Gadgets Weekly: New Lenovo LOQ PC series and more

Technology companies Samsung, Ambrane, Sony, Lenovo and others launched smart TVs, power banks, soundbars, and more this week (August 4-10, 2025).

DH's Gadgets Weekly edition lists the latest personal technology products and related events to keep you abreast of everything happening in consumer electronics.

. The new LOQ PC will be available with AMD Ryzen 7 250 or Intel Core i7-14700HX processors, paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 8GB discrete graphics.

The laptop will come with 16 or 32GB RAM and a Lenovo LA1 AI chip, which can optimise power based on the user workload.

The display will support high refresh rate displays with up to 165Hz, ensuring fluid motion for competitive gaming. Lenovo’s Hyperchamber cooling technology promises to keep temperatures in check even under intense load.

The laptop also features signature Lenovo design language with a minimalist chassis, a built-in 5MP camera with e-shutter, and a full-size gaming keyboard with 1.6mm key travel and 24-zone RGB lighting.

. It also boasts of Smart AI tuning, improved battery life, and enhanced thermal efficiency over the predecessor.

The new Lenovo LOQ laptop starts at Rs 1,09,990 on the Lenovo online store with Custom-to-Order (CTO) options.

.Vivo Y400 with 6,000mah battery, Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset launched in India. It comes equipped with Ambrane’s proprietary BoostedSpeed fast-charging technology. It can deliver up to 35W output via its Type-C port, making it capable of charging even USB-C laptops efficiently.

It also features an 18W USB-A port and comes bundled with an in-built Type-C cable, along with a detachable cable for added ease.

It boasts of SafeCharge technology. It has multi-layer protection against overcharging, short circuits, and overheating, ensuring safe and reliable performance at all times.

It has a 20,000mAh battery capacity and comes in three colours-- black, blue and golden yellow-- for Rs 1,999.

.Apple's in-house team working on ChatGPT-like AI assistant: Report. Samsung earlier this week launched the HW-Q990F and the convertible HW-QS700F soundbar models.

They boast of AI Sound Optimization for real-time audio tuning tailored to content. They also feature Dynamic Bass Control for deeper, more refined low-end sound without distortion.

With Active Voice Amplifier Pro technology, the soundbars ensure clarity in the speaker's voice. They come with an Integrated Gyro Sensor for adjusting acoustics based on placement.

A compact wireless subwoofer promises to offer powerful bass in a smaller form, Q-Symphony Pro creates expansive, synchronised sound with Samsung TVs, whilst Wireless Dolby Atmos can deliver cinematic 3D audio without cables.

They are compatible with SmartThings, Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, AirPlay, and Roon Ready.

The new Samsung soundbars' price ranges from Rs 14990 to Rs 92990.

.OnePlus Nord 5 review: Pretty solid phone. Recently, Google introduced Veo 3, a generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI) tool, to the Gemini AI app.

With this, users can generate photorealistic videos with just text prompts. Veo 3 lets users create 8-second videos, including background sounds.

Now, to create further awareness around the new Veo 3 feature, Google has collaborated with Shakun Batra, a popular Indian filmmaker, whose works include romantic comedy Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, drama Kapoor & Sons and romantic genre Gehraiyaan.

Batra will be bringing a five-part visual series across distinct genres, from action and drama to sci-fi and comedy.

It will showcase how AI can be used creatively to make movies. This can be game game-changer for budding film-makers with limited resources and a cash budget to kick-start their professional journey.

The first of the visual series is 'The Getaway Car'. It is created using just Veo 3 and Flow, both are Google's AI tools, developed for making movies.

“This tech (Veo 3 and Flow) gave me a way to finally explore what a car chase would look like, something I’ve never done before. It's the kind of ambitious, dynamic concept that, for many independent artists, can be challenging to produce due to logistical and budget constraints. This is where the technology can step in to open new avenues for visualising and iterating complex ideas. Rough edges and all, it was one of the most freeing creative experiences I’ve had. It's not perfect, but it’s a glimpse of what’s possible when curiosity leads the way,” said Shakun Batra.

. "AI in filmmaking isn’t about replacing the craft, but rethinking the process—exploring what becomes possible when artists and technology collaborate instead of compete. This series is not a campaign or a commercial - it’s an experiment in curiosity. AI tools like Veo 3 in Google Gemini and Flow can truly democratise cinematic storytelling. That feeling of independence is a massive unlock, especially for so many independent artists who struggle to bring their vision to life,” Batra added.

.Google Pixel 10 teaser takes a potshot at Apple's smart Siri launch delay. It is a high-resolution shotgun microphone designed for filmmakers, content creators, and studios. It promises to capture crystal-clear audio of the speaker or the musical instrument.

It comes in a compact form factor with 176mm in length and weighs 102g. It features a newly developed microphone capsule, a brass acoustic tube and optimised electronics circuitry. These components promise to ensure clear high frequencies, stable mid-lows and consistent performance across varying distances and setups.

It also has a built-in low-cut filter, which reduces unwanted bass noise, whereas the foam and fur wind screens optimise the performance indoors or in windy outdoor conditions.

The machined aluminium exterior enhances durability and reduces unwanted vibration and electrical noise. The use of film capacitors and metal film resistors further improves audio fidelity and power stability. It costs Rs 98,990 in India.

.WhatsApp launches safety tool against fraud cryptocurrency trading group chats . The new Panasonic boasts of bezel-less display design, 4K Studio Color Engine and Hexa Chroma Drive for clear visuals and smart processing to upscale video quality.

The new Panasonic miniLED TV supports a 120Hz refresh rate and MEMC technology. It boasts of Atmos system to deliver a balanced and immersive audio experience.

It also boasts DTS TruSurround, built-in Chromecast, and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). It runs Google TV OS and supports all popular OTT platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime and more.

P Series offers value-based pricing starting from INR Rs 17,990 to Rs 3,99,990.

The ShinobiPro(PX950) series comes in two screen sizes-- 75-inch (TH-75PX950DX) and 65-inch (TH-65PX950DX)--for Rs 3,19,990 and Rs 1,84,990, respectively.

The company also launched Panasonic soundbars that feature technologies such as Dolby Digital Plus, 3D surround sound, and touch control, and more. These soundbars range from 160W (2.1) to 600W (5.1), starting from Rs 12,990.

.Google's Gemini AI app can now create illustrated storybooks with audio narration. Sony earlier this week launched two new 4K handheld camcorders-- NXCAM HXR-NX800, and XDCAM PXW-Z200 with SDI and MXF wrapper.

The two new cameras are equipped with Sony’s G Lens with 20x optical power zoom that covers 24mm wide angle to 480mm telephoto and a maximum aperture of F2.8-F4.5. The models can achieve 30x (4K) and 40x (HD) zoom using Sony’s Clear Image Zoom technology. Active mode combines electronic correction with optical image stabilisation to provide smoother imagery when moving.

They also boast of AI subject recognition, auto focus (AF), and support for 4K 60p/120p recording with less manual input. The cameras feature a BIONZ XR image processing engine and a specialised AI-processing unit for highly accurate, real-time recognition, tracking, and framing of subjects.

In addition, the HXR-NX800 and PXW-Z200’s 1.0-inch-type Exmor RS CMOS stacked sensor provides high-sensitivity and low-noise capability.

Sony PXW-Z200 and HXR-NX800 are priced at Rs 4,60,990 and Rs 3,80,990, respectively.

.WhatsApp resumes testing cross-platform messaging feature . With a changing demographic landscape, Google launched a special Elder Care Programme for its employees' parents in India.

"At Google India, our employees are empowered to bring their best selves to work, innovate, and thrive when they feel secure about their family's well-being. To bring this to life, I am delighted to announce the launch of the Google Elder Care Program, designed to provide invaluable peace of mind to our Googlers by ensuring their elderly loved ones receive compassionate, high-quality support in terms of emotional wellbeing, physical wellbeing and safety support," said Shraddhanjali Rao, Head of HR at Google India.

With this, Google employees' parents are eligible for comprehensive full-body checkups, accessible to doctor tele-consultations with quarterly home visits, and vetted access to home care professionals.

To combat loneliness, elders get personalised assistance, access to support groups, and regular check-in calls.

For the safety of senior citizens, they can avail round-the-clock security with 24/7 emergency coordination, immediate doctor-on-call, ambulance evacuation services, and virtual home elderisation consultations.

.Google's Gemini AI app can now create illustrated storybooks with audio narration. Elista earlier this week unveiled a new QLED Google TV range. They are available in 55-inch (4K UHD), 43-inch (Full HD), and 32-inch (HD) screen sizes.

They come with built-in Google Assistant and Chromecast, which allows users to have hands-free control, voice-based search, smart home integration, and effortless screen mirroring from mobile devices.

They also come preloaded with OTT apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, Jio Hotstar, SonyLIV, YouTube, and more.

The new TV supports custom picture settings, which let users fine-tune colour, brightness, contrast, and sharpness.

Select models come with a powerful 48W in-built soundbar, backed by Dolby Audio, providing a theatre-like sound experience to match the stunning visuals.

The TVs' prices range between Rs 23,990 and Rs 69,990.

.Apple may host iPhone 17 series launch event in September second week. Zoomcar, the largest peer-to-peer car-sharing platform, has collaborated with Google Cloud to integrate Generative AI (GenAI) and Machine Learning into its platform.

The partnership promises to enhance how guests book, hosts onboard, and how Zoomcar ensures safety at scale.

"Generative AI is transforming industries, and Zoomcar is an example of how companies can leverage these tools to create truly intelligent and seamless customer experiences. We are excited to see Zoomcar’s continued innovation and how their use of Vertex AI and Gemini is setting new benchmarks for efficiency, trust, and personalised interactions in the car-sharing marketplace," said Sashi Sreedharan, Managing Director, Google Cloud India."

One of the Google Cloud's standout innovations is Host Assist - a Large Language Model (LLM)-powered AI assistant designed to simplify and accelerate the host onboarding journey.

Hosting a car on Zoomcar comes with its nuances, and Host Assist clarifies the process by delivering instant, 24X7 policy-aware guidance to prospective hosts.

Host Assist is built on a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) framework and Gemini Flash 2.0 model, which has helped prospective hosts complete their onboarding journey faster. It is reportedly reduced the average onboarding process by 30 per cent.

“Our focus has been to bring GenAI out of the lab and into real-world impact for both our customers and internal customer experience teams. With Google Cloud, we’ve built context-aware AI agents and ML models that are deeply embedded into our workflows that not only drive significant commercial results but also build deeper trust and loyalty with our customers,” said Vishal Ramrakhyani, Head of Product & Engineering at Zoomcar.

.Google rolls out August Android update with bug fixes, security patches to Pixel phones. Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech .