Electricity-powered chemistry is offering a cleaner path to chemical Compounds containing nitrogen which might be present in lots of nowadays’s prescribed drugs. Scientists on the National University of Singapore have created a brand new procedure for placing nitrogen atoms into tricky nitrogen-heterocycles, a solid carbon ring, the usage of their particular catalyst with out taking an excessive amount of time. The means is blank and waste-free, bypassing damaging chemical substances that frequently accompany such adjustments and enabling nearly pinpoint keep an eye on over the ensuing molecular construction. Silicon-containing compounds are commonplace fabrics utilized in prescribed drugs, agrochemicals, and complex fabrics; therefore, the advance is vital for a extra sustainable drug design.
Electricity Enables Cleaner Nitrogen Insertion Into Drug-Ready Carbon Rings
According to a report revealed in Nature Synthesis, the analysis workforce led by way of Associate Professor Koh Ming Joo and Professor Zhao Yu demonstrated that electrical energy can pressure nitrogen atom insertion into saturated carbocycles which might be most often tricky to change. The study explains how cautious keep an eye on of electrochemical stipulations lets in the similar beginning subject matter to be transformed into both functionalised quinolines or N-alkylated saturated nitrogen heterocycles, either one of which might be extremely valued in medicinal chemistry.
Nitrogen heterocycles are very important development blocks in drug discovery, however making them frequently calls for sturdy oxidising brokers and produces massive quantities of chemical waste. Directly breaking carbon–carbon unmarried bonds to insert nitrogen has remained uncommon as a result of those bonds are extremely solid and immune to response.
To conquer this factor, the NUS researchers hired electrical energy as a blank redox reagent. The response operates underneath ambient stipulations and is very tolerant to delicate useful teams, which signifies that it may be used on advanced molecules in a wide vary with out destroying them. The researchers additionally demonstrated the process’s sensible price by way of synthesising two possible ion-channel antagonist applicants. The technique is now being trialled on different bioactive heterocycles, suggesting a much wider software for electricity-driven synthesis in greener pharmaceutical manufacturing.
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With the discharge of Android 12 again in 2021, Google made a reasonably debatable trade to the Quick Settings panel. Gone had been the person toggles for Wi-Fi and cell information. In their position was once a brand new, expandable Internet tile that housed the outdated cell information and Wi-Fi toggles. The trade aimed to simplify issues for customers, but it surely had the aspect impact of creating it extra tedious to toggle Wi-Fi and cell information. Years after rolling out this variation, regardless that, Google is also at the verge of reversing it in a long term replace to Android 16.
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Contents
A temporary historical past of Android’s Internet Panel
Prior to Android 12, the working machine had separate toggles for Wi-Fi and cell information. These had been handy shortcuts for any person who had to toggle those connections often. Users may merely pull down the Quick Settings panel and faucet the Wi-Fi or cell information tile to briefly toggle the respective radio.
When Google launched Android 12, the corporate changed those particular person toggles with a mixed “Internet” tile. Tapping this tile launches the brand new Internet Panel, which accommodates switches for controlling cell information and Wi-Fi, in addition to a listing of different close by networks and a button to proportion your Wi-Fi connection.
Stephen Schenck / Android Authority
Although the Internet tile gives extra capability than the outdated, one-click Wi-Fi and cell information tiles, it provides an additional step each and every time a consumer needs to toggle both radio. This is for the reason that consumer will have to increase the tile to get entry to the cell information or Wi-Fi controls. While this isn’t tough, many see it as an needless hurdle given it wasn’t required earlier than.
Immediately following the rollout of Android 12, many users complained concerning the new Internet Panel, prompting Google to put up a post explaining the explanation for the trade. Google said it designed the Internet Panel to deal with a not unusual ache level customers skilled with community connectivity. The corporate discovered that after customers became off Wi-Fi to pressure their Android telephones to connect with cell information, they steadily forgot to show it again on, leading to over the top cell information utilization.
The Internet Panel addresses this factor by way of offering an alternative choice to switching off Wi-Fi: a easy method to transfer the lively community connection to cell information. Google said that it might take a little time for long-time Android customers to get used to the brand new tile. However, the corporate believed that when they did, they’d in finding the Panel to be “a extra intuitive and easy approach for customers to unravel their Wi-Fi connectivity problems, whilst decreasing consumer error and accidental penalties.”
The quest to revive Android’s outdated Wi-Fi and cell information tiles
Google’s reason for this transfer is sensible, particularly taking into consideration it has to design the Android working machine with billions of customers in thoughts. However, this resolution nonetheless didn’t sit down proper with energy customers who felt hamstrung by way of a transformation that “dumbed down” the Quick Settings panel. These customers searched for tactics to undo the amendment, and luckily, I briefly discovered a workaround.
Unfortunately, this workaround stopped functioning in Android 13, forcing customers to seek out choice answers. Several third-party programs can upload Wi-Fi and cell information tiles to the Quick Settings panel, however all of them require increased privileges as a result of Android doesn’t supply public APIs to toggle those radios. While maximum energy customers may settle for this requirement, no longer all will. Furthermore, this resolution leaves out customers who’re a professional sufficient to watch their information utilization however lack the technical experience to make use of ADB.
The Better Internet Tiles app, one in all a number of third-party apps that use increased privileges to carry again the Wi-Fi and Mobile Data toggles to Quick Settings.
For years, there was once no indication that Google deliberate to opposite this variation. However, following the discharge of Android 16 QPR2 previous this month, new clues have emerged. Michael Bestas, probably the most head builders of LineageOS, found out proof inside the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) suggesting that Google plans to separate the Internet tile into separate Wi-Fi and cell information tiles.
This proof seems in code adjustments submitted previous this yr that changed into public with the Android 16 QPR2 supply code free up. The first code trade, titled “Add separate cell information tile,” merely provides “a cell information tile that permits toggling cell information on/off.” The tile will probably be referred to as “Mobile Data,” and when tapped, it’s going to display a conversation asking if the consumer needs to toggle cell information.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
The 2nd code trade, titled “Add wifi tile with toggle,” provides “a brand new wifi tile with toggle to pause and scan for wifi.” Unlike the brand new cell information tile, the Wi-Fi tile will nonetheless be referred to as “Internet” and can display “the present default non-wifi web supplier when Wifi isn’t default.” This is being carried out to assist “ease the transition clear of the Provider Model,” the place “Provider Model” is the codename for the Internet Panel. A remark within the newly added code means that Google plans to “migrate to a Wifi-only tile,” however there’s no knowledge on when that can occur, or when the Internet tile itself will probably be break up.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
Currently, this variation is gated in the back of a function flag named “com.android.systemui.qs_split_internet_tile,” described as “Splits the Internet tile into Wifi (with web data) + Mobile Data.” This flag isn’t enabled in the most recent Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 or Android Canary releases, so we don’t have any thought when this variation will pass reside. There’s a slight risk that Google is getting ready this variation only for its OEM companions and received’t introduce it on Pixel units, however I doubt that’s the case, as many OEMs by no means followed the Internet Panel within the first position. Still, I will be able to’t definitively say what Google’s plans are for this selection, so we’ll simply must stay a watch out for clues in long term Android releases.
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Android fanatics are after all taking part in the benefit of magnetic wi-fi charging. Google formally added Qi2 strengthen with integrated magnets to the Pixel 10 sequence by means of Pixelsnap, and Samsung is rumored to do the similar at the Galaxy S26 sequence.
When it is time to improve your telephone, it will even be a good suggestion to improve your wi-fi charger. There are a couple of first-party choices from Google, however for probably the most section, Android customers want to third-party accent makers to fill the distance. Your subsequent Qi2-supported wi-fi charger would possibly come from an not going emblem: Ikea.
Ikea’s Västmärke wireless charger is available for just $10 in select stores, with delivery available as well. From a design standpoint, it’s thicker than most other Qi2 wireless chargers. The product has a hybrid design, functioning as a portable wireless charging solution or a flat charging base for use on a desk or nightstand.
The donut shape is certainly striking, but it fits right in with Ikea’s modern design language. It doesn’t look like a tech product in the best way, complete with a “happy red color.” There are no bland white, gray, or black color options that we’re all too used to seeing in the tech space. It’s available only in this intriguing circular shape and only in “happy” red.
The charging pad has a built-in cable that spans 47 inches, or just under four feet. It’s a solid charging length that’ll work for stationary desk setups but won’t be too cumbersome on the go. The charging cable is made out of silicone. There’s no power adapter in the box — you can use a 20W USB-C power adapter you already own or add one on from Ikea for an extra $4.
(Image credit: Ikea)
It’s fully certified by the Wireless Power Consortium, supporting both the Qi2 Baseline Power Profile and Magnetic Power Profile. This means it’ll work with older Qi devices without magnets, and it’ll also support snap connection with newer Qi2 ones. Notably, Ikea’s Västmärke supports Power Deliver 3.0 and Quick Charge 2.0.
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In other words, the Ikea Västmärke is more than just a gimmick — it provides everything you might need from a Qi2 charger.
Ikea’s charger solves a few problems with Qi2 cables
(Image credit: Ikea)
Wireless charging is somewhat controversial among tech enthusiasts due to a few of its downsides. It’s less efficient, slower, and hotter than charging over a cable. However, I find it hard to build out a wireless charging ecosystem for a different reason. Wireless chargers are only useful if they’re where you need them, and most of the Qi2 chargers on the market would look sorely out of place in a living room.
Ikea’s Västmärke addresses the issue of wireless chargers blending in, and it does it while making a fashion statement. The bright red color and silicone exterior look great, but there’s more to it than that. The Västmärke design serves a functional purpose, too. The 47-inch cable can be coiled and stashed within the donut-shaped charger for cleaner storage and peak portability.
What’s more, the donut’s silicone surface actually pops outward to reveal a phone grip. It’s like having a built-in PopSocket in your wireless charger. That’s helpful because any Qi2 wireless charger adds bulk to your phone, and Ikea’s Västmärke lets you keep using it while charging.
(Image credit: Ikea)
If it wasn’t for the price, I probably wouldn’t have given the Ikea Västmärke another look. But the official Google Pixelsnap Charger is $40 and is relatively uninteresting, save for the fact that it can charge only the Pixel 10 Pro XL at 25W speeds. Instead, I can get four Ikea Västmärke chargers for the same price to cover my home with wireless charging pads.
With the cable stashed away, this Qi2 wireless-charging “donut” looks more like a modern art piece than a charger. For only $10 each, this clever, quirky wireless charger is one I think almost every Android user should consider adding to their magnetic charging ecosystem.
Standing out
In a crowded wi-fi charger marketplace affected by identical choices, Ikea’s Västmärke sticks out with Qi2 strengthen, a a laugh and colourful design, and a integrated telephone grip. It’s additionally simplest $10, which is slightly inexpensive for a Qi2 charger.
The OnePlus 15 and iQOO 15 are two flagship smartphones that have been lately introduced in India. These handsets have been considerably costlier than their predecessors, the OnePlus 13 and iQOO 13. Similarly, studies have instructed that Samsung is prone to build up the cost of its upcoming Galaxy S26 sequence telephones, which can be anticipated to debut in early 2026. While this would possibly sign an industry-wide development, quite a lot of OEMs were caution that the emerging prices of obtaining reminiscence parts, like DRAMs, because of AI adoption, are forcing them to extend the cost of their units. Now, a marketplace analysis company has revised its previous estimates to focus on that the worldwide smartphone shipments may just shrink subsequent yr.
Budget Smartphones Could Be ‘Impacted Most Severely’
According to Counterpoint Research’s revised Global Smartphone Shipment Tracker and Forecast report, the worldwide smartphone shipments may just shrink via 2.1 p.c in 2026. The marketplace analysis company cites the emerging reminiscence scarcity and the emerging price of the invoice of fabrics (BoM). Counterpoint Research Director MS Hwang stated that finances handsets, priced below $200 (about Rs. 18,000), shall be “impacted maximum significantly”.
The BoM prices greater via about 20 p.c to 30 p.c at the start of 2025, consistent with the marketplace analysis company. Meanwhile, the costs of the mid-range and high-end smartphones have already greater via 10 p.c and 15 p.c, and this development may just proceed within the coming months.
In Q2 2026, the analysis company estimates that reminiscence costs would possibly upward thrust via an extra 40 p.c, which might lead to an additional build up in the price of fabrics via 8 p.c or greater than 15 p.c from the “present increased ranges”.
As extra DRAMs get redirected in opposition to gratifying the generative AI {industry}’s wishes, the smartphone {industry} will really feel the pinch. While the associated fee upward thrust will affect all handset makers, the cargo estimates of the “key Chinese OEMs”, together with Honor, Oppo, and Vivo, were revised most importantly.
This comes quickly after a document highlighted that OEMs are exploring other ways to scale back enter prices to take care of a wholesome margin with no need to extend the marketing worth in their telephones, as RAM costs proceed to upward thrust. Various tech companies are making plans to discontinue the 16GB RAM variants, whilst bringing the 4GB RAM choices again to the marketplace.
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Fitbit is undergoing a major overhaul, and I’ve spent a month with the preview of the newly redesigned app and personal health coach.
The app is very AI-centric, which is to be expected in 2025 when every company under the sun is looking for ways to leverage AI in their services. And while that may not appeal to consumers who are a bit wary of AI, the new app redesign brings the Fitbit app into the modern Android era while making it feel more like a comprehensive fitness guide than the standard version.
At the moment, there still isn’t feature parity with the standard Fitbit app. But what’s new is rather interesting and makes me excited for the full version of the new app, which is expected to roll out sometime in early 2026.
For now, this is what it’s been like to use Fitbit’s new personal health coach preview.
During this process, I talked to it about what I hoped to achieve and what I think works or doesn’t work for me. The coach was about as responsive as I expected from a Gemini-powered AI, and it seemed to be making a genuine effort to get to know me and understand my goals. I told it that I was looking to gain muscle and lose body fat while also hoping to build enough endurance to run my first 5K.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
I was then directed to have a separate chat to set up a workout plan, though this is optional. The AI drew on what it knew about me from our previous conversation and came up with a plan to help me achieve it, while keeping certain details in mind, such as my asthma (it suggested lighter runs as a result).
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I didn’t like the first suggestion it gave me, since I wanted to incorporate some of what I already do, such as a daily morning run and instructor-led yoga, Pilates, and HIIT on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, respectively. The AI pushed back by essentially telling me I was overdoing it (which, admittedly, I was).
It made a fairly convincing argument that I may be hindering my growth by working too hard and instead tried to compromise with me, allowing me to continue in my instructor-led classes while asking which days I preferred to run.
(Image credit: Android Central)
After a few minutes, a workout plan was generated, which felt roughly in line with what I wanted, with a nice mix of my instructor-led classes, running, and lifting.
The top of the Today tab features customizable focus metrics for a glanceable view of your progress and new Weekly cardio load. Scrolling through the Today section reveals cards that provide a quick look at important metrics, such as sleep, readiness, previous activities, and more, each with AI-generated insights.
The new Sleep and Fitness tabs make the data very easy to understand, allowing you to view trends and dive into each metric, such as the improved sleep tracking and targets. The Health tab is where all that data comes together to help you get a more comprehensive view of long-term trends.
Image 1 of 4
(Image credit: Android Central)
(Image credit: Android Central)
(Image credit: Android Central)
(Image credit: Android Central)
AI insights are found in nearly every part of the app, which may seem overwhelming to some, but I actually find it quite helpful that it’s provided to me instead of having to ask for it. And if you have questions about your metrics, tap “Say more about my x” at the bottom of each card to start a conversation with the coach.
It’s an approach that reminds me a lot of Oura’s AI advisor, which is available throughout the app and ready to talk to you about your stats. Google is clearly flexing its AI chops by leveraging it to help you better understand your body. That said, I do feel like bombarding users with text-filled cards could be off-putting, and it may be beneficial to present them as expandable cards, giving users the option to view the insights if they want.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
There’s also a floating Ask Coach button that’s always accessible within the app, so you can also initiate conversations that way. I do appreciate how the AI feels genuinely helpful and accommodating. For example, I was going out of town for a vacation and knew I wouldn’t be able to follow that week’s plan, so I told the Coach about it, and it essentially cancelled that week’s plan and had me start back up once I got back from vacation.
And if I miss a day, the coach will suggest consolidating workouts to help keep me on track “without overdoing it,” showing just how flexible it can be.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
But beyond that, you can just talk to the coach if you have general questions about your fitness, like ways to improve your sleep or even building a nutrition plan for yourself. Basically, you can treat it more or less like an actual coach, asking it many of the same questions you would if you had an in-person coach. The coach will also “check in” with somewhat frequent notifications throughout the day.
As someone who can’t afford a personal coach, I find a lot of value in this.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Lastly, I should note that your Fitbit data stays within Fitbit, so you can’t go into the Gemini app and ask it about your recent workouts. I can see the merit in keeping the data separate, though I would like the option to talk to Gemini about my Fitbit data if I want.
Work in progress
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
So far, there’s a lot to like about the new Fitbit personal health coach preview, from the new design to the insights and conversational AI. But as this is a preview, I’ve found a handful of things that could (and should) improve when the full experience rolls out to everyone.
There are plenty of features you can get in the standard app experience, which Fitbit has already highlighted. I’m not too bothered by this, as you can easily switch to the standard experience at any time to get those features, then switch back to the preview.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
I think what bothers me most right now is how the fitness plan feels more like a suggestion than an actual plan. When I select a session, there’s no option to start a workout from the app. Instead, I have to go into my watch and start my own workout manually. From there, I have to manually mark in the app that I’ve finished each set/session, enter my reps, and input my total weight.
This differs from Garmin, where I can set up a plan, access it on the watch, and follow each exercise from my wrist, which can also save my reps and weight without me needing to touch my phone.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
There’s just too much manual input, including having to link my tracked workout to the scheduled one. Fortunately, I can still send some recommended runs to my Pixel Watch 3, which is much more helpful for monitoring my run and staying within the suggested time/heart rate zone.
There are auto-tracked workouts available, and the Fitbit app will confirm the activity on the watch or phone app, which is useful.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
That said, the way fitness tracking works in the Fitbit app highlights a broader disconnect with the Pixel Watch that I hope Fitbit can address with an update to the Wear OS app. For instance, when I get my Morning Brief, it would make sense to show my suggested workout for that day, but it just shows me how many days I’ve worked out.
Part of this likely has to do with how Pixel Watches track workouts, which are not as granular as those on a Garmin watch, for example. On Garmin, reps are automatically counted, sets automatically start and stop, and the watch can fairly accurately determine which exercises you’re doing just by how you’re moving. For now, the Pixel Watch cannot do any of this.
An exciting evolution
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Despite its shortcomings, I think Google is on the right track with this new Fitbit experience. It looks fantastic, feels more organized, and does a great job of showcasing just how far its AI has come as a tool we can take advantage of. Even with its missing features, the preview feels quite solid, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it evolves, hopefully into the fitness app of my dreams.
The finish of the yr is sort of right here, and that suggests there are many outlets providing vacation reductions on necessities and tech units. Even Amazon has presented reductions that evaluate favorably with previous Cyber Monday offers. For instance, Amazon units are lately up to a massive 60% off. This makes now a very good time to take hold of a brand new Kindle, Echo or Fire Stick for your self or your family members.
Amazon’s present gives come with offers on house safety cameras, equivalent to this Blink Mini 2 indoor camera for only $18, which is $22 off its same old value of $40. For greater areas and out of doors wishes, the 3 pack of the Blink Outdoor 4 cameras is now just $75, down from $190. It comprises the sync module core and is an additional 20% off in case you have an eligible software to industry in.
Current offers additionally deliver the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Select down to just $20, which is part off. To higher revel in this cut price, a brand new 32-inch Hisense TV is only $98, which is $8 off. A Marvel themed Amazon Echo Pop is down to just $22 and comprises parental controls that permit youngsters safely revel in good house units. Plus, it is $28 off its same old value.
Finally, if you happen to’ve been taking a look to get into good glasses, you’ll be able to get a couple of Amazon Echo Frames with clear blue light blocking lenses or polarized lenses for $115, which is $185 off. We recommend taking a look thru the entire sale for different cool Amazon software alternatives. Remember that some units can also be had for an additional 20% off with an eligible industry in.
SMART LOCK DEALS OF THE WEEK
Deals are decided on by way of the CNET Group trade crew, and is also unrelated to this text.
Why those offers topic
Amazon units be offering superb high quality for much less. However, saving as much as 60% on those units makes it more uncomplicated for consumers to take hold of tech presents for much less throughout this pricey time of the yr. Many of those offers are more likely to promote out, so performing rapid is suggested.
Looking for extra units however now not positive those are for you? Check out our checklist of the perfect e-readers and good house offers.
A rising selection of electorate are turning to India’s new e-Passport machine as the federal government expands its rollout. The report makes use of digital generation to safe private information, and lots of candidates are actually opting for it whilst making use of for contemporary passports or renewals.
The Ministry of External Affairs has already issued round 80 lakh e-Passports inside of India and about 62,000 via missions in a foreign country. With lakhs of electorate already choosing the brand new machine, let’s take a better have a look at what it’s, the way it works, and what the applying price is.
An e-Passport works like an ordinary Indian passport however carries an digital chip throughout the again duvet. The chip shops private and biometric knowledge, together with fingerprints, facial popularity information and virtual signatures. Officials can fit the broadcast main points with the chip-stored knowledge, which is helping save you tampering or misuse.
The report additionally features a gold-coloured image at the duvet, which identifies it as a chip-enabled passport. The chip helps quicker scanning at airport counters, permitting sooner identification exams and shorter queues all through immigration processes.
The govt fees the similar price for an e-Passport because it does for the standard passport. Under the common utility class, the cost is:
Rs. 1,500 for a 36-page booklet
Rs. 2,000 for a 60-page booklet
Tatkal candidates should pay further fees. Authorities have clarified that the e-Passport isn’t a separate class however an upgraded model of the prevailing passport with added security measures.
Any Indian citizen eligible for an ordinary passport can observe for an e-Passport. The provider is these days to be had at choose Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs). Applicants are suggested to test whether or not their native centre has began issuing chip-enabled passports ahead of reserving an appointment.
The govt is making plans to increase the power to extra centres around the nation. The phased rollout goals to make the upgraded passport to be had to each new candidates and the ones renewing expired paperwork.
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Contents
AGM G3 Pro: 30-second evaluation
What I really like about AGM is this corporate’s telephones normally aren’t a rehash of one thing I’ve observed up to now, however one thing distinctive to this logo.
Available in Carbon Black and Alloy Grey, the G3 Pro sells the powerful nature of its development smartly with an alloy body and polymer shell. At simply 375g, this rugged design isn’t particularly heavy, despite the fact that it has double the battery capability of a regular telephone.
As lovely as it is, the G3 Pro has one special feature that not many competitor devices offer, specifically a thermal imaging camera. AGM quotes a resolution of 512×384, which is probably achieved by interpolation of a 256×192 sensor, but when combined with images captured with the 64MP primary camera, it can deliver some decent results.
This camera offers two thermal ranges, going between -20C to 150C, and another of 100C to 550C, making it useful for tracking hot water, overheating electronic components and automotive issues.For general phone use, the G3 Pro features a popular MediaTek SoC, 12GB of memory, 512GB of storage, and 5G capability.
In short, there is plenty to like in this phone, with the one possible exception of the price. At nearly 700 Euros, this is one of the most expensive rugged phones I’ve covered for Tech Radar Pro. It is possible to get thermal imaging either in a cheaper design or as an add-on to any Android or iOS phone for much less than this.
What AGM is offering is a decent specification and a clean integration of the thermal camera, but it wants plenty for that privilege. Its the high-ish price point is certainly what could stop this from being the best rugged phone choice.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
AGM G3 Pro: price and availability
How much does it cost? $699/£545/€699
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? You can get it in most regions directly from AGM or from many on-line shops.
The pricing of this telephone is atypical, in such a lot of techniques. Directly from AGM, US consumers pay $699 and within the EU that interprets into €699. However, the United Kingdom value is £545, which turns out to make it much more pricey there for no evident just right explanation why.
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However, UK consumers too can select it up on Amazon for £599 and AliExpress for simply £481.62. From the similar supply, US consumers pay $515.99, even though I’m undecided if that incorporates price lists.
The EU value from AliExpress is €618.69, which turns out over the top in comparison with that paid in america. To be transparent the EU and UK do not follow price lists to Chinese telephones.
For those that need extra fast supply in america, it may be bought by means of Amazon.com for $699.
Comparing those costs to different thermal telephone answers, its nonetheless $100 not up to the Ulefone Armor 29 Pro, despite the fact that that has a quicker SoC and AMOLED presentations, and double the battery capability.
But the Doogee Fire 6 Max is best $479.99, the Ulefone Armor 27T Pro is $458.99 and my private favorite, the Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro is $469.99.
The cut price basement is the Doogee Fire 6 with a thermal digicam at best $265.99.
Therefore, the AGM G3 Pro is among the costlier telephones with a thermal digicam, despite the fact that it is also one of the most higher high quality choices.
The pricing makes 0 sense. It’s like AGM made up our minds to offset American price lists by means of climbing the European costs, or they sought after to kill call for for some explanation why.
This is a superb telephone, and it has a top quality thermal digicam, however it is means too pricey.
5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, twin SIM, microSD
Speaker/Light
5W, 116dB loudspeaker, tenting LED gentle
OS
Android 15
AGM G3 Pro: design
Large, but not impractical
Refined form
Wireless charging
I’ve seen way too many rugged phones recently where the scale and weight of these devices made them borderline impractical. Thankfully, the AGM G3 Pro isn’t one of those, being just a little heavier and larger than a typical XL design.
And, its subtle styling delivers a device that’s easy to hold and use, with all the buttons, trays and ports where you would normally expect to find them.
The fingerprint sensor is on the power button on the right side, and the alloy chassis is sculpted so your thumb naturally rests where it can be easily read.
Or rather, it does if you are right-handed, and it’s much less convenient if you are a lefty.
The inclusion of one feature has defined the back of this phone, and all phones should have an underside this elegant, I’ve concluded. By creating a pad on the back for wireless charging, the back of this phone is dramatically less lumpy than others I’ve reviewed, and this extends to the camera cluster that doesn’t stand excessively proud of the body.
Between the charging pad and the camera cluster is a large LED array that provides a powerful camping lamp for when you decide to wander around in the woods at night.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
My only reservation about the camera cluster is that to provide a grill for a 116dBa speaker, the cluster is shifted to the left, and the main sensor is well away from the centerline of the phone. The macro and thermal sensors are more central, but none are exactly in the middle.
The USB port does have a rubber plug, but because this phone can charge wirelessly, it isn’t necessary to keep removing and reinserting it. AGM put another rubber plug over the SIM tray, and like the USB-C cover, it’s held in place with a screw, implying that it might be possible to get replacements should they become worn. That might not be the case, but its better than those designs where they can’t be removed at all.
What’s mildly disappointing about the SIM tray is that it’s one of those that can take two Nano SIMs or one Nano SIM and a MicroSD card. If there wasn’t space for all three, AGM should have made it so that it took one Nano SIM and the MicroSD, and then added a second number via an eSIM. A MicroSD card isn’t a necessity, because this phone comes with 512GB of storage, but the current arrangement, where if you use two SIMs, you can’t add storage, is a compromise.
Overall, the AGM isn’t anything radical, but most of the obvious rugged phone pitfalls have been avoided, thankfully.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Design score: 4/5
AGM G3 Pro: hardware
Common Dimensity 7300 SoC
Decent screen
Thermal camera
About half of the better rugged phone designs recently released use a Mediatek Dimensity 7000 series SoC, and the G3 Pro is no exception, using the most popular Dimensity 7300 variant.
At one time, the SoC darling was the Helio G99, and now it’s the Dimensity 7300, which I’ve seen in the Ulefone 30 series, Doogee V Max series, and now the AGM G3 Pro.
What’s good about this chip is that it’s fabricated at 4nm, making it highly power efficient, and the Mali-G615 MC3 GPU that it is part of delivers decent graphics performance.
That graphics engine isn’t up to the power of the Mali-G610 MC6 used in the Dimensity 8200, but it’s more than sufficient for the average phone user, unless they’re a hardcore gamer.
One place that many phone makers cut costs is with the screen, but AGM included a workable IPS panel that has a natural resolution of 2400 x 1080. That’s sufficient for 1080p video playback, and the 120Hz refresh results in a smooth interface experience. People love the colour gamut of OLED screens, but they tend to bump the cost of the phone up, and after three years or more, they can start looking less ideal. The IPS panel in the G3 Pro should still be readable for the entire life of the device.
One inclusion I’m less thrilled at is the 116dB loudspeaker, as that’s sufficiently loud to damage hearing. Perhaps the market research that drove the inclusion of such a prominent speaker didn’t consider that some people think they have exceptional musical choices that should be shared with everyone around them. And those stuck near them might strongly disagree.
The final feature I’d like to talk about is the thermal camera, something that has become popular with rugged phone makers, along with projectors, as a special capability that certain trades might find invaluable.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
The FLIR Lepton 3.5 peaks at 400 °C.However, what’s slightly curious about the thermal hardware on this phone is that AGM don’t say what it is. I’ve seen people claiming that it is a FLIR ONE Gen 3, but that only offers a resolution of 80 x 60.
My first guess was that it was a FLIR Lepton 3.5 previously used in CAT S62 Pro, Ulefone Armor 19T, and Blackview BV9900 Pro, but the quoted temperature range of -20°C to 550°C (-4°F to 1022°F) doesn’t fit. The FLIR Lepton 3.5 peaks at 400°C.
Other alternatives are the Seek Compact, CompactXR and Compact Pro, but again, these can reach 550 °C.
There is one chip that can do this in common use, and it’s the one used in the InfiRay P2 Pro, which has a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels, and can have a thermal range of -20°C to 550°C. AGM claims a 512 x 384 super resolution, which hints that it’s an interpolation or multi-sample from the real resolution.
Whatever the truth, and I’m unsure why AGM is being so coy about this, the results from this sensor are decent, and mainly because it’s coordinated with images captured with the conventional rear camera. That’s something that add-on thermal attachments don’t do, in general, and something this does well.
I should say that there are professional thermal solutions with real resolutions greater than this, but they’re expensive and wouldn’t easily fit in a phone.
AGM should get some kudos for delivering the thermal solution in the G3 Pro, but less of an accolade for not being open about what technology the phone offers.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
AGM G3 Pro: cameras
Rear camera: 64MP Sony IMX682 primary camera, Camera, 2MP BYD BF2257 Macro Camera, Thermal Sensor
Front camera: 50MP Samsung S5KJN1
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
The more phones I see like the AGM G3 Pro, the less convinced I am that 200MP sensors are any more useful than the 64MP Sony IMX682 primary camera on this phone.
What I like most about its output is that it keeps saturation and contrast levels within a realistic range, avoiding the excesses of HDR and the way it tends to make everything look like plastic.
If you look through the examples, you’ll see just how clean the captures that this sensor can deliver are. What’s less wonderful is the 2MP macro sensor, and you won’t need to have it pointed out when this kicks in over the 64MP primary sensor.
What this camera cluster desperately needed was some movable optics, because only having 1x and 2x digital zooms seems annoyingly unhelpful.
I’ve seen this on phones like the Lenovo ThinkPhone 25, and it elevates the quality of the photographs dramatically.
What AGM did with the camera app was provide plenty of useful modes and features, including slow motion, panorama, time-lapse, document, and dual-view.
Dual view combines video capture of the primary sensor with an inset of the front-facing camera 50MP sensor, providing a live reaction to events.
What I find a little odd is that technically, both front and rear sensors can do 4K, but only the rear sensor will capture 4K, making the Samsung JN1 front sensor completely overkill for 1080p video capture.
I did note that maybe AGM might bump out the 50MP Samsung S5KJN1 for a 50MP Omnivision sensor, since the Android 15 distro was compiled with both supported.
Overall, the photo and video capabilities of this phone are good, but AGM typically takes the Chinese phone makers’ view that Widevine L1 encryption isn’t necessary, reducing streamed show quality to only 480p with Widevine L3. Not a surprise, but on a phone this costly, I was expecting L1.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
While I’ve already mentioned the thermal capability, I should say that the quality of the thermal captures on this device is great. Using the thermal sensor isn’t achieved via the main camera app, but the Thermal AGM app. It’s packed with useful features, including the ability to bracket specific areas where temperatures are to be tracked and have timed captures. There isn’t a huge selection of colour palettes, but enough to provide something workable for most users. You can even set thermal alarms, should you be interested in a critical thermal event.
The only caveat I experienced with this thermal solution is that if you select ‘Super Resolution, ’ the frame rate drops dramatically, I estimate to a quarter of its normal rate to deliver that bump in image quality. But if the phone is on a tripod, ideally, this won’t be a huge issue.
AGM G3 Pro Camera samples
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(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
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(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
AGM G3 Pro: performance
Powerful enough
GPU is game-friendly
Power-efficient SoC
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Phone
Header Cell – Column 1
AGM G3 Pro
Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro
SoC
Row 0 – Cell 1
Mediatek Dimensity 7300
Mediatek Dimensity 6300
GPU
Row 1 – Cell 1
Mali-G615 MC3
Mali-G57 MC2
Mem
Row 2 – Cell 1
MediaTek NPU 656
MediaTek APU
NPU
Row 3 – Cell 1
12GB/512GB
8GB/256GB
Weight
Row 4 – Cell 1
375g
301g
Battery
Row 5 – Cell 1
10000
6200
Geekbench
Single
1026
791
Row 7 – Cell 0
Multi
3003
2141
Row 8 – Cell 0
OpenCL
2560
1478
Row 9 – Cell 0
Vulkan
2509
1481
GFX
Aztec Open Normal
38
17
Row 11 – Cell 0
Aztec Vulkan Norm.
40
15
Row 12 – Cell 0
Car Chase
33
16
Row 13 – Cell 0
Manhattan 3.1
57
25
PCMark
3.0 Score
16286
10975
Row 15 – Cell 0
Battery
34h 4m
19h 22m
Charge 30
%
25
60
Passmark
Score
13665
9654
Row 18 – Cell 0
CPU
6927
4683
3DMark
Slingshot OGL
6612
3806
Row 20 – Cell 0
Slingshot Ex. OGL
5123
2815
Row 21 – Cell 0
Slingshot Ex. Vulkan
4822
2658
Row 22 – Cell 0
Wildlife
3123
1378
Row 23 – Cell 0
Nomad Lite
347
N/A
I’ve covered so many phones using the Dimensity 7300 recently that it seemed pointless comparing two of them again, to show almost no difference. So instead, I chose the Ulefone Armour Mini 20T Pro, which has the older and cheaper Dimensity 6300 in a phone that also comes with thermal imaging, but at a lower price than AGM G3 Pro.
What’s important to realise, looking at these results, is that the 7300 uses a more modern 4nm process, and the 6300 uses an older 6nm fabrication. It also sports a memory bandwidth of 25.6GB/s versus 17GB/s on the 6300.
Obviously, that makes the AGM G3 Pro a much more powerful phone, and with a better GPU, in some tests, it’s more than twice as fast.
But where these technical advantages are truly pivotal is in respect of power efficiency, because with only 61% more battery capacity, the AGM G3 Pro lasts 75% longer than the Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro. OK, that’s only 14%, but given that platform’s performance, it would get significantly more done with its 10000mAh battery.
The only real advantage that the Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro has is that it recharges much more rapidly, enabling it to get fully recharged from drained in around an hour, whereas the AGM G3 Pro would take at least two hours or more.
The balancing factor in this instance is that the Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro can be found for only $424.99 on Bangood for customers in the US.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
AGM G3 Pro: Final verdict
The AGM G3 Pro is an excellent option for a person working with plumbing or vehicles, where temperature monitoring is a useful capability.
However, the problem here is that while the USA price of this phone is plausible, the cost in the UK and, oddly, Europe seems excessively high.
While its price in America is predictable, why is it so expensive in Europe?
My guess is that AGM has a limited stock of this line currently, possibly due to the thermal sensor, and that’s forcing them to control demand, at least initially.
Hopefully, America will stop beating its buying public with the tariff stick soon, and AGM can better balance production and volume to bring the price of the G3 Pro down for many.
Should those issues be resolved, there is plenty to like here for those who want a go-anywhere phone that has a decent camera and an exceptional thermal capability.
Should I buy a AGM G3 Pro?
Swipe to scroll horizontally
AGM G3 Pro Score Card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
Maker price is too high in some regions
3.5/5
Design
Large but a practical shape and weight
4/5
Hardware
Decent SoC, wireless charging and thermal imaging
4/5
Camera
Good 64MP primary camera, and effective thermal sensor
4/5
Performance
Good performance and excellent battery life
4/5
Overall
A great phone, if only it were cheaper in some places
After checking out sensible house generation for years, you’ll guess I’ve apps piling up on my telephone and pill from attempting all of the newest devices. That’s additionally given me a lot of revel in in reducing down on house apps when it is time to organize my non-public favorites.
If all of the app-hopping to control your sensible plugs, door locks, safety methods and extra feels overwhelming, check out the following tips. They’ll lend a hand with house control and stay your telephone freed from cluttered apps, particularly in case you are adopting any new generation those vacations.
Read extra: Password Check: Make Sure Your Smart Home Stays Safe
Contents
Convert to Matter-supporting gadgets
Matter is the most productive guess for sensible house convergence, however it is a gradual creep.Illustration via Stephen Shankland/CNET
Matter is the common sensible house same old that main corporations together with Google, Amazon and Apple created so that each one house gadgets may well be managed at the platform of your selection, like Apple Home or Google Home. There’s a small drawback: It’s been very gradual to roll out, and plenty of key gadgets nonetheless are not supported.
However, Matter stays one of the most perfect choices to consolidate your apps right into a unmarried choice. Whenever you purchase any new sensible house tech, all the time search for Matter improve and Matter’s triforce-like emblem. You’ll to find it maximum continuously on sensible locks and elementary house home equipment, even supposing it is slowly coming for house cameras and an identical gadgets.
Use a third-party automation app
Third-party platforms like Home Assistant are advanced, however permitting you to mix sensible house controls in a single position.Home Assistant
If your current gadgets improve third-party apps like those, you’ll mix your own home routines and software controls with out leaping via more than one apps to get issues carried out. It can take slightly tinkering (even some elementary coding paintings) to get the whole lot operating, however it is a nice choice for many who do not thoughts diving into the main points — and feature a certain quantity of persistence.
Buy for a unmarried platform
The Echo Spot (Second-Generation) in blue.
David Carnoy/CNET
Even even though Matter has its boundaries, you’ll nonetheless search for sensible house gadgets that improve your most well-liked app, without reference to Matter. For instance, Matter hasn’t reasonably made it to house safety cameras but, however should you take a look at our perfect 4K house safety cameras record, you’ll be able to see we come with data about app and voice assistant improve.
That approach you’ll pick out up gadgets which can be assured to paintings with Amazon Alexa and the Alexa app, or Google Assistant and the Google Home app, and regulate the whole lot from there as a substitute of leaping from side to side between particular person emblem apps.
Buy from a unmarried emblem
A Ring video doorbell.
Ring
When construction your sensible house device, you’ll make apps very consumer pleasant via sticking with a unmarried emblem — and subsequently, a unmarried app to regulate the whole lot.
Take the logo Ring for instance: Ring provides video doorbells, sensible lighting fixtures, safety cameras, alarms, DIY safety methods and improve for a lot of thermostats and switches. Stay throughout the Ring ecosystem and you’ll regulate your entire gadgets on a unmarried app. Since Ring is an Amazon corporate, they will additionally all paintings with the Alexa app should you desire.
This is not only a Ring bonus, both: Many house safety corporations be offering an identical ecosystems, from Google Nest and Arlo to SimpliSafe and Eufy. If you discover a emblem you in reality like, it is a good suggestion to stay with it.
Use a password supervisor
1Password app appearing login choices on pill and make contact with.
1Password
Even if you want to juggle more than one apps to regulate your sensible house, there are nonetheless tips to make that control more straightforward. A password supervisor is particularly helpful. It allows speedy logins and stored passwords for any app, and works with telephone options like Face ID and fingerprints so that you do not have to fret about remembering or typing anything else. If you do finally end up with more than one apps, it is a very easy option to lead them to more straightforward and more secure.
Now that you are able to chop down on apps, evaluate our house safety evaluate information for extra guidelines, take a look at reduce down on aggravating app signals and notice the most productive house safety cameras with out subscriptions.
Indian Railways is taking a technological step to give protection to natural world and make stronger teach protection by means of increasing using an AI-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to observe elephant motion alongside railway tracks. The gadget has been applied over 141 course kilometres at the Northeast Frontier Railway and sends real-time indicators to coach operators and station keep watch over rooms every time elephants manner the tracks. This permits teach group of workers to take well timed motion and steer clear of collisions.
How the AI System Works
The IDS contains optical fibre sensing know-how with synthetic intelligence to stumble on vibrations and motion patterns close to railway tracks. When the gadget senses the presence of an elephant or different huge animals, it straight away indicators loco pilots and station staff. This early caution permits trains to decelerate or forestall if important, whilst keep watch over rooms coordinate preventive measures throughout neighbouring sections. According to reviews from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), this manner provides a proactive layer of protection in spaces liable to elephant motion.
Also learn: Your IndiGo flight did not take off? Here’s how you’ll be able to declare fast refunds or e-book every other flight
Building in this initiative, Indian Railways has awarded tenders to increase the AI-based gadget to an extra 981 course kilometres around the nationwide community. Officials stated the growth targets to hide susceptible natural world zones, which is able to create a technology-enabled buffer that may scale back the hazards of injuries. The gadget additionally supplies structured, actionable knowledge, which helps railway group of workers in tracking and managing teach operations close to natural world corridors extra successfully than depending only on guide patrolling or visible statement.
Also learn: IndiGo flights disrupted by means of new FDTL laws: What it’s and learn how to test your flight are living standing
A Step Toward Technology-Driven Safety
The creation of the IDS paperwork a part of a broader technique by means of Indian Railways to undertake technology-driven protection answers. It enhances different projects similar to predictive repairs, complicated signalling, and AI-powered tracking of trackside belongings. Authorities hope that integrating those applied sciences will fortify protection for each natural world and passengers, whilst additionally strengthening the Railways’ virtual infrastructure. With the IDS rollout, the Railways is shifting towards a predictive, technology-enabled manner that addresses long-standing issues over elephant–teach collisions.
