7 things to expect from the Google Pixel 3 event

Google is all set to roll out its new Pixel smartphones tomorrow. Besides the new Pixel line-up, we’ll also get to see new products from its Home and Chromecast segments. Needless to say, there have been a number of leaks that revolve around what the technology giant has up its sleeve for its October 9 event. Here, we have made a list of everything one can expect to see at the Google Pixel 3 event:

Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones

One thing we can be sure of is that Google will be launching its new flagship smartphones at its upcoming event. The technology giant has always chosen to unveil its new smartphones at its October event, so one doesn’t have to be an insider to expect Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL at Google’s October 9 event. A number of rumours and leaks about the two smartphones have surfaced online. On the hardware front, we are expecting the devices to sport larger screens and Pixel 3 XL may come with a notch on its display. The smartphones are also said to come with wireless charging and dual selfie cameras. The second front camera will have the ability to click wider selfies. Other than this, the technology giant is expected to give a software upgrade to its phone like it did last year.

A wireless charging stand

Leaks suggest that Google is adding wireless charging to its Pixel smartphones this year, and the company is also expected to roll out a new wireless charging stand for it. The stand is likely to keep the smartphone erect as it charges, so that it’s easier for the user to see the screen. The smartphone can then display important updates while being on the charging stand.

Google Home Hub

While there is no clarity on whether the company will roll out new Home speakers, Google may unveil a smart display which will showcase information from Assistant. This will be Google’s answer to Amazon’s Echo Show, but it will come with its own set of differences. Firstly, Google Home Hub wouldn’t have a built-in camera for video chatting. And secondly, it would have support for YouTube — which would certainly be a big reason for some users to buy it.

Pixel Slate tablet

We have come across numerous rumours on the internet that talk about an upcoming Google branded Chrome OS tablet or the Google Pixel Slate. It has been reported that the upcoming device comes with a detachable keyboard, 16GB of RAM and Intel i7 processor. There may be another affordable option that will come with 7th Gen Intel processor. Reports also suggest that Pixel Slate will support USB Type C and a fingerprint sensor — a first for Chromebooks.

Pixelbook 2

An update is reportedly coming to Pixelbook too. Since the number of rumours around this new device have been very limited, all we can expect is an upgrade in specifications, a newer processor and an update in RAM. The Pixelbook 2 is also expected to sport a 4K display — which surely will be among the major updates.

An updated Chromecast

It has been a few years since the last Chromecast was launched, we wouldn’t be wrong to expect an upgraded one at the coming Google event. According to FCC filings, the third generation Chromecast will support improved Wi-Fi. It is also expected to come with Bluetooth, although as of now it isn’t clear how that is supposed to add to the functionalities. A small design update is also expected. Other than this, there hasn’t been any word on the device.

Software upgrades

Google may not be best known for its hardware, but the reason its products have managed to make a mark is because of its software features. Although there have been leaks around the software updates, we will most likely see a lot more at the event that we don’t know about yet. We are fully expecting a few features that will make Assistant smarter, for instance. But we will have to wait for the event tomorrow to know exactly what the technology giant has up its sleeve. Image courtesy: 9to5Google, About Chromebooks, Android Headlines.
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Motorola One Power next Flipkart sale to begin on October 11

Last month saw the launch of Motorola One Power in India and yesterday, the smartphone’s first flash sale took place on Flipkart. The company has now announced that Motorola One Power smartphone will be available for purchase in an open sale which is scheduled to begin on October 11 at 12:01am IST. The smartphone will be available on the e-commerce website as a part of Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale. The Lenovo-owned smartphone manufacturer has said that for the open sale more stock of the smartphone will be available. At the previously held flash sale, 100 units of the smartphone were sold per second. Price and availability Motorola One Power costs Rs 15,999 and at this price, it competes with the likes of Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 (review) and Nokia 6.1 Plus. The smartphone is exclusively available for purchase on Flipkart. Since it is available as a part of Flipkart’s Big Billion Day sale, 10% instant discount is available on purchases done with HDFC debit and credit cards and on EMI transactions. A 50% buy back policy is also available at Rs 149. Specifications Motorola One Power smartphone features a 6.2-inch full-HD+ (1080×2280 pixels) LCD Max Vision display that has an aspect ratio of 19:9. The dual SIM smartphone is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor that is backed by the Adreno 509 GPU.  Motorola One Power comes with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage and can hold a microSD card of up to 256GB. It runs Android 8.1 Oreo and the company has said in a statement that the smartphone will soon be getting an update to Android 9.0 Pie. It is also worth mentioning that the smartphone is a part of Google’s Android One program – which promises timely Android updates and security patches for two years from the date of the launch. For imaging duties, Motorola One Power sports dual rear cameras with 16MP and 5MP sensors which have support for 4K video recording. The smartphone houses a 5,000mAh battery and supports 15W Moto TurboPower charging. Connectivity options of the smartphone include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS/ A-GPS, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
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Moto G7 lineup rumoured to launch with four smartphones next year

The Moto G series have always managed to create a stir. This year, we saw three smartphones in the Moto G6 series, namely Moto G6 (review), Moto G6 Play and Moto G6 Plus. Although we are months away from the launch of Moto G7 lineup, but rumours about the smartphones that are scheduled to launch next year are already creating a buzz. Renowned tipster Evan Blass, who talks about unannounced developments on his Twitter handle, has revealed that four smartphones will be launched in the Moto G7 series next year including Moto G7, Moto G7 Plus, Moto G7 Play and Moto G7 Power. https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/1047904728989032449 If Blass’ tweet is true, then next year’s Moto G series lineup will have more models than we saw this year. The new Power model in the Moto G7 lineup may boast of a massive battery. Some specifications of the upcoming Moto G7 have also been leaked. The smartphone is expected to feature a 6.4-inch full HD+ (1080×2340 pixels) display and will be powered by an octa-core processor. Moto G7 will reportedly sport dual rear cameras with 16MP and 5MP sensors and will run Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. The smartphone will come with 4GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage. For selfie lovers, there will be a 12MP front facing snapper. Moto G7 will be backed by a 3,500mAh battery and could possibly support Turbo Charge fast charging technology. The device is also expected to come with a fingerprint sensor. The hardware details of the other three smartphones is not yet known. All the four smartphones are expected to launch early next year. A couple of leaked images of the upcoming smartphone have also surfaced online which show a waterdrop notch on top of the phone’s display, dual rear cameras and a fingerprint sensor on the back panel. To recall, the company launched the Moto G6 and G6 Play in June this year followed by Moto G6 Plus in September. Moto G6 sports a 5.7-inch FHD+ IPS touch screen and is powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm snapdragon 450 processor. The smartphone features a dual rear camera setup with 12MP+5MP sensors and houses a 3,000mAh battery.
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Flipkart Big Billion Day sale: Deals available on Infinix Smart 2 and Note 5

Flipkart is back with its festive season sale. And like every year, there are a slew of offers and deals that can be availed on buying various consumer electronic gadgets. After Samsung announced discount offers on its smartphones including Galaxy S8 and Galaxy On6, electronics maker Infinix has rolled out its list of smartphones which will be available at reduced prices during the sale. Infinix Mobile’s Smart 2 and Note 5 smartphones will be available on a discount at Flipkart’s Big Billion Day sale that is scheduled to start on October 10. Both the smartphones are getting a price cut of Rs 1,000 starting from October 11 to October 14. While Infinix Smart 2 will be available at Rs 4,999, customers will be able to buy the Infinix Note 5 for Rs 8,999. Currently, the smartphones are available at a price of Rs 5,999 and Rs 9,999 respectively. To add to the festive season offers, customers will be able to avail an additional 10% discount if they pay for their purchase via credit or debit cards from HDFC. Infinix Smart 2 smartphone sports a 5.45-inch Full View HD+ display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. Powered by 1.5GHz quad-core processor clubbed with 2GB RAM, the smartphone comes with 16GB of internal storage and can hold a microSD card of up to 128GB. Infinix Smart 2 packs a 13MP primary camera and an 8MP selfie camera. The smartphone houses a 3,050mAh battery and comes with a facial unlock. It is available in four colours — Sandstone Black, Serene Gold, Bordeaux Red and City Blue. It also a part of Google’s Android One program — which promises timely Android updates and security patches for at least two years from the date of the launch. Speaking of Infinix Note 5, it features a 5.99-inch touchscreen display and is powered by 2GHz octa-core processor coupled with 3GB RAM. The smartphone has an internal storage of 32GB and can hold a microSD card of 128GB. For imaging duties, Infinix Note 5 packs a 12MP camera on the rear panel and boasts of a 16MP AI front facing snapper for selfies and video calls. The smartphone has a 4,500mAh battery and like Infinix Smart 2, it is also a part of the Android One program. Buyers will have plenty of colour options to choose from as Infinix Smart 2 is available in Sandstone Black, Serene Gold, Bordeaux Red and City Blue colours and the Infinix Note 5 is available in Ice Blue, Milan Black and Berlin Grey.
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Lenovo K8 Note successor may launch in India on October 16

It has been more than a year since Lenovo launched its last smartphone in India. But don’t be disappointed. The Chinese technology company has sent out media invites for a launch event in New Delhi that is scheduled to take place on October 16. The invite nowhere mentions the name of the smartphone the company intends to launch. In fact, all that it says is ‘The Killer Returns’. Based on this, it won’t be wrong to assume that Lenovo plans to unveil the successor of Lenovo K8 Note. For those unaware, Lenovo K8 Note was the last smartphone in the company’s K Note series and it was launched in India August 2017. The smartphones in this particular series are often referred to as ‘Killer Note’, and because of this, Lenovo’s invite points towards the launch of a new K Note Series smartphone on October 16. Although no information about the handset has been revealed, the invite shows a metallic frame and rounded corners. We will have to wait till mid-October to know what exactly does the company have up its sleeve. Note that the Chinese consumer electronics company has launched other smartphones in its K-Series post the launch of K8 Series. However, none of them were launched in India. Globally, Lenovo is all set to launch Z5 Pro smartphone in China. The smartphone is expected to come with a slide-out camera like the one we saw on Oppo Find X and it has been reported that it will sport an in-display fingerprint sensor too. So, we can also expect a rebranded variant of the same at the October 16 event too, but there’s a stronger chance of seeing a smartphone from the K-Series. Smartphones from the K-Series have always been a part of the mid-budget segment. So, if Lenovo does launch the successor of K8 Note, we can expect it to be priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000. Other than this, nothing else can be speculated about Lenovo’s upcoming device at the moment. We would have to wait for the launch date to be sure of the company’s plans. Till then we will keep updating you about other details of the upcoming smartphone that will surface.
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Huawei Mate 20 to come with a waterdrop notch and triple rear camera setup: Report

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei’s upcoming flagship phablets Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro are set to launch at an event in London on October 16. And as the launch date approaches, a number of leaks have revealed a lot about the phablets’ specifications, features and design. And now, the alleged press renders of Huawei Mate 20 have surfaced online. The smartphone in the renders can be seen sporting a waterdrop shaped notch on its display and a fingerprint sensor on its back panel. Specifications The images and specifications leaked by tipster Roland Quandt of WinFuture.de reveal that Huawei Mate 20 will feature a 6.43-inch full-HD+ TFT LCD display that has an aspect ratio of 18.7:9. The notch on the smartphone is smaller than that of Huawei Mate 20 Pro’s and that may be because Mate 20 will not come with laser sensors for facial recognition. Huawei Mate 20 is expected to be powered by an octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor and will be available in three storage options — 4GB RAM/64GB storage, 6GB RAM/128GB inbuilt storage and 8GB RAM/512GB of onboard storage. Storage options will vary in different markets and according to different network operators. The smartphone is expected to house a 4,000mAh battery and will come with a nanoSD card slot with a capacity of 128GB. The upcoming smartphone from Huawei will come with a triple rear camera setup with a 40MP primary sensor. The details of the other two sensors have not been disclosed yet. Unlike its older sibling, Huawei Mate 20 will come with a 3.5mm jack. It has also been reported that the smartphone may not be launched in all markets, but it will launch in Germany at a starting price of EUR 750. The cost of Mate 20 Pro, on the other hand, will start from EUR 850. Another report that had emerged in Israel has claimed that the smartphone will be priced at ILS 3,000 and Mate 20 Pro will bear a price tag of ILS 4,000. The Chinese technology company also has plans to launch its first smartphone in India with Kirin 980 processor in Q4 2018. The said smartphone may be from the Huawei Mate 20 series, but we will have to wait till the launch to be sure about the same. Image Courtesy: WinFuture.de 
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Windows 10 October 2018 update may put you at the risk of losing your files

Earlier this week, technology giant Microsoft released the latest Windows 10 October 2018 update. But much to the company’s dismay, some users have reported serious issues they have encountered since they received the update. There are user complaints on Microsoft‘s own support website, and threads on Reddit and other forums which state that some users, after upgrading to the October 2018 Update, had their files like documents and photos deleted. Some even reported that their entire profile got wiped out. Some users have found a temporary solution to the reported problem, but currently there is no clarity on why this issue is arising. It is worth mentioning that Microsoft has not yet started pushing this update out to Windows Update, so only those who themselves visit Windows Update and check for updates will be able to install it as of now. Since a lot of people may not choose to do that, it is safe to assume that a majority of the users are not using the Windows 10 October 2018 update. But even then, the number of people who have reported these issues is shocking. The technology giant is investigating these reports, but since these early issues have cropped up it is currently not recommended to install the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. At least not till a fix for the said bug is found. And in case you just can’t wait to get the new features on your system and are choosing to install the latest update in spite of the issue that are getting reported by users, it is extremely necessary for you to take a back-up of all your files. While programs and apps can be re-installed, but in case your files get wiped out from your system, you may not have a way of recovering them unless they are live elsewhere.
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This is when your Nokia smartphone will get an Android 9 Pie update

HMD Global this week launched its Nokia 7.1 smartphone. And at the launch, the company gave away detailed information about when exactly will other Nokia smartphones be getting the Android 9 Pie update. Recently, HMD Global’s Nokia 7 smartphone got updated with the latest Android version and the update is expected for other Nokia smartphones too, as they come under Google’s Android One program. At the event, the company has confirmed that the Android 9 Pie update will be coming to handsets including Nokia 6.1, Nokia 6.1 Plus, Nokia 8 and Nokia 8 Sirocco. The smartphones running on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 600 SoC series — namely Nokia 6.1 and Nokia 6.1 Plus — will be getting the update first. The Android 9 Pie update will come to both the smartphones in October. The Nokia 8 and Nokia 8 Sirocco (review) will be getting the latest Android version update in November. However, no dates have been disclosed by the company for the release of these updates. In the last few years, all the Nokia smartphones that have been launched fall under the Android One program — which promises timely Android updates and security patches for at least two years from the launch day of the smartphone. The company has also said that it plans to roll out the Android 9 Pie updates to Nokia smartphones other than the ones it mentioned. Speaking of the most recently launched smartphone by HMD Global — Nokia 7.1 runs Android 8.1 Oreo. Like other Nokia smartphones that have launched recently, Nokia 7.1 is also a part of Google’s Android One program – which means that it will also be getting an update to Android 9 Pie soon. The company has confirmed this at the launch event of the smartphone and the update is expected to come to the phone next month.
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Flipkart Big Billion Day sale: Deals on Samsung Galaxy S8, On6, A7 and other smartphones, tablets you should know about

If you have been waiting to buy a smartphone from Samsung, you really have a reason to look forward to Flipkart’s upcoming festive season sale. The technology giant is rolling out discount offers on a number of its smartphones that will be applicable during Flipkart’s ‘The Big Billion Days’ sale, which is starting on October 11. Samsung‘s last year’s flagship smartphone — Galaxy S8 — is going to get a price cut of Rs 20,000 and will be available for Rs 29,990 during Flipkart’s sale. It is worth noticing that the offer will only be available on the 64GB storage variant of the device. To recall, Samsung Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch Infinity display and has a bezel-less design. The smartphone also has Samsung Pay and supports Samsung’s digital assistant Bixby. Other than this, Samsung Galaxy On6 smartphone will be available at a reduced price too. While it is currently available at Rs 14,490, during the sale one can buy it for Rs 11,990. Other smartphones from Samsung that will be getting a discount are Galaxy J3 Pro, Galaxy On Max and the 64GB storage variant of Galaxy On Nxt. While earlier they were priced at Rs 8,490, Rs 16,900 and Rs 16,900, their prices will be reduced to Rs 6,190, Rs 11,990 and Rs 9,990 respectively. Samsung Galaxy A7 — the company’s first smartphone with triple rear cameras — will also be going on sale at a price of Rs 23,990. Tablets from Samsung will too be available on a discounted price. Samsung Galaxy Tab A T355Y — which is currently priced at Rs 16,500 — will be available for Rs 11,999. The company’s flagship tablet — Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, which is available for Rs 38,500, can be bought at Rs 21,999 during Flipkart’s sale. The company is also slashing the price of its smartband Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro. Currently, the smartband is priced at Rs 13,490, and during the sale it will be available at Rs 8,999. It is worth mentioning that all these smartphones will be available at no cost EMI. A 10% instant discount can be availed if the purchase has been made via HDFC Bank debit or credit card. Seems like Samsung us going all out this festive season. However, we would have loved to see a discount on the latest flagship smartphones by Samsung as well.
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Xiaomi begins local manufacturing of Mi LED TVs in India

Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi has been dominating the Indian smartphone market for a reasonable time now. And this week, the company has announced that it will now be manufacturing its Mi LED TVs in India. The technology giant has joined hands with Noida based Dixon Technologies to begin manufacturing of Mi LED TVs in India at a facility in Tirupati. The facility has been inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Speaking on the occasion of the inauguration, N. Chandrababu Naidu said, “I have a vision of making Tirupati an IT Hub, offering a one-stop solution for leading electronics players encompassing the entire life cycle of and ecosystem in electronics from design to death.” He further added, “I am delighted to welcome Xiaomi, the undisputed leader of ‘Smart TVs’ in India, along with Dixon Technologies to the holy city of Tirupati and to the family of other leading electronics players that will help showcase the state as an example of transparent governance.” The Mi LED TV manufacturing plant is spread across 32-acres and will appoint over 850 people to work there. According to Xiaomi, the factory will have the ability to produce 1,00,000 Mi LED TVs per month by Q1 2019. Xiaomi’s Vice President and Managing Director of its India operations, Manu Jain said, “After a successful smartphone journey, we are beginning a new chapter with Mi LED TV manufacturing in India. We are already the number one ‘Smart TV’ brand in India, and we hope that with our increased focus on local manufacturing, we would be able to increase our supply and reach out to many more Mi Fans.” Xiaomi’s plant will start local manufacturing with Mi LED Smart TV 4A 80cm (32-inch) and Mi LED Smart TV 4A 180cm (43-inch). According to market research firm IDC’s “Worldwide Quarterly Smart Home Device Tracker 2018Q2”, Mi LED TV is the top ‘Smart TV’ brand in India. In 2015, Xiaomi announced that its plans to manufacture smartphones in India and today, the company claims to have six smartphone manufacturing plants in the country. It has manufacturing plants in Sri City, Sriperumbudur and Noida. Its power bank plant is also located in Noida. The Chinese smartphone company has said in a statement that over 95% of its smartphones sold in India are made in the country itself. With the introduction of its air and water purifiers, projectors, security cameras, televisions and kitchen equipment, Xiaomi has also forayed into the smart home category in the country. Xiaomi has four Mi Home Experience Stored in India — in Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. Overt thay, the company also has 36 Mi Home stores in the country and with the aim of growing its offline network, it eyes to expand that number to 100 this year.
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