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

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

Avani Bagga
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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.
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Top 10 smartphone deals available on Amazon Great Indian Festival

Avani Bagga
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Top 10 smartphone deals available on Amazon Great Indian Festival
The Amazon Great Indian Festival has begun and it’s raining discounts on the website today. If you have been planning to buy a new smartphone, no other time could have been better. From Samsung’s this year’s flagship smartphone to iPhone X, there are offers available on many smartphones on Amazon for the next five days. Here, we bring to you the 10 best deals on smartphones that you can avail during the Amazon’s festive season sale:

OnePlus 6

For the first time ever, OnePlus has offering its flagship smartphone on a reduced price during the Amazon Great Indian Festival. The 8GB RAM/128GB storage variant of OnePlus 6 smartphone is available at a price of Rs 34,999 – which is Rs 5,000 less than its launch price. Prior to this, the company has always offered cashbacks or exchange discounts on its smartphones. It was also announced by the company that its 64GB storage version will be available for Rs 29,999 during the sale. However, when we tried to look for it, we did not find it listed on the website.

iPhone X

Have you been planning to buy an iPhone but Apple’s this year’s flagship is too heavy on your pocket? You have the chance of picking the Apple iPhone X at a reduced price from Amazon India for the next five days. While the 64GB storage variant can be picked up for Rs 69,999, the 256GB storage version can be bought at Rs 1,06,704. Note that the discount on the 64GB version is actually a massive one, as currently the smartphone is available for over Rs 25,000 less than its launch price. And iPhone X being Apple’s 10th anniversary edition is surely something a fan boy wouldn’t want to miss on. So if you were waiting for a deal on an iPhone, this may be the one.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

If you are not a fan of Apple products, you can go for a Samsung smartphone. And if you are interested in buying a Samsung smartphone, you’ll be happy to know that you can get a discount on the company’s last year’s Note phablet – Galaxy Note 8. The 6GB RAM/64GB storage variant is currently available for Rs 43,990 – down from Rs 67,900. Needless to say, the price cut is massive and you may not want to miss this deal from Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S9

If you like the S series in Samsung better than the Note series, don’t be disappointed, as the company’s this year’s flagship smartphone – Galaxy S9 – is also available at a reduced price on Amazon. The 64GB variant of the smartphone – which was launched at Rs 57,000 – is now available at Rs 42,990 at Amazon. The 128GB version and 256GB storage variant – which were earlier priced at Rs 61,900 and Rs 65,900 – now bear the price tag of Rs 44,990 and Rs 48,990 respectively.

Xiaomi Redmi Y2

The next smartphone on our list is for selfie lovers. The company had touted Xiaomi Redmi Y2’s front facing camera for the great selfies it could take at the time when the smartphone was launched. Xiaomi Redmi Y2 is available in two storage variants – 32GB and 64GB. While the launch price of the 32GB variant was Rs 9,999, the 64GB version costed Rs 12,999. During the sale, the prices of the variants have been reduced to Rs 8,999 and Rs 10,999 respectively.

Vivo V9 Pro

Launched last month in India, Vivo V9 Pro goes on sale for the first time during Amazon Great Indian sale. The smartphone comes only in 6GB RAM/64GB onboard storage model which was priced at Rs 19,990. During the sale, it is available at a discount of Rs 2,000 at Rs 17,990.

Honor Play

The next smartphone in our list from Huawei’s sub-brand Honor. The Honor Play smartphone that was launched in India in August this year is available at a reduced price at Amazon during its festive season sale. The smartphone came in two variants – 4GB RAM and 6GB RAM – priced at Rs 19,999 and Rs 23,999 at the time of their launch. If you are an interested buyer, you can pick the 4GB RAM version of the smartphone at Rs 18,999 during the sale.

Realme 1

The Realme 1 smartphone from Oppo created a lot of stir when it was launched in May this year. The smartphone came in three storage variants – 3GB RAM/32GB storage, 4GB RAM/64GB onboard storage and 6GB RAM/128GB inbuilt storage – which were priced at Rs 8,990, Rs 10,990 and Rs 13,990 respectively. During the sale, the 4GB RAM/64GB storage model of the smartphone is available for Rs 10,490 and the 6GB RAM/128GB storage variant can be bought at Rs 12,990.

Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro

The recently launched smartphone by Xiaomi, Redmi 6 Pro is also available at a discounted price on Amazon India’s website. The smartphone has two storage variants – 32GB and 64GB –clubbed with 3GB RAM and 4GB RAM respectively. The 32GB model was earlier available on Amazon at Rs 11,999 and its cost has now been reduced to Rs 10,999. Speaking of the 64GB version, it earlier bore a price tag of Rs 13,499, now it is available on Amazon for Rs 12,999.

Honor 7C

If you want to buy a budget smartphone, you can go for Honor 7C. The two storage variants of the smartphone – 32GB and 64GB – were launched at Rs 9,999 and Rs 11,999 respectively. For the next five days, the 32GB variant of the smartphone can be picked up from Amazon at Rs 8,999.
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Google Pixel 3 event: All that was launched

Avani Bagga
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Google Pixel 3 event: All that was launched
Google just took wraps off its flagship devices of the year at an event in New York. But, it didn’t launch just the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. The technology giant also unveiled other products at the vent including its Google Home Hub, Pixel Slate Chrome OS tablet and Pixel Stand. Here, we talk about all the new gadgets that were launched by Google at its event and tell you everything that you need to know about them:

Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

After months of speculations and rumours, the much awaited Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 Xl have finally arrived. The smartphones come with Android 9 Pie and are powered by Snapdragon 845 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM. Available in two storage variants and three colour options, the two smartphones only differ from each other in terms of display and battery. While Pixel 3 comes with a 5.5-inch FHD+ flexible OLED display, Pixel 3XL sports a 6.3-inch QHD+ flexible OLED screen. The smartphones feature a 12.2MP dual pixel single rear camera and dual front cameras with an 8MP wide-angle sensor and an 8MP secondary sensor. Read our story here to know about the detailed specifications and features of the smartphones.

Google Home Hub

The technology giant its Assistant Smart Display Google Home Hub at its event. The key feature of the device is its 7-inch display that enables users to not only ‘hear’ a response to their command, but also ‘see’ it. All of Google’s most used apps including Maps, Search and Photos have been redesigned to work on Hub. Google Home Hub is priced at $149 and is available in four colours — Chalk, Charcoal, Aqua, and Sand. The pre-orders of the device have gone live today and it will begin shipping in the US on October 22. A new feature called Ambient EQ is present on Google Home Hub that changes the colour and brightness of the display according to the light of surrounding areas. The device does not have a camera on it, so that people are comfortable using it in their homes and provides a personalised experience to everyone by recognising who is speaking to it. The device comes with an optimised YouTube experience for the users along with six months of YouTube Premium. Google Home Hub’s Home View feature enables it to become a dashboard for all the smart gadgets installed in your home. Google Home Hub can connect to over 200 million devices across 1,000 brands.

Pixel Slate ChromeOS tablet

Till now, we had read about the Pixel Slate tablet in rumours and leaks. We finally got to see it today at the Made by Google event held today. The convertible Pixel Slate is the first tablet that the technology giant has launched in the last three years. The biggest highlight of Pixel Slate is its detachable keyboard — which makes it a cakewalk to convert the device from a laptop to a tablet. The Pixel Slate is the first tablet by Google to run Chrome OS and it supports apps that have been downloaded from Google Play store. Available in Midnight Blue colour option, the price of Google Pixel Slate starts at $599. Buyers will get YouTube TV for free for the first three months, and will have to buy the keyboard of the device separately at $199. Pixel Slate tablet also supports Google Pixelbook Pen that is priced at $99. The tablet features a 12.3-inch LTPS LCD molecular touchscreen display that has a pixel density of 293ppi. Powered by eighth generation Intel Core m3/Core i5/i7/Celeron processors coupled with 4GB/8GB/16GB RAM, the device comes with 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB onboard storage. The Pixel Slate has an 8MP primary and selfie cameras that come with f/1.8 and f/1.9 apertures respectively. The tablet houses a 48Whr battery that is claimed by the company to last up to 10 hours after a single charge. The Chrome OS gets features like Split screen, Family Link, Do Not Disturb and Night Light. The tablet has integration with Google Assistant and in case you buy the keyboard, you’ll also get a dedicated button for it. There is built-in virus protection, a Titan security chip and a fingerprint sensor on the device.

Pixel Stand

If you are planning to buy the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL smartphones, then you may want to buy the Google Pixel Stand too. The Pixel Stand lets users charge their smartphones wirelessly. But, when charging on Pixel Stand, they stay in either Portrait or Landscape mode. The dock of the Pixel Stand has a USB-C that powers it and it supports fast charging. The Stand can charge any Qi-compatible device and is priced at $79. Interestingly, if you dock your phone on the Stand at night, it’ll automatically switch on the Do Not Disturb mode on the device. Note that when a smartphone is docked on the Pixel Stand, information like weather, traffic, and calendar show up on it automatically. Other functions that can be done while charging your phone on the Stand are giving it commands via Google Assistant, using it as a live photo frame to see pictures from Google Photos and see who is at the door by connecting it to Nest Hello.
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Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL with Android Pie, improved cameras launched: Price, specs and more

Avani Bagga
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Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL with Android Pie, improved cameras launched: Price, specs and more
Google just took wraps off its latest flagship smartphones – Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL at its Made by Google event in New York. The much awaited devices come with bigger screens, the best cameras in Pixel line and an upgraded wireless charging experience. The two devices are not very different from each other and their biggest distinguishing factors are the display and battery. This year, the smartphones in the Pixel series would be available in three and not two colour variants – the newest colour version being called Not Pink. Here are all the details about the newly launched Google’s flagship smartphones that you should know about: Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL pricing and availability The smartphones are available in two storage variants – 64GB and 256GB. While Google Pixel 3’s base model is priced at Rs 71,000, the 128GB storage variant costs Rs 80,000. The price of 64GB variant of Google Pixel 3 XL is Rs 83,000 and the 128GB version bears a price tag of Rs 92,000. Pre-orders of both the flagship devices will begin on October 11 and the smartphones would go on a sale on November 1. The smartphones will be available in Clearly White, Just Black, and Not Pink colour variants. Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL specifications Google Pixel 3 features a 5.5-inch FHD+ flexible OLED display that comes with an aspect ratio of 18:9. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and the back, the smartphone’s screen boasts of features like Always-on display, 100,000:1 super contrast ratio and HDR support. The smartphone is powered by the most powerful processor in the world — Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 clubbed with 4GB RAM along with Adreno 630 GPU. It also has Pixel Visual core, Titan M Security Module and comes with IP68 dust and water resistance. The smartphone runs Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. As we mentioned earlier there are two storage variants of the smartphone — one with 64GB onboard storage and the other with 128GB inbuilt storage. Google Pixel 3 lacks the support for a microSD card. Now let’s talk about the main highlight of the smartphone: The cameras. For imaging duties, Google Pixel 3 comes with a 12.2MP dual pixel single rear camera with f/1.8 aperture, 1.4um pixel size and a 76-degree field-of-view. The camera supports features like autofocus with dual phase detection, optical & electronic image stabilisation and spectral & flicker sensor. The primary cameras of the smartphone can shoot 4K videos at 30fps. Google Pixel 3 sports dual front cameras with an 8MP wide-angle sensor with f/2.2 aperture, 97-degree field of view and fixed focus coupled with an 8MP secondary sensor with f/1.8 aperture, autofocus with phase detection, and 75-degree field-of-view. Google Pixel 3’s camera comes with the much talked about ‘Top Shot’ feature. With Top Shot, the camera of the smartphone automatically captures alternate shots in HDR so that you can choose from them later. It also comes with a Group Selfie feature that is claimed to capture 184% more area than iPhone XS. Google has also introduced Night Sight — which ensures better images in dimly lit conditions. Other than this, Photobooth feature will also take photos of subjects who are smiling. Google Pixel 3 houses a 2915mAh battery that, according to the company, can provide up to 7 hours of usage with just 15 minutes of charging time. The smartphone comes with USB Type-C port, supports 18W fast charging and Qi wireless charging. Fast charging for the smartphone is available with the Pixel Stand. For connectivity options, Google Pixel 3 supports 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5, USB Type-C, NFC, GPS/ A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and Google Cast. The smartphone’s sensors include an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, barometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor and a magnetometer. Google Pixel 3 also comes with a back mounted Pixel Imprint sensor and an Active Edge feature which enables users to trigger features by just squeezing the sides of the smartphone. Speaking of Google Pixel 3 Xl, it shares almost all the specifications of the Pixel 3. What sets them apart is the display and battery life. Google Pixel 3 XL has a 6.3-inch QHD+ flexible OLED display that has an aspect ratio of 18.5:9. The display comes with HDR support, 100,000:1 super contrast ratio and True black level. The battery of the smartphone is 3430mAh. Much like Google Pixel 3, it is claimed to deliver a usage of 7 hours with just 15 minutes of charging time.
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Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 with 4,000mAh battery launched in India: Price, specifications and more

Avani Bagga
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Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 with 4,000mAh battery launched in India: Price, specifications and more
Panasonic has today expanded its lineup in the budget segment in India with the launch of its Eluga Ray 600 mobile. Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 houses a 4,000mAh battery, comes with the Face Unlock feature and sports a 5.99-inch display. The Android 8.1 Oreo based smartphone is available in three colour options and comes with a front flash module. Here’s a look at the price, availability and specification details of the smartphone: Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 price and availability Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 is priced at Rs 7,999 and the smartphone will be available exclusively at Flipkart. It will be available during Flipkart’s festive season sale — Big Billion Days — which is scheduled to begin on October 10 and will go on till October 14. However, the smartphone will be available starting October 11. Panosonic’s latest smartphone is available in Blue, Black and Gold colour variants. Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 specifications Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 features a 5.99-inch HD+ IPS display and is powered by a 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6739WA quad-core processor clubbed with 3GB RAM. The Android 8.1 Oreo based smartphone has an inbuilt storage of 32GB and can hold a microSD card of up to 128GB. For imaging duties, Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 sports a 13MP primary autofocus camera coupled with flash. On the front panel of the smartphone, there is an 8MP camera that supports flash and can be used for selfies and video calls. The camera app of the smartphone comes with various modes and can be used to make time lapse videos and has support for auto-scene detection. Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 houses a 4,000mAh battery that is said to last an entire day. The connectivity options of Panasonic Eluga Ray 600 include Bluetooth v4.1, GPS, LTE, FM radio, Wi-Fi, OTG and support for microUSB. The smartphone comes with an accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor and as we mentioned earlier, it has support for Face Unlock. Speaking on the launch, Pankaj Rana, Business Head – Mobility Division, Panasonic India said, “We are glad to expand our big view series portfolio with the launch of Eluga Ray 600. Panasonic has always been known for innovation and technology, the new Eluga Ray 600 is meant to provide a powerful experience to our customers seeking high definition display, stylish looks and a battery that lasts over 24 hours! Eluga Ray 600 is equipped with Panasonic’s in-house AI – Arbo Hub, our one stop app to make life easier. The sleek device is designed for the young audience who likes to enjoy technology with style.”
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WhatsApp to get advertisements in its Status feature soon: Report

Avani Bagga
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WhatsApp to get advertisements in its Status feature soon: Report
Popular instant messaging app WhatsApp is undergoing a big change. While a few years back, the company had said in a statement that advertisements would never come to the app, now things look a little different. If a report by WABetaInfo is to be believed, then the Facebook-owned instant messaging app will be going ahead with its new revenue policy and advertisements will arrive on Whatsapp for Android version 2.18.305. It further says that as of now, the advertisements are not visible to the users, however, they will get activated in future. The addition of advertisements on WhatsApp may not be a welcome change for users, but reports surrounding it have been surfacing for quite some time now. Prior to this, a report in The Wall Street Journal that quoted officials from WhatsApp stated that with advertisements, a new stream of revenue for the company will open up. The reported further said that the advertisements on WhatsApp will be shown to users within the Status feature — much like the ones we get to see in Instagram Stories. As of now, the advertisements cannot even be seen on WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.18.305. But as we mentioned earlier, the report said that advertisements will be enabled later. Facebook’s plan to monetize the instant messaging app is not in-line with WhatsApp’s terms of service that got updated once it acquired the app in 2014. The terms of service that were updated by Facebook clearly stated that users can “still count on absolutely no ads interrupting your communication.” As of now, there is no official word on when advertisements will begin to roll out on WhatsApp. However, what we are certain of is that advertisements definitely will make their way to app as that is something company officials have already confirmed. Adding advertisements on WhatsApp Status feature can prove to be extremely good for Facebook, as the Status feature has already hit the benchmark of 450 million daily active users. The Status feature enables users to upload a picture or a video that can be seen by people on their contact list for 24 hours. Furthermore, users can also check which of their contacts have seen their Status.
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Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL set to launch in India on October 22: Report

Avani Bagga
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Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL set to launch in India on October 22: Report
Google is all set to unveil its flagship smartphones of the year — Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL — today at an event in New York. Along with the launch of the smartphones, the technology giant’s Pixel slate tablet, a new Chromecast and Google Home Hub will also get showcased. Just before the global launch of the devices, a report has surfaced online that says that Google’s flagship smartphones will be launched in India this month itself. According to MySmartPrice, Google will be holding a media event to launch the two smartphones in India on October 22. Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are expected to go on pre-orders in the country soon after they are launched formally. The report further stated that Google will be selling its devices on Flipkart, much like Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. However, there is no word on the specific availability and pricing details. Scheduled to launch today, Google Pixel 3 series is expected to feature a design that will be similar to its predecessors. The smartphones will reportedly come with IP68 certification — making them dust and water resistant. The Pixel 2 series by Google, on the other hand, had IP67 certification. Reports have also suggested that Google Pixel 3 will feature a 5.5-inch display, whereas the Pixel 3 XL will sport a 6.3-inch screen. The smartphones will be powered by the most powerful processor in the world — Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845. Both Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will come with 4GB of RAM and have two storage variants — 64GB and 128GB. However, the presence of a microSD card slot seems unlikely. For imaging duties, Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are expected to sport a 12.2MP primary camera that will come with AI powered features. The devices will reportedly have a ‘Top Shot’ feature that will work similarly to Samsung Galaxy Note 9’s Scene Optimizer. For selfies and video calls, the smartphones will reportedly feature an 8MP front facing snapper. Google’s flagship smartphones of the year will run its latest Android 9.0 Pie out of the box.
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Amazon Great Indian Festival sale: Deals on Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S9, Galaxy A8+ and more

Avani Bagga
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Amazon Great Indian Festival sale: Deals on Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S9, Galaxy A8+ and more
Just after Samsung announced a slew of offers for Flipkart Big Billion Days sale, the technology giant is now giving deals and discounts to its fans on Amazon too. Amazon India’s festive season sale — Great Indian Festival — is scheduled to begin tomorrow and it will continue till October 15. And Samsung has announced some discount offers for customers who are planning to shop from the sale. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 — which is company’s flagship phablet from last year — will be getting a price cut of Rs 30,700 for five days and will be available at Rs 43,990 during the Great Indian Festival. The device can be purchased at No Cost EMI options along with free screen replacement and assured buyback. To recall, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 features a 6.3-inch QHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity display and is powered by Samsung Exynos 8895 processor clubbed with 6GB RAM. Like other phablets in the Note Series, Galaxy Note 8 comes with an S Pen. It has 12MP+12MP dual rear cameras along with an 8MP front facing snapper. It has 64GB of inbuilt storage and can hold a microSD card of up to 256GB. The smartphone houses a 3300mAh battery and has support for wireless charging. Customers can also buy the Samsung Galaxy A8+ at a reduced price during Amazon India’s festive season sale. During the Great Indian Festival, the smartphone will be available at Rs 23,990, which is Rs 17,910 less than its launch price. Among the most attractive deals available is the discount on Samsung’s current flagship smartphone — Galaxy S9. The 64GB variant of Samsung Galaxy S9 will be available at a discount of Rs 19,600 during the sale. While it was launched at Rs 57,900, it can be bought for Rs 38,300 during the five days of Great Indian Festival. Samsung Galaxy S9 smartphone comes with a 5.8-inch touchscreen display and is powered by a 1.7GHz octa-core processor clubbed with 4GB RAM. The smartphone packs 64GB of internal storage and can hold a microSD card of up to 400GB, too. Samsung Galaxy S9 packs a Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP autofocus camera with OIS and has an 8MP front shooter for selfies. The device houses a 3,000mAh battery. Discount offers are available on Samsung’s On series too. The 4GB RAM/64GB internal storage variant of Samsung Galaxy On7 Prime will receive a price cut of Rs 4,000 and will bear a price tag of Rs 10,990. Galaxy On7 Pro and Galaxy On5 Pro smartphones will also be available at a reduced price. While the former can be picked up for Rs 6,790 after a discount of Rs 2,700, the latter’s will cost Rs 2,000 less and customers can buy it at Rs 5,990. Furthermore, buyers will get an instant discount of 10% if they pay for their purchase via SBI debit and credit cards.
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Facebook launches Portal to make video calls easy

Avani Bagga
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Facebook launches Portal to make video calls easy
Social networking giant Facebook has launched a smart speaker that it says has been designed to make video calls easy. The device is known as Portal and its price starts at $199. The high-end version of Portal is priced at $349. The signature feature of Portal is its wide-angle camera that automatically keeps users in focus even if they move around in the room. The newly launched device is available on Facebook.com, Amazon and Best Buy and it will begin shipping in US early next month. However, the high price and the limited functionality of the device may make it difficult for Portal to compete with devices from Amazon and Google. Facebook‘s involvement in the data breach of its 87 million users wouldn’t help either. Smart speakers from Amazon and Google have been widely appreciated in the industry and both are available for less than $100. Users can use their voice command to make the devices from Amazon and Google search the web for them, play music, read out news and do so much more. With Portal, Facebook may be eyeing to stop users from using other chat and video calling apps on other speakers. It may also be looking for a new and completely controlled environment to sell ads — which is its main way of making money. Around 400 million people call each other via Facebook Messenger each year. In spite of being so popular, the service is absent from Amazon and Google’s smart speakers. The social networking giant expects to woo the users with the presence of its widely used service and Portal’s touchscreen. Additionally, Portal’s camera uses artificial intelligence to recognize body shapes. This can be a huge selling point for the device considering that users will be able to stay in the frame without having to adjust the device. Speaking on the launch, Rafa Camargo, Facebook’s vice president who is monitoring Portal said, “Our goal is to make you feel present in the same space as the person at the other end.” Portal’s microphones and camera shuts off with a tap of a button and users can lock it using a passcode, the company has said. It further clarified that voice and video calls that will be made on the device will be encrypted and their contents will not be stored. Users can call anybody they wish to, provided both are using FB Messenger. The device from Facebook comes with Amazon’s digital assistant Alexa, too. It handles the search queries that are made by the user while Amazon collects audio files of requests that are made. While the base variant of Portal comes with a 10-inch display, the high-end version sports a 15.6-inch screen. Both will showcase photos and notifications from Facebook and videos from Food Network. Other than this, there are very few other apps present on it. Other features will be available to users while they are making calls, which includes listening to music on Spotify. Like many devices from Amazon, Portal runs the open source version of Android. Prior to this, Facebook had forayed into hardware with Oculus virtual reality headset and a phone that it developed with HTC.
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Google Plus to shut down after breach of 5 lakh users’ data

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Google Plus to shut down after breach of 5 lakh users’ data
Google has announced that its shutting down the consumer version of its social networking website Google Plus — a competitor to Facebook that the technology giant launched in 2011. This update came right after the announcement that a bug in Google Plus may have exposed the data of up to 5,00,000 users to external developers. The bug was reportedly present in Google Plus’ systems for more than two years. The technology giant said in blog that first discovered and patched the leak in March this year. The company goes on to say that at that point in time, it had no evidence of breach of any data or that any developer was in knowledge of the bug. After the announcement, shares of Google‘s parent company, Alphabet Inc, were down 1.5% at $1150.75. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Google had chosen not to reveal the bug with its API (Application Program Interfaces) because it feared scrutiny by regulatory authorities. Google has said that analysed the issue and looked for the kind of data involved, if there was any evidence of misuse, whether users who had to be informed could be identified accurately, and if any actions could be taken by the developers. The company further said that, “None of these thresholds were met in this instance. We found no evidence that any developer was aware of this bug, or abusing the API, and we found no evidence that any Profile data was misused.” Going by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, if users’ personal data is compromised, a supervisory authority needs to get informed about the breach by the company within 72 hours. The only exception to this is a case where the breach was not likely to result in a risk to users’ rights and freedom. Speaking on the matter, Geoffrey Parker, an engineering professor at Ivy League college Dartmouth said, “It seems like the downside risk of having a story that says they intentionally hid information about a major breach from users is bigger than the upside of avoiding scrutiny. I wonder if there wasn’t more depth to the internal debate.” The technology giant said that the software bug in its social networking website gave external developers a potential access to private data of the users between a major revamp of the platform in 2015 and March 2018 — when the issue was finally discovered. However, only static data including name, email address, occupation, gender and age was affected. The report in The Wall Street Journal states that a memo was prepared by Google’s legal and policy staff which was shared with the senior executives of the company. It stated that disclosing the data breach would lead to “immediate regulatory interest” — much like Facebook did after user information from the platform got leaked to Cambridge Analytica. According to The Wall Street Journal, after the internal committee had decided on their course of action, Google Chief Operating Officer was told not to inform the users about the data breach. Google also faced criticism for not sending a top executive to a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on September 5 which was held to discuss what measures can be taken to stop foreign influence in US Elections. The hearing was attended by Facebook‘s Chief Operating Officer and Twitter’s Chief Executive. But Google’s top lawyer was rejected as a witness by the committee and an empty chair was left for the company during the hearing.
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Google updates its Developer Policy to restrict apps that can request Call log and SMS permissions

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Google updates its Developer Policy to restrict apps that can request Call log and SMS permissions
Ever installed an app from Google Play Store that has asked for multiple permissions? And have you felt that the apps that you have installed may not require as much information as they ask for? We all have been there and felt this at some point in time. And Google seems to have taken a note of this too. The technology giant is updating the Google Play Developer Policy to protect user information. Apps are only supposed to ask for information that helps in making them function. But that doesn’t always happen. A number of apps request for far more information than required and this often includes user’s call log and SMS application. It is worth noticing that the dialer and SMS application in your smartphone often carries a lot of sensitive information like your phone number, your call history and also the personal information of people you have contacted. When we allow apps to access our call logs and SMS app, we basically allow them to access all this information as well. The new change in Google Play Developer Policy will let only default phone and SMS apps to access this information. This is being done to restrict access to one or two apps at a given time. So even a widely used app like Facebook Messenger — which currently can access users’ SMS conversations — would not be able to do it anymore. Unless, of course, the user sets it as the default app on their phone. So even if you have given permissions to a number of apps without investing much thought into it, the only app you actually use will be able to access your information. Developers have been given 90 days from day of policy update to issue updates to their respective apps. Post that, the updated Developer Policy will get enforced on its own. Google has also posted an article on its Help Center for developers in order to help them find alternatives to these permissions. This move by Google is a welcome one, as most users give permissions to apps that they install nonchalantly. However, this may cause some inconvenience to users. For instance, till now, various apps used SMS permissions to read OTPs that the user received via text message. But, with the new policy coming in, the users will have to put in this information themselves. It’s not too much pain, but it’s always difficult to let go of an easy way to do things when you are used to it.
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Google Pixel 3 XL is being sold in Hong Kong ahead of official launch

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Google Pixel 3 XL is being sold in Hong Kong ahead of official launch
The world is waiting for the launch of Google Pixel 3 smartphones which is scheduled for Tuesday, October 9. But according to reports, in Hong Kong a retailer has been selling Google Pixel 3 XL already for a few days. A few days ago, a review of Google Pixel 3 from Hong Kong had surfaced online. In fact, a few months back, reviews and hands-on videos of the upcoming smartphone also went up online when it was reported from Eastern Europe that some units of Google Pixel 3 XL were stolen. The report also said that in order to buy one Pixel 3 XL unit, one had to pay $2,000 on the black market. And that’s exactly the same amount one has to pay to buy a unit in Hong Kong right now. According to a report in Engadget, which had borrowed a unit from the website that had reviewed the smartphone, a mobile retailer in Hong Kong has been selling the Google Pixel 3 XL HK$15,880. When converted, that becomes $2,030 — which is almost double of what the Google Pixel XL 3 will cost if reports about the device are correct. An image shared by Engadget shows the Pixel XL 3 retail box. The image has a pair of Pixel USB-C earphones, USB-C to 3.5mm and USB-C to USB-A, a USB-C cable to charge the smartphone and a couple of dongles. As of now, there is no clarity on why a store in Hong Kong started selling the smartphone a few days prior to its launch. But Google seems unable to control the stores that are supposed to sell its devices this year. A report surfaced online a few days back that claimed that Best Buy sold a third-generation Chromecast unit — which, like Google Pixel 3 XL, has not officially been launched yet. A number of reports about Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have surfaced online. The devices are expected to feature larger screens and according to leaks, Pixel 3 XL will sport a notch on its display. Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will also reportedly have wireless charging and sport dual selfie cameras. Other than this, Google is expected to give some clever software features to its smartphones. Image courtesy: Engadget
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Flipkart Big Billion Days sale: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro to be available at Rs 12,999

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Flipkart Big Billion Days sale: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro to be available at Rs 12,999
If you are planning to buy a smartphone, now is a very good time for you. With festive season sales beginning on Amazon and Flipkart, there are a number of smartphones that can be bought at reduced prices for a few days. And the latest smartphone to join the discount bandwagon is Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. Prior to this, Xiaomi also announced a discount of Rs 7,000 on its bezel-less smartphone Mi Mix 2 during Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale. Smartphones from other companies which will be available on a discount are Samsung Galaxy S8, Infinix Note 5, Nokia 5.1 and 6.1, and more. Speaking of Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, the smartphone is receiving a price cut of Rs 2,000 during the Flipkart Big Billion Days sale. Launched at Rs 14,999, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro will be available for Rs 12,999 during the sale. Other than this, buyers will be able to avail an additional discount of 10% if they pay for their purchase via HDFC Bank credit cards and debit cards. Xiaomi’s budget smartphone is considered to be one among the best smartphones in the segment. The reduced price only makes it a more attractive buy for interested customers. To recall, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro features a 5.99-inch FHD+ display that has an aspect ratio of 18:9. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor paired with 4GB RAM, the smartphone has 64GB of onboard storage. For more storage, users can install a microSD card off up to 128GB. For imaging duties, the smartphone comes with a dual rear camera setup that has a 12MP primary sensor and a 5MP secondary sensor. There is also a 20MP front facing snapper for selfies and video calls. When it was launched, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro mobile came with Android Oreo skinned with MIUI 9. But now, it has been updated to MIUI 10. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro comes with the Face Unlock as well as a fingerprint sensor and houses a 4,000mAh battery. Connectivity options of the smartphone include dual SIM card slots, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
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BlackBerry KEY2 LE launched in India: Price, specs and more

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BlackBerry KEY2 LE launched in India: Price, specs and more
Optiemus Infracom, the manufacturer and distributer of BlackBerry smartphones, has announced that the newly BlackBerry launched KEY2 LE smartphone will be available exclusively on Amazon India’s website starting October 12. The smartphone was launched globally by TCL back in August during the IFA 2018. BlackBerry KEY2 LE smartphone comes with the company’s signature QWERTY keyboard and is said to be made for ‘physical keyboard enthusiasts’. Other than this, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE comes with Snapdragon 636 processor and 4GB RAM, sports dual rear cameras and runs Android 8.1 Oreo. Here’s a look at the price, availability and detailed specifications of the smartphone: Specifications The BlackBerry KEY2 LE features a 4.5-inch full-HD+ IPS LCD display that has an aspect ratio of 3:2 and a pixel density of 434ppi. Powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM, the smartphone packs 64GB of internal storage and can hold a microSD card of up to 256GB. The dual SIM smartphone runs Android 8.1 Oreo and houses a 3,000mAh battery that comes with 18W Quick Charge 3.0 support. For imaging duties, the BlackBerry KEY2 LE sports a dual rear camera setup with 13MP primary sensor with f/2.2 aperture and a 5MP secondary sensor with f/2.4 aperture. On the front panel, there is an 8MP fixed focus camera that comes with LCD selfie flash and full-HD recording. The smartphone includes 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS/ A-GPS, GLONASS, FM radio, and USB Type-C with OTG for connectivity. Price and availability BlackBerry KEY2 LE is priced at Rs 29,990 in India and will exclusively be available at Amazon India’s website starting October 12. While the smartphone was initially launched in Atomic, Champagne and Slate colour options, now, it is also being shipped in a Space Blue variant. Speaking on the launch of the smartphone, Optiemus Infracom’s Executive Director, Hardip Singh said, “Security and privacy are becoming priorities in our data-dependent world and at Optiemus, we are committed to offering our customers a trustworthy mobile experience. We are delighted to launch the BlackBerry KEY2 LE, further strengthening our portfolio of the most secure smartphones in the country.”
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Moto G7 leaked render, video show waterdrop display notch, dual rear cameras

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Moto G7 leaked render, video show waterdrop display notch, dual rear cameras
Last week, tipster Evan Blass tweeted that Lenovo-owned Motorola is planning to launch a bigger smartphone lineup in its Moto G series next year. While we saw the company launching three smartphones this year, namely Moto G6, Moto G6 Play and Moto G6 Plus, next year’s Moto G7 lineup will come with four smartphones. Right after this news came out, an image of Moto G7 has surfaced online through CAD-based renders and a video. The renders and the video that have been leaked by OnLeaks in collaboration with MySmartPrice, show a display that sports a waterdrop style notch on the top. There is also a dual rear camera setup and a bump on the back panel that has enough space for an LED flash module. The back panel also seems to have the Motorola logo that is likely to house a fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint scanner looks similar to the one we saw on Motorola One Power. As seen in the leaked images, the design of the Moto G7 seems very different from company’s this year’s flagship — Moto G6. The presence of the waterdrop style notch on the display will offer a higher screen-to-body ratio than the one we saw in Moto G6. Motorola branding can also be seen on the chin at the bottom of the display. The back panel of the device has a glossy finish and sports dual rear cameras that reportedly come with 16MP and 5MP sensors. There is also an LED flash module at the back of the smartphone. The leaked renders also show a 3.5mm headphone jack, a USB Type C port and a speaker grill. According to recent reports, Moto G7 will sport a 6.4-inch full-HD+ display and will be powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 660 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM and 64GB on internal storage. For imaging duties, the smartphone is said to offer a 12MP selfie camera and it will house a 3,500mAh battery. However, it is worth mentioning that the renders have only revealed the design of Moto G7 and we can expect to see a change in other three smartphones that are being launched with it. Moto G7 is reportedly scheduled to launch next year along with Moto G7 Plus, Moto G7 Play and Moto G7 Power. Image courtesy: OnLeaks, MySmartPrice
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OnePlus 6T goes on pre-orders via Amazon India

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OnePlus 6T goes on pre-orders via Amazon India
We still are a few days away from the launch of OnePlus 6T, but if you are a fan, you’ll be happy to know that the device has already gone on pre-orders on Amazon India. First spotted by MySmartPrice and Android Pure, the smartphone is available for pre-booking till October 30. Buyers also get additional benefits like free Type C earphones and Rs 500 Amazon Pay balance. OnePlus India had tweeted yesterday that the company has an ‘exciting announcement’ to make regarding their next flagship device. Following this, a Twitter user replied with a screenshot of the page of Amazon India’s app that shows the phone listed for pre-orders. Reports have also suggested that OnePlus 6T on Amazon India’s All Deals segment under its Today’s Deals section. On booking the smartphone via Amazon India’s website, users will get a cashback worth Rs 500 in the form of Amazon Pay balance. Other than this, there are reports that claim that buyers will get the Type C earphones by the company. OnePlus’s upcoming flagship device, OnePlus 6T, is scheduled to launch globally on October 17. The ‘Notify Me’ page for OnePlus 6T has been live on Amazon India since last month. The smartphone is expected to sport a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with an aspect ratio of 19:9 protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. The display of the smartphone will come with a waterdrop style notch and an in-display fingerprint sensor — much like the Vivo Nex and Vivo V11 Pro. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, OnePlus 6T will run Android 9.0 Pie. The smartphone reportedly houses a 3,700mAh battery. Reports also suggest that the smartphone will come without a 3.5mm headphone jack. The upcoming flagship by OnePlus is said to come with a dual rear camera setup, but as of now there are no details available about the sensors that are used. There has been no word on the sensor of the front facing snapper too, but we do know that it will support the Face Unlock feature. The company has confirmed that OnePlus 6T is not going to be water/dust resistant as it would not receive any IP certification. Update: The company has officially announced the pre-orders of OnePlus 6T smartphone. Pre-bookings of the smartphone begin on October 9 at 12 noon on Amazon.in, Croma outlets and OnePlus offline stores. OnePlus 6T is set to launch in India on October 30 and will go on open sale starting November 2. Customers who pre-book the smartphone will get a pair OnePlus’ new Type C Bullet earphones that cost Rs 1,490 and they would also receive Rs 500 as Amazon Pay balance once they complete their purchase of OnePlus 6T. Customers can also buy an Amazon.in e-Gift Card worth Rs 1,000 that they can redeem to buy the OnePlus 6T during its open sale. Image Courtesy: MySmartPrice
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Flipkart Big Billion Days sale: Deals available on Nokia 5.1 Plus, Nokia 6.1 Plus

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Flipkart Big Billion Days sale: Deals available on Nokia 5.1 Plus, Nokia 6.1 Plus
Last week saw the launch of Nokia 7.1 by HMD Global in London. Prior to that, the company had rolled out its Nokia 5.1 Plus and Nokia 6.1 Plus smartphones in India. Both the smartphones have a glass back panel, come with a notch on their displays and are a part of Google’s Android One Program. This basically means that both the smartphones will get timely Android updates and security patches for two years since the date of their launch. While the Nokia 5.1 Plus is priced ta Rs 10,999, the Nokia 6.1 Plus costs Rs 15,999. If you have been planning to buy either of the two smartphones, now is definitely a good time. With the upcoming Big Billion Days sale on Flipkart, both the smartphones will be getting a price cut of up to Rs 1,000. Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale is scheduled to begin on October 10 and will go on till October 14. During this time, a number of smartphones will be available at discounted prices including Samsung Galaxy S8, Infinix Smart 2, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2, Asus Zenfone 5Z and more. And now, Nokia devices have joined the bandwagon too. The Nokia 5.1 Plus — which is priced at Rs 10,999 — will be available at a discount of Rs 500. This means that you can buy the device for Rs 10,499. Speaking of Nokia 6.1 Plus, it is available at a discounted price of Rs 14,999 — Rs 1000 less from its launch price. Other than this, HDFC bank credit and debit card users will be able to avail an instant discount of 10% and buyers can also get a mobile protection plan starting at Rs 99. To recall, Nokia 5.1 Plus sports a 5.8-inch HD+ display that has an aspect ratio of 19:9. Powered by MediaTek Helio P60 processor, the smartphone comes with 3GB RAM and has 32GB of internal storage. Nokia 5.1 Plus comes with a dual rear camera setup with 13MP and 5MP sensors coupled with an 8MP front facing snapper for selfies and video calls. The smartphone houses a 3,060mAh battery. Coming to Nokia 6.1 Plus, it features a 5.8-inch full HD+ display with an aspect ratio of 19:9. It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 636 processor and comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. Much like Nokia 5.1 Plus, the smartphone houses a 3,060mAh battery and for imaging duties it comes with 16MP+5MP dual rear cameras. For selfies, there is a 16MP front facing snapper.
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7 things to expect from the Google Pixel 3 event

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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

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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

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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

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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

Avani Bagga
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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

Avani Bagga
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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

Avani Bagga
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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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