Samsung Galaxy M20, Galaxy M10 launched in India: 10 things you should know

South Korean technology giant Samsung has launched its Galaxy M10 and Galaxy M20 smartphones in India yesterday. Here’s a look at 10 things you must know about the newly launched smartphones by Samsung:

The smartphones feature Infinity-V displays

Samsung Galaxy M 3 Samsung Galaxy M10 and Galaxy M20 come with Infinity-V displays, which basically mean that the smartphones have a waterdrop-shaped notch on top of their screens. While Samsung Galaxy M10 sports a 6.2-inch HD+ TFT display, Galaxy M20 features a 6.3-inch full HD+ display.

They come with face unlock feature

Samsung Galaxy M 2 To add an extra layer of security, Samsung has added the face unlock feature in its new smartphones. While Samsung Galaxy M10 only comes with a face unlock, Galaxy M20 has a fingerprint sensor, as well as a face unlock feature.

Are available in two storage variants

Samsung Galaxy M 8 Both the smartphones are available in two storage variants in India. While Samsung Galaxy M20’s base model comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage, its high-end variant has 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Speaking of Samsung Galaxy M10, it is available in a 2GB RAM/16GB storage model and a 3GB RAM/32GB storage variant.

Powered by Samsung’s processors

Samsung Galaxy M 4 The South Korean technology giant has used its own processors in the smartphones. While Samsung Galaxy M10 is powered by Exynos 7870 processor, Galaxy M20 houses an octa-core Exynos 7904 processor.

Have identical rear cameras

Samsung Galaxy M 5 Samsung Galaxy M20 and Galaxy M10 come with dual camera setups on their back panels. Both the devices feature 13MP+5MP dual rear cameras. It is worth noticing that the 5MP lens has an ultra-wide sensor. The camera app of the smartphones has support for Live Bokeh mode and come with AR stickers.

But the selfie cameras are different

Samsung Galaxy M However, the selfie cameras of the devices are different. While Samsung Galaxy M20 comes with an 8MP selfie camera, Galaxy M10 has a 5MP front-facing snapper. We should mention that you can also enable the Live Focus mode while clicking selfies with the smartphones.

House ‘massive’ batteries

Samsung Galaxy M 6 Samsung has touted its Galaxy M series smartphones to pack ‘massive’ batteries. The bigger sibling houses a 5,000mAh battery, and Galaxy M10 packs a 3,400mAh battery.

Run Android 8.1 Oreo

Samsung Galaxy M 7 Both the smartphones run on Android 8.1 Ore skinned with Samsung’s Experience UI. However, it has been reported that they will be getting an update to Android Pie in August.

Made in India smartphones

Samsung logo We should mention that Samsung has first launched the Galaxy M10 and Galaxy M20 smartphone in India. Furthermore, the company also said that the devices have been made at its facility in Noida which is also the biggest smartphone-factory in the world.

Priced in the budget segment

M20 Front The base model of Samsung Galaxy M10 is priced at Rs 7,990 and its high-end version costs Rs 8,990. On the other hand, the 3GB RAM model of Samsung Galaxy M20 costs Rs 10,990 and its 4GB RAM variant is priced at Rs 12,990. Both the smartphones will be available via Amazon India’s website and Samsung’s online store starting February 5. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. [td_smart_list_end]

BenQ EL2870U gaming monitor review: Let’s get gaming!

BenQ is a company that has been producing great monitors for all types of use. Weather its regular office work or hardcore gaming their monitors hardly disappoint. The latest to come for gamers is the LED innovation called BenQ EL2870U gaming monitor, which is a bit on the steeper side when you look at the asking price, but for high end rigs which demand a large 4K monitor, some might not mind spending. We spent some time with the flat screen monitor to understand what it is all about. This is our review of the BenQ EL2870U gaming monitor. Design The BenQ EL2870U gaming monitor is a mammoth, when we talk about its size. At 28-inches wide diagonally, this monitor takes a lot of space on the desk, but does give you that much needed premium screen space when you are playing games like PUBG or DOTA 2. BenQ has designed this monitor well. It is simple to look at, yet has elements such as the bottom bar and the stand (dressed in silver), which give it a modern look. The bezels are not too thick nor are they too thin. We know it is the era of bezel-less smartphones but monitors still have a long way to go. The buttons like power on/off, port selection and to control other settings are placed at the bottom right part of the LED monitor. The twin 2W speakers are also located underneath, hidden from the eye view. What they essentially do is amplify the sound, since they are down firing. The rear side of the monitor is curved and has the BenQ branding on top. Here the company has also placed downward facing two HDMI as well as single display v1.4 ports (in case you want to connect a gaming console too along with the PC).  Also, there is a headphones port located here too. Coming back to the front of the LED monitor, the BenQ EL2870U gaming monitor also sports a standalone front facing HDR button, which converts the displayed imagery from SDR to HDR. Overall, the monitor did not take any time to setup, in about 5 minutes it was out of the box and on our table with everything attached ready to be evaluated.benq gaming monitor Performance When it comes to performance the BenQ EL2870U gaming monitor outshines many. Lets quickly talk about its technical specifications first. This LED monitor supports 4K UHD resolution and is built for gamers or video editors who have a lot of fire power inside their PC cabinets. The screen size is 27.9-inches (to be exact) and comes with a native contrast ratio of 1,000:1. Brightness is 300 nits, which is pretty bright for a gaming monitor. You get to see everything clearly on screen thanks to the 1MS response time. It essentially keeps ghosting and frame lag at a bare minimum. The aspect ratio of this gaming thin tube is 16:9 and the refresh rate is 60 Hz. Both are needed when you are playing the latest demanding games. We ran it through the paces and the BenQ EL2870U gaming monitor kept amazing us again and again. The picture quality is very nice and sharp. Colours are brilliant and blacks are deep. The viewing angle could have been better as it only supports up to 170 degree and not 178 degree. But hey, this monitor is built for single viewing experience and not a shared view, so higher than 170 degree really does not matter. Video editors would also love the large display since it gives them a lot of screen area to work with. At 28-inches they do no require a second monitor. The sound output as said before is very loud and is good if you want to enjoy a movie here and there. However, for gaming we suggest a use of a good gaming headphone. Eye care and blue light features are also embedded on the BenQ EL2870U gaming monitor, along with smart focus. This essentially focuses on the area you really need to focus on, on the screen. HDR presets work well and the picture on screen becomes quite vibrant, once turned on. You might want to experiment with the settings according to your game preference. Verdict The BenQ EL2870U gaming monitor is not a power hog and consumes less than 55watts when turned on. Overall, we loved the gaming monitor. Yes, the company could have installed more powerful audio drivers in the cabinet and maybe the price could have been a little lower. Nonetheless, if you have the money to spend go for this gaming monitor without a doubt. Pros Excellent response rate Multiple devices can be connected Superb picture clarity Cons Sound could have been better Price For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

LAVA Z92 with 6.2-inch display and AI Gaming Mode launched in India

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Just when we though the Indian mobile makers are down and out, LAVA has announced a new smartphone for the Indian market. LAVA International has launched a new flagship phone named Z92 that comes with Helio P22 Octa-core processor, 6.2-inch notched display and AI Gaming Mode. The phone is priced at Rs 9,999. It comes packed with various AI modes to make the user experience better and easier. It has AI Studio Mode with 6 different camera modes to capture images and the AI Gaming Mode hopes to make the gaming experience on the device lag-free. Jasneet Singh who is the Head of the Smartphones of LAVA International said, “We are excited to announce the launch of LAVA Z92 under the Z series. Keeping in mind the demand of consumers who look for higher performance, durability and a bigger screen along with great looks, we are excited to present our first offering of 2019, the LAVA Z92. This smartphone is equipped with Helio P22 Octa-Core Processor for unrestricted multitasking.”
LAVA Z92
LAVA Z92
Lava Z92 has 8.02mm thick body and it comes equipped with the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for drop and scratch protection. Over that, it also has 3,260mAh battery powering the device which is normal according to the norms of smartphones today, but the company has claimed that the phone can offer 1.5 days of usage on a single charge. It comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, which is expendable to 256 GB using a microSD card.
Talking about the camera, it comes equipped with an 8MP front camera and 13MP back camera with dual flash. The smartphone is on special offer with Jio through which the customers will get Rs 2,200 cashback in the form of 44 vouchers of Rs 50 each in the MyJio App, if they recharge with Rs 198 or Rs 299 plan. They will also get up to 50GB of additional 4G data in the form of one additional data voucher of 5GB per recharge for a maximum of 10 recharges. Other features include, WiFi, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Snapchat will weigh permanent snaps that was once unthinkable

There might be some changes coming to the Snapchat app. In the next update photos or public posts could last for longer or even can be permanent. Also, Snapchat might reveal the identities of those users who make a post public. These changes might help Snapchat to lure users by making content shared publicly through “Our Story” section, available outside Snapchat. This could also lead to the creation of a new revenue source for money-losing Snap (makers of Snapchat), that has seen users base decline. Snapchat photo and video content that is shared to “Our Story” would be affected and users would still have the option of deleting stories. Public stories have already been extended by Snap, but making them not last for a longer duration or revealing more about users who creates them is something which Snapchat has been known for. To talk about its lucrative business, Snap’s stock has been under pressure as investors question it’s plans to reach profitability. Snap’s shares on Friday closed to approximately 60 percent below their initial public offering price that dates back to March 2017. To speak of public posts, Snap does not charge for access to public data as of now. However, it could earn more advertising revenue if Snaps embedded outside of Snapchat lasts longer. To recall, Twitter was one of the first social media platforms to provide access to public posts and reported $108 million, roughly Rs 770 crores in the third-quarter revenue from non-advertising businesses like data licensing. Twitter sells access to more than 500 million daily tweets to customers including analytics firms, news organisations and financial institutions that use trending tickers and stories to place trades. Snapchat might also think on the same lines that can bring fresh revenue to the system. The ailing company is very popular amongst the younger generation and teenager, who are also on the decline. New features might bring them back to the platform and revenue could rise. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

iOS 12.2 beta code hints of 4 new iPads and an iPod Touch upgrade

There has been a new code within the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system. This is called the iOS 12.2 beta and it hints of four new iPad models and an iPod touch upgrade. These four new iPad models are code names the “iPad 11,1”, “iPad 11,2”, iPad 11,3” and “iPad 11,4”. All of these models are going to have WiFi and cellular models, however, without Face ID. This hints that Apple will not integrate its facial recognition technology on the new iPads. As before, these devices are going to rely on Touch ID fingerprint scanning system for user authentication. It has also been confirmed that Apple will soon launch iPad Mini and a new entry level iPad. The iPad Mini is supposed to sport a 7.9-inch display. Considering that these about-to-launch iPad models are going to be bereft of Face ID, they might receive internal upgrades and not complete redesigns. This is because they would not be able to go bezel-less with Touch ID as a part of it. Probably on the pretext of the iPad Pro line being very costly, these devices are being launched. There is high probability that Apple is going to incorporate the Touch ID in the coming iPads because they are budget devices. To speak of the iPod Touch, it was quite unexpected that the Cupertino-based-tech giant is going to come up with the product. Considering that we haven’t received any update of the iPod for a long period, we thought that Apple might have forgone with this product. However, we get a different picture now.
To recall, the six-generation iPod Touch was launched in 2015 with 32GB storage and no Touch ID. The device costs $199. The iOS 12.2 beta code suggests that the about-to-launch new iPod Touch is not going to have Face ID to keep its price low. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Honor View 20 with hole-punch display, 48MP primary camera launched in India: Price and specifications

Chinese smartphone brand Honor has today launched its View 20 smartphone in India. A very notable fact about Honor View 20 is that it is the first smartphone in India to come with a 48MP primary camera and a hole-punch display to house the selfie snapper. Here’s a look at the complete list of specifications and pricing details of the Honor View 20 smartphone:

Honor View 20 price and availability

Honor View 20 is available in two storage variants in India – one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage and the other with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. While the former is priced at Rs 37,999, the latter costs Rs 45,999. At this price, the smartphone competes directly with OnePlus 6T, which is currently enjoying a lot of success in the Indian smartphone market. Honor View 20 will go on sale Amazon India’s website as well as on Honor India’s e-store starting January 30.

Honor View 20 specifications

Coming to the specifications of the newly launched smartphone, Honor View 20 runs Android Pie skinned with Magic UI 2.0 and sports a 6.4-inch full-HD+ TFT LCD All-View display that comes with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9, a screen-to-body ratio of 91.82% and a pixel density of 398ppi. The screen of the smartphone has a hole-punch on its top left corner to house the selfie camera. Powered by 7nm octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor, the smartphone comes with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM. While the 6GB RAM model comes with 128GB storage, the 8GB RAM variant has 256GB storage. The device also has liquid cooling system that, according to the company, enables thermal management on it. For imaging duties, Honor View 20 has a dual rear camera setup that comprises of a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor that has an f/1.8 aperture and comes with 960fps slow-motion video recording, autofocus, AI HDR and is coupled with an LED flash. The other lens in the dual rear camera setup is a 3D ToF sensor that enables the camera to capture the depth and makes various 3D applications work. The display of the smartphone has a 25MP selfie sensor that comes with an f/2.0 aperture. Honor View 20 houses a 4,000mAh battery and comes with 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth v5.0, Wi-Fi, GPS, and USB Type-C for connectivity. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Apple to enter in to a Netflix-like Video game subscription service

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The tech giant Apple is reportedly working on a subscription service for Video games for the App store. Here users can pay to play the list of titles available on the platform. Its workings are just like that of Netflix’s where users pay for a limited time subscription to watch shows, series or cinema movies. Apple had already been talking with game developers in the second half of 2018 and all that talk has borne this result – a gaming subscription service, which will no doubt be a big exciting news for apple users and gamers as well.

However, it is still unclear what the subscription will cost, what games and titles it would offer and what features it would have? The service is still in its early stages of development. In best-case scenario, the company could get additional customer base and the users get to play different titles. In worst- case scenario, the company could abandon the service entirely.

The reports on Cheddar also claim that apple plans to act as a games publisher where it hopes to publish, distribute and control the prices of the games. Apple has always been focused on their software and with the addition of game subscription it surely hopes to get an advantage. Currently the video game subscription market has very few players and with the rise of online multiplayer games like PUBG and Fortnite this step could mean an increase in their user numbers. Mobile e-sports is also booming and gaming companies are pushing their titles to run on the smartphone platform as well.

Apple has been taking steps in many directions to counter its falling sales and stocks in the market. Due to the battery replacement by its users the sales of the iPhones plummeted and so did the company’s stocks. Reports suggest that Apple has been making new original content to rival Netflix, it is also planning to start a news subscription program and the company is also focusing on Apple music to increase its user base.

For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Android Q to block background clipboard access for third-party apps: Report

Google is expected to unveil its next Android operating system at its Google I/O 2019. There are still months to go for the event which is scheduled to begin on May 7, but leaks and rumours about Android Q have already started surfacing online. The latest report about the upcoming software update says that Android Q will come with a feature that will restrict background clipboard access for various third-party apps. This feature will come in handy for users to keep their sensitive information such as usernames and passwords safe and it wouldn’t allow any third party apps to access their data. In an alleged leaked build of Android Q, an option to rollback app updates can also be seen. The next version of Android is also said to re-enable third-party apps to have to have background access to your device’s location. Besides this, the update will reportedly come with some new pre-installed fonts, icons and accent colours. A report in XDA Developers shared some images from a leaked build of upcoming Android Q earlier this month. According to the images that were shared, Android Q will come with new permissions that will be able to restrict third-party apps from reading the user’s clipboard.
A permission with the name of ‘android.permission.READ_CLIPBOARD_IN_BACKGROUND’ can reportedly enable the users to grant apps the ability to read data from clipboard while running in the background. We should mention that it has also been reported that the protection level of the permission is ‘signature’, which means that only those apps that are signed by manufacturers will have access to clipboard data in the background.
android_q_icons
Image courtesy: XDA Developers
Furthermore, Mishaal Rahman from XDA Developers also spotted some new permissions for system-level apps that will be able to downgrade apps. The permissions are named as ‘PACKAGE_ROLLBACK_AGENT’ and ‘MANAGE_ROLLBACKS’ and it has been reported that these will enable Google Play to move the app to its previous version. These will prove to be useful when you install an update of an app that has bugs. So, you would be able to use these permissions to go back to the previous bug-free version of the app. In addition to this, some broadcast events with the name of ‘PACKAGE_ENABLE_ROLLBACK’ and ‘PACKAGE_ROLLBACK EXECUTED’ have also been found that would inform the apps about the rollback action. Apart from this, another new permission that has been spotted is named, ‘ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION’. With this, the “app will always have access to the location, even when you’re not using the app.” For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Asus Zenfone 5Z receives Android 9.0 Pie update: How to get it?

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Asus‘s Zenfone 5Z receives the much awaited Android 9.0 Pie update. The Taiwan tech company deployed the update in phases so it will take some time for the update to reach all the 5Z users around the world. In this newest android version Google has added many new features and have improved old ones, some of the features include night mode, improvements to extend the battery life of the smartphones through adaptive screen brightness, malware protection, digital well-being and a secure digital platform. The users will receive an update notification on their Asus Zenfone 5Z. Once clicked on the notification they will be asked to ‘download and install’ the update package for their phones. Once the package is downloaded they will be asked to ‘restart’ their devices. It will take some time for the device to install the update package and restart. Once the device boots up it will have the Pie update installed. But, users should keep their battery above the 50 percent mark to have a stable and trouble free update, and also they shouldn’t turn off their devices when the update is being installed.
For the users who have not received the update notification on their phones they need to go to the ‘settings’ menu, then to ‘system’ and from there they need to click on the ‘system update’. Then they need to click on the ‘download and install’ for the update to download to the phone. Once the download is complete the device will restart with the latest android update. The Zenfone 5Z was released back in July of 2018 and it has Android 8 Oreo running out of the box. It was equipped with top of the line Snapdragon 845 SoC chipset with Adreno 630 GPU and has a 6.2 inches notched display with 8GB of RAM. Now that it has received the Pie update, the users will be able to use the new features this version of android offers. Also there will be a new contextual volume pop-up bar along with magnifier feature, which will make the copy and paste feature much easier to use. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Xiaomi Redmi X to launch on February 15: To have in-display fingerprint sensor

An official teaser has been publicised very recently that confirms that the Xiaomi sub-brand, Redmi is going to launch a new smartphone. The name of this smartphone is Redmi X and it is going to launch on February 15. The Xiaomi Redmi X will reportedly come with an in-display fingerprint sensor. Speculatively, the Xiaomi Redmi X is another name for the Redmi Note 7 Pro that we know is about to launch soon. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro is expected to come with a 48MP Sony camera and have other improvements compared to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7. The Xiaomi Redmi X is going to sport at waterdrop notch display with an FHD+ resolution. To speak of the in-display fingerprint sensor, the smartphone will have an OLED display with 2.5D curved tempered glass protection. The device is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 675 SoC or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 SoC. There are going to be two RAM variants—4GB and 6GB. Both of them are supposed to come with a 64GB internal storage that can be expanded via a microSD card. When it comes to connectivity options, the Xiaomi Redmi X will have 4G LTE and VoLTE on both the slots. The handset in all probability will come with a 48MP primary camera with 4K video recording that reminisces the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has a dual rear camera setup of 48MP and 5MP. In terms of memory, the smartphone comes with 3GB, 4GB and 6GB RAM. The front camera comprises of a single 13MP sensor that is meant for taking selfies. Connectivity options include WiFi 802.11, dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth 5.0, Infrared port, FM Radio and USB 2.0.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 houses a large 4,000mAh battery which is non-removable. The smartphone comes in three colour options—blue, black and twilight gold. The device runs on Android 9.0 skinned with MIUI 10 and sports an IPS LCD 6.3-inch capacitive touchscreen. The handset is powered by Qualcomm’s SDM660 Snapdragon 660 SoC. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Apple bug lets users hear others via facetime even before they pick up calls

Yesterday, Apple discovered a bug which allows users to hear callers’ voice even before they pick up the call. This has been happening via Apple’s FaceTime video chat service. The caller is not aware about this however, the receiver can hear him, even before the conversation starts on Facetime video chat. According to news sources, the bug uses FaceTime to put the user’s phone number and then, it adds the phone number of another person. The bug emerged on Data Privacy Day when Apple CEO, Tim Cook ordered “action and reform for vital privacy protections”. Apple didn’t respond immediately after a question was put forth about this bug operating through the FaceTime feature. To recall, Apple had added FaceTime calling during the end of last year with the help of a software update that was partly designed to counter previous software bugs. There is some news doing the rounds about other gadgets which Apple is going to launch soon. Apple is reportedly said to launch a new version of the iPad Mini known as the iPad Mini 5. Also, it is said to launch an entry level iPad very soon. As to how we can confirm their launch, both of them were registered in EEC.
The smaller iPads haven’t been updated for quite some time now and it seemed users had started to believe that Apple is done with this product. It is expected that the iPad Mini is going to sport a 7.9-inch display. To speak of the entry level iPad, it is going to be an advanced version of the previous iPad models. The previous iPad model reminds us of one very important device, that is the iPad 9.7-inch. The screen resolution of the device is 1,536×2,048 and it bears an aspect ratio of 4:3. The device is powered by a Quad-core 2.34GHz CPU and comes with a 2GB RAM. The 2GB RAM brings two internal storage variants—32GB and 128GB. On the back side, there a camera of 8MP sensor and on the front, there is a 1.2MP sensor camera for click selfies. All these devices have the Facetime functionality too, besides iPhones. The bug could very well be active in these devices too. No official word on an update is out to get rid of this bug. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Honor View 20 to launch in India today: How to watch the live stream

Chinese smartphone brand Honor is all set to launch its View 20 smartphone in India. Honor View 20 is the company’s first smartphone to come with a hole-punch display to house the selfie camera and it was globally launched at an event in Paris on January 22. So, we already know about the specifications of the smartphone and today, the company will be revealing its pricing and availability details in India. Here’s everything you need to know about the launch of Honor View 20 in India:

How to watch the Honor View 20 India launch live stream?

The Chinese smartphone company is holding the launch of Honor View 20 smartphone in India today and 12:00 pm IST. The device will be launched at an event in Gurugram and the company will be live streaming the event on its Facebook page as well as YouTube channel. Honor has already confirmed that its View 20 smartphone will be available exclusively via Amazon India’s website. The device has already been listed for pre-orders on the website and those who pre-order the Honor View 20 handset will be getting Honor Bluetooth earphones along with it for free. Honor had previously said that those who pre-order the smartphone will only be able to purchase it on January 30. So, this means that the handset will be going on sale immediately after it is launched today.

Honor View 20 price in India (expected)

Globally, Honor View 20 was launched in two storage variants – 6GB RAM/128GB storage and 8GB RAM/256GB storage. While the price of the base variant in international markets is €569, the more high-end model costs €649. Various reports have suggested that Honor View20’s 6GB RAM model in India will be priced at Rs 35,000. However, it has also been reported that the company is planning to keep the price tag of the base variant of the smartphone at Rs 39,990. At this price, the Honor View 20 smartphone will directly be competing with the likes of OnePlus 6T and Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018).

Honor View 20 specifications

Honor View 20 is the first smartphone in India to come with a new hole-punch design to house the selfie camera. With this kind of a selfie camera, the device aims to offer its users a notchless, full-screen experience. The device houses a 25MP selfie camera in its display and on flipping over, you will see a dual rear camera setup comprising of its 48MP primary camera that comes with a Sony IMX586 sensor with f/1.8 aperture, clubbed with a 3D TOF (time-of-flight) sensor. Honor View 20 runs Android Pie skinned with Magic UI and features a 6.4-inch Full HD+ LCD display that has an aspect ratio of 19.25:9. Powered by 7nm Kirin 980 processor, the smartphone comes with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM that is clubbed with 128GB or 256GB storage respectively. The smartphone houses a 4,000mAh battery that comes with support for supercharging with 40W power adapter. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Samsung will begin using more eco-friendly material in its packaging

South Korean technology giant Samsung has said that it will start replacing its plastic packaging with products that made of “environmentally sustainable elements” starting this year. The smartphone maker has said that it will replace the plastic used in its handsets, tablets and wearables for molds and accessory bags that are made of materials that are more eco-friendly. Furthermore, the company also plans to change the design of its smartphone chargers so that they use less plastic. Moving forward, its chargers will not come with a glossy exterior and instead have a matte finish. Samsung has also said that it will no longer be using plastic bags to protect its various consumer electronic products like air conditioners, refrigerators, TVs, and washing machines. Instead of plastic, it will be using recycled materials and bioplastic that are made from non-fossil fuel sources.
In addition to this, the technology company will be replacing the paper in its manuals with the one that has been certified by global environmental organizations. However, Samsung did not name any organizations when it made this announcement. Speaking on the matter, Gyeong-bin Jeon, the head of Samsung’s Global Customer Satisfaction Center said that the technology giant is taking these steps in order to address environmental issues “such as resource depletion and plastic wastes”. He further added that the company wants to reduce the waste that it produces by following these steps. By switching materials used in its packaging, Samsung has pledged that it will be using 500 thousand tons of recycled plastics and that it will collect 7.5 tons of discarded products by 2030. In an unrelated piece of news, the company has yesterday launched its Galaxy M10 and Galaxy M20 smartphones in India. All the variants of the two devices are priced between Rs 7,990 and Rs 12,990 and they compete directly with the likes of Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro and Realme C1 (2019). With the two smartphones, Samsung has replaced its Galaxy On, Galaxy J and Galaxy C series in the country and it plans to take back the top slot of the budget segment that it lost to Xiaomi a few years back. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Samsung Galaxy M10 first impressions

Samsung once ruled the budget segment of the Indian smartphone market, before it lost its position to the Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi. And now, the South Korean smartphone giant is trying to take its crown back. For this, Samsung yesterday launched its Galaxy M20 and Galaxy M10 smartphones. We spent some time with the Samsung Galaxy M10 smartphone and here are our first impressions of the newly launched device:

Design

There’s a lot about Samsung Galaxy M10’s design that we like. Simply put, the device is visually extremely pleasing to look at. The front panel is dominated by the Infinity-V display with a water drop shaped notch on its top and a slightly broad chin, while the back panel is made of polycarbonate. With the glossy finish, the device does manage to look premium for the price range, but we must mention that because there is no fingerprint sensor, the design looks like that of a rather old model. Samsung m10 But then, Samsung has compensated with a face unlock feature instead, so we can’t really complain. The back panel of the Samsung Galaxy M10 also has the dual rear camera setup, the LED flash, the Samsung branding, and the speaker of the device. The right edge of the handset has the power and volume rocker buttons and the left one has the SIM tray. While the bottom edge of the device has the microUSB port, the 3.5mm headphone jack and the microphone, the top edge of Galaxy M10 has the secondary microphone. Samsung has kept the look and feel of the Galaxy M10 smartphone very minimalistic. And we really liked it.

Display

One among the highlights of Samsung Galaxy M10 is its display, particularly because of the Infinity-V notch on the top. Probably no other smartphone in this price range comes with such a small notch on its display to house the selfie camera. The handset sports a 6.22-inch PLS TFT panel that has an HD+ resolution and comes with an aspect ratio of 19:9 and a pixel density of 271 ppi. During our time with the device, it showcased bright and vibrant colours, in spite of the fact that it is not an IPS panel. Furthermore, the colours projected on the display are accurate and they remain consistent at different viewing angles. Samsung Galaxy M10 display You may occasionally feel that the colour tone of the display is slightly cooler than what it is on other devices, but we didn’t really mind it. We actually feel that for the price range, the display is extremely good. In fact, we haven’t used any other recently launched smartphone in the below-Rs 10,000 category that boasts of a screen as good as Samsung Galaxy M10’s. However, there are other aspects of the display, like its sunlight readability, which we will only be able to talk about in our detailed review.

Cameras

Samsung Galaxy M10 has a dual camera setup on its back panel with a 13MP primary sensor and a 5MP ultra-wide angle sensor. In addition to this, it houses a 5MP selfie camera in its notch. There is a lot that you can do with the device’s cameras. To begin with, it is extremely simple to switch between the primary and the ultra-wide angle lens, which is something that we have seen in other Samsung smartphones but we still like it. Samsung Galaxy M10 camera sample The camera app of the smartphone comes with support for Bokeh or the Live Focus mode, Beauty, Panorama and Pro modes. It also comes with AR stickers and can take continuous shots. Stickers and Live Focus mode can also be used while clicking selfies. With adequate lights, the images taken by the dual rear camera of the smartphone turned out to be quite clear and sharp. They had accurate colours and did not pixelate when we zoomed in. However, we will have to use the smartphone for a few more days before we can talk about other aspects of the camera.

What we think

For a smartphone that is priced under Rs 10,000, Samsung Galaxy M10 seems to be a promising device. It doesn’t come with a flashy design like a number of Chinese counterparts but instead maintains a simple and minimalistic look. The display is surely a key highlight and the cameras also seem to be good so far. It’s after a long time that we are using a device launched in the said price segment which seems to be that good. We look forward to using it more and then we’ll let you know about its day to day performance, battery, and more. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Samsung Galaxy M20 vs Realme C1 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: Comparison

South Korean technology giant Samsung has launched its Galaxy M20 smartphone in India today. The smartphone’s price begins at Rs 10,990 and it competes directly with the likes of Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro and devices from Realme. Here, we have compared Samsung Galaxy M20 with Realme C1 (2019), which was also launched earlier today, and Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro. Read our comparison to decide which among the three is the perfect budget smartphone for you:

Display

Samsung Galaxy M20: 6.3-inch full HD+ display Realme C1 (2019): 6.2-inch HD+ display Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: 6.26-inch Full HD+ display

Processor

Samsung Galaxy M20: Octa-core Exynos 7904 processor Realme C1 (2019): Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: 14nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor

Primary camera

Samsung Galaxy M20: Dual rear camera setup with 13MP and 5MP sensors Realme C1 (2019): Dual rear camera setup with 13MP and 2MP sensors, come with AI enhancements Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: 12MP+5MP dual rear cameras that come with AI enhancements

Selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy M20: 8MP selfie camera Realme C1 (2019): 5MP front-facing snapper Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: 20MP+2MP dual selfie cameras

RAM and storage

Samsung Galaxy M20: 3GB RAM/32GB storage, 4GB RAM/64GB storage Realme C1 (2019): 2GB RAM/32GB storage, 3GB RAM/32GB storage Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: 4GB/6GB RAM and 64GB storage

Support for microSD card

Samsung Galaxy M20: Up to 512GB Realme C1 (2019): Up to 256GB Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: Up to 256GB

Battery

Samsung Galaxy M20: 5,000mAh battery Realme C1 (2019): 4,230mAh battery Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: 4,000mAh battery

Operating system

Samsung Galaxy M20: Android 8.1 Oreo skinned with Samsung Experience v9.5 Realme C1 (2019): Android 8.1 Oreo skinned with Color OS 5.1 Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: Android 8.1 Oreo skinned with MIUI 10

Price

Samsung Galaxy M20: The 3GB RAM/32GB storage is priced at Rs 10,990, 4GB RAM/64GB storage costs Rs 12,990. Realme C1 (2019): The 2GB RAM/32GB storage is priced at Rs 7,499, the 3GB RAM/32GB storage model costs Rs 8,499. Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: The 4GB RAM/64GB storage model costs Rs 13,999, the 6GB RAM/64GB storage variant is priced at Rs 15,999. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Samsung Galaxy M20: First Impressions

Samsung has been experimenting with the design and performance of its entry level smartphones since some time now and the outcome is the launch of Samsung Galaxy M20 and M10 smartphones. The Galaxy M20 smartphone is built for the youth and is an India first innovation. This one has a massive 5,000 mAh battery inside and comes with an Exynos 7904 Octa core CPU with 1.8GHz clock speed.  We spent some time with the latest smartphone by Samsung (the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage version) and here are our first impressions of the neat little device. Samsung Galaxy M20 Design and Display Let’s talk about its design first. The Samsung Galaxy M20 is not the usual lightweight boxer you find in the budget segment, instead it is a heavyweight thanks to the mammoth 5,000 mAh battery inside. The front of the smartphone is dominated by a large 6.3-inch FHD+ infinity-V display. This is the first smartphone by Samsung that comes with a waterdrop notch design, which has the front facing camera on it. With the ear speaker right above it on the top edge. Since it is Samsung’s first waterdrop design innovation under the Made for India initiative, we have to say we are a bit impressed that Samsung has kept such a slim chin area. When we compare it to others in the market like Xiaomi or Oppo, some of their phones in this price bracket still have a large chin band. But not this one. Moving on, the screen is protected by toughened glass which is a bit raised and comes a few millimeters out of its casing. Nevertheless, this smartphone is comfortable to hold. The case is derived from a single mold of plastic and there no sharp or jagged edges on this smartphone. The right side of the mobile has the volume rocker key with the power button right under it. The left side has the SIM tray. Talking about which, this one can place 2 nano SIM cards inside as well as a microSD card of up to 512GB. At the bottom Samsung has placed a mono loudspeaker, USB type C charging port and 3.5mm audio jack. On the top you get the secondary pin hole microphone. Flip the device around and you will see the dual vertically stacked cameras with a LED flash under it, next to it is the larger than usual finger print scanner, with the Samsung branding below it. Also, if you look closely at the bottom part of the case you will find that it reads manufactured in India, which is quite cool to recite. We played quite a few YouTube videos on the Samsung Galaxy M20 and we were not one bit disappointed. The colours are vibrant and the text is crisp. The sunlight legibility is also quite good. Samsung Galaxy M20 Cameras The 13-megapixel primary camera at the back has an aperture size of 1.9 and the secondary 5-megapixel sensor there has an aperture size of 2.2. The front 8MP sensor has an aperture size of 2.0. These are great for photos and we will show some of the shots the rear one can take in just about a second. Videos can be recorded in Full HD and not 4k, on both the front and rear cams. Maybe in the next software update that will be available too. We found the cameras to take crisp pictures with very close to life colours. Our initial tests do suggest that this smartphone can very well be the king in the budget segment when it comes to smart photography. Samsung Galaxy M20 Operating System This smartphone has Android 8.1 Oreo running on it and not the Pie. There might be a software update coming soon, but no official word has been given. The user interface is very Samsung and at the time of its first boot the device did ask us which apps to additionally install on the device. This is great as you can reduce the bloatware and can keep only those apps which you want on it. But you will still find some additional apps lurking on it. Thankfully these can be quickly uninstalled, in case you don’t want them. What We Think Overall, at the moment the operating system is slick, we are not facing any sort of lag during operation, and things are loading quite swiftly. The cameras are working well and the large battery is lasting for more than a day, even after heavy usage. The loudspeaker is pretty loud and we tested the Dolby Atmos sound with a pair of headphones, it does make a difference. The younger brother Samsung Galaxy M10 has also been launched with this smartphone, so together they provide a lot of choice to the user. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Airtel reintroduces Rs 100 and Rs 500 recharge plans

Bharti Airtel has reintroduced Rs 100 and Rs 500 recharge plans with 28 days validity and a lifetime activation validity for its subscribers, both the ‘talk-time’ recharge plans are live as of now. The telecom giant had discontinued the plans last year because it wasn’t received well by the customers due to its ‘limited time’ validity so the users moved on to other telecom operators which offered lifetime validity for the same price. But now they have been brought back and they offer a lifetime validity. But it’s still not sure if the company will be bringing the plans for a specific region or all of the regions. The users of Airtel can recharge and avail to the plan by going on their ‘My Airtel’ app, then they can go to the ‘prepaid’, then to ‘best plans’ and then to ‘talk time’. The plan can be recharged from there. The validity of Rs 100 recharge plan is 28 days for outgoing calls with lifetime validity for incoming calls, and it will give Rs 81.75 talk time. While Rs 500 will also give 28 days of outgoing and lifetime incoming calls validity and its balance will be Rs 420.73. The company is fighting to survive in the fierce telecom sector with many competitors on its heels. Airtel has been introducing and changing plans to match and compete with its closest rival Reliance Jio. And with these affordable recharge plan it hopes to gain a foothold in the market and lure in more subscribers.
Last week the company had launched Rs 1699 recharge plan which is quite similar to that offered by Reliance Jio. In this plan Airtel will be offering unlimited STD calls, roaming, local calls, 100 SMS and also 1GB of data every day. It also gave access to Airtel TV’s premium content with no FUP with this recharge. Airtel’s other unlimited recharge plans are of Rs 597 with 168 days validity in which they offer unlimited calls, 100 SMS every day and 6GB of data which gets recharged after 28 days, and Rs 998 which has a validity of 336 days with unlimited voice calling and 12 GB of data which gets recharged after 28 days. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
 

Samsung Galaxy M10, Galaxy M20 with Infinity-V displays launched in India: Price and specifications

South Korean technology giant Samsung has taken wraps off its Galaxy M10 and Galaxy M20 smartphones in India. The newly launched Samsung Galaxy M10 and Galaxy M20 smartphones compete directly with handsets from Xiaomi’s Redmi series, some with the company’s new Infinity V displays and house 5,000mAh battery. Here’s a look at the pricing details and specifications of the Samsung Galaxy M10 and Galaxy M20 smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy M10, Galaxy M20 price and availability

Samsung Galaxy M10 is available in two storage models – one with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage and the other with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. While the former costs Rs 7,990, the latter bears a price tag of Rs 8,990. Speaking of Samsung Galaxy M20, it is available in a variant with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, and its more high-end model has 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage. The base model costs Rs 10,990, the 4GB RAM variant is priced at Rs 12,990.
Both the smartphones will be available via Amazon India’s website and Samsung’s online store starting February 5. The devices are available in Ocean Blue and Charcoal Black colours.

Samsung Galaxy M10, Galaxy M20 specifications

Coming to the specifications, Samsung Galaxy M10 runs Android 8.1 Oreo and features a 6.2-inch HD+ TFT display. The smartphone is powered by the company’s own Exynos 7870 processor and is available with up to 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. On the camera front, Samsung Galaxy M10 comes with a dual rear camera setup with a 13MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture and a 5MP ultra-wide sensor. For selfies and video calls, there is a 5MP front-facing snapper with f/2.0 aperture. The handset has support for face unlock and houses a 3,400mAh battery. Coming to Samsung Galaxy M20, the device sports a 6.3-inch full HD+ display and runs Android 8.1 Oreo. Powered by an octa-core Exynos 7904 processor, Samsung Galaxy M20 comes with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. While it has the same dual rear camera setup as Samsung Galaxy M10, the smartphone comes with a better 8MP selfie camera. In addition to face unlock, the handset also has a fingerprint sensor on its back panel and houses a massive 5,000mAh battery. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Realme C1 (2019) with up to 3GB RAM and 32GB storage launched: Price and specifications

Realme C1 is now available in two new storage variants in India. Oppo’s sub-brand has announced the launch of the 2GB RAM/32GB storage model and the 3GB RAM/32GB storage variant of the Realme C1 (2019) smartphone. Prior to this, the smartphone was only available in 2GB RAM/16GB storage version in the country. Other key specifications of the device include Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor and a 4,230mAh battery. We should mention that Realme C1 has been announced just hours before the launch of Samsung Galaxy M10 in India. Here’s a look at the price and specifications of the new storage variants of the smartphone:

Realme C1 (2019) price in India

The 2GB RAM/ 32GB storage model of Realme C1 is priced at Rs 7,499, the 3GB RAM/ 32GB storage variant costs Rs 8,499 in India. Both the models of the smartphone will go on sale on Flipkart starting February 5 at 12 pm. Realme C1 is available in Deep Black and Ocean Blue colour options.

Realme C1 (2019) specifications

Apart from the change in RAM and storage, the new editions of Realme C1 are the same as the handset that was launched last year. There is no other change in the specifications for the device. To recall, Realme C1 runs Android 8.1 Oreo skinned with ColorOS 5.1 and features a 6.2-inch HD+ display that is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass panel. The screen of the mobile phone comes with a notch on top, has an aspect ratio of 19:9, and 88.8% screen-to-body ratio. Powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor, Realme C1 comes with the aforementioned RAM and storage options and can hold a microSD card of up to 256GB. On the camera front, Realme C1 sports a dual rear camera setup with 13MP and 2MP sensors along with an LED flash. For selfies and video calls, there is a 5MP front-facing snapper. Both the cameras of the smartphone come with AI enhancements. Realme C1 houses a 4,230mAh battery and comes with 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, Micro-USB, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for connectivity. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Battery Drain Issue being reported in the OnePlus 6T

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Some users of the 2018 flagship of OnePlus, the 6T are complaining about a rapid battery drain issue in their smartphones. The problem was reported by some users on the internet, according to them their smartphone batteries were draining faster than normal. Many users of the smartphone took to the official OnePlus forum to report about the issue. According to some users, some apps installed in the phone were consuming more battery than usual and that was affecting the overall battery performance, some users has reported that the Google Play Services was consuming more battery than it did before. They are getting on an average 4-5 hours of screen-on time compared to the 7-8 hours it gave before the problem began. The company’s official reddit forum was flooded by the complaints of the users about the battery issue, the original user posted that he was facing problems with his battery and not even the battery saver or a factory reset seems to solve the problem. Despite OnePlus being the company which always keeps its software updates in mind and pushes the updates regularly. But till now there has no official word from the company and there hasn’t been a software update to solve this problem. Recently the company pushed out updates for the OnePlus 6 and 6T along with the other smartphones it released in the past years till the OnePlus 3. The OnePlus 6T offers Snapdragon 845Soc with 6GB/8GB RAM and has a 3700mAh battery which is capable of handling a full day of tasks thrown at it. And this it was the first flagship to come with the android 9.0 Pie out of the box. But this issue is cutting down the screen-on time by half.
But surprisingly not all users have reported this issue. The problem could be most likely related to some apps or updates or it could be a software issue or a bug. But despite all the complaints the company still has to address the issue and push out solutions or updates as their hasn’t been an official word as of yet. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

WhatsApp to roll out PIP feature for WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp is about to launch a PIP feature for WhatsApp Web very soon. The Facebook-owned-messaging-app has just launched fingerprint authentication and redesigned emojis. PIP is the acronym for Picture-in-Picture feature wherein WhatsApp Web users can watch a shared video and check their chats or use a different app at the same time. This feature, that was once only exclusively available to Android users is now finally available to desktop users as well. All this information has been tipped by WABetainfo, who say the picture-in-picture feature is part of the latest 0.3.2041 app version. Many users provide upcoming WhatsApp Web update to be a little patient. The report also says that the PIP feature will support videos of different formats hosted on multiple services. Note, that for regular users, this means that WhatsApp web users can now watch YouTube video shared in a chat. At the same time, they can browse it through other WhatsApp chats as well. When it comes to picture-in-picture feature, this is how it works. First, send a message with a YouTube link or any video platform link to the other person. Then, the receiver is going to receive this link with the preview. This means that if the user taps on it, the video will start playing within whatsapp. The video will start playing in a bubble after the user changes the chat. With the help of the PIP mode, the user can close the video playing by a swipe gesture.
A very recent update that WhatsApp has received is the fingerprint authentication support and revamped emojis. This is part of WhatsApp’s latest beta 2.19.21 version that one can download via Google PlayStore. This new feature consists of a new emoji layout for 21 existing emojis. Even though there aren’t any substantial changes to the emojis, there are some subtle changes in colours and the designs of the emoji pack. The fingerprint scanner works very similar to how most app lockers work. So, once you open WhatsApp, you will be asked to scan your fingerprint or allow the selfie camera to identify your face. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

10 most-awaited technology trends to watch out for this year

Technology is one of the most dynamic fields in the world. With new innovations happening every day, a lot of trends come and go and a few manage to make a mark. Here, we are listing down the ten most-awaited technology trends of the year 2019:

5G networks

5g This is probably the most awaited trend this year. A number of technology companies have announced that they will be rolling out their 5G enabled devices this year. These include the likes of Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, Xiaomi among others. Considering that Qualcomm’s latest processor – Snapdragon 855 – comes with support for 5G, we can expect 5G connectivity in most major Android flagship smartphones that will be launched this year.

Foldable phones

foldable phone Foldable phones are definitely one among the most anticipated technology trends this year. Samsung was the first one to showcase its foldable device at its developer conference in November last year. And soon after that, a number of smartphone makers announced that they are working on foldable devices too. Oppo, Xiaomi, Motorola, Huawei and LG are among the popular technology companies that will be showcasing their foldable phones this year.

Multiple cameras on smartphones

Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) first impressions camera (1) Let’s face it: There are hardly any popular smartphones that come with just one primary camera. Till now, Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is the smartphone that comes with the most number of rear cameras – four. However, with Nokia 9 PureView all set to launch at MWC 2019, this will change as the smartphone will come with five rear cameras.  As the year progresses, we expect to see smartphones with more number of cameras getting launched.

More advanced in display fingerprint scanners

vivo apex 2019 Physical fingerprint sensors are slowly becoming a thing of past. More and more smartphones now incorporate in-display fingerprint scanners. If reports are correct, 10% of Samsung Galaxy S10+’s display will act as a fingerprint sensor. So if you place your fingerprint anywhere on it, the device will unlock. However, before Samsung could make a statement with its upcoming smartphone, Vivo announced its Apex 2019 concept phone that comes with full-display fingerprint scanning. So, no matter where you place your finger on the handset’s screen, it will unlock. We expect to see more such advancements as the year goes forward.

Hole-punch displays

Samsung Galaxy A8s (1) Last year, we saw a few smartphones from Samsung, Huawei and Honor that come with a hole on the top left corner of their display to house the selfie camera. Various reports online also suggest that Samsung’s flagship smartphones will also feature the same kind of selfie cameras. A report also suggests that Nokia 6.2 smartphone, that will be launched at the MWC 2019, will also come with a hole on its display.

Faster charging

Samsung Galaxy A9 battery Charging on smartphones has become way faster than it was earlier. Various smartphone makers like Oppo, OnePlus, Huawei and even Meizu offer a very high speed when it comes to charging devices. This year, we expect Apple and Samsung to come up with faster ways of charging too.

Biometric payments

Face ID Fingerprint sensors and facial unlocks have become a very regular feature on smartphones. So, the obvious next step is to enable payments with biometric scans. They will not only be easier to do but also far more secure than current payment models.

Drone delivery

drones

Drones are now legal in India. Although there are a number of rules that have to be complied with, we expect to see drone deliveries becoming common in the country this year.

Smart wearables

Nike Adapt BB Wearables are also expected to become smarter this year. For instance, we expect to see shoes that will be able to track steps and clothes that will be able to count calories. Such wearables have the potential of becoming extremely popular in the fitness and health industry.

Rollable TVs

LG rollable TV LG’s rollable TV has finally become commercial this year. Considering the kind of appreciation it garnered at the CES 2019, we expect to see more electronics makers launching similar TVs this year too. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. [td_smart_list_end]

Redmi to launch the Note 7 with 128GB storage in China this week

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Redmi Note 7 boasts a behemoth 48MP camera, was announced in January of 2019 and since then it has been making headlines. And this week the company will release its 128GB variant in China. Wang Teng Thomas who is Xiaomi’s product Director announced on his Weibo account that the 6GB variant of the smartphone will be released this week in China. Later the company CEO Lin Bin did a popularity poll on the social media platform to know which of the variants of the Note 7 would be more popular with the users. The polls had all the variants of the smartphone (released and unreleased) with their prices included. The smartphone with the 32GB and the 64GB variant had already been launched in China at the start of the month, and this week the 4GB RAM + 128GB storage and/or 6GB RAM + 128GB storage will be launched, and according to the polls the fans voted most for the 6GB version. The second in the popularity poll was the 6GB + 64GB storage version and on the third place was 4GB RAM + 128GB storage smartphone. The pricing of all the Note 7 variants lie under Rs. 20,000 mark. The 3GB RAM+ 32GB storage is priced at RMB 999, which is approx Rs 10,500, similarly for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage the price is  RMB 1,199 (approx Rs 12,600), for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage the price is RMB 1,399 (approx Rs 14,750), for the 4GB + 128GB storage the price will be RMB 1,499 (approx Rs 15,840), and for the 6GB + 128GB storage variant, the price will be RMB 1,599 (approx. Rs. 16,850).
The Note 7 will be paired with a Samsung ISOCELL GM1 48 Megapixels camera along with a 5 Megapixel rear camera setup. And after the release of the Note 7 the company will release the pro version of the same phone called the Note 7 Pro. The Pro version will have a Sony IMX 586 48 Megapixel camera. It will also be equipped with the Snapdragon 675 Soc while the regular Note 7 will have the Snapdragon 660 Soc. Redmi India has also been teasing the release of the Note 7 since January and needless to say it will be launched shortly after being launched in China. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Vivo V15 Pro to sport a pop-up selfie camera along with triple camera setup

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Joining in on the three-camera bandwagon is the Vivo V15 Pro, which will be the successor of 2018’s Vivo V11 Pro. A case of the upcoming smartphone was released in China that allegedly leaked its multi camera setup and the 32 Megapixels selfie popup camera. The same was earlier seen in the popular Vivo Nex. The case has a long camera cutout on the back with another cutout at the top hinting at the motorised pop up front facing camera. Also, there is no fingerprint scanner cutout at the back and if we are to believe at the leak it hints at the in-screen fingerprint scanner, which many phone companies are coming up with lately. And this is no surprise as its predecessor, the V11 Pro, too sported similar unlock feature. Aiming for the mid-range market the phone will be sporting a full screen display. We can see the phone to be released sometime around next month. The pricing of the V15 Pro will be somewhere around Rs. 30,000 as the V11 Pro currently sells for Rs 23,999 on amazon and Rs 25,990 on Flipkart. And for the other smaller variant of the V15 Pro which will be the V15 the pricing will be around Rs 18,000 to 25,000.
The Vivo V15 Pro leaked case suggests at a popup selfie camera
The Vivo V15 Pro leaked case suggests at a popup selfie camera. Image Courtesy: Weibo
More details about the phone has not been revealed yet, and the specs will be revealed somewhere in mid Feb. But, the phone is aimed at the mid-price segment and has lots of good competitors like the Poco F1, One Plus 6, Asus 5z to name a few. If it has to make a name for itself like the Vivo Nex or its predecessor the V11 Pro it will have to have some good industry competing specs.
Vivo Nex through which the company introduced the motorized selfie camera will allegedly be discontinued to make way for the newer V15 Pro. Last year’s Vivo Nex had been a game changer in the smartphone world as it completely got rid of the notch while still not abandoning the front facing camera. Vivo has lately been the company to bring something new to the platter, last year they did the motorized pop up selfie camera with the Nex, then they brought the double sided Vivo Nex Dual display and then the Vivo Apex 2019 with Snapdragon 855 Soc with 12GB RAM without any physical buttons. Which makes us wonder what will the Chinese major bring next to the table? For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

PUBG Lite is now available on PC: Check minimum system requirements here

As you would know, a new version of PUBG has been launched. This version of Player Unknown’s Battleground is called PUBG Lite. This is a standalone version that requires fewer system resources to play the game. Computers with low-end hardware can also run the game with ease. Earlier, in order to run the game, one needs good frames, graphics with minimum performance level as GTX 1050ti or above. PUBG Lite is a free to play game that has been developed for systems that do not have extreme performance. This game was mainly created because players with low entry graphics card were finding it hard to play PUBG. PUBG devs said, “Our goal for PUBG Lite is simple: Deliver the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds experience to players in areas where the core game’s required specifications are more difficult to achieve due to the hardware available. To this end, the PUBG Lite team has focused on balancing lower hardware requirements, without compromising on our quality standards. The end result is a build that is playable even on computers and laptops utilizing integrated graphics.” However, one needs to have certain requirements to play the game. In order to play PUBG Lite, you need to have Windows 7/8/10, 64-bit. The Minimum CPU requirement is Intel Core i3 2.4GHz and 4GB RAM. In terms of graphics, you need to have Intel HD Graphics 4000 and HDD space of 4GB. The recommended specifications of your device to operate the game includes Windows 7/8/10, 64-bit. When it comes to CPU, you should be able to run it on Intel Core i5 2.8GHz. In terms of RAM it is recommended that you have 8GB RAM. Also, you can incorporate Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870. Just like the minimum specifications requirements, it is recommended that you have a HDD of 4GB.
Considering that it can be played with Intel HD series, it is clear that the PUBG Lite has very low requirements when it comes to integrated graphics.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.