Android Pie beta programme starts off for Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+
Recently, OneUI-based Android Pie beta version started rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 smartphone. And now, the company has also rolled out Android Pie beta update for its Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. The ones who are enrolled in the beta programme will be able to be a part of the beta testing. However, this beta programme is only available in India currently. No one other than Indian citizens will be able to be a part of this programme. But then, we expect that the beta programme for these two smartphones is going to begin in other countries as well.
Considering that the beta testing for the Galaxy Note 8 initially started in South Korea and India, and is now also available in the UK, it can be said that other countries will also start receiving the beta update for Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. The owners of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ will get the beta firmware with build numbers G950FXXU4ZSA5 and G955FXXU4ZSA5 respectively.
Samsung Galaxy S8 is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and sports a Super AMOLED capacitive 5.8-inch touchscreen. The screen resolution for the same is 1440×2960 pixels and the aspect ratio is 18.5:9. There is only a single RAM variant of 4GB that is coupled with 64GB of internal storage. The storage is expandable up to 512GB via a microSD card. The primary rear camera consists of a 12MP sensor and the front camera meant for selfies sports an 8MP sensor. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS and USB 3.1. Samsung Galaxy S8 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC.
Speaking about the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S8+, it is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor. One of the storage variants is 64GB and it comes with 4GB RAM. The other storage variant is 128GB and is coupled with 6GB of RAM. A microSD card slot expands the storage up to 512GB. The main camera comprises of a 12MP sensor and the selfie camera comprises of an 8MP sensor.
It is definitely a big surprise for Samsung Galaxy Note 8 as well as Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ users to receive this update, considering they were launched in 2017.
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Paytm partners with Zomato to offer food delivery via its app
Mobile payments platform Paytm has today announced its partnership with online restaurant finding and food delivery platform Zomato. As per the partnership, Paytm users will be able to order food via the payments app. We should mention that as of now, the feature is only live in Delhi NCR. However, the company has said that it is will be rolling out to other parts of the country soon.
It is also worth noticing that currently, only those who have Paytm’s Android app installed will be able to order food via the app. But the feature is soon expected to go live via Paytm’s iOS app too.
Paytm garnered a lot of popularity after demonetisation was announced in November 2016. As a result of this, the app has a large user base in tier two and three cities. With this partnership, the two companies plan to take online food ordering even to those users who do not have Zomato’s application installed on their smartphone. The move will not only increase Zomato’s popularity in these areas but also widen the user base for online food ordering.
This feature will also increase the adoption of Paytm for both online as well as offline payments. The Alibaba and Softbank backed app also said that its Paytm QR has been gaining traction for offline payments across restaurants.
Speaking about the partnership, Renu Satti, Senior Vice President of Paytm said, “Our association with Zomato is a valuable addition to our platform in bringing the convenience of ordering food online through our app. It is also an important step towards enhancing the overall offerings to our customers. We will continue to invest our efforts in this direction.”
Mohit Gupta, CEO of Food Delivery, Zomato also spoke about the association saying, “Paytm is the most popular digital payments platform, with extensive reach across the length and breadth of the country. We are excited to be partnering with them to integrate our online food delivery service with their mobile app. This will allow us to reach a much larger user base and add to the overall experience of ordering from Zomato.”
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10 most-awaited smartphones of 2019
Last year saw the launch of a number of good smartphones including the iPhone XR, OnePlus 6T, Vivo NEX, Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and others. But which are the most anticipated smartphones of this year? Here, we have made a list of smartphones that are the most talked about and awaited and are set to be launched this year. Take a look:
The first smartphone on our list has to be the foldable phone from Samsung. We got a glimpse of it at the company’s developer conference in November last year and the phone also made an appearance at the CES 2019. And now, Samsung has hinted that it will be launching its Galaxy F smartphone at its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 20. Coming to the specifications, Samsung Galaxy F comes with a 7.3-inch AMOLED screen that can be folded in the middle. The device has a secondary 4.6-inch AMOLED display that appears when it is folded and it comes with Samsung’s new interface called OneUI that is based on Android 9.0 Pie.
We are really looking forward to Samsung’s Galaxy S10 lineup. Numerous reports have been surfacing online about the device for months now. Till now, it has been reported that Samsung will be launching three smartphones in its Galaxy S10 lineup. While two of these will be Samsung Galaxy S10 and Samsung Galaxy S10+, the third will be a Lite variant of the device. It has also been reported that the smartphones will come with an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner that will cover around 30% of their screens, one of the variants will have 12GB of RAM and 1TB storage and all three will sport Infinity-O displays. The devices are set to be launched on February 20 at the Galaxy Unpacked event.
We will have to wait till September to see these, but renders of the upcoming iPhones have started surfacing online already. While the first set of renders were leaked by Onleaks in collaboration with Digit.in, the second ones came from a technology blog CompareRaja. Although the renders were very different, the one thing they had in common was the triple rear camera set up on the back panel. As of now, there is no word on the specifications of the upcoming iPhones.
We had to have this smartphone on our list. Although as of now there’s no word on when OnePlus is releasing its next flagship smartphone, reports about it have started surfacing online. A picture of the upcoming OnePlus 7 surfaced online recently and it shows that the smartphone comes with a camera slider, much like Oppo Find X. Prior to this, renders of the smartphone had also surfaced on GizmoChina which claim that the device will sport a 24MP selfie camera, a 4,150mAh battery, and a triple rear camera setup.
With a number of smartphone companies joining the 5G bandwagon this year, we can’t expect OnePlus to be left behind. The company has said that in addition to its two regular flagships that it launches every year, it will also be launching a 5G smartphone as a part of a different range. Not much is known about the 5G smartphone by OnePlus, but the company has said that it will be using the Snapdragon 855 SoC in it.
Samsung has also announced that it will be launching a 5G-enabled smartphone in 2019 which will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 processor. Although it has not been confirmed, reports suggest that Samsung will be launching a 5G variant of its Galaxy S10 smartphone.
Honor View 20’s global launch is set for January 22. The device has already been launched in China and will be getting unveiled for the rest of the world in Paris later this month. Honor View 20 features a 6.4-inch full-HD+ TFT LCD display and is powered by 7nm octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor clubbed with 6GB/8GB RAM. The smartphone runs Android 9.0 Pie skinned with MagicUI 2.0.1, Honor View 20 houses a 4,000mAh battery and sports a dual rear camera setup. We would have to wait a few more days to know about its pricing and availability details.
The two mid-range smartphones by Google will reportedly launch by Spring 2019. While Pixel 3 Lite is said to be powered by Snapdragon 670 SoC, the Pixel 3 XL Lite will reportedly run Snapdragon 710 SoC and come with 6GB of RAM. The former is reported to sport a 5.5-inch display, while the latter will feature a 6-inch screen. We would have to wait to know more about the smartphones.
From what we know so far, Nokia 9 PureView smartphone will come with 5G support, sport five cameras on its back panel, and feature a 2K display true edge-to-edge display with camera hole. However, we should mention that these are just speculations so far, and we will have to wait a little more to find out how credible they are. However, since we absolutely loved Nokia 8 Sirocco, we are surely looking forward to its predecessor.
In 2018, Chinese smartphone brand Vivo launched its NEX smartphone that was really futuristic to look at thanks to its pop-up selfie camera and notchless display. With the smartphone’s successor, the company went a step ahead and added an extra screen on the device’s back panel. This is because Vivo Nex Dual Display comes with a triple rear camera setup and no selfie camera. So the secondary screen can prove to useful when one is using the smartphone to click selfies. We are really looking forward to this smartphone getting launched in India.
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[td_smart_list_end]
In This Article
Samsung Galaxy F
The first smartphone on our list has to be the foldable phone from Samsung. We got a glimpse of it at the company’s developer conference in November last year and the phone also made an appearance at the CES 2019. And now, Samsung has hinted that it will be launching its Galaxy F smartphone at its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 20. Coming to the specifications, Samsung Galaxy F comes with a 7.3-inch AMOLED screen that can be folded in the middle. The device has a secondary 4.6-inch AMOLED display that appears when it is folded and it comes with Samsung’s new interface called OneUI that is based on Android 9.0 Pie.
Samsung Galaxy S10
We are really looking forward to Samsung’s Galaxy S10 lineup. Numerous reports have been surfacing online about the device for months now. Till now, it has been reported that Samsung will be launching three smartphones in its Galaxy S10 lineup. While two of these will be Samsung Galaxy S10 and Samsung Galaxy S10+, the third will be a Lite variant of the device. It has also been reported that the smartphones will come with an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner that will cover around 30% of their screens, one of the variants will have 12GB of RAM and 1TB storage and all three will sport Infinity-O displays. The devices are set to be launched on February 20 at the Galaxy Unpacked event.
New iPhones
We will have to wait till September to see these, but renders of the upcoming iPhones have started surfacing online already. While the first set of renders were leaked by Onleaks in collaboration with Digit.in, the second ones came from a technology blog CompareRaja. Although the renders were very different, the one thing they had in common was the triple rear camera set up on the back panel. As of now, there is no word on the specifications of the upcoming iPhones.
OnePlus 7
We had to have this smartphone on our list. Although as of now there’s no word on when OnePlus is releasing its next flagship smartphone, reports about it have started surfacing online. A picture of the upcoming OnePlus 7 surfaced online recently and it shows that the smartphone comes with a camera slider, much like Oppo Find X. Prior to this, renders of the smartphone had also surfaced on GizmoChina which claim that the device will sport a 24MP selfie camera, a 4,150mAh battery, and a triple rear camera setup.
OnePlus 5G phone
With a number of smartphone companies joining the 5G bandwagon this year, we can’t expect OnePlus to be left behind. The company has said that in addition to its two regular flagships that it launches every year, it will also be launching a 5G smartphone as a part of a different range. Not much is known about the 5G smartphone by OnePlus, but the company has said that it will be using the Snapdragon 855 SoC in it.
Samsung 5G Phone
Samsung has also announced that it will be launching a 5G-enabled smartphone in 2019 which will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 processor. Although it has not been confirmed, reports suggest that Samsung will be launching a 5G variant of its Galaxy S10 smartphone.
Honor View 20
Honor View 20’s global launch is set for January 22. The device has already been launched in China and will be getting unveiled for the rest of the world in Paris later this month. Honor View 20 features a 6.4-inch full-HD+ TFT LCD display and is powered by 7nm octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor clubbed with 6GB/8GB RAM. The smartphone runs Android 9.0 Pie skinned with MagicUI 2.0.1, Honor View 20 houses a 4,000mAh battery and sports a dual rear camera setup. We would have to wait a few more days to know about its pricing and availability details.
Google Pixel 3 Lite and Pixel 3 XL Lite
The two mid-range smartphones by Google will reportedly launch by Spring 2019. While Pixel 3 Lite is said to be powered by Snapdragon 670 SoC, the Pixel 3 XL Lite will reportedly run Snapdragon 710 SoC and come with 6GB of RAM. The former is reported to sport a 5.5-inch display, while the latter will feature a 6-inch screen. We would have to wait to know more about the smartphones.
Nokia 9 PureView
From what we know so far, Nokia 9 PureView smartphone will come with 5G support, sport five cameras on its back panel, and feature a 2K display true edge-to-edge display with camera hole. However, we should mention that these are just speculations so far, and we will have to wait a little more to find out how credible they are. However, since we absolutely loved Nokia 8 Sirocco, we are surely looking forward to its predecessor.
Vivo Nex Dual Display Edition
In 2018, Chinese smartphone brand Vivo launched its NEX smartphone that was really futuristic to look at thanks to its pop-up selfie camera and notchless display. With the smartphone’s successor, the company went a step ahead and added an extra screen on the device’s back panel. This is because Vivo Nex Dual Display comes with a triple rear camera setup and no selfie camera. So the secondary screen can prove to useful when one is using the smartphone to click selfies. We are really looking forward to this smartphone getting launched in India.
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[td_smart_list_end] LG G8 with non-foldable second screen to be launched next month
When we speak of LG we can expect the company to try out something new with the design of its flagship devices. The last smartphone launched by the company – LG G7 – had an extra-loud Boom Box speaker, which was capable of playing music at a really high volume.
And now, according to CNET report, LG is launching a smartphone that will have second screen. Unlike LG’s signature OLED TV R, this smartphone will not be rollable or foldable in spite of having a second screen.
The second screen of the LG G8 will come as an optional attachment. Right now, it cannot be ascertained if the second screen would be included in the smartphone box or sold as a separate accessory. But it has been reported that LG is supposed to launch the G8 smartphone next month during the Mobile World Congress 2019 (MWC).
LG also announced recently that it is going to launch a foldable smartphone during the Mobile World Congress. It has filed a foldable smartphone patent with the World Intellectual Property Office(WIPO) and United States Patent and Trademark Office(USPTO).
The patent revealed that the device from the outward folding looks like two symmetrically stacked smartphones that have been consolidated by a flexible touchscreen display. The smartphone can be elongated with the help of a spring-operated mechanism that is located on its left part. If you unfold the device, it becomes a tablet. In the tablet mode, the UI of the device can adjust automatically as per your requirement. In the middle, the display acts as the main navigation bar that has many applications in the form of icons.
What’s even more interesting is that the device can showcase two different applications in both screens at the same time. If you want, you can also view a single application.
Recently, LG also published its Android 9.0 Pie roadmap that outlined which of its devices will be getting the latest Android update and when. According to the roadmap shared by the company, LG G7 ThinQ will be getting the Android Pie update in Q1 2019. However, others may have to wait a little longer because as of now there’s no word on when devices like LG V40 ThinQ or LG G6 will be getting an update. Till there’s a further word from the company, we can only expect to get some security patches for these devices.
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Is Facebook’s 10-year challenge a way of collecting data to enhance facial recognition?
Social media platforms literally dominate our lives. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that earlier these platforms were used to share our life events and now, people actually do things so that they can click pictures of those moments and share it on social media. This is particularly true in case of various social media trends that keep coming up.
Last year when Instagram launched its questions, the Stories on the platform were completely filled with the ‘Ask me anything’ card. While this was indeed harmless, internet challenges also included the famous ALS ice-bucket challenge and the KiKi challenge that gained a lot of popularity last year. The latter, particularly, was quite dangerous too.
And the latest challenge to hit Facebook and Instagram is the #10yearchallenge. For those unaware, the challenge requires people to post their current pictures along with their photos from ten years back. This challenge appears to be harmless. But on second thought, you may realise that this internet trend is deceptive and it may not be as it seems.
You may be thinking that how can your picture from ten years back prove to be dangerous to you in any way? But remember that you will be either share this picture on Facebook or on Instagram, which is also owned by the social networking giant. We are assuming this because Twitter is not really a place where people share photos, rather the microblogging website and app are meant for ideas.
And Facebook does not have a very clean history with people’s data. Since last year, the social networking major has found itself in one controversy or the other involving data leaks.
When you share a picture from 10 years back on the platform along with a newer photograph, you are basically providing Facebook with what can be termed as a goldmine of data. Technology companies are now working on facial recognition software and are training AI systems. So this data involving both your pictures can prove to be of great importance to these companies.
Using this data, these systems may also be able to determine how a person ages and then go on to predict what we will look like in the years to come. The data may also be used for targeted advertising for various products.
Although this may not seem like a dangerous thing at all, the trouble is that all this may happen without the users being informed. So somewhere, it is a breach of privacy. Some may say that we can’t use the term privacy and internet together in the same sentence, however, most social media companies claim that they have been working to enhance privacy and transparency on their platforms, so ideally users should be informed before their data is used for anything else by the platform or by any third-party apps.
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Google certified iFFALCON 55K2A 55-inch smart TV can be picked up for Rs 37,999
iFFALCON, an exclusive India-centric smart TV brand has launched its second edition of ‘iFFALCON TV Days’ in collaboration with Flipkart. This sale is currently live on Flipkart and is scheduled to run until January 17, midnight. The TVs iFFALCON is offering range from sizes, 32 to 75-icnhes. The 32F2A, 40F2A and 49F2A TVs are priced at Rs 12,499, Rs 18,999 and Rs 27,999 respectively. iFFALCON K2A also features series 55K2A and 65K2A that costs Rs 37,999 and Rs 64,999 respectively.
The company claims that these two TVs combine “superlative performance” and provide “immersive entertainment, and seamless interconnectivity”. iFFALCON is also providing the 75H2A TV that is priced at Rs 1,49,999. According to the company, it has got a beguiling aesthetic design and a plethora of features. These features include voice search, micro dimming, Harman Kardon speakers, micro dimming, and Chromecast support.
There is a special exchange offer iFFALCON is providing wherein one can exchange their old CRT TVs with new ones at a maximum exchange value of Rs 1,200 unlike the normal value of Rs 750. The 25 to 32 TVs can be exchanged at a value of Rs 5,000 and 33 to 43-inch TVs at a price of Rs 9,000. Ranging up the exchange, the 44 to 55-inch TVs can be exchanged at a value of Rs 17,000. TVs of 56-inch sizes are available at an exchange value of Rs 30,000. Unlike in normal days, these temporary exchange offers would help customers to save around Rs 8,000.
To talk about iFFALCON TVs in more detail, the company claims they are equipped with top-of-the-line features. There is an in-built Chromecast, which helps users to avail the streaming of Google services and can also push their favourite entertainment content from their smartphones to TVs. There are advanced audio and HD video technologies which are supposed to provide high-quality visuals, precise image reproduction. Also, it is supposed to provide rich, clear and powerful surround sound. iFFALCON TVs come with certified Netflix installed in them, too.
They are moisture proof and have been designed in order to operate at a low voltage range to prevent damage caused by sudden power fluctuations.
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A man who sold his kidney to buy iPhone 4 and iPad 2 is now fighting for his life
A Chinese man who sold his kidney to buy an iPhone 4 and iPad 2 is now facing organ failure. This operation took place in 2011 when 17-year old Wang Shangkun decided to sell one of his kidneys in order to buy the gadgets. He earned $4,500 (Australian dollars) out of that operation which helped him to buy them. However, this eventually led him to face a renal failure in his second kidney. This reportedly took place due to unsanitary conditions in the hospital where the surgery took place.
In 2012, a total of nine individuals involved in the organ harvesting case were jailed. This reportedly includes five surgeons who executed the operation. In particular, this surgery took place in the black market and as mentioned, Wang Shangkun was 17 years old at that time. This was an illegal surgery and according to the report published by news.com.au, he sold his right kidney. His left kidney started dis-functioning shortly after. The people who conducted the surgery were accused on the pretext of subjecting him to unsanitary conditions.
Newsweek reports later said that among the nine convicted, five of them were surgeons who were involved in the procedure. This is not a kind of case which we come across every day. The craze towards gizmos and tech products is normal but beyond a certain extent anything is unhealthy and could lead to severe consequences. Retrospecting the Pokemon Go craze three years back, in the US scores of people one day got off their car in the middle of the road in order to catch a rare Pokemon in a nearby place. Any addiction beyond a certain degree is toxic. And this can be seen at a mass level also.
Just like drug abuse, technology can be used for the bane of humanity. On one hand it can be used to make your life easier and healthier. New innovations can lead to development, healthier and convenient existence. With advanced scientific research, even the most dreadful diseases can be countered. On the other hand, if fallen into destructive hands it can lead to severe consequences such as this one.
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Netflix, Hotstar and other will start censoring content in India
Video streaming services Netflix and Hotstar are considering to adopt some self-regulation guidelines for content that is streamed on their platforms in India, according to a report in Reuters. According to sources that have been quoted in the report, both the services are planning to do this in order to stay away from potential government censorship.
There are certain film and television certification bodies in the country that moderate content that is available publically. However, until now, Indian laws do not mandate any censorship of content on online video streaming platforms like Netflix and Hotstar. However, it is also worth noticing that Netflix was taken to court last year after Sacred Games, its first Indian original series, insulted former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
With this, the concerns about the government potentially regulating content on online platforms started arising in the industry. Reuters has also reported about a draft of an unofficial code that will be adopted by Netflix, Hotstar and other players in the industry. According to Reuters, the video streaming platforms would not show any content that shows a child “engaged in real or simulated sexual activities”, can encourage “terrorism” and is disrespectful towards India’s national flag.
However, one video streaming platform that will not be signing the code is Amazon Prime Video, although it helped to draft it. The reason for this is said to be that the company does not want to be a part of any regulations that have been created in the absence of government, according to a source familiar with the matter quoted by Reuters. The service has been quoted saying that for now, it will be assessing the situation, but it also feels that the “the current laws are adequate.”
The code has been drafted by the Internet and Mobile Association of India with industry consultation. The president of the Internet and Mobile Association of India, Subho Ray said that the code will be made public on Thursday, however, this is just a draft as of now and the final version may come with some changes.
We should mention that the draft also states that any company which signs it will bar content that can “deliberately and maliciously intends to outrage religious sentiments of any class, section or community.”
It has also been added in the draft that the companies will have to have a person or an internal team to address all “consumer-related concerns and complaints.”
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Apple’s foldable phone will launch in 2020 and it’ll be completely different from Samsung Galaxy F
A number of technology giants have either announced that they are working on a foldable phone, or it has been reported that they are. Through the course of the year, we expect to see quite a few foldables getting unveiled. And we would be right to say that among these, it is Samsung’s Galaxy F that has managed to create the most noise so far.
The South Korean technology company showcased its foldable phone at its developer conference in November last year and the much-talked-about device also made an appearance at the CES 2019. Samsung has also hinted that it may take the wraps off its upcoming smartphone on February 20, when it is scheduled to launch its Galaxy S20 lineup. Other smartphone companies like Huawei and LG are also working on foldables that we may get to see this year.
If the smartphone industry is adopting this relatively new trend, we can’t expect Apple to be the odd one out. And if a report that has surfaced on mspoweruser.com is to be believed the Cupertino-based technology giant is also working on a foldable smartphone. However, it has reportedly adopted an entirely different approach towards building its phone, according to a Samsung executive.
The Samsung executive has said that while Galaxy F folds inwards, Apple’s foldable phone will come with an outwards folding design. The report also says that the outward folding design is a cheaper and easier way to go about it, however, the overall body of the foldable phone may end up being bulkier and less appealing than an inward folding phone.
Samsung’s head of Design Innovation Center, Federico Casalegno, said that Apple is working on an “outie” foldable iPhone and claimed that Samsung’s device will offer a better user experience as far as the design goes.
He was also quoted saying, “Compared to the wrap-around display phone — which Apple seems to be looking into as one possible design for its foldable model.”
However, according to the report, the first foldable iPhone will be launched only in 2020. Considering that there’s a lot of time left for that to happen, we should take this information with a pinch of salt as a lot can change till then.
Image courtesy: mspoweruser.com
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Apple launches a Smart Battery Case for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR
Do you own an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or an iPhone XR? If that answer is yes, we have some good news for you. The Cupertino based technology giant has launched a much-awaited Smart Battery Case for its latest iPhone lineup. The newly launched Smart Battery Case by Apple is said to extend the talk time by up to 39 hours. Yes, you read that right.
Apple has used a soft-touch silicone exterior coupled with a soft elastomer hinge design. The insides of the case have a lining of microfiber. The battery pack is hidden in the new Smart Battery case. But one can easily figure out where it is because the case protrudes out where the battery is placed.
You can use the Smart Battery Case with an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. Customers can choose from Black and White coloured variants of the battery case. According to Apple, the Smart Battery Case can increase the talk time of iPhone XS by up to 33 hours and that of iPhone XR (review) by up to 39 hours. It is also worth noticing that the Smart Battery Case has support for iOS, so you will be able to check its battery status on the iPhone lock screen as well as in the Notification Centre of your device.
The Smart Battery Case has been designed in a way that it won’t create any hindrance in case the user wishes to use the Lightning port for charging their iPhone or for connecting their headphones to listen to music. It has also support for Qi-certifies chargers, which basically means that the Smart Battery case can be charged using a compatible wireless charger. Users may also opt for fast charging by using a USB-PD compatible charger.
The Smart Battery Case for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR costs $129 which, on conversion becomes approximately Rs 9,200. While it has already gone on sale in the United States, as of now, there is no word on its India pricing or availability.
We should mention that this isn’t the first time that Apple has launched a Smart Battery Case for its iPhones. Back in 2015, the company had rolled out the case for its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s smartphones. However, the design of the case attracted a lot of criticism. The company’s CEO Tim Cook even defended the design of the case saying that accessory wasn’t something that was meant to be used on a daily basis.
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How To Ramp Up Privacy On Your Smartphone
When it comes to smartphones, especially Androids, various companies often analyze key data for business insights, to review user behavior, etc. The usual excuse is that they (mobile carriers and others) need this data to provide you with enriched content and targeted offers.
Well, that sounds like something that you may want to avoid, after all, who loves someone looking over their shoulders all the time? Granted that the iOS users have a better deal since the security is often updated continuously on their phones, whereas with Androids, not so much. The value of your data can be hard to quantify. But here are a few measures that you can take to protect your data and key information better.
Here Are Top Privacy Apps To Protect Your Smartphone:
- Strong lock code
- Hide notifications and sensitive content
- Uninstall/disable unused Apps
- Restrict App permissions
- Use reliable manufacturer
*Partnered Content
Microsoft is ending support for this Windows operating system
Are you still using Windows 7 on your laptop? If the answer is yes, we should tell you that you will have to upgrade soon. Software giant Microsoft has announced that it will be ending all support for its Windows 7 operating system. However, there’s no need to panic as the company has also said that this step will come into action starting January 14, 2020. So, that gives you an entire year to upgrade.
It is worth noticing that Microsoft already ended mainstream support for Windows 7 operating system in 2015. And this announcement basically talks about the free security updates that Microsoft provides for Windows 7. The software major will stop rolling out those too at the beginning of next year. While you may choose to continue using Windows 7, but you should know that once the company ends support for it next year, your PC will automatically become more vulnerable to security risks. The reason for this is an obvious one because Microsoft would not be sending any security or feature updates to your device.
Although the company has now fully announced that it will be ending all support for Windows 7, we should mention that there were slight hints of this happening. To recall, Microsoft had recommended that users should upgrade their compatible Windows 7 PCs with a full license and then move to Windows 10.
It was also reported just a few days ago that Windows 10 has overtaken Windows 7 and accounted for 39.22% of the web traffic in December 2018. While Windows 7 contributed with 36.9%, Windows 8.1 was far behind with just 4.41%. Windows XP’s result was similar to that of Windows 8.1 with a 4.45% of the market share.
However, if you are an enterprise user, you will get more time to upgrade. This is because Microsoft announced last year that the company will be offering Windows 7 Extended Security Updates till January 2023. So, in case you are an enterprise user and you like Windows 7 too much, you can continue using it without having to worry about security concerns.
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Airtel rolls out 4G services in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Telecom major Airtel has announced the launch of its 4G services in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With this, the company has become the first ever to provide high speed network on the islands. For those unaware, data connectivity still happens to be a big issue in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The 4G services by Airtel will first we rolled out in Port Blair, which is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Thereafter, the company will roll out the 4G services in other areas of the island too.
According to Airtel, with its 4G services, the native people, as well as tourists, will be able to enjoy digital services like HD quality video streaming, superfast downloads and uploads and high speeds internet browsing. Furthermore, users will be able to upgrade to 4G SIM for free.
The telecom major has also mentioned that the 4G service was launched by Mr Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament and Smt Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary, Department of Telecom via video call.
Speaking about the launch, Smt Aruna Sundararajan said, “The launch of 4G services in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is another major milestone towards fulfilling our vision of digitally connected India. I congratulate the team at Airtel for taking the lead in rolling out these services in such remote locations and bringing the benefits of mobile broadband to citizens. We ensure the industry of continued support in their efforts to provide broadband access to every Indian.”
Gopal Vittal, MD & CEO (India and South Asia), Bharti Airtel also commented about the launch of 4G services in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, saying, “We are delighted to launch the first 4G service in Andaman and Nicobar and contribute towards building a truly digitally empowered India. Having given the islands its first mobile network in 2005, we now look forward to serving customers with world-class high speed data services and invite them to experience our 4G network. We would also like to thank the DoT and the local administration for their continued support to our endeavour.”
It is notable that the 4G roll-out is a part of Project Leap, which is Airtel’s nationwide network transformation program.
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OnePlus partners with Fnatic to be the esports organization’s jersey sponsor
We have some news for Fnatic fans. The esports organisation has decided to start the new year with new, rebranded jerseys. Fnatic and Chinese smartphone brand OnePlus have announced a partnership under which the esports organisation will replace the team name on the front of its kits with the handset maker’s name.
We should mention that the esports organisation and the smartphone brand have announced this as an unspecified ‘long-term’ sponsorship deal. It is also worth noticing that OnePlus will be the first to serve as Fnatic’s ‘front of jersey’ sponsor in the organization’s history that spans fourteen years. The designs that will be used on the jerseys of the esports organization got showcased at Fnatic’s ‘Legends in Action Live’ event that was held in Berlin on Sunday.
The event in Berlin also served as a platform for fans to know Fnatic’s League of Legends Database-Link-esports roster before the League of Legends European Championship Database-Link-esports starts on January. For those unaware, Fnatics is among the ten teams that will be contesting in the League of Legends European Championship in its first year after it got rebranded. Earlier, it was known as the European LoL Championship Series.
We should also mention that this is not the first time that these two companies have partnered. Earlier this year, Fnatic and OnePlus had joined hands to set up a booth at the Milan Games Week. At the event, the esports major adopted an unusual way to promote its gear. The two companies showcased OnePlus smartphones along with Fnatic peripherals and mobile gaming.
It may be the first time that Fnatic has partnered with a company to be a front of jersey sponsor, but it’s no stranger when it comes to making deals with brands for specific purposes. And neither is OnePlus, which is known to partner with companies to come up with exciting new variants of its smartphones. The latest one to join the list was OnePlus 6T McLaren. As the name suggests, the smartphone brand had partnered with racing giant McLaren to launch its fifth-anniversary special smartphone that comes with 10GB of RAM and has the company’s latest Warp Charge technology.
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15 Google Maps tricks you didn’t know, but are a must use
Google Maps isn’t just an app that you can use when you don’t know directions or to find out how much time reaching your destination will take. There’s a lot more than that you can do on the app. Here’s a look at 15 little-known things that Android smartphone users can do on Google Maps:
If you often have trouble finding your parked car, you can mark the place where you park it on Google Maps. Once you have parked your car, open Google Maps in your smartphone, press on the blue dot and then select the option of ‘Save your parking’.
There are two ways of doing this. The first is to tap on the blue dot that showcases your location and select the option of ‘Share your location’. You can then select the contacts you want to share your location with and choose the time until you want the location to be shared. Alternatively, you can tap on the three-line icon on top left and select the option of ‘Location sharing’.
It doesn’t matter what you are looking for – a restaurant, a petrol pump or a place of attraction – Google Maps can help you with it. Just open Google Maps on your smartphone and select the option of ‘Explore’ on the bottom left. This will open the option of ‘Explore Nearby’. Here select ‘more’ and then choose the category of the location you wish to search.
To do this, select the three-lined icon on top left and go to ‘Settings’. Under Settings, go to Navigation Settings and then select ‘voice selection.’ Here, you’ll find a number of languages that you can choose from.
You can actually check all your visited places in the last one year by pressing on the three-lined icon and then selecting ‘Your Places’. Here, go to ‘Visited’ and you’ll be able to see all the locations along with the month when you visited them.
To do this, search the name of the location where you wish to go and then select its card on the bottom of the page. Here, select the option of ‘Save’ and then choose ‘Want to go’.
Suppose you are driving home from work but wish to stop at a particular shop before on the way. So rather than first using navigation to the shop and then to your home, you add a stop in your way. For doing this, first search for your ultimate destination and select for ‘directions’. Once you do this, click on the three-dot icon on top right and select ‘Add Stop’.
You can save all your frequently visited places on Google Maps so that you don’t have to search for them again and again. Just search for the place, click on the name card and save it as a favourite or among your starred places.
You can add ratings and reviews to various locations on Google Maps. For doing this, just search the name of the place, click on the name card at the bottom of the page and then scroll down to ratings and reviews.
To download the offline map of a place, search the location – say, New Delhi – and then click on its name card. Here, press the three-dot icon the right and select the option of ‘Download offline map’.
Once you search for the location where you wish to go, and the route gets drawn in front of you on the map, click on the three-dot icon on top right and then select ‘route options’. Here, you can select to avoid routes with motorways, toll roads and ferries.
The option of messaging businesses can be found on pressing the three-lined icon. You can use this to inquire about something specific that you need to know before you visit the store.
There are different types of maps that you can choose from in Google Maps including Default, Satellite and Terrain. You can even choose among map details like Transport, Traffic and Cycling. To make the selection, just press on the rhombus icon on Google Maps.
To do this, enter the location you wish to go to and then press on ‘directions’ and then press on the train shaped icon on the top. This will show you the trains and buses going to that particular location and the time of their departure.
Do you have a query about a particular place you want to visit? Ask your question on Google Maps itself. Just search for the place you wish to ask the question about and select its name written on the card at the bottom. Here you can scroll down to ‘’Questions and Answers’ to ask your query.
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In This Article
Mark where you parked your car
If you often have trouble finding your parked car, you can mark the place where you park it on Google Maps. Once you have parked your car, open Google Maps in your smartphone, press on the blue dot and then select the option of ‘Save your parking’.
Share your real-time location with friends
There are two ways of doing this. The first is to tap on the blue dot that showcases your location and select the option of ‘Share your location’. You can then select the contacts you want to share your location with and choose the time until you want the location to be shared. Alternatively, you can tap on the three-line icon on top left and select the option of ‘Location sharing’.
Look for places that are nearby your location
It doesn’t matter what you are looking for – a restaurant, a petrol pump or a place of attraction – Google Maps can help you with it. Just open Google Maps on your smartphone and select the option of ‘Explore’ on the bottom left. This will open the option of ‘Explore Nearby’. Here select ‘more’ and then choose the category of the location you wish to search.
Change the language used in Google Maps
To do this, select the three-lined icon on top left and go to ‘Settings’. Under Settings, go to Navigation Settings and then select ‘voice selection.’ Here, you’ll find a number of languages that you can choose from.
Check all visited places
You can actually check all your visited places in the last one year by pressing on the three-lined icon and then selecting ‘Your Places’. Here, go to ‘Visited’ and you’ll be able to see all the locations along with the month when you visited them.
Save places where you wish to go
To do this, search the name of the location where you wish to go and then select its card on the bottom of the page. Here, select the option of ‘Save’ and then choose ‘Want to go’.
Add stops in your way
Suppose you are driving home from work but wish to stop at a particular shop before on the way. So rather than first using navigation to the shop and then to your home, you add a stop in your way. For doing this, first search for your ultimate destination and select for ‘directions’. Once you do this, click on the three-dot icon on top right and select ‘Add Stop’.
Add frequently visited places
You can save all your frequently visited places on Google Maps so that you don’t have to search for them again and again. Just search for the place, click on the name card and save it as a favourite or among your starred places.
Review places
You can add ratings and reviews to various locations on Google Maps. For doing this, just search the name of the place, click on the name card at the bottom of the page and then scroll down to ratings and reviews.
Download offline maps
To download the offline map of a place, search the location – say, New Delhi – and then click on its name card. Here, press the three-dot icon the right and select the option of ‘Download offline map’.
Avoid routes with motorways, toll roads and ferries
Once you search for the location where you wish to go, and the route gets drawn in front of you on the map, click on the three-dot icon on top right and then select ‘route options’. Here, you can select to avoid routes with motorways, toll roads and ferries.
Send messages to businesses
The option of messaging businesses can be found on pressing the three-lined icon. You can use this to inquire about something specific that you need to know before you visit the store.
Select Map type
There are different types of maps that you can choose from in Google Maps including Default, Satellite and Terrain. You can even choose among map details like Transport, Traffic and Cycling. To make the selection, just press on the rhombus icon on Google Maps.
Check real-time train and bus schedules
To do this, enter the location you wish to go to and then press on ‘directions’ and then press on the train shaped icon on the top. This will show you the trains and buses going to that particular location and the time of their departure.
Ask questions about a location
Do you have a query about a particular place you want to visit? Ask your question on Google Maps itself. Just search for the place you wish to ask the question about and select its name written on the card at the bottom. Here you can scroll down to ‘’Questions and Answers’ to ask your query.
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Mitashi launches its new 510 litres side by side inverter refrigerator
Today, Mitashi has launched the 510 litres side-by-side inverter refrigerator for the Indian market. Mitashi claims that the 510 litres refrigerator offers versatility and provides all the conveniences for modern day living. The refrigerator has an LED Digital Display that illuminates every corner of the fridge, which makes items more visible. Plus, it helps you to control the temperature settings or switch functions by mere touch of a button. Thus, it helps the refrigerator to conserve electricity.
There is an auto-defrost mechanism in order to ensure that there is no ice build-up. Fast cool and quick freeze functions are meant for impromptu gatherings and multichannel airflow system for ensuring that every item is fresh. The items which are especially heavy are maintained by Mitashi 510 litre refrigerator’s glass shelves. The refrigerator has a big bottle guard, chiller compartment, a large storage vegetable crisper, easy slide-out drawer’s ice trays and egg trays.
Moreover, the Mitashi 510 litre side-by-side refrigerator has a child alarm. The lock and key will help you prevent kids from sneaking for chocolates, desserts etc. The refrigerator also has a door alarm and Holiday Mode operation. The device uses refrigerant R600a, an environmental friendly gas, in order to keep the surroundings healthy and safe. The refrigerant is non-toxic with zero ODP and very low GWP (Global Warming Potential).
The Mitashi 510 litre side-by-side refrigerator has a reciprocatory inverter compressor that helps in improving efficiency, which reduces electricity bills. Also, there is a stabiliser-free operation that works steadily and reliably even when voltage fluctuations take place. This prevents any electrical damage from taking place by cutting off the power. Over that, the super silent operation prevents the fridge from vibrating and making noise.
The Mitashi 510 litre refrigerator comes at a price of Rs 72,990.
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Will it clean the Google Playstore? Google’s new policy to curb apps that gain unapproved access to SMS, call logs etc
Google has started a new policy in which it is going to curb unauthorised apps to affect your device. There are many apps which act as malware and adware once downloaded. In their description before they are downloaded, they persuade users by talking about the quality and usefulness of such apps. However, once downloaded they do not perform the same tasks as they are apps disguised as malwares which had tricked users into downloading them.
Paul Bankhead, the director, product management of Google Play said, “Our new policy is designed to ensure that apps asking for these permissions need full and ongoing access to the sensitive data in order to accomplish the app’s primary use case and that users will understand why this data would be required for the app to function.” The new developer policy has come into effect which means that app developers who haven’t submitted the Permissions Declaration Form and a valid statement of purpose to access user details will not be downloadable.
Google has declared its new review policy, which apps have to conform to in order to get permission to get into Play Store. In this new policy, users would likely will be informed about why apps need access to their data. There will be importance of the permission based on the core functionality of the app. Also, there would be a user benefit feature and small alternatives enabling the features.
For users who do not recognise a malware, they become an easy target for cybercriminals. Thus, this new policy would be very useful in making them aware of such threats and tackle them back. 2019 in that sense has become a good start for Google. In terms of genius engineers and enhancement of ML and AI, it seems that it is going to gain an upper hand over cybercriminals and fraudulent apps are going to decline on the Google Playstore.
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Samsung Galaxy M20 leaked sketches show a notch on the display, dual rear cameras: Report
South Korean technology giant Samsung this week confirmed that it will be launching its Galaxy M-series smartphones in India on January 28. Reports and leaks about the upcoming smartphones have been surfacing online for weeks now. And now, what are said to be the sketches of Samsung Galaxy M20 smartphone have also surfaced online and they reveal the design and the connectivity details of the upcoming device.
The illustrations have been shared by Dutch website Mobielkopen are reported to have been obtained from Samsung Galaxy M20’s manual. According to the leaks, the upcoming smartphone will have a notch on top of its display coupled with minimal bezels and a slightly broader chin.
While the proximity sensor and the microphone are placed on top of the device, the power and volume rocker buttons are positioned on the left. Samsung Galaxy M20 smartphone is shown to sport vertically stacked dual cameras on its back panel and has a capsule-shaped fingerprint sensor in the centre. The bottom edge of the Samsung Galaxy M20 smartphone is shown to have the USB Type-C post and audio jack placed on it.
The report also says that Samsung Galaxy M20 smartphone will come with support for Dolby Atmos. The device will reportedly be powered by Exynos 7885 processor clubbed with 3GB of RAM. It is said to be available in 32GB and 64GB storage variants.
A previous report by Reuters said that Samsung is likely to launch three smartphones in India this month – Galaxy M10, Galaxy M20 and Galaxy M30. The same report quoted Samsung Indian mobile business head Asim Warsi saying that the Galaxy M-series will be available in the below Rs 20,000 range and will come equipped with ‘huge capacity’ batteries.
It has also been reported that Samsung Galaxy M20 will feature a 6.3-inch display and house a massive 5,000mAh battery. The much-awaited Samsung Galaxy M series will officially be unveiled in India on January 28. It is worth noticing that this will be the global launch of the series and the company has already stated that the devices will be exclusively available on Amazon India’s website for purchase.
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It has also been reported that Samsung Galaxy M20 will feature a 6.3-inch display and house a massive 5,000mAh battery. The much-awaited Samsung Galaxy M series will officially be unveiled in India on January 28. It is worth noticing that this will be the global launch of the series and the company has already stated that the devices will be exclusively available on Amazon India’s website for purchase.
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We may be months away from the launch of the next iPhones, but we have already started seeing the renders of the upcoming smartphones and reports about the devices have been surfacing online for a few days now. At the beginning of the month, we had reported about renders of the 2019 iPhones that were shared by Onleaks in collaboration with Digit.in.
It hasn’t even been two weeks since that and some new renders of the upcoming iPhone have been shared by technology blog CompareRaja. However, it is worth noticing that these renders are said to be based on the current prototype designs that the Cupertino based technology giant is working with.
It has also been said that the renders that we saw at the beginning of the month are of iPhone XI and the ones that have just surfaced online are that of iPhone XI Max. We personally aren’t really sure which one represents which smartphone, considering that these renders have released way too early.
The renders shared by CompareRaja show the new iPhone with bezels that are thinner than the ones present on the current models. The device is shown to have a relocated camera model with three lenses that are stacked horizontally. A ring-shaped flash is placed right in the middle of the camera module.
It is worth noticing that this render isn’t very different from the design of the current iPhone series, particularly the iPhone XS. while the power button is shown to be present on the right, the volume rocker button is placed on the left right below the physical notification switch.
What these renders don’t show is whether the upcoming iPhone will come with a USB Type-C port or a lightning connector.
We should mention that the renders that were previously leaked by Onleaks and CompareRaja showed that the upcoming iPhone has a square module on its back panel with three camera sensors and an LED flash embedded in a zig-zag pattern. We should mention that these renders were based on prototype designs in the EVT (Engineering Validation Test) stage.
As we said earlier, we believe it’s too early to believe any renders, not because they lack accuracy, but because Apple may change the design of the iPhones in the upcoming months before they get launched.
Image courtesy: CompareRaja
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It is worth noticing that this render isn’t very different from the design of the current iPhone series, particularly the iPhone XS. while the power button is shown to be present on the right, the volume rocker button is placed on the left right below the physical notification switch.
What these renders don’t show is whether the upcoming iPhone will come with a USB Type-C port or a lightning connector.
We should mention that the renders that were previously leaked by Onleaks and CompareRaja showed that the upcoming iPhone has a square module on its back panel with three camera sensors and an LED flash embedded in a zig-zag pattern. We should mention that these renders were based on prototype designs in the EVT (Engineering Validation Test) stage.
As we said earlier, we believe it’s too early to believe any renders, not because they lack accuracy, but because Apple may change the design of the iPhones in the upcoming months before they get launched.
Image courtesy: CompareRaja
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Qualcomm’s latest patent case against Apple thrown out by German court
A latest patent lawsuit filed by Qualcomm Inc against Apple Inc was thrown out by the German court. This happened after Qualcomm won a court ban based on the sale of some iPhones in Germany. The Mannheim court dismissed Qualcomm’s lawsuit considering it was groundless. According to the court, the patent in question was not violated by the installation of Qualcomm’s chipsets in Apple devices.
Apple said in a statement, “We are happy with the decision and thank the court for their time and diligence. We regret Qualcomm’s use of the court to divert attention from their illegal behaviour that is the subject of multiple lawsuits and proceedings around the world.” Qualcomm had earlier said that it would win against Apple in this patent controversy after winning a case in a Munich court in December that enabled it to ban sale of older iPhones in Germany.
Don Rosenberg, Qualcomm’s executive vice president and general counsel said, “Apple has a history of infringing our patents. While we disagree with the Mannheim court’s decision and will appeal, we will continue to enforce our (intellectual property) rights against Apple worldwide.” Apple did not comment upon the Mannheim decision, it just referred to a statement that it is appealing against. This is to say, the December 20 ruling in Munich.
Apple declared during the Munich ruling that it would no longer stock the iPhone 7 and 8 at its 15 retail outlets in Germany. The tech giant’s newer models, however, are still on sale through carriers and resellers. Gravis, who is the leading Apple reseller in Germany said that it is still doing its bid to stock full range of iPhones. Apart from Germany, Qualcomm has also secured a ban of iPhones in China. Apple is selling its iPhones in China in huge numbers but after the ban, it has made some changes to the iOS operating system.
Presently, Qualcomm is facing a U.S antitrust case brought by the Federal Trade Commission. The Federal Trade Commission has accused Qualcomm for abusing its monopoly over the mobile chip technology that can bring detrimental consequences on Apple.
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Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer is out with a new super villain
The ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ trailer is finally out! In this trailer we see Peter Parker battling one of the most powerful Spiderman villains, Mysterio. He is wearing a black suit and he is in an adventure out of New York city. Peter Park and his school buddies are out on an international school trip in Europe, where Nick Fury makes an appearance in the film and takes Peter Parker away to save the European neighbourhood. Enough said, check out the trailer here.
Looking back, Spiderman 3 was a huge hit but wasn’t very well-received by the hardcore comic fans. Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider Man, which was a budgeted $90 million film was based on high school romance and a lot of web slinging action.
The sequel was Amazing Spider Man 2 and it was sold as a backdoor pilot for Sony’s MCU-like Spider Man universe. This was about a young Aunt May, Venom and the Sinister Six. The Amazing Spider Man 2 was detrimental to the reboot franchise, Sony. Marvel hence made a deal in order to reboot the character within the established MCU. Then came Spider Man: Homecoming—a new Spider Man series which was part of the world of Iron Man and Captain America. The film showed a fifteen-year old high schooler with a surprisingly new girlfriend, and an Iron Man being prominent throughout the film. The film was released in 2017 and got solid reviews and earned a $334 million domestic and $881 million worldwide earnings.
Five years of the Amazing Spider Man series became a huge hit and the previous Spider Man series which went on for 12 years made a lot of money. Only time will tell how the Spider Man: Far From Home film differs from the previous Marvel films. It will probably be balancing between selling itself and protecting the secrets in Avengers: Endgame. For the first time they are coming from a credible place, and not from an overall studio slate itself. This is happening after the Spider Man series with the last movie being Spider Man 3.
This edition of Spiderman does seem to be quite exciting, the movie will be out in theatres on July 5. Right after the Avengers have saved the world.
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Nike just launched the second edition of shoes that can lace themselves on their own
Nike has launched a pair of self-lacing trainers that can fit themselves to the shape of the wearer’s feet. That’s not all, the wearer will also have the ability to control his shoes with the help of a smartphone. Called Nike Adapt BB, the new self-lacing trainers cost $350 and are set to go on sale in February. The major highlight of the newly launched smart wearables is that they don’t need a physical button to activate the laces. It is worth noticing that these trainers are the successor of a HyperAdapt 1.0, that was launched by Nike in 2016.
Speaking about the futuristic self-lacing trainers by Nike, Eric Avar, Nike’s creative director of innovation said, “We picked basketball as the first sport for Nike Adapt intentionally because of the demands that athletes put on their shoes. During a normal basketball game, the athlete’s foot changes and the ability to quickly change your fit by loosening your shoe to increase blood flow and then tighten again for performance is a key element that we believe will improve the athlete’s experience.”
With Nike Adapt BB, the users will be able to customise the fit of the shoes for themselves and control them accordingly via a smartphone app. The app will be able to save the fit preferences of the user. So, if the wearer uses the trainers for a basketball game, he will have the option of loosening them during breaks and tightening them again when he begins to play. The app will also save some additional data, and users will have the option of sharing it with Nike.
The company has said that as soon as the wearer steps into the shoes, a custom motor and gear in the trainers will be able to sense it and the shoe will adjust itself accordingly.
Although the concept behind the trainers is really futuristic and reminds us of shoes from the movie Back to the Future Part 2, we will have to wait to see if these shoes are actually useful or just a marketing gimmick. We also hope to see the company roll out the technology to other shoes in its range as a lot of runners may find self-lacing shoes extremely useful.
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Although the concept behind the trainers is really futuristic and reminds us of shoes from the movie Back to the Future Part 2, we will have to wait to see if these shoes are actually useful or just a marketing gimmick. We also hope to see the company roll out the technology to other shoes in its range as a lot of runners may find self-lacing shoes extremely useful.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Watch: Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 teardown video showcasing all its internals
Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi last week launched the much awaited Redmi Note 7 smartphone at an event that was held in China. What made the launch even more prominent was the fact that Redmi Note 7 is the first smartphone to be launched under the independent Redmi sub-brand. The smartphone has primarily garnered appreciation for packing powerful specifications at an affordable price. However, the most notable feature of Redmi Note 7 happens to be its dual rear camera setup that comprises of a 48MP sensor and a 5MP sensor.
Just after the launch of the smartphone, a video that has been shared on Chinese instant messaging platform QQ shows the newly launched Redmi Note 7 being taken apart to showcase its internals. The teardown video begins by showing the removal of Xiaomi Redmi Note 7’s glossy back panel and hybrid nanoSIM/microSD tray. The next thing to be removed is the smartphone’s fingerprint scanner’s ribbon cable. The device’s primary logic board and other important hardware components are revealed after some thin plates are taken off.
According to GSMArena, the teardown video also showcases Redmi Note 7’s USB Type-C port which is there on a secondary logic board. The placement of the port is such that it would make it easier to repair it or replace it in case it stops working. Two more ribbon cables are placed over Redmi Note 7’s 4,000mAh battery and they connect the primary and secondary boards of the smartphone with each other.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=telKzIbFbBQ
We should mention that Redmi Note 7’s dual rear camera setup is covered by a single lens cover, which also means that replacing or repairing it would be easy.
Speaking about the specifications of the device, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 660 processor and comes with 3GB/4GB/6GB of RAM. The smartphone is available in 32GB and 64GB storage variants and runs Android 9.0 Pie skinned with MIUI 10. Redmi Note 7 features a 6.3-inch FullHD+ display that has an aspect ratio of 19.5:9 and comes with a waterdrop shaped notch on top. The key highlight of the smartphone is its 48MP+5MP dual rear cameras. For selfies and video calls, Redmi Note 7 houses a 13MP front-facing snapper.
Video courtesy: Creator Studio, QQ
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The Huawei P20 Pro and Nova 3 have started getting Android Pie updates with EMUI 9
Huawei just announced that it is going to roll out the Android Pie for its Nova 3 and P20 Pro models. The update would be skinned with the company’s EMUI 9. The update is going arrive over-the-air (OTA) firmware. Huawei claims that the EMUI 9.0 update is going to be user-friendly. The users will find it simple, enjoyable and consistent. The EMUI 9.0 update is 12.9 percent faster than its predecessor and has the ability to launch apps at a quicker rate.
The EMUI 9.0 update includes capabilities such as consolidated menus, unified design language, new gesture-based navigation, GPU Turbo 2.0 and Powerful on device AI enhance user experience. What’s interesting about the phone is that it supports 22 Indian languages. Furthermore, it has a customised Indian calendar, deep integration of apps like Paytm aimed for executing convenient payment.
The EMUI 9.0 will also bring GPU Turbo 2.0, HiVision visual search, Password Vault, Digital Balance dashboard, navigation gestures, multiple backup options, one-handed controls and improved Huawei Share features. Looking back a few days ago, Huawei Y9(2019) was launched with a price tag of Rs 15,990. The smartphone comes with a 4GB RAM variant which brings 64GB internal storage. The smartphone sports a 6.5-inch FHD+ FullView display with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.
The Huawei Y9(2019) comes with a 2.2GHz octa-core Kirin 710 processor and packs a 4,000mAh battery. There is a 16MP primary sensor and a 2MP secondary sensor at the back. There are two selfie cameras also on this smartphone (16MP + 2MP). It is noteworthy, that all cameras come with AI enhancements. The smartphone runs on Android Oreo skinned with EMUI 8 and is now getting the Android Pie update. The smartphone comes in two colour options—midnight black and sapphire blue.
Considering that the Nova 3 and the P20 Pro are prominent Huawei phones, the incorporation of the EMUI 9.0 might increase its usership further. The company claims that the EMUI 9.0 has been created to “enable a quality life, where the features of user interface supports consumers in creating better every day experiences and enhance smartphone functions.”
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Samsung Galaxy Note 8 starts receiving Android Pie based One UI beta update
Samsung’s One UI has been in news ever since it got unveiled by the company in November last year. Earlier this month reports surfaced online which claimed that Samsung Galaxy Note 8 One UI beta program could go live soon. We should mention that beta One UI builds for Samsung Galaxy Note 8 smartphone had already been spotted on the company’s servers at the time when these reports emerged. And now, the company has confirmed that Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be getting the Android Pie beta.
It is worth noticing that this also improves the chances of Galaxy S8 to get the One UI based Android Pie beta. Beta builds from Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have also been spotted on the company’s servers. If our guess is right, the smartphone giant will roll out the beta launch to those two smartphones too.
Coming back to Samsung Galaxy Note 8, it is a pleasant surprise for users to know that their smartphone will be getting the Android Pie beta build. When Android Pie beta builds were rolled out to Samsung Galaxy Note 9, users were very happy to get an opportunity to experience the new One UI software. And then, the company went a step ahead and opened up the One UI based Android Pie beta for Samsung Galaxy Note 8 too.
This is the first time that the company is rolling out its beta programs to previous generation smartphones. Prior to this, it has limited beta programs only to its current flagship models.
Samsung has posted a notice on its Samsung Members app about the Galaxy Note 8 One UI beta program which says that the users of the smartphone will get to experience Android Pie based One UI earlier than others.
If you are a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 user, you should know that the registrations for the program have opened. Till now, the update has only started rolling out in India and South Korea, but it is expected to make its way to other markets too. By signing up for the beta program, you will be able to experience One UI before its stable update rolls out to masses.
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