Comparison: Nokia 8110 4G vs JioPhone 2

Avani Bagga
-
0
Comparison: Nokia 8110 4G vs JioPhone 2
Nokia last week played the nostalgia card on us once again and launched the Banana phone in India. Nokia 8110 4G, as the name suggests, is a revamped version of the company’s popular 8110 device. The Matrix phone from Nokia directly competes with JioPhone 2. Both the feature phones run KaiOS and have recently got support for some widely used apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, and Google Maps which obviously makes them better value for money devices. Both Nokia 8110 4G and JioPhone 2 come with support for 4G VoLTE and sport a QWERTY keypad. While Nokia 8110 4G has some nifty features and comes with the revamped version of the iconic Snake game, JioPhone 2 has been launched by Reliance with the idea of getting 4G connectivity to one and all. But which one should you choose among them? Should you give in to nostalgia and pick the revamped Nokia 8110 4G smart feature phone or will JioPhone 2 prove to be a better buy? Also, should you opt to buy either of the two as your primary device or are they only good enough to be a secondary one? Here, we compare all the specifications and pricing of the two smart feature phones so that you can decide which one is the right buy for you:

Display

Nokia 8110 4G: 2.4-inch QVGA TFT curved display JioPhone 2: 2.4-inch QVGA screen

Processor

Nokia 8110 4G: 1.1GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 205 processor JioPhone 2: 1.1GHz dual-core processor

Primary camera

Nokia 8110 4G: 2MP primary camera with LED flash JioPhone 2: 2MP rear camera

Selfie camera

Nokia 8110 4G: N.A. JioPhone 2: 0.3MP (VGA) front facing camera

RAM and storage

Nokia 8110 4G: 512MB RAM and 4GB of internal storage JioPhone 2: 512MB of RAM and 4GB of onboard storage

Support for microSD card

Nokia 8110 4G: No JioPhone 2: Up to 128GB

Battery

Nokia 8110 4G: 1,500mAh battery JioPhone 2: 2,000mAh battery

Operating system

Nokia 8110 4G: Feature OS powered by KaiOS JioPhone 2: KaiOS

Price

Nokia 8110 4G: Rs 5,999 JioPhone 2: Rs 2,999
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. [td_smart_list_end]

Nokia 3.1 Plus first impressions

Avani Bagga
-
0
Nokia 3.1 Plus first impressions
This week saw a big yet affordable upgrade come to HMD Global’s Nokia lineup. The company launched its Nokia 3.1 Plus smartphone in India, which is the successor to Nokia 3.1 that was unveiled in July. To recall, although Nokia 3.1 was a value for money device, it did lack some key features. For instance, the smartphone did not come with a fingerprint sensor. But we don’t have a reason to complain anymore, because Nokia 3.1 Plus does address the complaints users had with its predecessor. The smartphone features a bigger screen than Nokia 3.1, comes with a fingerprint scanner on its back panel and even has a bumped up MediaTek HelioP22 processor and a 3,500mAh battery. But that’s still not the best thing that the company has added to the new smartphone. Nokia 3.1 Plus sports a dual rear camera that enables it offer portrait mode effects. And like all other Nokia smartphones that have been launched recently, the mobile phone comes under the Android One program, which gives it an edge over others because it will get timely Android updates for two years and security patches for three years. The smartphone costs Rs 11,499, and at this price it competes with the likes of Moto G6 (review), Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro and Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 (review). We spent some time with the Nokia 3.1 Plus and here are our first impressions of the device. Nokia 3.1 Plus design   We really liked the design of Nokia 3.1 Plus. The smartphone has a sturdy built and it feels solid to hold. And it was certainly refreshing to use a smartphone that has matte finish as it means no fingerprint smudges. The back panel of Nokia 3.1 Plus houses the dual rear cameras, LED flash and the fingerprint scanner. The volume rocker and power buttons are sandwiched on the right edge and the SIM card and microSD card slots are on the left edge. The top and bottom edges house the 3.5mm jack, USB port and speaker grilles. Flip the phone over and you’ll see the 6-inch screen of the smartphone with Nokia branding, earpiece and selfie camera on top. Overall, we really liked the design of Nokia 3.1 Plus. It definitely is one among the better looking phones in the budget segment and its matte finish makes it stand out. Nokia 3.1 Plus display Nokia 3.1 Plus smartphone sports a 6-inch HD+ IPS display that has an aspect ratio of 18:9. One thing that we found to be a differentiator is the fact that Nokia 3.1 Plus does not sport a notch on its display, something that is not very common anymore. Coming back to the display, it showcased bright and vibrant colours and had good viewing angles. The colour reproduction is accurate and the images projected are sharp and clear. In our limited time with the phone, the only downside to the display that we observed was its sunlight readability. That certainly could have been better. But you’ll have to wait for our review till we give you our complete opinion on it. Nokia 3.1 Plus cameras Nokia 3.1 Plus sports dual rear cameras with a 13MP sensor that comes with an f2.0 aperture and a 5MP sensor that has an f2.4 aperture. The front panel of the smartphone houses an 8MP camera with f2.2 aperture. Bokeh feature is present on the dual rear cameras as well as on the selfie camera of Nokia 3.1 Plus. It is worth noticing that the dual rear cameras have the Live Bokeh mode, which basically enable the user to adjust the depth in Bokeh mode before he clicks a picture. However, the same cannot be done while clicking selfies. Time-lapse and slow motion videos can also be recorded using Nokia 3.1 Plus. We took a few shots using the smartphone and we were impressed by the colour reproduction and the details that the cameras captured. However, our opinion as of now is limited to shots taken in brightly lit areas. You would have to wait for our full review to know about the low-light shots. One aspect of the smartphone that truly disappointed us was the selfie camera. If you are selfie fan, you may not be too happy with the results you’ll get from Nokia 3.1 Plus’ front facing snapper. We tried to take a number of shots, but the selfies we took were just not up to the mark as compared to other smartphones in this price segment. But then, we will use it for a little longer before we jump to any conclusions about it. What we think In the limited time that we got with the Nokia 3.1 Plus, we loved its design and even found our experience with the display to be good. The cameras did leave us with mixed feelings, but as we said, it would be too soon for us to jump to any conclusion. The smartphone does have its own set of positive points and because it comes under the Android One program, it may be one among the first budget phones in the country to get an Android Pie update. Till now, Nokia 3.1 Plus seems to be a promising budget smartphone, but we will use it for a few more days and come back to talk about its performance and battery life.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Comparison: Google Pixel 3 XL vs Apple iPhone XS Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Avani Bagga
-
0
Comparison: Google Pixel 3 XL vs Apple iPhone XS Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9
This week, Google launched its Pixel 3 smartphones. With this, this year’s flagship devices of Google, Apple and Samsung have been showcased. And if you were waiting to see the Google Pixel 3 lineup before you treat yourself with a good smartphone, then we are here to help. Here’s our comparison of Google Pixel 3 XL, iPhone XS Max and Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to help you decide which one is the perfect buy for you: Display Google Pixel 3 XL: 6.3-inch QHD+ flexible OLED display Apple iPhone XS Max: 6.5-inch OLED HDR Super Retina display Samsung Galaxy Note 9: 6.4-inch Super AMOLED Infinity screen with Quad HD+ resolution Processor Google Pixel 3 XL: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Apple iPhone XS Max: A12 Bionic processor Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Primary camera Google Pixel 3 XL: 12.2MP dual pixel single rear camera with a 76-degree field-of-view Apple iPhone XS Max: 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP telephoto lens Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Dual rear cameras with 12MP telephoto and wide angle sensors Selfie camera Google Pixel 3 XL: 8MP wide-angle sensor with 97-degree field of view and fixed focus coupled with an 8MP secondary sensor with 75-degree field-of-view Apple iPhone XS Max: 7MP TrueDepth camera Samsung Galaxy Note 9: 8MP autofocus camera RAM and storage Google Pixel 3 XL: 4GB RAM clubbed with 64GB/256GB inbuilt storage Apple iPhone XS Max: Three storage options — 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB Samsung Galaxy Note 9: 6GB RAM/128GB onboard storage and 8GB RAM/512GB internal storage Support for microSD card Google Pixel 3 XL: No microSD card slot Apple iPhone XS Max: No microSD card slot Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Up to 512GB Battery Google Pixel 3 XL: 3,430mAh Apple iPhone XS Max: Lasts up to one and a half hours longer than iPhone X. Samsung Galaxy Note 9: 4,000mAh Operating system Google Pixel 3 XL: Android 9.0 Pie Apple iPhone XS Max: iOS 12 Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Android 8.1 Oreo Price Google Pixel 3 XL: The 64GB storage variant costs Rs 83,000 and the 256GB version bears a price tag of Rs 92,000. Apple iPhone XS Max: The 64GB storage variant costs Rs 1,09,900, 256GB variant is available at Rs 1,24,900 and 512GB variant is priced at Rs 1,44,900. Samsung Galaxy Note 9: The 6GB RAM/128GB internal storage version costs Rs 67,900 and the 8GB RAM/512GB storage variant is priced at Rs 84,900.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Sony Xperia XZ2, Xperia XZ2 Compact start receiving Android 9.0 Pie update: Report

Avani Bagga
-
0
Sony Xperia XZ2, Xperia XZ2 Compact start receiving Android 9.0 Pie update: Report
Sony had earlier announced that Android 9.0 Pie is scheduled to come to its Xperia XZ2, Xperia XZ2 Premium, XZ2 Compact, XZ Premium, XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact smartphones in November. However, it has been reported that the latest Android update has already started rolling out to Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact smartphones. Users of the two smartphones in Europe started reporting on a thread on Reddit about the Android 9.0 Pie update coming to Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact. And now, users in the United States have also spotted the update. Those you don’t get the notification can check for it manually in the Settings of their smartphones, provided they live in either Europe or the United States. The arrival of the update to Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact was first spotted by Xperia blog. The October security also comes with the Android 9.0 Pie update to Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact. Now that the Android 9.0 Pie update has come to the two Sony smartphones ahead of time, we can also expect it to come soon to the rest of the smartphones from the company that are compatible. Other smartphones from Sony that are scheduled to get the update in November are Xperia XZ2 Premium, XZ Premium, XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact. Sony Xperia XA2, Xperia XA2 Ultra, and Xperia XA2 Plus can expect to get the latest Android update on their smartphones by 2019. If you have one among the Sony Xperia XZ2 or Xperia XZ2 Compact mobile phones, then we recommend you to install it over Wi-Fi as it is over 1GB in size. Also it is preferable to have at least 80% battery in your phone before you begin installing the update. To recall, Sony Xperia XZ2 sports a 5.70-inch touchscreen display and is powered by Snapdragon 845 processor clubbed with 4GB of RAM.  Other features of the smartphone include 64GB of storage, a microSD card slot of 400GB capacity, a 19MP primary camera and a 5MP front facing snapper. The smartphone houses a 3180mAh battery. On the other hand, Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact features a 5.00-inch touchscreen display and packs a 2780mAh battery.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Apple iPhone X available at a discount of Rs 30,532 on Paytm Mall

Avani Bagga
-
0
Apple iPhone X available at a discount of Rs 30,532 on Paytm Mall
If you have been planning to change your smartphone, no other time would have been better. While we have already told you about the attractive smartphone deals on Flipkart and Amazon, if you want to buy the iPhone X, you should head to Paytm Mall right away. As a part of Paytm Mall Maha Cashback sale, the 64GB storage variant of iPhone X that is priced at Rs 95,000, is being sold at a discounted price of Rs 89,350. So that brings down the price of Apple’s last year’s flagship by Rs 6,032. Additionally, Paytm all is offering customers a cashback of Rs 22,000 on using the promocode MOBFESTIVE22K. On using the promocode, the effective cost of the iPhone X comes down to Rs 67,358. That’s not all. Buyers will also get a discount of Rs 2,500 if they pay for the smartphone using an ICICI Bank credit or debit card. On doing this, the cost of the smartphone further comes down to Rs 64,858. The same offers are also valid on the 256GB storage version of iPhone X which bears a price tag of Rs 1,08,930. The customers will get the cashback promised by the website in their Paytm wallets within 24 hours of their new smartphone getting shipped. So if you have been one among the Apple fans who were disappointed last month with three rather costly iPhones being added to Apple’s lineup, this may be the right deal for you. Apple’s iPhone X is also available on a discounted price on Amazon India’s website as a part of its Great Indian Festival sale. While the 64GB storage version of the smartphone can be picked up from Amazon at Rs 69,999, the 256GB storage variant can be bought at Rs 1,06,704.  Flipkart is also offering the smartphone in its Big Billion Days sale, but the deals available on Amazon India and Paytm Mall are far better. But in case you miss the chance of buying the smartphone from either, you can still pick it from Flipkart at a reduced price. On Flipkart, the 64GB storage variant of iPhone X costs Rs 79,999, the 256GB storage version is being sold at Rs 98,999. To recall, iPhone X sports an edge to edge 5.8-inch SuperRetina OLED display and is powered by Apple’s A11 Bionic chipset. On the camera front, there are 12MP wide-angle and telephoto rear cameras and a 7MP selfie camera. It is the first ever iPhone to support FaceID and it comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

OnePlus 6T to come with Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB RAM and Android 9.0 Pie: Report

Avani Bagga
-
0
OnePlus 6T to come with Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB RAM and Android 9.0 Pie: Report
As its launch on October 30 approaches, the rumour mill about the much awaited OnePlus 6T cannot seem to end. The company yesterday confirmed that OnePlus 6T will sport an in-display fingerprint sensor, and today, it has been tipped by Roland Quandt of WinFuture.de that that the smartphone has hit Geekbench. He further said that it has been revealed that OnePlus 6T will be powered by Snapdragon 845 processor clubbed with 8GB RAM and run Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. A report on WinFuture.de also the image of OnePlus 6T’s Geekbench test. It is worth noting that the screenshot of the Geekbench test that has been shared does not have OnePlus 6T’s name on it and instead says FS FS P8801. According to the report, this is OnePlus 6T has not been tested on Geekbench with its official marketing name and FS FS P8801 is the name that the device has been given. Using a false name is not unusual the company, as prior to its launch, OnePlus 6 was found under the name NS NS P7819 on Geekbench. But then, what has been revealed by the Geekbench test is hardly anything new. Since OnePlus 6 was powered by Snapdragon 845 — which still is the most powerful processor in the market, nobody was really expecting any other processor to be present on the company’s upcoming device. Same is the case with 8GB RAM. The presence of Android 9.0 Pie is nowhere close to being shocking too since OnePlus is known to launch its smartphones with the latest Android version and also because the company rolled out the latest update to OnePlus 6 just a few weeks back. Besides the latest update and the presence of an in-display fingerprint sensor, what we do know for sure is that OnePlus 6T would replace its 3.5mm headphone jack with a Type-C port. Also, it would not be dust or water resistant as it will come without an IP rating and there will be no support for wireless charging. The smartphone is expected to feature a 6.4-inch Optic AMOLED full-HD+ display and will house a 3,700mAh battery.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro pricing and specifications leaked ahead of launch

Avani Bagga
-
0
Huawei Mate 20 Pro pricing and specifications leaked ahead of launch
Huawei’s next upcoming flagship smartphone — Mate 20 Pro — is all set to launch in London on October 16. And just before its launch, the specifications and pricing details of Huawei Mate 20 Pro have been leaked. Besides Huawei Mate 20 Pro, the company will also be launching its Mate 20 and Mate 20 gaming phone. Speaking of Huawei Mate 20 Pro, the smartphone is expected to launch in 6GB and 8GB RAM variants and will come in two storage options — 256GB and 512GB. A report in WinFuture.de reveals that smartphone will feature a 6.39-inch QHD+ OLED display and will be powered by HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor that will be clubbed with Mali-G72 GPU. The smartphone will be available in the two RAM and storage options that we mentioned earlier and will come with a ‘Nano Memory Card’ format to hold a microSD card of up to 256GB. It will reportedly feature an in-display fingerprint scanner and like Huawei P20 Pro, the smartphone will sport a triple rear camera setup. The triple cameras at the back could come with a 40MP primary sensor, a 20MP secondary sensor and an 8MP ultra wide angle sensor. For selfies and video calls, Huawei Mate 20 Pro is expected to come with a 24MP front facing snapper coupled with a Vertical Surface Emitting Laser module. A VSEL module is said to enable Apple’s Face ID like 3D facial recognition on the device. The rear cameras of the smartphone will reportedly come with 5x optical zoom and will be able to capture ultra-macro shots even from a distance of 2.5cm. Huawei Mate 20 Pro mobile will house a 4,200mAh battery and come with SuperCharge technology and 40W charger. The battery of the smartphone is said to go from 0 to 70% with just 30 minutes of charge time. The upcoming handset from Huawei will also support wireless charging and will be IP68 certified — which makes them water and dust resistant. The smartphone will reportedly run Android 9.0 Pie skinned with EMUI 9.0 and will be available four colour options: Black, Blue, Green and Twilight. The report in WinFuture.de did not reveal the pricing, but Roland Quandt — who writes for the website — has tweeted that the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant of the device will bear a price tag of GBP 899. However, there is no word on the pricing of the other variant. Image courtesy: WinFuture.de
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Samsung’s foldable phone is both a mobile and a tablet

Avani Bagga
-
0
Samsung’s foldable phone is both a mobile and a tablet
Speculations and rumours about Samsung’s first foldable smartphone have been surfacing online for months now. Earlier this year, the company’s mobile division CEO DJ Koh had said that the much talked about smartphone could arrive in November this year. Amid the leaks of the smartphone that are doing rounds, Koh has confirmed some details of the much talked about device. The foldable device by Samsung will be able to work as a tablet that can be folded into a smartphone to fit into the user’s pocket, Koh revealed. By doing this, the company would be ensuring that users can multitask with the device without compromising on its portability. In an interview to CNET, CEO DJ Koh said that Samsung wants to make a foldable phone only when it is “really meaningful to our customer”. He further said that, “If the user experience is not up to my standard, I don’t want to deliver those kind of products.” Speaking more on the device, CEO DJ Koh also said that Samsung’s foldable smartphone is not a “gimmick product” that disappears just six to nine months after being launched. And unlike Samsung Galaxy Round that was only sold in its home country, the company’s foldable smartphone will be made available in global markets. While he didn’t talk about the specifications of the upcoming device, Koh did say that a large screen is important in smartphones. He recalled how Samsung’s Note series inspired the likes of Apple and Google to come up with larger screened smartphones and suggested that the upcoming foldable smartphone would pave the way for devices whose displays are more than 6.5-inches. Addressing the fact that not everyone may want a smartphone with such a big screen, Koh went on to say, “Possibly when we start selling the foldable phone, it may be a niche market, but definitely, it will expand. I’m positive that we do need a foldable phone.” Samsung’s DJ Koh spoke about the upcoming foldable smartphone of the company at the launch of Galaxy A9 (2018). Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is the first smartphone ever to come with four cameras on its back panel. The newly launched smartphone by Samsung is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor and comes in 6GB and 8GB RAM variants. The device has support for Bixby and Samsung Pay.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

[Video] Nokia 3.1 Plus Unboxing, First Impressions & Camera Shots

Gadget Bridge Bureau
-
0
[Video] Nokia 3.1 Plus Unboxing, First Impressions & Camera Shots
Nokia 3.1 Plus Unboxing, First Impressions and Camera Shots. Yes the Nokia 3.1 Plus is here, it sports a 6-inch FHD+ screen, dual rear camera setup, 3GB RAM and 32GB memory. This is expandable using a microSD card by up to 400GB. It also supports dual nano SIMS. Wi-Fi, 4G and micro USB charging is supported. India Price: Rs 11,499 (3GB Ram + 32GB Storage) For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Apple IDs are being used by thieves to steal money: Report

Avani Bagga
-
0
Apple IDs are being used by thieves to steal money: Report
If you own an Apple product, here is something you must know about. China’s leading payment services Alipay and WeChat Pay have issued warnings that compromised Apple IDs are being being used by thieves to make purchases with users’ accounts. According to Reuters, Alipay has posted a warning titled ‘security tips about Apple phones.’ The company clearly states in the warning that it has been trying to get in touch with Apple to solve the issue. The parent company of WeChat Pay — Tencent — has also spoken about similar issues to Bloomberg. According to Bloomberg, Alipay has said that, “Since Apple hasn’t resolved this issue, users who’ve linked their Apple ID to any payments method, including Alipay, WePay, or credit cards, may be vulnerable to theft.” As of now, there is no clarity on how much money has been lost because of the issue or how widespread it is. A report in Reuters further says according to a Chinese state media outlet has said that some losses were even as high as $290. A source has also confirmed that Apple will be refunding the money that was spent fraudulently because of the issue. Although Apple is being called out by Alipay and WeChat Pay, right now, it cannot be said for sure if the issue is arising because of a flaw in Cupertino-based technology company’s ID system. However, it can be possible that Apple ID credentials have been stolen and are being used by thieves to log in to Apple accounts to make purchases with payment method that has been linked to them. And Alipay and WeChat Pay are just two of many payment methods that can be linked. An official from Apple has said that the company has always encouraged its customers to protect their accounts with strong passwords and by enabling two-factor authentication. Although Alipay has now removed its post on social media in which it called out Apple, word about it has already spread globally. But it is worth noting that this issue points towards a big problem faced by technology giants like Apple. They don’t only have to secure their own apps and websites, they also need to take care of common accounts and passwords getting leaked from other sources.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Here’s why your electronics and smart wearables are set to get more expensive

Avani Bagga
-
0
Here’s why your electronics and smart wearables are set to get more expensive
In an attempt to stop the rupee from weakening more against the US dollar, India has said that it will be increasing the import tariffs on various electronics and communication devices. This is the second move that has been announced in last two weeks and by reducing import barriers, the government eyes to reduce the import of “non-essential” items. The latest set of changes in tariffs do increase the possibility of increasing trade tensions with the United States, China and other countries from where electronics and communication devices are regularly imported. Companies like Cisco Systems, Huawei Technologies, Nokia, Samsung Electronics, Ericsson and ZTE would be hurt the most by the new set of changes. As we mentioned earlier, the step is being taken to restrict the slide of Rupee against US dollar — which have been more than 14% this year. One among the major reasons for the fall of the value of Rupee against US Dollar is the hike in the price of crude oil. Importing crude oil has become a way more expensive affair than what it was earlier. Coupled with various domestic factors, it has led to the slide of Rupee against UD Dollar. The Indian government has also listed a number of items that can be impacted with the import tariff increase.  These include smart wearables, ethernet cables, Voice over Internet Protocol equipment and phones, and more. Neil Shah of Counterpoint pointed out another effect of the rise in import tariff as he told Reuters that besides foreign technology giants, Indian telecom companies could also be potentially be hurt by the move. This includes Reliance Jio, Idea and Bharti Airtel. According to Reuters, Shah said, “This will slow down the roll out of high-speed broadband which uses optical fiber and LTE networks.” He also added that domestic telecom equipment makers like Tata Teleservices could benefit from the move. The move promoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s ‘Make in India’ program. In December last year, India increased the import tax on mobile phones and televisions and in February this year, 40 more items joined the list. Prior to the announcement, last month import tax was increased on 19 “non-essential items.” These items included refrigerators, footwear, air conditioners, etc.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

OnePlus 6T would sport this in-display fingerprint sensor

Avani Bagga
-
0
OnePlus 6T would sport this in-display fingerprint sensor
OnePlus recently confirmed that it will be launching its flagship OnePlus 6T on October 30. And one among the most talked-about and awaited features of the device is its in-display fingerprint sensor. So instead of having the fingerprint sensor on the back panel like previous models, OnePlus 6T’s fingerprint sensor will be beneath its screen — like the one we saw on various devices from Oppo and Vivo this year. Currently there only a couple of ways to have this implemented and the company has confirmed the method they will be opting for. In-display scanners are commonly either ultrasonic or optical. While ultrasonic scanners use ultrasound to create a 3D image of your finger, optical scanners light up the screen and reflect the light off your finger. It is worth noting that optical fingerprint scanners are usually cheaper as compared to a capacitive or advanced ultrasonic fingerprint scanners. Furthermore, optical fingerprint scanners are also less secure than the ones which have been developed more recently as the fingerprint is captured in the form of a 2D image by the image sensor.  The 2D image is later used to analyse the prints on the finger. On the upside, optical fingerprint sensors are supposed to offer faster fingerprint recognition than ultrasonic — which captures a more 3D image on the system using ridges and pores on the user’s finger. Coming back to OnePlus 6T, the company has confirmed that it will be using an optical fingerprint scanner in the flagship smartphone. The company made the announcement via its official Weibo account where it said that OnePlus 6T would be launched with “light-sensitive” in-display fingerprint sensor. We have to say that we are not surprised by this announcement as Oppo and Vivo have also been using optical technology for the in-display fingerprint sensors on their devices. For those who are unaware, Oppo, Vivo and OnePlus have the same parent company — BBK Electronics. So we can assume that the company is using the in-display fingerprint sensor we saw in Vivo Nex earlier this year, however, we expect it to come with some software changes. Apart from a fingerprint scanner, OnePlus 6T will also come with the face unlock technology. Other likely specifications of OnePlus 6T is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB/8GB of RAM, 64GB/128GB/256B of internal storage and Android Pie. OnePlus 6T will also sport a waterdrop notch on its display.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

WhatsApp seems to have acknowledged the bug that let hackers break into video calls

Avani Bagga
-
0
WhatsApp seems to have acknowledged the bug that let hackers break into video calls
Facebook-owned popular instant messaging app WhatsApp seems to have acknowledged a bug that enabled hackers to take over users’ apps when they answered a video call. The announcement from WhatsApp comes after reports from ZDnet and The Register said that the vulnerability which exposed WhatsApp applications on both iOS and Android operating systems was first discovered in late August and Facebook fixed it in early October. In response to a query to Reuters, WhatsApp said, “We routinely engage with security researchers from around the world to ensure WhatsApp remains safe and reliable. We promptly issued a fix to the latest version of WhatsApp to resolve this issue.” An official working with WhatsApp further said that the company is not aware of the bug ever being used in any attack before it got patched. However, not everybody is on the same page as him. Travis Ormandy, who is a researcher at Google Project Zero has said that the bug is in fact a “bid deal”. For those unaware, the vulnerability in WhatsApp was discovered by Google Project Zero. “This is a big deal. Just answering a call from an attacker could completely compromise WhatsApp,” he said on Twitter. Acquired by Facebook in 2014 for $19 billion, WhatsApp enjoys the status of being the most popular instant messaging app and is used by more than 1.2 billion people across the world. In the last one year, Facebook has been involved in a number of security related issues. While 87 million of its users were affected in the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, a security breach last week has affected almost 50 million accounts. Post the announcements, Facebook‘s shared went down by 1.2% at $155.94. In fact, this week, Facebook also launched a device that is specifically meant for making video calls. Named as Portal, the device’s signature feature is its wide-angle camera that automatically keeps users in focus even if they move around in the room.  The social networking giant is expecting to woo users with the presence of its popular app — Messenger — on the device. It is worth noting that around 400 million people call each other via Facebook Messenger each year and in spite of its popularity, the app is not present on Google‘s and Amazon’s smart speakers.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Don’t like Google Pixel 3 XL’s enormous notch? You’ll get an option to hide it

Avani Bagga
-
0
Don’t like Google Pixel 3 XL’s enormous notch? You’ll get an option to hide it
After months of speculations and rumours, Google finally took the wraps off its Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones this week. But there is something about its bigger screen variant — Google Pixel 3 XL — that users aren’t liking too much. It’s the huge camera notch that’s there right on top of Google Pixel 3 XL‘s display. If you are one among the people who don’t like the notch too much, Google has a solution for you. As a reply to a query on Twitter, the technology giant has tweeted that it will be offering an option to hide the notch by blacking out the entire top portion of the screen which lies on either side of the notch. Google also tweeted a picture of the notch hidden so that users understand what it’s trying to say. Companies like LG, OnePlus, Xiaomi and Huawei have already offered this option for users who dislike the notch style display and it’s good to see Google join the bandwagon. According to a report in 9to5Google, the ability to black out the notch is already there on the device. In the existing Android Pie build, there is an option to do so in the development menu. There is a possibility that this is what Google was referring to. But we hope to see a more user-friendly option of the same because not everyone is tech-savvy enough to resort to developer options to hide the notch of their phone. 9to5Google managing editor Stephen Hall also tweeted a picture of Google Pixel 3 XL smartphone without the notch. The menu bar — which is always at the top of the display — automatically gets displayed below the bezel that is created for the user. https://twitter.com/hallstephenj/status/1050036131419607043 So you wouldn’t only be adding a larger than normal bezel to hide the enormous notch on the top, you will also be losing space with the menu bar. But then, if you really dislike the notch on Google Pixel 3 XL and still want to buy the smartphone to enjoy the latest features from the technology giant, you at least have a choice now.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) with four rear cameras launched: Price and specifications

Avani Bagga
-
0
Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) with four rear cameras launched: Price and specifications
Samsung today has launched the first ever smartphone with a quad rear camera setup. Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) also comes with an Infinity display and packs 6GB of RAM. Samsung is also touting the presence of a 3D Glass curved back. As the name suggests, the smartphone is the successor of Samsung Galaxy A9 — which was launched three years back in 2015. Read the rest of our story to know about the price, availability and specification details of the smartphone. Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) price Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) comes in two variants — one with 6GB RAM and the other with 8GB RAM. The price of the smartphone starts at EUR 599 and GBP 549 and it will be made available starting November. Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) comes in three colour options — Bubblegum Pink, Lemonade Blue, and Caviar Black. Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) specifications Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is a dual SIM smartphone that sports a 6.3-inch full-HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity display that has an aspect ratio of 18.5:9. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, as we mentioned earlier, the smartphone comes with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM. Both the variants pack a 128GB internal storage and can hold a microSD card of up to 512GB. The newly launched Android Oreo based smartphone by Samsung houses a 3,800mAh battery and supports fast charging. Now, let’s talk about the main highlight of the device — its cameras. For imaging duties, Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) sports a quadruple rear camera setup. It has a 24MP sensor that comes with an f/1.7 aperture, a 10MP telephoto sensor that features 2x optical zoom and has an f/2.4 aperture. There is also an 8MP ultra-wide camera that comes with a 120-degree lens and an f/2.4 aperture and a 5MP depth camera that features an f/2.2 aperture. According to the company, when used in dimly lit conditions, the primary 24MP camera uses pixel binning and combines 4 pixels into one. For selfies and video calls, there is a 24MP front facing snapper that comes with an f/2.0 aperture. The smartphone supports Samsung’s digital assistant Bixby and Samsung Pay. It also comes with Face Unlock technology. The connectivity options of Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) include 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5, NFC, a 3.5mm jack, and a USB Type-C port.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Plantronics expands its BackBeat FIT and BackBeat GO lines in India

Avani Bagga
-
14
Plantronics expands its BackBeat FIT and BackBeat GO lines in India
To mark the beginning of the festive season, Plantronics has expanded its BackBeat FIT and BackBeat GO lines in India. The company has launched four new earbuds and headphones in the country including BackBeat FIT 2100, BackBeat FIT 3100, BackBeat FIT 350 and BackBeat GO 810. The wireless earbuds and headphones are aimed towards runners, fitness enthusiasts and active people of all stripes. Here are the details that you should know about them: Features The BackBeat FIT 2100 and 3100 are both wireless sports earbuds that offer advanced customization and enhance safety. Both the headphones are sweat-proof and waterproof, since they are aimed at fitness enthusiasts who are likely to wear them during their workouts. Speaking of BackBeat FIT 350 wireless sports earbuds, the company says that they have been designed to ensure users’ stability and comfort and are discreet and ultralight. Plantronics BackBeat GO 810 wireless over the ear headphones promise up to 22 hours of listening time for users. Price and availability The newly launched headphones and earbuds from Plantronics will be available through Rashi Peripherals. While the Plantronics BackBeat FIT 2100 will be available in Black, Grey, Blue and Lava Black colour options and are priced at Rs 8,100, the BackBeat FIT 3100 can be bought in Black and Grey colour variants at Rs 11,990. The BackBeat FIT 350 wireless sports earbuds bear a price tag of Rs 6,490 and are available in Black/Grey, Grey/Bone and Grey/Blue colour variants. And lastly, the new headphones in the range, BackBeat GO 810, costs Rs 11,990 and is available in Graphite Black, Navy Blue and Bone White colours. Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Tanguy Leborgne, General Manager, Plantronics Consumer Group said, “People expect more than just sound from their headsets. They expect clear, simple experiences that make their days better and more enjoyable whether they are running, playing Fortnite or travelling across the country or world. I just completed a marathon near Mount Kenya in Africa using a BackBeat FIT headset because what mattered to me was making sure only people were chasing me, not wild animals.”
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Top 17 smartphone deals at Flipkart Big Billion Days sale

Avani Bagga
-
0
Top 17 smartphone deals at Flipkart Big Billion Days sale
Right now is probably the best time to buy yourself a new gadget. If you have been planning to buy a smartphone, then there are a slew of offers available on devices from various companies on Amazon as well as on Flipkart. Yesterday, we gave you a list of deals on smartphones that you can avail on Amazon. And today, we back with a list of smartphones that are available on a discount on Flipkart. Check out the list over here:

Nokia 5.1 Plus

We recently saw HMD Global launching the Nokia 5.1 Plus in India. And the smartphone can bought from Flipkart’s sale at a discount of Rs 500. While the smartphone was launched at Rs 10,999, it can be picked up from Flipkart for the next five days at Rs 10,499. One among the main reasons to buy the Nokia 5.1 Plus is the fact that it is a part of Google’s Android One program – which promises timely Android updates and security patches for two years from the date of launch.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Pro

Xiaomi’s budget smartphone is considered to be one among the best buys in the said segment today. And if you have been thinking of buying the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, then the time is right for you. During Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale, the 4GB RAM and 6GB RAM variants of Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro are available at Rs 12,999 and Rs 14,999 respectively. The prices are Rs 2,000 less than their launch price.

Xiaomi Poco F1

Another device by Xiaomi on our list, this one is for those who want to buy a smartphone with high-end specifications at an affordable price. The Poco F1 from Xiaomi is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and comes in three storage options – 6GB RAM/64GB onboard storage, 6GB RAM/128GB inbuilt storage and 8GB RAM/256GB internal storage. It further houses a 4,000mAh battery. The smartphones are available at a discount of Rs 1,000 during Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale. However, the offer is only valid if you also purchase Flipkart’s ‘Buyback Guarantee Policy’ for Rs 149. Then, when you upgrade to a smartphone in next few months, you will get a buyback of Rs 14,700. Buyers will also be getting a minimum exchange value of Rs 500. With all of this put together, the effective cost of the base variant of the smartphone comes down to Rs 5,799 from Rs 20,999.

Honor 9N

Launched in July this year, the Honor 9N is available at a reduced price on Flipkart during its festive season sale. While the 3GB RAM/32GB storage variant of the smartphone costed Rs 11,999, the 4GB RAM/128GB onboard storage version was available for Rs 17,999. During the sale, the smartphone variants bear a price tag of Rs 9,999 and Rs 11,999 respectively.

Google Pixel 2

If you are photography enthusiast, you may want to pick up Google’s flagship from last year – Pixel 2 XL. While the smartphone was earlier available on Flipkart for Rs 45,499, during the sale it is available on a discount of Rs 5,499. So now, you can buy the smartphone for Rs 40,000. Note that the launch price of Google Pixel 2 XL was Rs 73,000.

Asus Zenfone 5Z

Asus Zenfone 5Z was the company’s answer to OnePlus 6. So, it offered high-end specifications to the customer at a mid-range price. When launched, the 6GB RAM/64GB storage variant of Asus Zenfone 5Z was priced at Rs 29,999, the 6GB RAM/128GB onboard storage version costed Rs 32,999 and the 8GB RAM/256GB inbuilt storage had a price tag of Rs 36,999. During the sale, the smartphone variants can be picked up at Rs 24,999, Rs 27,999 and Rs 31,999 respectively.

Samsung Galaxy On Nxt

The next smartphone on our list is from Samsung. As we had reported earlier, the Samsung Galaxy On Nxt will be available at a discount of Rs 7,000. While earlier the 64GB storage variant of the device was priced at Rs 16,900, now it is available for Rs 9,900.

Realme 2

The Realme 2 smartphone by Oppo was launched in August this year. While earlier, the 3GB RAM/32GB storage variant was available for Rs 9,990 on Flipkart, the 4GB RAM/64GB inbuilt storage model was being sold at Rs 11,990. During the sale, the both the storage models of the smartphone have received a price cut of Rs 1,000 and are available for Rs 8,990 and Rs 9,990 respectively.

Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung’s last year’s flagship smartphone was never available at such an attractive price. Samsung Galaxy S8 has received a price cut of Rs 20,000 for the Flipkart sale and will be available for Rs 29,990. It is worth noticing that the offer will only be available on the 64GB storage variant of the device.

Honor 10

The Honor 10 smartphone is Huawei’s sub-brand’s flagship of the year. While it was launched in India at a price tag of Rs 32,999, the smartphone is currently available on Flipkart at Rs 24,999.

Vivo V9

Next smartphone on our list is for selfie lovers. Vivo V9 was launched in India in March this year and it sports a 24MP front facing camera. While the smartphone was launched at Rs 22,990, it is now available on Flipkart at Rs 15,990.

Xiaomi Redmi 6

Xiaomi launched its Redmi 6 smartphone last month in India. During the Flipkart Big Billion Days sale, the 3GB RAM/32GB storage variant of the smartphone is available at a discount of Rs 1,000. While earlier it was being sold at the e-commerce website at Rs 8,999, now it is available for Rs 7,999.

Honor 9 Lite

A discount of Rs 1,000 is available on only variant of Honor 9 Lite – which was launched in India in January this year. The 3GB RAM/32GB storage variant was launched at Rs 10,999 and is currently available for Rs 9,999 on Flipkart.

Nokia 6.1 Plus

Like Nokia 5.1 Plus, the Nokia 6.1 Plus is also available at a discount of Rs 1,000 on Flipkart. The smartphone that was initially launched at Rs 15,999, can be picked up at Rs 14,999 from Flipkart.

Samsung Galaxy On8

Launched in August at a price of Rs 16,990 in India, Samsung Galaxy On8 is available at a reduced price during Flipkart’s sale. It can currently be picked up at Rs 14,990 from the e-commerce website.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2

The bezel-less smartphone from Xiaomi – Mi Mix 2 – was launched last year in India at Rs 35,999. The smartphone has received a price cut for the sale and as of now, it can be bought for Rs 22,999 from Flipkart.

Samsung Galaxy On6

Samsung Galaxy On6 smartphone is also available at a reduced price during Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale. While earlier it was priced at Rs 14,490, during the sale one can buy it for Rs 11,990.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Nokia 8110 4G ‘Banana’ phone launched in India: Price, specs and more

Avani Bagga
-
0
Nokia 8110 4G ‘Banana’ phone launched in India: Price, specs and more
Remember the Banana phone from Matrix? We all do. HMD Global revamped the smartphone this year with 4G capabilities and launched it at this year’s Mobile World Congress. And after a long wait, the much awaited and talked about Nokia 8110 4G phone has finally launched in India. The revamped version of the Nokia 8110 retains the slider mechanism that iconic phone had and comes with a new version of the popular Snake game. Much like JioPhone, Nokia 8110 4G runs KaiOS — which means that it now has support for YouTube, WhatsApp and a few other apps from Google. Here are the price, availability and specification details of the Nokia 8110 4G: Nokia 8110 4G price and availability in India Nokia 8110 4G bears a price tag of Rs 5,999 and it will be sold in two colour variants in India — Banana Yellow and Traditional Black. The phone can be bought via online Nokia partner retailers and at offline retail stores starting October 24. HMD Global has also partnered with Reliance Jio to offer up to 544GB free 4G data to buyers. Currently, we have no further details about the offer, but we will update you about them as soon as we know. Nokia 8110 4G specifications Nokia 8110 4G can hold two SIM cards – one micro and one nano – and sports 2.45-inch QVGA curved screen display. The smart feature phone runs KaiOS and is powered by 1.1GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 205 processor paired with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of onboard storage. However, there is no microSD card slot on the device. Nokia 8110 4G smart feature phone comes with a 2MP rear camera with LED flash. Much to the disappointment of selfie lovers, there is no camera on its front panel. The phone houses a 1,500mAh battery which is claims up to 25 days of 4G LTE standby time. The connectivity options of the phone include 4G VoLTE with hotspot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS/ A-GPS, FM radio, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a Micro-USB port. Nokia 8110 4G smart feature phone comes with IP52 drip protection.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

HMD Global launches Nokia 3.1 Plus with 3,500mAH battery in India: Price, specs and more

Avani Bagga
-
0
HMD Global launches Nokia 3.1 Plus with 3,500mAH battery in India: Price, specs and more
HMD Global has today launched the Nokia 3.1 Plus smartphone in India. The smartphone is successor to Nokia 3.1 with Android Go, which came to India in July this year. Like other Nokia smartphones we have seen this year, Nokia 3.1 Plus comes under Google’s Android One program – which promises timely Android updates for the smartphone from the date of launch. It will also receive security patches for the next three years. Here’s a look at the price, availability and specification details of Nokia 3.1 Plus. Nokia 3.1 Plus price and availability Nokia 3.1 Plus is available in only variant in India that sports 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage and is priced at Rs 11,499. The smartphone will be available starting October 19. It is worth nothing that globally, another variant of the smartphone with 2GB RAM and 16GB onboard storage is also available. Nokia 3.1 Plus specifications The newly launched Nokia smartphone from HMD Global comes with a 6-inch HD+ IPS display that has an aspect ratio of 18:9. Defying the current trend, the newly launched smartphone comes without a notch on its screen. Powered by MediaTek HelioP22 processor, Nokia 3.1 Plus comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage. It can also hold a microSD card of up to 400GB. The smartphone runs Android Oreo out of the box and as we mentioned earlier, is a part of Google’s Android One program. For imaging duties, Nokia 3.1 Plus mobile comes with a dual rear camera setup with 13MP and 5MP sensors. There is also an 8MP front facing snapper with LED flash for selfies and video calls. Nokia 3.1 Plus houses a 3500mAh non removable battery and the sensors on the smartphone include Ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer, Ecompass, gyroscope and a fingerprint sensor which is placed on its back panel. For connectivity, the dual SIM smartphone supports 4G, Wi-Fi, 802.11 b/g/n,BT 4.1, GPS/AGPS, GLONASS, BDS, and Galileo. The beginning of this month also saw the global launch of Nokia 7.1 smartphone that comes with Zeiss branded camera lenses and sports PureDisplay screen technology which ensures a more immersive viewing experience and enhances contrast with HDR10 support. The Nokia 7.1 smartphone was unveiled at an event in London and the smartphone is yet to launch in India. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones with improved noise cancellation launched in India: Price and specifications

Avani Bagga
-
0
Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones with improved noise cancellation launched in India: Price and specifications
Sony has always been known for its products in audio segment. And today, the company extended its product lineup in the said segment in India with the launch of WH-1000XM3 around ear headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones were globally launched by the company at IFA 2018 that was held in Berlin last month. The newly launched headphones come with upgraded noise cancelling performance and are designed keeping in mind frequent travellers. Here, we list down the price, specifications and availability details of Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones: Sony WH-1000XM3 price and availability Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones have been priced at Rs 29,990 in India. They are available in two colour options — Black and Platinum silver and will go on sale starting October 18. If you are an interested buyer, you can pre-order the headphones starting October 11 on Amazon.in and Croma. Although they are available for pre-orders only on Amazon and Croma, starting October 18, they will be available in all Sony Centre stores as well as major electronic stores across India. Sony WH-1000XM3 specifications The major key improvement on the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones over its predecessor is the upgraded noise cancellation performance. This is because Sony WH-1000XM3 comes with HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1, that according to the company has nearly four times greater performance compared to the previous processor. The processor also helps in cancelling out daily background sounds. Coupled with 32-bit Audio Signal Processing and the combination of DAC with Amplifier functionality, it is claimed to offer exceptionally high sound quality and best-in-class signal-to-noise ratio. The headphones also feature a dual noise sensor technology that captures ambient noise with dual microphones, then sends this data to the processor so that the noise can be cancelled. The Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones come with 40mm driver unit with a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragm, which can reproduce frequencies up to 40kHz. Over that, the new headphones by Sony are equipped with Quick Attention Mode that lets the users know what is happening around them without taking their headphones off. The headphones can also stay on Noise Cancellation mode even without being connected to a device, primarily for those who want noise reduction without listening to music. So you can easily take them with you on your next long flight, put them on and go off to sleep in pin drop silence.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Skullcandy Venue headphones with active noise cancelling technology launched in India

Avani Bagga
-
0
Skullcandy Venue headphones with active noise cancelling technology launched in India
Skullcandy has launched its Venue headphones in India at an event in New Delhi today. The headphones are touted to come with active noise cancellation technology that is said to block sounds from the user’s surroundings when they listen to music. Another key feature of Skullcandy Venue headphones is its Rapid Charge Technology that promises a usage of five hours with just 10 minutes of charging time. Here are all the pricing, availability and specification details of the headphones that you should know about: Skullcandy Venue headphones bear a price tag of Rs 18,999 in India and will be available in two colour variants — Black/ Black and White/ Crimson. The headphones will be available on Skullcandy.in, Brandeyes.in and select retailers starting today. The headphones are wireless and come with active noise cancelling or ANC technology that — according to the company — ensures a powerful sound performance. The headphones have a Monitor Mode that enables users to shut the noise cancellation and hear their surroundings by just pressing a button. The Skullcandy Venue headphones also have an embedded technology that comes in partnership with key finder device maker Tile. With this feature of the headphones, you will be able to track them through the Tile app. So you don’t have to fret over misplacing them. Skullcandy Venue headphones come with up to 24 hours of battery life and have Bluetooth capability. You will also get a premium case along with it, so that you can carry the headphones with you wherever you are going. And with Active Assistant present on the headphones, you can activate your device’s voice assistant to get directions or message your friends. Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Mr. Jason Hodell, CEO of Skullcandy said, “Skullcandy is an iconic audio brand that embodies independence, creativity and appeals to our youthful and adventurous audio consumer. For 15 years, Skullcandy has thrived at the intersection of music, technology and boardsports by unleashing the visceral power of music for all. With Venue, we’re continuing our vision of delivering incredible immersive audio experiences.”
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

OnePlus 6T to launch in India on October 30

Avani Bagga
-
0
OnePlus 6T to launch in India on October 30
Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus has confirmed that it is all set to take wraps off its next flagship smartphone OnePlus 6T on October 30. The company has sent out media invites for the launch event of OnePlus 6T that will take place on the said date in New Delhi. This time, OnePlus fans will too have a chance of seeing the phone getting launched as invites for the event can be bought too. The India launch of OnePlus 6T happens to be on the same day as the global launch. The invite that has been sent by the company comes with the tagline – ‘Unlock The Speed’ – which, we think, points towards the indisplay fingerprint sensor that OnePlus will sport.  The invite further says that OnePlus 6T will be launched at KDJW Stadium, which is inside Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi. The date and time of the launch are also mentioned on the invite. As we mentioned earlier, the smartphone will be launching on October 30 at 8.30pm. OnePlus fans can buy invites to the event via the company’s official website. The invite costs Rs 999 and will go on sale on October 17 at 10:00am. The global launch of OnePlus 6T will take place in New York City on October 30 at 11am EDT. This basically means that both the launches will take place simultaneously. Those who cannot make it to the event can watch the live-stream of the launch on the company’s official website. Needless to say, a number of rumours and speculations have surfaced online about the upcoming smartphone. OnePlus 6T will reportedly feature 6.4-inch Optic AMOLED full-HD+ display and will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor. It will be available in 6GB and 8GB RAM options and is expected to have an internal storage of up to 256GB. The smartphone will reportedly house a 3,700mAh battery and is said to run Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. The display of the smartphone will sport a waterdrop style notch at its top. It has been confirmed earlier that OnePlus 6T will come with an indisplay fingerprint sensor and will not sport a 3.5mm jack. The smartphone would not support wireless charging and also would not offer an IP rating.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Instagram launches new tools to stop online bullying and spread kindness

Avani Bagga
-
0
Instagram launches new tools to stop online bullying and spread kindness
Let’s face it: Online bullying has become common with the growing popularity of social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And all of them have tried to their bit to control it. Facebook owned photo sharing app Instagram’s head Adam Mosseri has admitted that more work needs to be done in order to limit bullying and spread kindness on the platform. This came with the announcement of new tools on the platform to combat bullying and a new way of identifying and reporting bullying. Instagram has also announced that it will be introducing a camera effect to spread kindness via Instagram Stories. A machine learning tool to detect bullying Going forward, Instagram will be using machine learning technology to detect bullying in photos. It will also be scanning the image captions and send them to their Community Operations team so that they can be reviewed. The tool – according to the company – will be more beneficial in removing bullying. So even if bullying doesn’t get reported, the platform will be able to identify it. Instagram says that the tool will help the platform protect teens – who experience higher rate of online bullying than others. The tool has started rolling out on Instagram and will reach all users in the next few weeks. Removing bullying comments on live videos Instagram had introduced a bullying comment filter which – as the name suggests – detects and hides bullying comments from Feed, Explore and Profile. The photo sharing platform is now adding this filter to comments that are posted to live videos. This is being done to promote Live as a safe and fun place where one can share moments with their friends in real time. This feature has been rolled out globally to all users. A new camera effect to spread kindness Instagram has partnered with Maddie Ziegler, a New York Times bestselling author, dancer and actor to launch a kindness camera effect. Maddie has been very vocally against online bullying and is one among the people who use the platform to promote positivity. One can get the camera effect automatically by following Maddie. For using the camera effect, swipe right on your Instagram app to open the camera, tap at the face icon at the bottom, and select the new camera effect. If your camera is in the selfie mode, you will see the filter filling the screen with hearts. And on switching to rear camera, you will see an overlay with kind comments in various languages. You can click a picture and extend the kindness to your friends by tagging them. Once they are tagged, your friends will be able to use the filter from their camera too. And in case you aren’t following Maddie, and you see the effect on someone’s Story, just tap “Try it’ to add the filter to your camera.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Blaupunkt 50-inch Smart LED TV with Soundbar Review: Big on screen, bigger on sound

Sulabh Puri
-
0
Blaupunkt 50-inch Smart LED TV with Soundbar Review: Big on screen, bigger on sound
In September Blaupunkt launched a sling of LED televisions in India. One of which is the Blaupunkt 50-inch Smart LED TV with Soundbar. This one particularly caught our attention since it was a combo deal you rarely see on the shelves. For people who are less familiar with the brand, which we are sure are less, Blaupunkt is a German brand that has been building some excellent in car entertainment systems and audio driver for automobiles. They have forayed into different segments, one of which is audio and video for homes. We at Gadget Bridge got our hands on the latest television by the company that came to our side of the world. This is our review of the new LED TV by Blaupunkt.

Design

While most LED TVs in the budget to mid-price range look the same, it was refreshing to see a different looking LED TV. The Blaupunkt 50-inch Smart LED TV sports silver trims around it and also comes with silver aluminium legs. The flatscreen measures 50-inches diagonally and is great to look at. Built for medium to large rooms and living rooms this thin tube has 75mm depth at its thickest point. The front of the TV is dominated by the large smart screen, which has Blaupunkt branding under it in the middle. The right side of the TV has physical power, volume and channel buttons, while the left side has nothing. Usually most TVs have a side connectivity panel on the left, but not this TV. Well, somewhat. To reach to the side connectivity panel, one has to go inwards to the back, which kind of defeats the whole purpose of it being there. Right next to it is the downwards facing port panel. The TV has everything from twin USB, multiple HDMI, Ethernet, component and composite ports. It even has an auxiliary speaker jack that can connect external speakers or in this case connects the sound bar to the TV. Speaking of which, setting up the TV and the sound bar did not take much time. We were up and running in matter of minutes. The only place we spent a little extra time is when we were trying understand how the soundbar would pair with the TV. The sound bar supplied with the Blaupunkt 50-inch Smart LED TV is quite light. The sides of the sound bar are squarish giving it a modern look. Dressed in black the sound bar can be wall mounted or kept under the TV on the table. This became a little bit of a hassle for us, as when kept under the TV it blocks the IR port. To control it, every time we had to raise our arms. The sound bar comes with an LED indicator on it. The Blue LED indicated, Bluetooth pairing, purple is for AUX 1 and Green is for AUX 2. The rear has these AUX ports along with a USB port for it to play music directly from a USB pen drive. The box also contains a neat little USB extender which when placed extends the USB port to the right for ease of access. Wish same was done for the side connectivity panel on the TV.

Performance

Blaupunkt 50-inch Smart LED TV is a beast when it comes to performance. When we turned it on and listened to it, without the sound bar, we started wondering why does one require the soundbar with this flat screen. The TV has 30W RMS twin hidden speakers, which are great to fill up a large room. Then we turned on the soundbar and a smile came to our face. When the soundbar kicks in, it adds additional 60W RMS and the sound becomes extremely good and realistic. Movies, sports and gaming experience becomes much better with it turned on. Internally, the Blaupunkt 50-inch Smart LED TV comes with a 1.5 GHz Quad-core CPU, 1 GB RAM and 8 GB storage. Built on the Android for TV OS this TV does take a little time to start, as each time the operating system has to kick in, but when it starts it has great graphics to show. We watched everything from FHD YouTube videos to 4K movies. All of them look exceptionally good on this smart LED TV. The picture is clear with vivid colours and blacks are deep. For the budget segment we got really kicked with what we were seeing. One can easily connect the TV to the internet with an Ethernet cable, but setting up the Wi-Fi does take a fair bit of time. Once online the TV updates all the feature lists on its own. There are good amount of apps like Hotstar, Netflix, Eros Now etc. already installed in the TV and you can download more that are supported through the app store. Navigation and search was made easy using the Air remote that is supplied in the box. Oh, we did not talk about the remotes. Well, there are 3 of them that come with this television, two for the TV (A regular large candy bar style remote and the air remote) and the third one for the sound bar, in case you want to just use the soundbar separately without turning on the TV. Yes, you can do that and pair multiple devices with the soundbar. Pairing over Bluetooth is an easy task, so is the USB functionality. All the popular formats such as MP3 are supported. The full function remote control comes in handy and one can easily navigate without turning the TV screen on. Other features of the TV include screen casting, 16:9 aspect ratio, 4,000:1 contrast ratio and 178 degree viewing angles (which is very good when watching the tele from the sides).

Verdict

Overall, we quite liked what we saw. Yes, somethings like the side port panel placement could have been better, however that is not a deal breaker. At a price of Rs 33,999 the Blaupunkt 50-inch Smart LED TV with its sound bar is a good buy, especially if you want 4K capabilities and great sound to go with it.

Pros:

Excellent sound 4K support Good connectivity and smart features

Cons:

Takes some time to start Side connectivity panel a bit out of reach
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Apple MacBook Air available on Paytm Mall for Rs 48,490

Avani Bagga
-
0
Apple MacBook Air available on Paytm Mall for Rs 48,490
The festive season is also the season of discounts. Amazon’s Great Indian Festival has started today and deals on electronics would begin tomorrow on Flipkart as a part of its Big Billion Days sale. But these aren’t the only two e–commerce websites which are trying to outdo each other. Attractive deals are available on other platforms too and Paytm Mall happens to be one of them. If you want a new laptop for yourself, it is the right time to but the Apple MacBook Air. Originally priced at Rs 77,200, the Apple MacBook Air (128GB) is now available at a price of Rs 48,490 as a part of Paytm Mall’s Maha Cashback sale. If you visit the website, you will see that the MacBook Air is actually listed at a price of Rs 65,990. Customers will be getting a flat cashback of Rs 10,000 and vouchers up to Rs 5,000. These vouchers can be used for getting a free backpack and movie tickets and do grocery shopping, mobile recharges or bill payments. Flight vouchers are also a part of the deal. An additional cashback of 10% can also availed if buyers pay for their purchase via ICICI Bank’s credit or debit cards. Put together, these deals bring down the price of a MacBook Air to Rs 48,490. If you wish to avail this offer, you should know that it will go live today at midnight. the offer will be available for the entire day tomorrow or till the stock lasts. Apple MacBook Air is also available on Amazon India’s website and Flipkart, but at higher prices. While Amazon is offering the Apple MacBook Air at Rs 53,999, it can be picked up from Flipkart at Rs 62,990. But a further exchange offer on Flipkart of up to Rs 9,000 can bring the price of the laptop down to Rs 53,990 — which is more or less the same price as Amazon’s. Apple MacBook Air is powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor clubbed with Intel HD Graphics 6000 GPU and upto 8GB of RAM. The device offers a battery life of up to 12 hours. Other key highlights of the laptop include a range of built-in apps and programs including Siri, FaceTime, GarageBand, iTunes, and Time Machine.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
1...774775776...802Page 775 of 802