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<keyword id="19913110" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shaktikanta-Das" source="keywords">Shaktikanta Das</keyword>, the Governor of <keyword id="19899810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reserve-Bank-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reserve Bank of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reserve Bank of India">Reserve Bank of India</keyword> (RBI), on October 26, received award for A+ grade in <keyword id="23702898" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Bank-Report-Cards" source="keywords">Central Bank Report Cards</keyword> 2024, for the second consecutive year. The award, presented by <keyword id="22224722" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Global-Finance" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Global Finance" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Global Finance">Global Finance</keyword> in <keyword id="21459434" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Washington-D-C-" source="keywords">Washington D.C.</keyword>, USA, recognised RBI Governor's excellent performance and effective leadership in steering India's apex bank through complex economic challenges. In a social media post on X, RBI posted, "Governor @DasShaktikanta received the award for A+ grade in Central Bank Report Cards 2024, for the second consecutive year. Presented by Global Finance at an event held today in Washington DC, USA." The Central Bank Report Cards, published annually by Global Finance since 1994, grade the central bank governors of nearly 100 key countries, territories, and districts, as well as the European Union, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Bank of Central African States and the Central Bank of West African States. Grades are based on an "A+" to "F" scale for success in areas such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability and interest rate management. "A" represents an excellent performance, down through "F" for outright failure. Along with Das, Denmark's Christian Kettel Thomsen and Switzerland's Thomas Jordan were also accorded an A+ grade. Brazil's Roberto Campos Neto, Chile's Rosanna Costa, Harvesh Kumar Seegolam of Mauritius, Morocco's Abdellatif Jouahri, South Africa's Lesetja Kganyago and Sri Lanka's Nadalal Weerasinghe were amongst those who received the <keyword id="22446364" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="A-grade" source="keywords">A grade</keyword>. European Union's Christine Lagarde was given an A- grade. "After a difficult 2023, when geopolitical pressures gathered with tight monetary conditions to create a near-stagflationary environment in the eurozone, the central bank has managed to inch much closer to its 2% target with successive consumer price index (CPI) readings under 3% since February of this year, down to 2.4% in August", Global Finance noted on Lagarde's tenure. <keyword id="19951097" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Fed" source="keywords">US Fed</keyword> Chairman Jerome Hayden Powell received an A- grade. Per the Global Finance website, "The Fed has debated in excruciating, and at times confusing, detail throughout this year when and whether to cut its benchmark rate from a 23-year high of 5.5%, a level held since July 2023. This September, the Fed finally turned the monetary ship toward a policy of easing, with a 50-basis point cut, which was at the higher end of forecasts." "Prior to the rate cut, economists agreed that confusion in the markets was a case of bad communication by the Fed, but Powell’s overall handling of policy has been praised. It is difficult to find much fault with the Fed’s approach to policymaking over the past year. The Fed has appropriately changed its tone in response", it continued. However, it also noted that more-substantial easing in the following months will be crucial to avoid a policy mistake and to secure Powell’s legacy. Powell's term as second-time chair of the Fed Reserve ends on May 15, 2026.

Shaktikanta Das receives award for A+ grade in Central Bank Report Cards 2024 in USA

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicts a future with personal robots like R2-D2 and C-3PO from Star Wars.</li><li>Huang referenced the droid duo during an appearance at T-Mobile's Capital Markets Day.</li></ul>Nvidia chief <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-jensen-huang-leadership-style-insiders-tough-boss-admit-mistakes-2024-6">Jensen Huang</a> seems to be excited about the future of robotics. During an appearance at T-Mobile's Capital Markets Day on Wednesday, Huang made bold predictions about the future, referencing robots from the Star Wars movie franchise. Huang said, "I love the idea that I'll have my own R2-D2, my own C-3PO — my R2 will be following me, and for many people just growing up now, they'll have their own personal R2 with them for their lives."The boss of the chip designer also talked up the possibility of having digital agents, which he predicts will work alongside people. He said, "I really love the idea that I will have a computer that is getting smarter and smarter with me as it works with me over time and understands me to help me get things done." Elon Musk appeared to agree with this vision, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1836518602813608189">replying</a> to a clip of Huang's comments on his social media platform, X, with "True."It's the latest indication that Huang <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-pushes-robot-revolution-taiwan-computex-speech-2024-6">sees humanoid robots as the next big phase</a> in AI development. Speaking at a tech conference in Taiwan earlier this year, he said: "The next wave of AI is physical AI." Nvidia created an operating system called Project Gr00t to help teach robots to perform everyday tasks. While announcing the venture, Huang was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-humanoid-robots-jensen-huang-2024-3">accompanied onstage by nine humanoid robots</a> at its GTC conference in March. Earlier this year, Huang said, "The easiest robot to adapt into the world are humanoid robots because we built the world for us. We also have the most amount of data to train these robots than other types of robots because we have the same physique." Salesforce and Nvidia announced a collaboration on Wednesday to develop autonomous agents for enterprises along with interactive avatar experiences. The Agentforce agents are designed to help boost productivity in sales, marketing, IT, and service teams, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240917057818/en/Salesforce-and-NVIDIA-Forge-Strategic-Collaboration-to-Advance-AI-Agent-Innovation">press release</a>. Nvidia didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Jensen Huang thinks we're all going to have our own R2-D2 or C-3PO robots follow us around 

Team India will look to seal the series as they lock horns with Bangladesh in the second T20I of the three-match series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. Suryakumar's side has already taken a 1-0 lead in the series after clinching a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I match in Gwalior. India and Bangladesh have faced each other on 15 occasions in the shortest format of the game so far. The Men in Blue have dominated the visitors as they have managed to emerge victorious 14 times. Speaking of the team's form in this format in recent times, the hosts have won all their last five encounters. On the other hand, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side have won only one game out of their last five. In the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League this year only five matches took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. In these five matches, the teams were able to cross the 200-run mark in eight innings out of ten. So, the match is expected to be a high-scoring clash. The weather at the venue is believed to be clear, with a little bit of dew later in the match, according to ESPNcricinfo. India's left-arm speedster <keyword id="19914486" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arshdeep-Singh" source="keywords">Arshdeep Singh</keyword> asserted that skipper <keyword id="19908088" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Suryakumar-Yadav" source="keywords">Suryakumar Yadav</keyword> and head coach Gautam Gambhir will check the wicket and share the plan for the game. "We [Punjab Kings] did not play here this IPL, but after seeing the scores, I did not feel like checking the wicket. But yeah, we will come tomorrow and see what could be a good plan here. And of course, the captain and the coach will check the wicket and share their plan," Arshdeep Singh said in the pre-match press conference as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. Further the Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah heaped praise on the team's bowlers saying that they have been doing a wonderful job in the last few years. "Our bowlers are doing a wonderful job for the last few years. I don't think we played that badly in the first game. We shouldn't doubt ourselves based on one game. That'd be unfair. We have to come out of that zone and try to win the game. We tried to play aggressively with the bat. We have to be more organised, which will serve us better," Mahmudullah said. Mahmudullah announced his decision to retire from T20I cricket on Saturday to shift his focus to the ODI format. The final T20I between India and Bangladesh at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, will mark Mahmudullah's final appearance in Bangladesh colours in the T20I format. Squads: India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Nitish Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Jitesh Sharma, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana. Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzid Hasan, Rakibul Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/byd-emax-7-electric-mpv-launched-in-india-starting-at-26-9-lakh/slidelist/114046121.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/byd-emax-7-electric-mpv-launched-in-india-starting-at-26-9-lakh/slidelist/114046121.cms" target="_blank">BYD eMax 7 electric MPV launched in India starting at ₹26.9 lakh</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/heres-how-a-reddit-user-was-able-to-get-an-iphone-16-at-under-27000/articleshow/114035179.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/heres-how-a-reddit-user-was-able-to-get-an-iphone-16-at-under-27000/articleshow/114035179.cms" target="_blank">Here’s how a Reddit user was able to get an iPhone 16 at under ₹27,000</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/hyundai-swiggy-ather-upcoming-large-ipos-in-india/slidelist/114014140.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/hyundai-swiggy-ather-upcoming-large-ipos-in-india/slidelist/114014140.cms" target="_blank">Hyundai To Swiggy: Everyone wants to cash in on the IPO bonanza</a>

India eye series win as they take on Bangladesh in 2nd T20I

“Ye le beta, humare khaandani sone ke gehne. Ise girvi rakhva de, shayad kuch paise aa jaye ghar main.” How many times have we seen similar dialogues repeat itself in Bollywood films of the 70s and 80s—abject poverty and a frail-looking old mother pleading to her son to pawn the family’s heirloom gold ornaments to a jeweller, all to get a few bucks? Well, if you’d ask that son in 2024, he’d rather hit the loan button on his <keyword id="105386" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Demat-account" source="Orion">Demat account</keyword> than pawn his mother’s gold jewellery. Given how Indians are rapidly resorting to taking loans against their investments in shares and mutual funds, these might as well be a cherished family heirloom in today’s time. Fair warning though; it's not as if gold and loans against it are going down in India’s lending scene. It's very much the opposite, shining brighter than ever! The secured loan category is having its time in the spotlight, and people are certainly looking beyond land and property to get their hands on some extra monies! But what is funding the steep rise behind these loans? And are they as failsafe and secure as they’re made out to be? We decode for you in this week’s Simply Put. <h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.7em; line-height: 1.3; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; background: 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The great Indian pawning party</h2>Pawning one’s gold has been, by far, the OG Indian financial move to get a loan. That continues well into 2024, and apparently, more so when India decides to wed and celebrate! Data from <keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI" source="Orion">RBI</keyword> suggests that the outstanding amount on gold loans has swelled from Rs 85,009 crore in September 2022 to Rs 1,47,081 crore in September 2024. It looks like Gold took the motto of rise and shine too seriously! Table 1: Growth in gold loans <table class="redcator-table-advance" style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6em; box-shadow: none; width: 468pt; font-family: Merriweather; table-layout: fixed; padding-bottom: 10px !important; background-image: inherit !important; background-position: inherit !important; background-size: inherit !important; background-repeat: inherit !important; background-attachment: inherit !important; background-origin: inherit !important; background-clip: inherit !important;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Year </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Amount (In Rs crore) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">September 2022 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">85,009 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">March 2023 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">89,370 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">September 2023 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">97,426 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">March 2024 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">1,02,562 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">September 2024 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">1,47,081 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> Source: RBI data While the world continues to be riled up in multiple geopolitical crises in 2024, gold has been making merry of these tough times. Thus far this year, <keyword id="3886593" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="domestic-gold" source="Orion">domestic gold</keyword> prices have grown by 23%, outperforming benchmark indices like Nifty and Sensex by a mile, which have gone up by 9.85% and 8.86%, respectively. The growth in gold loan disbursal rates month on month this year could also put Nifty and Sensex’s growth to shame. In just September 2024, gold loans grew an astounding 51%, up from 40.9% in August, 30.5% in June, and just 14.8% in March. <h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.7em; line-height: 1.3; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; background: 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Hey, wait up for me, says LAS</h2>In lockstep with the elder, gold loan sibling, advances against shares and bonds have also been inching up since 2022. Data from RBI (Reserve Bank of India) notes that as of September 2022, the outstanding quantum of loans that were taken against shares (LAS) and bonds stood at Rs 7,397.94 crores. This inched up to Rs 7,764 crore in September 2023. Come 2024, and it looked like this was LAS’ time to shine. Loans swiftly skyrocketed, with outstanding loans in this category going up from Rs 8,492 crore in March 2022 to a staggering Rs 9,546 crore at the end of September 2024. Naturally, the smoke of LAS has its fire in the record inflows that Indians are pouring into the stock market and mutual funds month on month. Per AMFI (<keyword id="134904" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Association-of-Mutual-Funds-in-India" source="Orion">Association of Mutual Funds in India</keyword>), the net AUM (assets under management) of India’s mutual fund industry grew to Rs 67,25,614.61 crores in October 2024, up from Rs 67,09,259.24 crores in September 2024. Even the number of retail mutual fund folios, which include equity, hybrid, and solution-oriented mutual funds, burgeoned to 17,23,52,296 in October, as compared to 16,81,61,366 in September. The same goes for stock investments in India, where the number of new demat accounts that are added every month just simply refuses to climb down. As of last month, total demat accounts in the country stood at 17.9 crore, which is more than the entire population of full-fledged nations like Japan (12.45 crore), Russia (14.38 crore), and Bangladesh (17.3 crore). In fact, since February this year, the monthly growth of LAS has been hitting double digits. From 11.3% in March to 21.6% in May to 26.8% in August, growth in LAS has been exceptional, hitting 22.9% in September this year. For context, monthly growth in the LAS segment was at a mere 5% in September 2023. <h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.7em; line-height: 1.3; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; background: 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">What's driving the growth?</h2>It's a win-win for both the bank and the customer. Customers love them because LAS is available at a lower interest rate compared to unsecured personal loans. You can get a loan at an interest rate of anywhere between 9 and 12% by pledging your gold, MF units, or shares. Compare this to over 10-28% rates, which is the range where unsecured personal loans charge interest. Banks love <keyword id="827883" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Secured-Loans" source="Orion">secured loans</keyword> since they are well-secured. In case you default on paying back, the bank can sell off your gold, shares, or mutual fund units to recover the amount. This takes a lot of stress off the banks, which are already dealing with secured loans’ riskier sibling-<keyword id="947940" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="unsecured-lending" source="Orion">unsecured lending</keyword>. High NPAs (non-performing assets) and non-payments in the unsecured borrowing space have already put RBI on red alert, which is why the apex bank is tightening the screws on unsecured lending, which was well on its way to becoming a ticking time bomb. As a result, credit growth has moderated to 12.8% YoY in October, as against the 19.3% rise recorded in the year-ago period. Yet it's not like the banks won't feel the heat. Analysts at Nomura note that <keyword id="23954457" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="personal-loan-delinquencies" source="Orion">personal loan delinquencies</keyword> in India that have been overdue by over 90 days rose to 5.1% in the last financial year, as opposed to just 3.9% in the year prior. <h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.7em; line-height: 1.3; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; background: 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">How does it work?</h2>Both these loans work on a similar principle: Your <keyword id="857141" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-amount" source="Orion">loan amount</keyword> is equal to a certain percentage of the actual market value of your asset. This is known as the LTV (loan-to-value ratio). In the case of gold and debt mutual funds, RBI mandates that this LTV be about 75-80%. So, for every Rs 100 of gold or debt mutual fund unit you pledge, your maximum loan amount cannot exceed Rs 80. If you pledge gold, which has a market value of Rs 10 lakh, you can take a loan of up to Rs 8,00,000. In the case of shares and mutual fund units, this limit is set at 50%. So, your shares worth Rs 5,00,000 can only get you a loan worth Rs 2,50,000. But the bright side? You can continue earning returns on your investments and pay interest only on the amount you use, since this loan works as an overdraft facility. <h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.7em; line-height: 1.3; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; background: 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Super safe, you say?</h2>Interest rates on both of these loans are very much dependent on the market value of the asset, which wildly fluctuates on a day-to-day basis. So, in case the value of your asset falls, you’ll have to keep a margin or more of the same asset in order to continue with the loan and maintain the LTV balance. Failure to do so could mean the bank can even sell off your asset. Says financial planner Nema Chaya Buch. “Yes, LAS offers easy availability of funds since these loans come with a lower interest rate as compared to personal loans. Also, you continue to earn average returns of 10–13% on your equity investments. But the downside is, in case of emergency, those pledged securities cannot be sold. Also, if the equity market goes down, then the bank may ask for additional collateral. Raghvendra Nath, MD, Ladderup Wealth Management notes that taking a LAS is best when the value of your securities has appreciated significantly. “This allows you to maximize the loan amount based on your collateral while also addressing financial needs without having to liquidate your investment portfolio. However, there are notable disadvantages to consider. The market risk is significant; a substantial decline in market value could lead to margin calls, which may incur fees and charges if there are delays or prepayments, ultimately increasing the effective cost of borrowing. Furthermore, failure to make timely payments could result in the loss of your assets.”. Umesh Mohanan, ED &amp; CEO, of Indel Money, cautions that one should have a sufficient quantity of gold to get the loan amount one wants. "According to the current RBI rules, the loan applicant/borrower can draw up to 75% of the total market value of the collateral/gold jewellery. So, always carry a sufficient quantity of gold based on one’s loan requirement. “The most important thing is that the valuation of the gold depends on the purity of the gold. If the borrower pledges gold with higher purity, such as 24 carats or 22 carats, he will get the maximum loan amount," he adds.

Secured Loans 2.0 — why more and more Indians are turning to gold, shares and mutual funds to get loans

In a display of determination and grit, <keyword id="20425572" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Balraj-Panwar" source="keywords">Balraj Panwar</keyword>, <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s sole representative in rowing at the <keyword id="20201477" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paris-2024-Olympics" source="keywords">Paris 2024 Olympics</keyword>, secured his place in Final D of the <keyword id="22617528" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mens-singles-sculls" source="keywords">men's singles sculls</keyword> event. Competing in the semi-final C/D on Wednesday, Panwar clocked a time of 7:04.97, finishing sixth. Panwar, a 25-year-old member of the Indian army has been a stand out <keyword id="20102132" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="athlete" source="keywords">athlete</keyword>, carrying the hopes of his nation on his shoulders. Despite the challenging conditions and stiff competition, Panwar's performance in the semi-final C/D reflects his relentless effort and commitment to his sport. The Final D schedule for Friday, August 2, at 1:48 PM IST, is a classification race that determines rankings from 19th to 24th place, where no medals will be awarded. Panwar finished sixth in the men's singles sculls semi-final C/D with a time of 7:04.97. His journey to the Paris Olympics has been one of perseverance and dedication. Training rigorously to compete at the highest level, his participation alone marks a significant achievement. His determination and hard work exemplify the spirit of an athlete who strives for excellence, regardless of the outcome. In <keyword id="20012442" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="badminton" source="keywords">badminton</keyword>, ace India shuttler <keyword id="20123154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lakshya-Sen" source="keywords">Lakshya Sen</keyword> defeated Indonesia's Jonatan Christie 21-18, 21-12 in the badminton men's singles Group L match and secured a place in the pre-quarters at the ongoing Paris Olympics on Wednesday. Lakshya clinched a win over Christie in 50 minutes at the La Chapelle Arena on Wednesday. The Indian shuttler dominated the Indonesian and won the first game 8-2. Lakshya capitalised in the second to close out the match against Jonatan Christie. Sen also topped the men's singles Group L and could face HS Prannoy in the upcoming Round of 16 match. The pre-quarterfinals will start on Thursday. In shooting, Indian shooter <keyword id="20166561" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="swapnil-kusale" source="keywords">Swapnil Kusale</keyword> finished seventh in the qualification round of men's 50m 3P to qualify for the final at the ongoing Paris Olympics on Wednesday. Indian shooters Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Swapnil Kusale both appeared in the men's 50m 3P qualification round at the Paris 2024 Olympics. On his Olympic debut, Kusale finished seventh with a score of 590-38x. While, Tomar ranked 11th with a total of 589-33x. Only the top eight shooters have qualified for the final round, and Tomar failed to make his place in the final round.

Balraj Panwar advances to Final D at Paris 2024 Olympics

<ul><li>OnePlus has launched the <keyword id="21350256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OnePlus-Pad-2" source="keywords">OnePlus Pad 2</keyword>, Watch 2R and the <keyword id="22435605" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nord-Buds-3-Pro" source="keywords">Nord Buds 3 Pro</keyword>.</li><li>The devices were launched alongside the <keyword id="21477413" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OnePlus-Nord-4" source="keywords">OnePlus Nord 4</keyword> smartphone.</li><li>Here’s everything you need to know about the latest devices launched by OnePlus.</li></ul> OnePlus on Tuesday hosted the <keyword id="22287704" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OnePlus-Summer-Launch-Event" source="keywords">OnePlus Summer Launch Event</keyword>, where it launched the OnePlus Pad 2, the Watch 2R and the Nord Buds 3 Pro. The Chinese smartphone maker also launched the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-nord-4-with-metal-back-snapdragon-7-gen-3-launched-in-india-starting-at-32999/articleshow/111787031.cms">Nord 4</a> mid-range smartphone at the event. The OnePlus Pad 2 is the successor of the<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/oneplus-pad-review-feature-packed-tablet-with-a-sleek-design/articleshow/99848436.cms"> OnePlus Pad</a> that was launched in 2023 and comes with several improvements over its predecessor. The <keyword id="22287706" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OnePlus-Watch-2R" source="keywords">OnePlus Watch 2R</keyword> and the Nord Buds 3 Pro also offer improvements over their predecessors. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111787031" title="OnePlus Nord 4 with metal back, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 launched in India starting at ₹29,999" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Here’s everything you need to know about the latest devices launched by OnePlus. <h2>OnePlus Pad 2 price and availability</h2>The OnePlus Pad is priced at ₹39,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage variant and ₹42,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB internal storage variant. The OnePlus Pad 2 comes in a Nimbus Gray colour option and will go on sale starting from August 1. The <keyword id="22435606" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OnePlus-Smart-Keyboard" source="keywords">OnePlus Smart Keyboard</keyword> is priced at ₹8,499 and the Stylo 2 is available for ₹5,499. <h2>OnePlus Pad 2 specifications</h2>The OnePlus Pad runs on Android 14 out of the box with the company’s OxygenOS 14 on top. It features a 12.1-inch 3K LCD display with a 7:5 aspect ratio and a 144Hz refresh rate. It comes with Dolby Vision support and offers up to 900 nits brightness. <div type="image" title="Pad 2" msid="111787977" hostid="261" sizebytes="94854" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;OnePlus Pad 2&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The OnePlus Pad 2 is equipped with the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. In terms of memory, the device comes in two variants – 8GB RAM with 128GB of internal storage and 12GB RAM with 256GB of internal storage variant. Coming to the camera department, the device features a 13MP primary camera and an 8MP selfie camera. The tablet is powered by a 9,510mAh battery with 67W fast charging support. The OnePlus tablet comes with accessories such as the OnePlus Smart Keyboard and the <keyword id="22435607" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OnePlus-Stylo-2" source="keywords">OnePlus Stylo 2</keyword>, which are sold separately. <h2><keyword id="22435608" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="OnePlus-Watch-2R-price" source="keywords">OnePlus Watch 2R price</keyword> and availability</h2>The OnePlus Watch 2R is priced at ₹17,999 and comes in two colour options – Forest Green and Gunmetal Gray. The smartwatch will go on sale starting from July 20. <h2>OnePlus Watch 2R specifications and features</h2>The OnePlus 2R runs on WearOS 4, allowing you to install applications from the Play Store. The smartwatch features a 1.43-inch circular AMOLED display with 2.5D sapphire crystal glass and up to 1,000 nits brightness support. <div type="image" title="wat 2" msid="111787997" hostid="261" sizebytes="47934" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;OnePlus Watch 2R&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The Watch 2R comes with an aluminium chassis and features a silicone strap. The OnePlus Watch 2R features a dual-engine architecture. It features the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 performance chipset that runs WearOS and the BES2700 efficiency chipset that runs RTOS. It features 2GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The smartwatch comes with sensors such as Acceleration sensor, Gyroscope sensor, Optical heart rate sensor, Ratio Optical pulse oximeter sensor, Barometer and more. The smartwatch features a 500mAh battery that is claimed to offer up to 48 hours of regular usage, and up to 100 hours of usage in the smart mode. It comes with 7.5W charging support, which allows you to fully charge the device in 60 minutes. <h2>OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro price and availability</h2>The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are priced at ₹3,299 and available in two colour options – Soft Jade and Starry Black. The TWS will be available from July 20. <h2>OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro specifications and features</h2>OnePlus has also launched new true wireless earbuds at the event. The Nord Buds 3 Pro offers a hybrid-noise cancellation system along with AI-based noise cancellation technology. <div type="image" title="Buds" msid="111788008" hostid="261" sizebytes="34124" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> It features a triple stereo microphone system, which includes two analog and one digital microphone on each earbud. The Nord Buds 3 Pro is equipped with a 12.4mm driver with a Titanised Diaphragm that is claimed to deliver powerful bass. The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro features a 58mAh battery in the earbuds that offers up to 12 hours of battery life. The case is equipped with a 440mAh batter that offers an additional battery life of 32 hours. The earbuds come with fast charge support, allowing you to charge the device for 10 minutes to get a battery life of 11 hours. It comes with an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-nord-4-with-metal-back-snapdragon-7-gen-3-launched-in-india-starting-at-32999/articleshow/111787031.cms">OnePlus Nord 4 with metal back, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 launched in India starting at ₹29,999</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-expectations-fame-scheme-aid-for-vehicle-scrapping-and-other-expectations-of-the-auto-industry/articleshow/111783199.cms">Budget 2024 Expectations: FAME scheme, aid for vehicle scrapping and other expectations of the auto industry</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/zomato-and-swiggy-increase-platform-fee-by-20-food-deliveries-to-get-costlier/articleshow/111758782.cms">Zomato and Swiggy increase platform fee by 20% – food deliveries to get costlier</a>

OnePlus Pad 2, Watch 2R and Nord Buds 3 Pro launched in India

If you woke up in <keyword id="19900881" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="keywords">Delhi</keyword> recently, you might have noticed more than just the nip in the air – a thick, toxic smog has blanketed the city, turning the air almost unbreathable. On Monday, Delhi’s <keyword id="19920379" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-quality-index" source="keywords">Air Quality Index</keyword> (<keyword id="19916482" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aqi" source="keywords">AQI</keyword>) hit 481, placing it in the "severe plus" category. For context, the “severe” category begins at an AQI of 401, and anything above 450 poses serious health risks even for healthy individuals. According to Swiss group IQAir’s live rankings, Delhi is currently the most polluted city in the world, with an air quality score of 1,081 – a “hazardous” level that is 130.9 times the World Health Organization’s recommended limit for PM2.5. <h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">Major contributors to Delhi’s smog</h3>The root causes of Delhi’s pollution are manifold: <ul><li>Stubble Burning: On Saturday, crop residue burning contributed 25% of Delhi’s air pollution. By Sunday, this figure had climbed to 40%, according to SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research). Satellites recorded 1,334 stubble-burning incidents in six northern states on Sunday alone, the highest number in four days.</li><li>Vehicles: On Sunday, vehicular emissions accounted for 15.8% of the city’s pollution, according to the Centre’s Decision Support System for Air Quality Management.</li><li>Construction Dust and Industrial Emissions: PM2.5, a deadly pollutant, remains the most prominent factor, capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and leading to severe respiratory and cardiac diseases.</li></ul><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;"><keyword id="24020184" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GRAP-Stage-4" source="keywords">GRAP Stage 4</keyword></h3>To combat the rising pollution levels, authorities have enforced Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Here’s a breakdown of the restrictions: <ul><li>Vehicle Restrictions:</li><ul><li>Diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV and below) registered in Delhi are banned unless carrying essential goods.</li><li>Non-essential light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi can only enter if they use CNG, BS-VI diesel, or are electric.</li><li>Trucks carrying non-essential items are barred unless they use cleaner fuels like LNG, CNG, or BS-VI diesel. </li></ul><li>Workplace and School Adjustments:</li><ul><li>Classes for students in grades 6 to 9 and class 11 have moved online.</li><li>Offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) are advised to work at 50% capacity, with the rest operating remotely. </li></ul><li>Construction Ban: </li><ul><li>Construction and demolition (C&amp;D) activities have been halted, including large projects like highways, flyovers, and pipelines. </li></ul></ul>Out of Delhi’s 40 monitoring stations, 32 reported AQI levels above 400 on Monday. Visibility in parts of the city dropped to just 100 metres due to the thick smog. The health implications of these numbers are alarming. <keyword id="20118319" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM2-5-levels" source="keywords">PM2.5 levels</keyword> in Delhi were recorded at 130.9 times the safe limit set by the WHO. According to experts, long-term exposure to such air quality could lead to an 11% increase in premature mortality rates due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that Delhi residents may lose an average of 10 years of life expectancy if pollution levels persist. Despite the restrictions, life in Delhi continues under a cloud of smog. Iconic landmarks like India Gate have become barely visible through the haze. While flights and trains are operational, some delays have been reported.

GRAP Stage 4 restrictions take effect as air quality in Delhi deteriorates; PM2.5 levels 130 times higher than WHO limits

<keyword id="19897536" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Netflix" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Netflix">Netflix</keyword> has thrilled fans with the release of a tantalising 30-second teaser for the much-anticipated second season of '<keyword id="12159486" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Squid-Game" source="Orion">Squid Game</keyword>.' The teaser released on Netflix's official social media handles, marks the return of <keyword id="22624277" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Seong-Gi-hun" source="keywords">Seong Gi-hun</keyword>, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, who reprises his role as the sole survivor of the original game. The clip, dramatically lit and filled with suspense, showcases a new batch of faceless players clad in their iconic green tracksuits. The sequence culminates with the reveal of Gi-hun, identified by his distinctive #456 patch. The visual progression of player numbers builds tension, highlighting the significance of Gi-hun's return to the deadly game. <div type="INSTAGRAMURL" thumbUrl="undefined" caption="Caption not available." user="undefined" cmsId="1723441362361"><url><![CDATA[https://www.instagram.com/p/C-i2kqfJ-8Q/]]></url><permalink><![CDATA[https://www.instagram.com/p/C-i2kqfJ-8Q/]]></permalink><payload><![CDATA[]]></payload></div> Set three years after Gi-hun's harrowing victory, the new season follows him as he abandons his plans to relocate to the United States, returning with a renewed determination, according to Deadline. This season introduces a fresh cohort of participants vying for the enormous prize of 45.6 billion won, continuing the high-stakes survival game that captivated audiences worldwide. Creator <keyword id="22194495" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hwang-Dong-hyuk" source="keywords">Hwang Dong-hyuk</keyword>, who made history as the first Asian to win an Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, has revealed that season 2 will delve into Gi-hun's quest for revenge, according to Deadline. Dong-hyuk promises a darker, more intense portrayal of Gi-hun, reflecting his character's evolution from the first season. Lee Jung-jae also achieved historic milestones in the previous season, becoming the first Asian actor to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and to receive such acclaim for a non-English show. 'Squid Game' has already etched its name in Netflix history as the platform's most-watched series, amassing a staggering 1.65 billion views within the first 28 days of its 2021 debut, as per Deadline. Netflix has confirmed that season 2 will premiere on December 26, 2024. Additionally, the streaming giant has announced that the third and final season is scheduled to arrive in 2025. As fans eagerly await the new season, the teaser offers a tantalising glimpse of the challenges and drama that lie ahead for Gi-hun and the new players who will face the perilous trials of 'Squid Game'.

'Squid Game' season 2 teaser: Gi-hun is back in action with new competitors!

<ul><li>The <keyword id="24185102" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Honda-Activa-e" source="keywords">Honda Activa e</keyword> and QC1 electric scooters have been unveiled in India.</li><li>The scooters will go on sale in 2025, with bookings set to open on January 1.</li><li>Here’s everything you need to know about the first electric scooters from the company in India.</li></ul> Honda Motorcycle &amp; Scooter India (HMSI) has introduced its first electric scooters, the Activa e: and QC1, marking the brand’s foray into India’s electric vehicle (EV) market. The launch event took place in Bengaluru, with bookings set to open on January 1, 2025, ahead of deliveries scheduled later in the year. The company has said that the prices for its electric scooters will be announced in January 2025. The company plans on establishing <keyword id="24185739" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="battery-swap-stations" source="keywords">battery swap stations</keyword> in major cities, emphasizing battery reuse and reducing range anxiety. The company has established 84 battery swap stations across Bengaluru as part of its infrastructure rollout, with plans to expand into major cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai. Customers will get three free services during the first year and a standard warranty covering up to 50,000 km or three years. <h2>Honda Activa e specifications</h2>The Honda Activa e is identical to its popular ICE counterpart, offering the same body and frame. However, the design is completely different, offering a more modern look and feel. It features a TFT digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity. It features a swappable battery setup, with the scooter featuring two 1.5 kWh batteries. The scooter is claimed to offer a range of up to 102 km on a single charge with the two batteries. The scooter will offer three riding modes – Economy, Standard and Sport. It is powered by a wheel-side motor with a maximum output of 6 kW, providing a top speed of 80 kmph. <h2>Honda QC1 specifications</h2>The Honda QC1 will be a more affordable option, designed for shorter rides. The QC1 features a similar design while offering a smaller LCD display to keep the costs down. It is equipped with a fixed 1.5 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 80 km on a single charge. The scooter is equipped with an in-wheel motor which generates between 1.2 kW and 1.8 kW power. It comes equipped with a 5-inch LCD instrument panel, under-seat storage, and a USB Type-C socket for convenience. We should know more about the electric scooters from the company in the coming weeks. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indias-pc-market-reaches-new-high-with-4-49-million-shipments-in-q3-2024/articleshow/115719599.cms">India’s PC market reaches new high with 4.49 million shipments in Q3 2024</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-gt-7-pro-with-snapdragon-8-elite-chipset-launched-starting-at-59999/articleshow/115689685.cms">Realme GT 7 Pro with Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset launched starting at ₹59,999</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/jio-airtel-and-vi-lost-nearly-11-million-subscribers-in-september-2024/articleshow/115565541.cms">Jio, Airtel and Vi lost nearly 11 million subscribers in September 2024</a>

Honda Activa e and QC1 electric scooters unveiled in India, to go on sale in 2025

<ul><li>The <keyword id="21425999" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Alienware-x16-R2" source="keywords">Alienware x16 R2</keyword> is the company’s latest <keyword id="20113891" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gaming-laptop" source="keywords">gaming laptop</keyword> in the Alienware lineup.</li><li>The premium gaming laptop is priced starting at ₹2,86,990 in the country.</li><li>Here’s my review of the Alienware x16 R2 that will help you decide whether you should buy the device.</li></ul><keyword id="19969515" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dell" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Dell" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Dell">Dell</keyword> recently launched the new gaming laptops in its Alienware lineup in India, including the premium x16 R2 gaming laptop. The Alienware x16 R2 is aimed at both gamers and creators, with powerful hardware and new AI-enabled features. The Alienware x16 R2 has been launched in several variants, offering different processor and GPU combinations for different budgets, along with storage variants. The top-end option in the lineup is equipped with the <keyword id="22007967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Intel-Core-Ultra-9" source="keywords">Intel Core Ultra 9</keyword> chipset and <keyword id="22007966" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-4090" source="keywords">NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090</keyword> graphics. I have been using the Alienware x16 R2 gaming laptop with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics for a few days now, and here is my detailed review of the latest premium gaming laptop from Dell. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Alienware x16 R2 price and availability" comment="subhead" text="Alienware x16 R2 price and availability"><keyword id="22007969" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Alienware-x16-R2-price" source="Orion">Alienware x16 R2 price</keyword> and availability</cmsannotation> The Alienware x16 R2 has been priced starting at ₹2,86,990 in the country and goes up to ₹4,61,990 for the top variant. It comes in a single Lunar Silver colour option and is available from Amazon India, Dell online store and the company’s authorised retail stores across the country. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="In the box" comment="subhead" text="In the box">In the box</cmsannotation> <ul><li>Alienware x16 R2</li><li>Power adapter and cable</li><li>Documentation</li><li>Dust cover</li></ul><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Alienware x16 R2 specifications" comment="subhead" text="Alienware x16 R2 specifications">Alienware x16 R2 specifications</cmsannotation> <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Particulars </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Specifications </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Display </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">16-inch Quad HD+ </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Refresh rate </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">240Hz </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Processor </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Intel Core 9 185H </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">GPU </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Memory </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Up to 32GB LPDDR5x 7467MHz </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Storage </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Up to 4TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Connectivity </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 port, audio jack and HDMI 2.1 port </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Audio </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Six speaker spatial sound </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Battery </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">90 Wh </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Weight </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2.72 kg </td></tr></tbody></table> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Alienware x16 R2 pros and cons" comment="subhead" text="Alienware x16 R2 pros and cons">Alienware x16 R2 pros and cons</cmsannotation> Pros <ul><li>Powerful performance </li><li>Spatial audio </li></ul>Cons <ul><li>Weight </li><li>Price </li></ul><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Alienware x16 R2 design" comment="subhead" text="Alienware x16 R2 design">Alienware x16 R2 design</cmsannotation> If you have seen the Alienware x16, the design of the x16 R2 is not new. It retains the same design as its predecessor, which is not a con as the device is well-designed. <div type="image" title="Side profile" msid="110880045" hostid="261" sizebytes="22688" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Alienware x16 R2 is slightly heavy&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The laptop is on the heavier side at 2.72 kg. The charger is also quite heavy and portability may be a concern if you plan on carrying the laptop with you every day. The primary reason for the weight is the large display and the powerful hardware offered by the device. <div type="image" title="Back design" msid="110880053" hostid="261" sizebytes="18850" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Alienware x16 R2 back&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The Alienware x16 R2 comes in a single colour option – Lunar Silver. The laptop features a full-metal chassis with a silver finish and with white colour around the hinge. The laptop comes with a minimalistic design, featuring an X symbol at the back and the Alienware logo that lights up. The logo’s colour can be customized according to your preference. If you want a more minimalistic look, you also have the option to completely turn off the lighting. <div type="image" title="Rear ports" msid="110880060" hostid="261" sizebytes="18462" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rear ports&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> At the back, the device comes with a large LED strip that surrounds the port area. All the ports have been placed at the back, giving a clean look on the sides. The backlighting can also be customised using the Alienware Command Centre. <div type="image" title="Keyboard" msid="110880066" hostid="261" sizebytes="59452" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Alienware x16 R2 keyboard&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> This is not where the device’s gaming design ends. It comes with an RGB keyboard. The device offers per-key lighting customization. Additionally, the touchpad is also RGB-enabled. <div type="image" title="TP" msid="110880074" hostid="261" sizebytes="31164" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The RGB-enabled touchpad on the Alienware x16 R2&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The Alienware x16 R2 comes with a low profile CherryMX keyboard with a key travel of 1.8 mm. The company has used stainless-steel switches for the device. In terms of ports, the Alienware x16 R2 comes with an audio jack, a microSD card slot, a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4, a Type-C 3.2 Gen port, 2 x Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a HDMI 2.1 port. As it is a gaming laptop, the company has employed several measures to keep the temperature down. It comes with the company’s Alienware Cryo-tech cooling technology. This includes a quad-fan design, vapour chamber and load-balancing heat pipes. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Display" comment="subhead" text="Display">Display</cmsannotation> The Alienware x16 R2 features a 16-inch Quad HD+ display with 100% DCI-P3 Colour Gamut, a 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The panel has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. <div type="image" title="Display" msid="110879988" hostid="261" sizebytes="41918" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Alienware x16 R2 display&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> There’s also a Full HD+ display option with a 480Hz refresh rate but I would prefer the Quad HD+ option. While the display lacks HDR support, it comes with Dolby Vision support, offering an excellent viewing experience. The lack of HDR may be an issue as this means you will miss out on HDR in games. The peak brightness is also on the lower side at 300 nits. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Performance" comment="subhead" text="Performance">Performance</cmsannotation> The Alienware x16 R2 is equipped with up to Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor. The Intel Core Ultra is a new Meteor Lake chipset from the company. The laptop is available with up to 32GB LPDDR5X 7467 MHz RAM and up to 4TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD. The graphic duties are handled by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 16GB GDDR6 graphics. I tested the laptop with several games, including games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Forza Horizon 5. Both the games performed well and the laptop was able to handle them without any issues. The powerful hardware means that you will be able to run any game with the best graphics without even having to look at the system requirements for a long time. I was able to play games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Alan Wake 2 at the highest graphic settings without any issues. The laptop’s cooling technology can keep the device cool during extended gaming sessions so you don’t have to worry about performance throttling. The laptop is equipped with a 90Whr battery and offers a decent battery life considering it is a gaming laptop. It offers around six hours of battery life but this will significantly come down if you game on it. The Alienware x16 R2 offers a six-speaker setup with spatial audio. The device offers a good audio experience. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Verdict" comment="subhead" text="Verdict">Verdict</cmsannotation> The Alienware x16 R2 is a feature-packed laptop that offers powerful hardware, a good display and a decent battery life. The laptop also offers a good all-metal chassis with a minimalistic design but can also light up like a regular gaming laptop when you need it to. At the same time, the laptop is not very portable due to its large size and weight. If you want a laptop that you can easily carry around, this may not be the best option for you. Then again, If you are looking for a gaming laptop that you won’t carry around every day, the x16 R2 is a good option. The price is another thing that you need to consider. It is a very premium laptop and while it offers excellent hardware, you need to consider if it fits your budget. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a purchasing guide or recommendation. We advise readers to do additional research, including hands-on usage of the device at a retail outlet, before making a decision. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/lenovo-loq-15-review/articleshow/110456546.cms">Lenovo LOQ 15 review – gaming laptop with a sturdy design</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/asus-zenbook-duo-review/articleshow/109875023.cms">Asus ZenBook Duo review – an excellent dual-screen laptop for multitaskers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/benq-zowie-xl2546x-review/articleshow/109703972.cms">BenQ Zowie XL2546X review – Monitor for the serious gamers</a>

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