiple fuel tank options. The Pro 2118XP Plus is optimised for intercity movement with a compact turning radius and agile performance. For city logistics, the Pro 2059 Plus delivers class-leading payload and body options in a 7.5T GVW lineup also includes the Pro 2095XP Plus, offering unmatched configurability for sectors like FMCG and e-commerce, and the compact yet capable Pro 2049 Plus, built for last-mile and intra-city deliveries. Rounding out the range is the Pro 2110XPT Plus, a smart 14T tipper with high torque output and rugged performance for construction and infrastructure advanced features like smart air-conditioning that automatically cuts off during idling for fuel savings, ergonomic design, and extended cargo bodies to reduce the need for aftermarket modifications, the Pro Plus Series is designed to address the operational needs of modern fleet to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Eicher Trucks and Buses launches Pro Plus range for light and medium duty segment
Eicher Trucks and Buses , a division of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has launched its new Eicher Pro Plus Series aimed at India's light and medium duty (LMD) trucking market. Announced on July 29, 2025 in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, the new range is designed to address evolving logistics requirements through improvements in payload capacity, fuel efficiency , digital connectivity, and operational flexibility. The new series builds upon the established Eicher Pro platform and features factory-fitted air-conditioned cabins, extended cargo body options, and full integration with Eicher's connected platforms—Eicher Live and the MyEicher app, the company said in a statement. These allow real-time diagnostics and fleet tracking, supported by a nationwide dealer and service network. The company states that these enhancements are intended to improve overall productivity for fleet operators. Vishal Mathur, Executive Vice President of Light & Medium Duty Trucks at VECV, said, 'With our continued focus on fuel efficiency, uptime, and digitalisation, the Plus range provides customers with a profitable combination of performance and sustainability. This range further enables us to lead with value, innovation, and customer-centricity in the LMD segment.' Models and specifications The Pro Plus range includes six different models catering to various transport needs. The Eicher Pro 3018XP Plus is an 18.25-tonne GVW truck with a 2.1-metre sleeper cabin and 160 HP engine, designed for long-haul and FMCG logistics. The Eicher Pro 2118XP Plus, also at 18.25 tonnes GVW, features a day cabin and is tailored for urban and intercity deliveries. The Eicher Pro 2059 Plus is a 7.5-tonne GVW vehicle intended for city-based logistics, offering a high payload and long cargo body. On the other hand, the Pro 2095XP Plus, with a GVW of 11.5 tonnes, provides multiple wheelbase and cargo configurations for sectors such as e-commerce and general cargo. The Eicher Pro 2049 Plus is a 5.5-tonne GVW truck focused on intra-city deliveries, noted for its tight turning radius and cargo space. Lastly, the Eicher Pro 2110XPT Plus is a 14-tonne tipper variant for construction and infrastructure applications, equipped with a 160 HP engine and 500 Nm torque. With this launch, Eicher aims to position itself not only as a commercial vehicle manufacturer but as a provider of transport solutions that combine connected technology and application-specific design to support the country's growing logistics ecosystem.
Hindustan Times
16-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Nothing's first over-ears: Design speaks loudly, while sound whispers elegance
This mustn't have been easy. Despite a fair amount of success with true wireless earbuds over the years, for the United Kingdom (UK)-based startup Nothing, beginning its headphone foray by competing with the flagships is a bold move. This is a domain with discerning consumers—cognisant of the money they're spending and the sound signature they prefer. It is also a space overwhelmingly dominated by Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser, with Sonos and Dyson making their bids. Physical controls galore on the Nothing Headphone (1), and while at it, very seamlessly integrated within the design and don't spoil the overall visual appeal (Vishal Mathur / HT Photo) Nothing Headphone (1) tries to line up the cards in its favour, foremost by getting the pricing right. Sony's WH-1000XM5 is priced at ₹34,990, while Sennheiser demands ₹20,990 for a Momentum 4, and Bose wants ₹24,990 to be sent its way if you'd like a QuietComfort Ultra. Suddenly, the Nothing Headphone (1) looks like good value—more so when you realise the sound is tuned by British luxury audio company Kent Engineering and Foundry (KEF). Though you may be interested in the specifics of sound, chances are the rather different design language of the Nothing Headphone (1) will get your attention along the way. It's difficult to ignore. There is a distinct attempt to carry forward the transparency-driven design language from Nothing's smartphones, and while it may take a while to get used to this initially, it has mostly worked. The metal housing looks good, but you'll have to be a bit careful because it shows scratches quite easily. That's inconvenient. But at least it remains smudge-free. A slight design eccentricity that must be noted — the Nothing Headphone (1) folds flat in a way that, when being reseated into the carry case, the right ear cup ends up on the left side. It's a flip every time, and frankly, it shouldn't have been there in the first place. Also Read: Nothing Phone 3 and Nothing Headphone 1 sale goes live in India: Check price and offers I've never been a fan of touch controls on headphones, and Nothing seems to share that opinion. Physical controls abound, and while at it, they're very seamlessly integrated within the design and don't spoil the overall visual appeal. And these aren't just buttons for the sake of physical controls. The thoughtful implementation includes roller controls for managing volume, a paddle-esque control for selecting the next or previous track, and a button that can be configured for quickly accessing favourites if you're using a Nothing Phone (3). These, with on-point tactile feedback, simply work. The experience of sound is built rather nicely on a robust foundation provided by 40mm audio drivers. Very much flagship-grade, if that's what you're wondering about. The audio signature is well recognised if you've used the first-generation Ear true wireless earbuds — of course, hardware differences are perceptible, but in a broader sense, you know what sort of tuning you'll get with the Nothing Headphone (1). It is decidedly lively, without a perceptible 'V' in terms of how the equaliser is tuned out of the box. The Nothing X app gives you all the options to change that, but even without it, most music genres sound good. Also Read: 'Hatke' vibes: Nothing Headphone 1 allegedly leaks ahead of July 1 launch In my book, the sound is more versatile than Bose's decidedly more subdued tuning, and at par with Sennheiser headphones. Once you toggle the bass controls, this easily gets into Sony XM territory (for much less money, mind you). Active noise cancellation (ANC), is really as on point as it gets. Safe to say, this is almost matching the Sony ANC implementation — and that is no mean feat, because Sennheiser and Bose haven't quite got it all spot on, especially with no noticeable change in how the track sounds with ANC off and ANC on. Often, headphones struggle to get the lower frequencies right when ANC is off. Attention has been paid to the little things that matter. The USB-C cable that arrives with the Nothing Headphone (1) can be used for charging and listening, and there's the 3.5mm headphone jack with a supplied cable that can be used too — except the headphones must be powered on for this to work. Bad luck if the battery runs out. Pair that with long battery life of upwards of 32 hours with ANC on, and it gets you through most transcontinental return flights on a single charge. Also Read: How to pick the right headphones? Here are the best tips to ditch the hype and tune into real value You may have assessed whether the Nothing Headphone (1) suits your budget and the sort of headphone you're looking for. Do add some more weight to the personality aspect, because no other headphone looks this good. Not the Apple AirPods Max. Not the Dyson OnTrac. And certainly nothing rolling out from the sea of sameness from the Sony, Sennheiser, and Bose lines. Vishal Mathur is Technology Editor for Hindustan Times. When not making sense of technology, he often searches for an elusive analog space in a digital world.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Vivo X200 FE review: Flagship-esque power, when size doesn't matter
It is a positive shift that serious flagship smartphone portfolios, are no longer complete unless there is a genuinely compact option available for consumers who don't exactly like large slab phones. There's the Xiaomi 15, then came the OnePlus 13s, and now, Vivo's adding the X200 FE to its X-series flagship line-up that in India also includes the X200 Pro, the X200 and the upcoming X Fold5 foldable. Across the competition landscape, the 6.3-inch screen sizes (or thereabouts) are common, and yet, enough care taken to ensure these don't fall short in terms of the specs albeit some see slight realignments in approach, and therefore experience. If you are any more than a cursory photographer, the Zeiss Style Portraits make for some interesting photography results. (Vishal Mathur / HT Photo) The foundations of a compact phone are found in reworking the innards alongside smaller than usual (I'd say the norm now is around 6.7-inch displays) screens to allow for a more pocketable footprint. Conventional wisdom, in the not too distant past, would dictate lesser physical space for components would mean a notch lower hardware in use. That's no longer the case, a collective of improved chips for instance, denser battery tech, and slimmer display panels. Of course Vivo had to eliminate the wireless charging hardware from the X200 FE (though the Xiaomi 15 retains that), but that isn't at all a compromise in the wider scheme of things. Even before building on the specifics, it is not difficult to imagine pricing gives the Vivo X200 FE a strong footing to be on. There are two variants that go on sale, at ₹54,999 for the 12GB memory and 256GB storage config, and ₹59,999 for the 16GB + 512GB option. My belief is, it is the former that will get potential buyers interested, but a large number of that demographic will find it prudent to spend that bit extra for more memory and storage. And rightly so, for the sake of longevity. Vivo's pricing works favourably, amidst a competitive landscape that includes the impressive OnePlus 13s (this is priced ₹54,999 onwards) and for now, undercuts the Xiaomi 15's ₹64,999 price tag. Expect some pricing changes from the house of Xiaomi in the coming days, though perhaps not directly, but as payment offers or discounted bundles. It is important that the Vivo X200 FE has retained the flagship credentials with form factor not having a bearing on potential. Except wireless charging. The beating heart is the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chip, with either 12GB or 16GB of memory. We are firmly in an era where MediaTek's flagship chips are at par with its closest competitor, Qualcomm. The configuration of this particular chip pegs it slightly behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite that also does duties in Android flagships — that role is the Dimensity 400's, that powers the X200 Pro. There is still enough in terms of performance with the X200 FE and the Dimensity 9300+, either while gaming or multitasking, for this to stake its claim at the same table as its flagship siblings, and the competition. Reducing clock speeds ever so slightly was essential, considering the smaller innards and a balance of thermals. To that point, the X200 FE runs surprisingly cool for an equally surprisingly long duration whilst gaming, before the back panel starts to get tepid. But one could argue that Vivo could have taken Samsung's approach and held chip continuity through the flagship portfolio — Samsung uses the specially customised Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite across the Galaxy S25 squad. Cameras are where there is definitive parity though. At least for the most part. While the X200 Pro and the X200's camera troika each has a 50-megapixel wide, a 50-megapixel ultra wide and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto, the X200 FE swaps to an 8-megapixel ultra wide. And doesn't have the V3+ imaging chip either. With continuity for the other sensors and therefore the image processing algorithms as well as Zeiss imaging optimisations, there is enough gravitas for it to compete with Leica's smartness on the Xiaomi 15. The OnePlus 13s gave the Hasselblad colour calibration a miss, for all that its worth. If you are any more than a cursory photographer, the Zeiss Style Portraits (Cinematic style bokeh and cine-flare portrait style stand out), available within the Camera app, are worth trying. As are the vintage film styles. Across lighting conditions, the X200 FE's main camera reproduces some excellent daytime photos, with balanced dynamic range and rich colours that remain well separated. Little in terms of distortion or soft frames ruining the perfect shot, though one could argue that often, the image processing is very restrained and you may need to quickly jump into edits to dial the sharpness up a notch. Hardly a drawback, in my book. A large 6500mAh lithium silicon battery in a relatively compact form factor (5850 for the Xiaomi 15 and 5240 for the OnePlus 13s in comparison) has been achieved with what Vivo calls the 3rd generation Silicon Anode composition that has higher density and the redone architecture reduces its thickness by as much as one millimetre (which inside a phone, is worth every bit of it). Stamina, also dictated by under-the-hood improvements to Vivo's Funtouch OS, returns a healthy 13 hours or thereabouts of screen time with medium usage. There is a sense that Vivo had a clear vision with its compact flagship phone, and this wasn't an afterthought. Battery has been taken care of, an otherwise long-standing gremlin that kept us away from genuinely usable compact Android phones, for years. The flagship credentials don't stop there, with Zeiss optimised cameras, a powerful chip and fantastic display making up the foundation for the experience. It feels great to hold and use, and that single hand usability aspect is more than taken care of. No longer are compact flagships, an insignificant thing.
