Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD with up to 2TB storage launched in India
Today, Samsung introduced the new 970 EVO Plus SSD. This is the newest enhancement in the company’s Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) SSD portfolio. This is expected to provide a high-performance considering it has super-fast read and write speeds. The company claims that this would suffice for IT professionals, tech enthusiasts and gamers to handle intensive workload on their computer and workstations. Samsung has a history of finding solutions to technical barriers in SSD design and performance, and with this latest innovation they expect to extend another solution for consumers.
The 970 EVO Plus is powered by Samsung’s fifth generation V-NAND technology. The South-Korean tech giant claims that this would provide unrivalled performance in its class while managing tasks which consumes a lot of data. This can be 4K content editing, 3D modelling and simulation, heavy gaming etc.
Sukesh Jain, the senior vice president of IT and Mobile Enterprise Business, Samsung India said, “With our commitment to bring the best, Samsung has raised the bar higher with its latest 970 EVO Plus Solid State Drives for power users, up for demanding tasks like 4K content editing, 3D modeling and simulation as well as heavy gaming. This upgraded version promises faster performance, exceptional endurance, unparalleled reliability as well as increased power efficiency.”
The 970 EVO Plus comes in compact M.2 form factor with the help of PCIe Gen3x4 interface so, users can easily upgrade their PCs to this SSD. The warranty for this product is five-year and it provides up to 2TB of space. The 970 EVO Plus provides sequential reading of 3,500mbps and writes speed up to 3,300mbps. There is an in-built Samsung Magician software that is meant to simplify advanced drive management for users, too.
The 970 EVO Plus in 250GB, 500GB and 1TB can be bought at Rs 6,749, Rs 9359 and Rs 17,999 respectively. It will be available from February in India. However, there is another 2TB variant that will be available from April at a cost of Rs 35,999.
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HMD Global is reportedly planning a mid-range smartphone: Codename Nokia TAS
Nokia will reportedly unveil a smartphone codenamed TAS during the upcoming event of Mobile World Congress. Along with this, the Nokia 9.1 PureView is also set to launch during the same event. The Nokia 9.1 PureView is expected to succeed the Nokia 8 Sircocco. The Nokia Sirocco 8 has proved to be one of the best smartphones of 2018. To take into account our assumption that the Nokia 9.1 PureView is the successor of the Sirocco 8, we expect it to be equally or better than that. Reports say, that the new Nokia phone codenamed as TAS will feature a penta-lens setup.
To recall, the Nokia 8 Sirocco was updated to Android 9.0 Pie in the beginning of this month. The smartphone sports a P-OLED 5.5-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1,440×2,560 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:9. The dimensions of the Nokia 8 Sirocco are 140.9x73x7.5 mm and it weighs 177 grams. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 octa-core SoC. The Nokia 8 Sirocco is part of Google’s Android One programme. It has 6GB RAMand on-board storage of 128GB.
There is a dual rear camera setup on it, which consists of a 12MP and a 13MP sensor. The front camera meant for taking selfies has a 5MP sensor. Connectivity options include WiFi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC and USB 3.1. It packs a 3,260mAh non-removable battery.
To comment on the processor of the Nokia TAS, it is likely to have an enhanced version compared to the Snapdragon 630 SoC of the Nokia 6.1. To recall, the Nokia 6.1 sports an IPS LCD 5.5-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1,080×1,920 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:9. The handset has 3GB and 4GB RAM variants, which come with 32 GB and 64GB internal storage. Rear camera of the device consists of a 16MP sensor and the front camera has an 8MP sensor. Connectivity options include WiFi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, FM Radio and USB 2.0.
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Apple may be planning to change a key component of iPhones starting 2020
Since Apple first launched its iPhones in 2007, it has been using an LCD screen or a Liquid Crystal Display on its devices. However, recently, the more expensive iPhone models have started using organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays which are supposed to be better than LCD screens in terms of display quality.
But then, Apple didn’t entirely ditch the LCD screens, primarily because of reasons involving costs. Even this year, the more high-end iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max used OLED displays, while the affordable iPhone XR had an LCD screen.
But a report that has surfaced on The Wall Street Journal claims that in 2020, this is set to change. The report quotes unnamed sources who are familiar with Apple’s production plans and it said that the company has plans to drop the LCD screens from its lineup completely.
It further said that Japan Display, which is Apple’s LCD supplier, is very stressed with this news. It is worth noticing that Japan Display is partially owned and funded by the Japanese government. So much so, that it has considering selling the company to investors in China or Taiwan, including TPK Holdings which supplies touch-panel parts of the iPhone and China’s ‘Silk Road Fund’.
According to the report, even though LCD Displays have been commoditized recently, Jaan Display may add value to the buyer, considering its close association with Apple.
We should also add that is highly unlikely that Apple will omit the LCD display from its 2019 lineup. Even though the new lineup will be unveiled in September, the design of the upcoming iPhones would have been locked down by now.
Based on various reports and rumours, Apple will unveil three new iPhones this year. One will succeed iPhone XR and the other two will be successors to iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. The first renders of the upcoming devices have already started circulating online. The very first ones were released by Onleaks and Digit.in and the second ones were published by technology blog CompareRaja in collaboration with Onleaks. Although the two renders show very different designs, they both house a triple camera setup on their back panels. Since it’s too early, we can’t really say which one – if any – is accurate.
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New Samsung Galaxy S10+ photo leaked, maybe called Samsung Galaxy S10 Pro
The latest information regarding the Samsung Galaxy S10+ tells us that the phone might be named the Samsung Galaxy S10 Pro. This happened after a recent patent application filed by Samsung that suggested that the smartphone is going to have a new software. This new software will be called Neuro Game Booster. The Samsung Galaxy S10 series is one of the launches that users are most committed to. The leak that is being talked about has been tipped by Ice Universe, wherein there is a photo that shows the Galaxy S10+’s dual front cameras.
In the previous leaks, we have learnt that the Galaxy S10+ is going to sport an Infinity-O display design. This design is actually a selfie hole in the display meant to eliminate the notch. This variant will reportedly sport two holes on the top right edge, that corroborates with the past leaks. We think that the Samsung Galaxy S10+ is a prototype because in one picture the smartphone is sealed inside a case. Tipster Max J. cites from unconfirmed sources to suggest that the Ceramic version of the phone will come in black metallic finish. In terms of pricing, the ceramic version of the Samsung Galaxy S10+ is going to cost EUR 1600 that is, in Indian currency, roughly Rs 1,29,600. According to reports, it has been confirmed that Samsung has applied for a new trademark at the European Union’s IP Office, for a software called the Neuro Game Booster. The application indicates that the Samsung Galaxy S10 series will be equipped with the Neuro Game Booster; and emphasised this on the premium variant. It is possible that the Samsung Galaxy S10+ being premium variant was the one being talked about here. Samsung will most probably launch the S10 series at the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 20. Samsung will reportedly introduce a 5G variant smartphone as a part of this launch. The MWC is also happening during the month of February where smartphone brands are going to launch a plethora of devices. This includes the Oppo foldable smartphone. Stay tuned until then. Image courtesy: onleaks and 91mobiles 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.Galaxy S10+ leaked again, saw those two eyes? pic.twitter.com/92UW2HWInS
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) January 22, 2019
Moto G7 and Moto G7 Power images leaked yet again, set to launch on February 7
The Moto G7 and the Moto G7 Power have been leaked in the wild. To start off with the Moto G7, the images show that the smartphone has been revealed with a waterdrop-styled notch on the front. The Moto G7 will reportedly be available in two colours—red and black. There have been another batch of renders by 91mobiles that show the device from the front and back. Another set of renders were leaked, end of last year.
In those renders, we got to see the Moto G7 from all sides. We observe that the smartphone is going to come with a dual rear camera and a fingerprint scanner. Also, in terms of connectivity options we learnt that the device will come with a USB Type C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Coming back to the present renders, the Moto G7 will sport a 6.24-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1,080×2,270 pixels. The handset will be powered by a Snapdragon 632 SoC and will come with 4GB RAM and 64GB on-board storage. It will be powered by a 3,000mAh non-removable battery.
To speak of the camera, the Moto G7 will have a dual rear cameras that would consist of a 12MP and a 5MP sensor. The front camera meant for taking selfies will have an 8MP sensor. Now to talk about the Moto G7 Power. Just like the Moto G7 we have three images of the Moto G7 Power. We know that the smartphone will carry a price tag of BRL 1,400 (Rs 26,200 approx) and will come in blue colour. The Moto G7 Power will sport a 6.22-inch screen with a resolution of 720×1,520 pixels. The device will allegedly come in three RAM options—2GB, 3GB and 4GB.
As its name suggests “Power”, the smartphone will pack a huge battery of 5,000mAh. One crucial information tipped by these leaks are that Lenovo will premiere both the devices at a press event on February 7. The other phones that belong to the Moto G7 series include the Moto G7 Play and the Moto G7 Plus. These might also be showcased but can be bought at a later date.
Image courtesy: 91mobiles
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Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 Lite price list leaked again
Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphones have been in news for months now. A lot has been said about the much-awaited devices and a number of leaks and reports have tried to predict what Samsung has up its sleeve for its next flagship smartphones. And now, a report has emerged from Germany that throws light on the pricing of the upcoming devices. Or rather, we should say that it confirms the prices that surfaced online with a prior report.
According to a report in TuttoAndroid, the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite, which will be available with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage will be priced at €780. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy S10’s 6GB RAM/128GB and 8GB RAM/512GB storage models would reportedly cost €930 and €1,180 respectively. Speaking of Samsung Galaxy S10+, its 6GB RAM/128GB storage model will reportedly cost €1,050, the 8GB RAM/512GB storage variant will be priced at €1,300 and its 12GB RAM and 1TB storage version would be priced at €1,600.
It is worth noticing that the RAM and storage capacities of the smartphones are tied. So if you wish to get more storage, you have to buy the option that has more RAM. And needless to say, that means you have to pay more. But on the upside, reports suggest that Samsung is not ditching the microSD card slot, so one can always opt for those.
We should also mention that these prices are similar to the British pricing that had surfaced online earlier, but it obviously comes with fluctuations in the euro/pound exchange rates. We expect costs in mainland Europe to remain similar, but we cannot rule out the possibility of the smartphones being more expensive in Germany, France and Scandinavia.
A list of colour options of the upcoming devices has also been made available by TuttoAndroid. The report says that Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite will be available in Black, White, Green + Yellow colour variants, and on the other hand, Galaxy S10 will be dressed in Black, White and Green colours. Speaking of Samsung Galaxy S10+, it will reportedly be made available in Black, White and Green colours just like the Galaxy S10, however, the company will also launch two other special versions of the smartphone.
We should mention that the three devices are scheduled to be launched ahead of MWC 2019 on February 20. Samsung has also hinted that it will be launching its foldable phone at the same event.
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Honor View 20 with 48MP rear camera launched: Price and specifications
Chinese smartphone maker Huawei’s sub-brand Honor has launched its View 20 smartphone at an event in Paris. It is worth noticing that the device had launched in China earlier and this was the global launch at which the company announced its pricing for international markets. Honor View 20 smartphone will also be getting launched in India on January 29. Here’s a look at the pricing and specification details of the newly launched smartphone:
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Honor View 20 price
Honor View 20 is available in two variants – one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and the other with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. While the former is priced at EUR 569, the latter can be bought at EUR 649. It is worth noticing that the 8GB RAM/256GB storage model is only available in the Moschino Co-Design edition that will be available in Phantom Blue and Phantom Red colour options. On the other hand, the base variant will be available in Midnight Black and Sapphire Blue colours.Honor View 20 specifications
Coming to the specifications, Honor View 20 features a 6.4-inch TFT LCD display that has an aspect ratio of 19.25:9. The screen of the smartphone has a hole on its top left to house the selfie camera and has a full HD+ resolution of 2310×1080 and comes with a 91.8% screen-to-body ratio. Powered by the 7nm HiSilicon Kirin 980 octa-core processor, the Honor View 20 is available with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, clubbed with 128GB and 256GB storage respectively. On the camera front, the device comes with a 25MP front-facing snapper that has a fixed focus sensor and an f2.0 aperture. On its back panel, it has a dual camera setup comprising of a 48MP primary lens with a Sony IMX586 sensor and an f/1.8 aperture, and a secondary 3D Time of Flight (ToF) sensor that can capture the depth of an image. You can also record 960fps slow-motion videos using the cameras of the smartphone. Honor View 20’s camera also has support for autofocus, AI HDR, and LED flash. The device runs Android 9.0 Pie skinned with the company’s own Magic UI and houses a 4,000mAh battery that has support for fast charging (4.5V/5A). Connectivity options of the Honor View 20 include Bluetooth v5.0, Wi-Fi, GPS/ A-GPS, and USB Type-C. 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.Google Assistant redesign starts rolling out, shows a Dark Mode on the app
Search giant Google has started rolling out a redesigned Assistant app to users, which brings various controls and buttons closer together. According to reports, Google has been testing the design for a few weeks now. We should mention that the basic functions of the Google Assistant app remain the same and the redesign has only given it a new look.
Google’s revamped Assistant app has rounded corners for all the cards that are shown to the user and includes Panel and Explore buttons on the bottom row of the main Panel screen. while the Explore button is now placed on the right-hand side, the Panel button is on the left. According to 9to5Google, the revamped Google Assistant is rolling out to those who have the latest stable version of the Google app (v8.91).
Some media reports also suggest that not all the users are happy with the changes Google has made. For instance, with the redesign, the Google Lens button and the Keyboard icon are placed very close to the microphone. So, if you type on the microphone icon, it sort of takes over the other buttons. So, users have to tap on the microphone button again to select the Lens or Keyboard icon.
As we mentioned earlier, Google’s latest stable version (v8.91) is getting the redesigned Google Assistant, however, the Assistant panel is getting the rounded corners with Google app 9.0, which is in beta as of now.
It has also been reported that Google is working on a Dark Mode for Assistant. This week, some leaks of Android Q hint at a system-wide Dark Mode coming with the company’s next operating system. However, it is being said that the company may roll out the Dark Mode to Assistant sooner than the release of Android Q.
Till now, the interface of the app has primarily been white. The app can now be seen with cards that appear to have a black background and come with white coloured text on it. If you want to use this mode of Google Assistant, you will have to turn on the battery saver mode on your device or if you have Android Pie, you will have to switch the ‘Night Mode’ in developer’s options to ‘Always One’. However, it is worth noticing that these changes were rolled out in Google app version 9.5, which is a beta release, so these changes may not make not be released with the stable release of the app.
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PUBG’s new update is going to bring night mode and an ‘awesome patch’
At last, we are getting the night mode on the new Vikendi map of PUBG. PUBG’s creative director tweeted that there is going to be a new ‘awesome’ patch on the PC test servers next week. The night mode is the most awaited feature and therefore, PUBG fans would definitely be delighted with this news. In the gameplay trailer previously, the night mode has been showcased so fans are already familiar with it. According to reports, night mode can also be called “Moonlight Mode”. The teaser has shown something about the PUBG Vikendi map as well.
In the teaser image, there is a snow bike towards the left-hand corner. Also, we have come to know that the night mode in PUBG Vikendi Map, in the teaser’s own words, “significantly changes gameplay”. To recall, the PUBG Vikendi Map for mobile was also launched on December 20. For the Vikendi map to be available on your phone, you need to update PUBG to 0.10.0 version. Tencent Games incorporated a special feature in which the ones who updated the game before December 25 were able to avail an Outfit Box III and 1,888 BP.
The PUBG Vikendi map’s theme was based on Christmas. When you are introduced to the PUBG map, you can see a snowy background with an SUV in the game which has Christmas lights. There is a Christmas song going on in the background and the words of the song tells players to cherish Christmas but at the same time warns them of their enemies. The dimensions of the PUBG Vikendi map are 6x6km. Other features of the map include Arabic language support. There is a Vikendi-exclusive vehicle called the Snowmobile.
However, appealing these features might be, they have a gloomy part as well. Players who exit from the matches in the beginning of the game are barred from participating in it for a short period of time. There are new commands that have been added for quick chats, added season spending rewards, the backpack has upgraded to show players the sources of unobtained items.
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Airtel rolls out 4G network in 900MHz spectrum in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Telecom major Airtel, which claims to be the fastest network operator in India, has today upgraded its network in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in order to enhance the network experience for its subscribers.
The company has started deploying its 4G network in the 900 MHz spectrum band in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana so that its customers receive high-speed data regardless of where they are.
To offer its customers 4G services, the telecom major is using 2300 MHz (TD LTE), 1800 MHz (FD LTE), and 900 MHz (LTE 900) in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Airtel is also deploying advanced network technologies and tools to enhance its high-speed network capacity and coverage. These include pre-5G Massive MIMO, 4G Advanced and Carrier Aggregation.
It is worth mentioning that Airtel has a customer base of 29.91 million in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Speaking about the development, Avneet Puri, CEO – Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Bharti Airtel said, “Our endeavour is to deliver best-in-class network experience to our customers. The deployment of LTE 900 will further boost Airtel 4G coverage, particularly inside homes and buildings. Airtel smartphone customers will enjoy a seamless high-speed data and HD quality calling experience on our upgraded network. We will continue to invest aggressively in the deployment of the latest network technologies to delight our customers.”
Recently, the company announced that it will expand its network in the state by rolling out 15000 new sites and 3000 Km of the optic fibre during FY 19 under its network transformation program – Project Leap.
A few days back, Airtel rolled out its 4G services in Andaman and Nicobar islands, where data connectivity has been a major issue since years. At the time of the launch, the company said that it will first be rolling out its services in Port Blair, which is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar islands, and then roll out the 4G services in other areas of the island too.
Airtel also said that with its 4G services, the native people of the island, as well as tourists, will be able to enjoy digital services like HD quality video streaming, superfast downloads and uploads and high speeds internet browsing. The company also added that users in Andaman and Nicobar islands will be able to upgrade to 4G SIM for free.
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Paytm Mall Republic Day Sale: Discounts and cashbacks on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus and others
If you have been planning to buy an iPhone, now is the time to do so. As a part of its Republic Day Sale, Paytm Mall is offering deals and discounts on various gadgets. And among them, the best deals can be found under the iPhone Super Sale which, as the name suggests, offers various cashbacks on different models of iPhones. We should mention that the cashback will then be credited to your Paytm wallet, so you would only be able to spend it via Paytm’s app. Apart from this, if you use your American Express card, you will get an extra 10% cashback. Here’s a look at all the deals that yoou can avail on Paytm Mall:
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iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
The latest flagship smartphones from Apple, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, can be bought with cashback offers from Paytm Mall. While you can buy the 64GB model of iPhone XS Max at Rs 1,09,799 with a cashback of up Rs 8,000, the 256GB storage variant can be picked up at Rs 1,24,789 with a cashback of Rs 8,669. Speaking of iPhone XS, its 64GB storage model can be bought at Rs 99,649 with a cashback of Rs 6,977 and its 256GB storage version is available at Rs 1,14,799 with a cashback of Rs 8,036.iPhone XR
The affordable version of Apple’s this year’s lineup, iPhone XR, is also available with a cashback offer during Paytm Mall’s sale. The 64GB storage model can be bought at Rs 76,299 with a cashback of Rs 3,815 and the 128GB storage variant can be picked up at Rs 80,297 with an additional cashback of Rs 4,015.iPhone X
You can buy the iPhone X during Paytm’s sale at a 13% discount at Rs 83,099. Additionally, you will also get a cashback of Rs 8,320. So basically, you just pay Rs 75,509 for Apple’s last year’s flagship smartphone.iPhone 8 Plus
The 64GB storage variant of iPhone 8 Plus is available for Rs 70,399 during the Paytm Mall sale. Besides this discount of 9%, customers will also get an additional cashback of Rs 3,520. Clubbing the two together, you only pay Rs 66,879 for the smartphone.iPhone 8
iPhone 8’s 64GB storage model is available at a price of Rs 59,990 on Paytm Mall. Furthermore, you can get a cashback of Rs 5,399 on it. Speaking about its 256GB storage variant, it is available at Rs 70,890 with a cashback of Rs 6,380.iPhone 7
Apple iPhone 7 can be picked up from Paytm Mall at a price of Rs 39,787. It is worth noticing that this a 24% discount on the device’s actual cost and customers will also get an additional cashback of Rs 3,581. 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.How to connect your iPhone to your TV?
You can connect your iPhone with your TV either with the help of an HDMI Adapter and cable or an Analog Adapter and cable. First, we will help you skim through the instructions of how to connect you iPhone and TV via HDMI Adapter and cable. Follow these steps:
- You need to first obtain an HDMI adapter. An iPhone 4 will require a 30-pin to HDMI adapter, others will require a smaller lightening to HDMI adaptor. Note that only models starting from iPhone 4 and higher can connect to a TV using HDMI.
- After getting the HDMI cable, connect the HDMI adapter to the iPhone.
- Now, you need to connect one end of the HDMI cable with the adapter and the other end with an HDMI port. For your information, HDMI ports are usually at the back of the TV, named HDMI port.
- Switch on the TV and the iPhone.
- Press the input button on the TV remote. In some remotes the button is called Source instead of Input.
- Select the HDMI port to which your iPhone is connected.
- Obtain an analog adapter. In case of iPhone 4S and older models, you will need an adapter that has a 30-pin connector. In case of the iPhone 5 and higher models you will need a lightning to VGA adapter.
- Obtain a composite or VGA cable.
- Connect your analog adapter to the iPhone.
- Now, connect one end of the Analog cable to the adapter and the other end to the TV. Each connecting end of the adapter and cable should be of the same colour.
- Switch on the TV and iPhone.
- Now press the Input button on the remote. As mentioned, in some cases it can also be called Source.
- Finally, select the Composite or VGA port to which your iPhone is connected.
PVR and Amazon Alexa partner, this is what Alexa can do now
PVR Cinemas, which is the biggest chain of movie theatres in India is now available on Amazon’s AI-powered voice assistant, Alexa. The company has endeavoured to enable customers to stay updated about latest movies, show timings, locations etc. Notably, PVR Cinemas is the first Indian multiplex chain to be live on Alexa skill that promises to ensure seamless pre-visit experience to customers. The Alexa skill can be experienced across all Amazon Echo smart speakers as well as Alexa built-in devices like Harman Kardon Allure.
In order to use the Alexa skill, you need to enable the PVR skill with the help of the Echo app. And then link your account and say, “Alexa, open PVR cinemas”. This will get the AI started and you can then ask away. A key highlight of this service is that users can enjoy seamless bookings of tickets using Alexa voice assistant. Over that, users will get instant information about the latest releases, show timings, and nearest PVR cinema theatres. The PVR cinemas through Alexa skill enables users to know about movie watching formats such as Gold Class, IMAX, P[XL], Onyx, Director’s cut, Play House and 4DX.
Sanjeev Kumar, the joint Managing director of PVR Ltd said, “PVR Cinemas’ Alexa skill helps you find out required information at your preferred theatre for any movie that you want. This feature is truly convenient for every movie lover who is either a detailed planner or a last-minute cinema-goer. Further, it not only provides instant movie recommendations, schedules and location but also allow users to discover movies showing in different cinema formats. This feature is a perfect solution for customers to get instant answers.”
There is an option to use e-wallet to pay for movies too and users can do auto-selection of seats for the best viewing experience. Also, they can put reminders prior to booked show timings. Speaking of e-wallet, in case there is insufficient balance, users can opt to receive an SMS with a payment link and complete the transaction with the help of their own preferred payment method. Dilip R.S., Country Manager for Alexa Skills, Amazon India said, “The PVR skill for Alexa can be of a great benefit for customers who love movies and frequently visit cinemas.”
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Here’s how you can buy the Oppo R17 Pro at Rs 70: All you need to know
Chinese smartphone brand Oppo has introduced its Republic Day offer under which its Rs17 Pro smartphone will be available at a down payment of Rs 70. Starting today, Oppo R17 Pro can be bought from various offline stores across the country at an immediate payment of Rs 70, and the rest of the amount can be paid in six EMIs of an equal amount by Bajaj Finance.
We should mention that Oppo’s Republic Day offer starts today and will stay valid till January 31. If you buy the Oppo R17 Pro smartphone during this period, you will also be eligible for receiving a SuperVOOC car charger for free. However, you will only receive it post February 9.
To recall, Oppo R17 Pro smartphone was launched in India in only 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model. The key highlights of the handset are its triple rear cameras, edge-to-edge display, in-display fingerprint scanner and Super VOOC fast charging.
Speaking about the specifications, Oppo R17 Pro sports a 6.4-inch display that has a 91.5% screen-to-body ratio and houses a waterdrop-shaped notch on top. The smartphone has a triple rear camera setup on its back panel that comprises of a 12MP primary sensor with f/1.5 and f/2.4 dual apertures, a 20MP sensor with an f/2.6 aperture and a third Time-of-Flight (TOF) camera. Oppo R17 Pro sports a 25MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture.
The device comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 processor clubbed with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage. The smartphone houses a 3,700mAh battery and is the first in India to come with the company’s SuperVOOC fast charging technology. According to Oppo, SuperVOOC fast charging technology can charge the smartphone’s battery up to 40% in just 10 minutes. The device runs Android 8.1 Oreo skinned with ColorOS 5.2.
Speaking about the offer, Will Yang, Oppo’s brand director, said, “We are delighted to announce our 70 on 70th offer this Republic Day in India. OPPO as a brand is always introducing interesting offers for its consumers to help them experience technology at its best. Through this partnership with Bajaj Finance, our aim is to reach out to a larger set of consumers to experience the newly launched OPPO R17 Pro.”
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Top 10 smartphones that you can buy under Rs 20,000
Planning to buy a new smartphone but don’t wish to spend more than Rs 20,000? Here are ten good options you can consider:
This smartphone is absolutely stunning to look at and it has a very smooth performance too. Priced at Rs 19,999, Nokia 7.1 features a 5.84-inch full-HD+ PureDisplay panel that comes with an aspect ratio of 19:9 and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor clubbed with 4GB of RAM, the smartphone comes with 64GB of internal storage and can hold a microSD card of up to 400GB. On the camera front, the device has 12MP+5MP dual rear sensors and an 8MP front-facing sensor. Nokia 7.1 houses a 3,060mAh non-removable battery.
Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 is available in three storage variants – 3GB RAM/32GB storage, 4GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/64GB storage. While the base variant is priced at Rs 12,999, the 4GB RAM model costs Rs 14,999 and the most high-end one is priced at Rs 16,999. The smartphone sports a 6.3-inch Full-HD+ display that has an aspect ratio of 19:9 and is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor. The device runs Android 8.1 Oreo and houses a 5,000mAh battery. On the camera front, Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 comes with 12MP and 5MP dual rear cameras and 13MP selfie camera. Buy this device if you need a smartphone that can handle heavy usage.
This is one among the all-rounders in this range. The device has the looks, as well as the right specifications and it comes at an affordable price. Priced at Rs 15,999, Nokia 6.1 Plus features a 5.8-inch full-HD+ display, is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM, has 64GB onboard storage and houses a 3,060mAh battery. For imaging duties, the device has 16MP and 5MP dual rear cameras and a 16MP selfie camera.
This one is for those who love photography! And as the name suggests, it is one among the newest offerings on our list. Huawei Y9 (2019) is priced at Rs 15,990, and it comes with a 6.5-inch FHD+ FullView display, is powered by 2.2Ghz octa-core Kirin 710 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and runs Android Oreo. The device houses a 4,000mAh battery and comes with dual selfie as well as dual rear cameras. Huawei Y9 (2019) comes with 16MP+2MP selfie cameras and 13MP+2MP primary cameras.
As the name suggests, Motorola One Power is aimed at heavy users. Priced at Rs 15,999, the smartphone comes with very powerful specifications. It sports a 6.2-inch full-HD+ LCD Max Vision display and is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The smartphone is a part of Google’s Android One program which promises timely Android and security updates for the next two and three years respectively. Motorola One Power houses a 5,000mAH battery and features 16MP+5MP dual rear cameras.
Honor 8X is another very good looking smartphone on our list. The smartphone has a 6.5-inch fullView and is powered by an octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 710 processor clubbed with 4GB/6GB of RAM. Honor 8X sports 20MP and 2MP dual rear cameras and comes with a 16MP AI selfie sensor. The smartphone houses a 3,750mAh battery that comes with intelligent power saving.
This one is a budget option for selfie lovers. The pricing of the smartphone starts at Rs 11,999, and its high-end version costs Rs 14,999. Realme U1 comes with a 6.3-inch FHD+ Dewdrop LCD display and is powered by the MediaTek Helio P70 processor coupled with 3GB/4GB of RAM. The device houses a 3,500mAh battery and runs Android 8.1 Oreo skinned with Color OS 5.2. Realme U1 sports 13MP and 2MP dual rear cameras and for selfies, it has a 25MP IMX576 sensor that is said to come with 0.9µm pixels that can be binned for enhanced performance in dimly-lit conditions.
Considering that Vivo has always focussed on its smartphones’ front cameras, this device is for selfie lovers too. It comes in 4GB and 6GB RAM variants that are priced at Rs 17,990 and Rs 19,990 respectively. Coming to the specifications, Vivo V9 Pro features a 6.3-inch FHD+ display and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC. The device runs Android Oreo skinned with Funtouch OS 4 and comes with 13MP+2MP dual rear cameras along with a 16MP selfie shooter.
Huawei P20 Lite is another good device that can be bought in this price segment and we think that it is overall a good performer. Priced at Rs 19,999, the smartphone has a 5.8-inch TFT LCD display and is powered by octa-core Kirin 659 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM. Huawei P20 Lite houses a 3,000mAh battery and on the camera front, it has 16MP+2MP dual rear cameras and a 16MP selfie camera.
This one is another budget all-rounder on our list. The smartphone’s pricing starts at Rs 13,990 and its most high-end variant costs Rs 17,990. Realme 2 Pro runs Android 8.1 Oreo skinned with ColorOS OS 5.2 and features a 6.3-inch full-HD+ screen. Powered by the Snapdragon 660 AIE octa-core processor, Realme 2 Pro comes with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage. For imaging duties, it has 16MP+2MP dual rear cameras and a 16MP selfie camera.
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Nokia 7.1
This smartphone is absolutely stunning to look at and it has a very smooth performance too. Priced at Rs 19,999, Nokia 7.1 features a 5.84-inch full-HD+ PureDisplay panel that comes with an aspect ratio of 19:9 and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor clubbed with 4GB of RAM, the smartphone comes with 64GB of internal storage and can hold a microSD card of up to 400GB. On the camera front, the device has 12MP+5MP dual rear sensors and an 8MP front-facing sensor. Nokia 7.1 houses a 3,060mAh non-removable battery.
Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2
Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 is available in three storage variants – 3GB RAM/32GB storage, 4GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/64GB storage. While the base variant is priced at Rs 12,999, the 4GB RAM model costs Rs 14,999 and the most high-end one is priced at Rs 16,999. The smartphone sports a 6.3-inch Full-HD+ display that has an aspect ratio of 19:9 and is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor. The device runs Android 8.1 Oreo and houses a 5,000mAh battery. On the camera front, Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 comes with 12MP and 5MP dual rear cameras and 13MP selfie camera. Buy this device if you need a smartphone that can handle heavy usage.
Nokia 6.1 Plus
This is one among the all-rounders in this range. The device has the looks, as well as the right specifications and it comes at an affordable price. Priced at Rs 15,999, Nokia 6.1 Plus features a 5.8-inch full-HD+ display, is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM, has 64GB onboard storage and houses a 3,060mAh battery. For imaging duties, the device has 16MP and 5MP dual rear cameras and a 16MP selfie camera.
Huawei Y9 2019
This one is for those who love photography! And as the name suggests, it is one among the newest offerings on our list. Huawei Y9 (2019) is priced at Rs 15,990, and it comes with a 6.5-inch FHD+ FullView display, is powered by 2.2Ghz octa-core Kirin 710 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and runs Android Oreo. The device houses a 4,000mAh battery and comes with dual selfie as well as dual rear cameras. Huawei Y9 (2019) comes with 16MP+2MP selfie cameras and 13MP+2MP primary cameras.
Motorola One Power
As the name suggests, Motorola One Power is aimed at heavy users. Priced at Rs 15,999, the smartphone comes with very powerful specifications. It sports a 6.2-inch full-HD+ LCD Max Vision display and is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The smartphone is a part of Google’s Android One program which promises timely Android and security updates for the next two and three years respectively. Motorola One Power houses a 5,000mAH battery and features 16MP+5MP dual rear cameras.
Honor 8X
Honor 8X is another very good looking smartphone on our list. The smartphone has a 6.5-inch fullView and is powered by an octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 710 processor clubbed with 4GB/6GB of RAM. Honor 8X sports 20MP and 2MP dual rear cameras and comes with a 16MP AI selfie sensor. The smartphone houses a 3,750mAh battery that comes with intelligent power saving.
Realme U1
This one is a budget option for selfie lovers. The pricing of the smartphone starts at Rs 11,999, and its high-end version costs Rs 14,999. Realme U1 comes with a 6.3-inch FHD+ Dewdrop LCD display and is powered by the MediaTek Helio P70 processor coupled with 3GB/4GB of RAM. The device houses a 3,500mAh battery and runs Android 8.1 Oreo skinned with Color OS 5.2. Realme U1 sports 13MP and 2MP dual rear cameras and for selfies, it has a 25MP IMX576 sensor that is said to come with 0.9µm pixels that can be binned for enhanced performance in dimly-lit conditions.
Vivo V9 Pro
Considering that Vivo has always focussed on its smartphones’ front cameras, this device is for selfie lovers too. It comes in 4GB and 6GB RAM variants that are priced at Rs 17,990 and Rs 19,990 respectively. Coming to the specifications, Vivo V9 Pro features a 6.3-inch FHD+ display and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC. The device runs Android Oreo skinned with Funtouch OS 4 and comes with 13MP+2MP dual rear cameras along with a 16MP selfie shooter.
Huawei P20 Lite
Huawei P20 Lite is another good device that can be bought in this price segment and we think that it is overall a good performer. Priced at Rs 19,999, the smartphone has a 5.8-inch TFT LCD display and is powered by octa-core Kirin 659 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM. Huawei P20 Lite houses a 3,000mAh battery and on the camera front, it has 16MP+2MP dual rear cameras and a 16MP selfie camera.
Realme 2 Pro
This one is another budget all-rounder on our list. The smartphone’s pricing starts at Rs 13,990 and its most high-end variant costs Rs 17,990. Realme 2 Pro runs Android 8.1 Oreo skinned with ColorOS OS 5.2 and features a 6.3-inch full-HD+ screen. Powered by the Snapdragon 660 AIE octa-core processor, Realme 2 Pro comes with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage. For imaging duties, it has 16MP+2MP dual rear cameras and a 16MP selfie camera.
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[td_smart_list_end] Honor View 20 to launch today in Paris: Here is how you can watch the launch event live
Today, Honor View 20, the Huawei-sub brand’s first flagship smartphone of 2019 is set to launch in Paris for the global audience. The smartphone has already been launched in China and will launch in India on January 29. It is expected that in India, the device will be introduced with a price tag of Rs 40,000. For its launch in Paris, Honor is hosting a livestream event in the country at 5:00 PM (Paris Time, that is 9:30 PM in India). The video of the event will be live streamed on Honor’s official global website. Also, the smartphone manufacturer is hosting a global competition during the event.
In that global competition, Honor will ask users to write in the comment section, what their favourite feature of the smartphone is. Participants can win a Honor View 20 smartphone. The Honor View 20 runs on Android 9.0 Pie skinned with Magic UI 2. The smartphone is powered by HiSilicon Kirin 980 SoC. The device sports an IPS LCD 6.4-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1,080×2,310 pixels. There are two RAM variants—6GB and 8GB. The former brings 128GB on-board storage while the latter brings 128GB+256GB on-board storage.
Unfortunately, there isn’t any microUSB card slot for the Honor View 20. There is a dual rear camera setup that consists of two 48MP sensors. And there is a selfie camera on the front that has a single sensor of 25MP. The handset packs a big 4,000mAh non-removable battery. Connectivity options of the phone includes WiFi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, Infrared port and USB 3.1. The Honor View 20 comes in multiple colour options. These include sea blue, phantom blue, red and magic night black. The smartphone measures 156.9×75.4×8.1 mm and weighs 180 grams.
As mentioned, in order to watch the livestream video, you need to visit Honor’s official global website.
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Are these better than Apple Airpods? Unboxing & initial impressions of the Tiktronix True Wireless Earbuds
Tiktronix is an Indian brand, that is trying to make a mark in the country. They have got some great products to begin with and their latest to come to India are these True Wireless Earbuds. They retail at Rs 2,499 and are decent when it comes to the sound department. They support most Android and iOS devices, and users can connect them to nay device using Bluetooth.
Pairing them is an easy job and one need not be a rocket scientist to operate them. Users can also make voice calls with them as it has hands free function. Playback time is 3 hours and the supplied carry case can charge them fully within an hour.
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BenQ CinePrime W5700 and W2700 projectors with 4K resolution launched in India
BenQ unveiled today, its CinePrime W5700 and CinePrime W2700 DLP projectors. These projectors feature DCI-P3 colour, and both the projectors as the company claims, guarantee long-lasting CinematicColor with projector-optimised HDR-PRO support. Also, they provide individual factory colour calibration. Other highlights of the CinePrime projectors are ultimate audio-visual experience with simple wireless freedom that provides high-grade image quality.
The BenQ CinePrime W2700 4K HDR projector comes with DCI-P3 industry standard colour space and 4K resolution. The BenQ CinePrime W5700 has 2D H/V lens shift that is suitable for large rooms. Both the CinePrime models deliver 4K HDR performance with 3,840×2,160 resolution with 8.3 million distinct pixels for each frame. The optical system comes with six structured groups of all-glass lens elements for light transmission and ultimate image quality.
The CinePrime W5700 provides 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour. This is due to the enhancement of the BenQ-exclusive CinematicColor technology. The CinePrime W2700 covers 94% of DCI-P3. Both the projectors support HDR10 and HLG formats. The HDR-PRO incorporates auto colour and tone mapping techniques in order to provide superior brightness and contrast ranges. Also, the ideal image optimisation brings out stunning 4K clarity and depth for excellent video quality.
Rajeev Singh, Managing Director of BenQ India said, “BenQ continues to be the market leader with no. 1 market share in 4K projector segment in Asia Pacific and India markets. Today we have unveiled W5700 and W2700 projectors which are specially designed for budding movie fanatics to real enthusiast-level cinema lovers. With this new range of 4K projectors, we are extremely optimistic that these will turn any room into a world-class home theater with video-enhancing technologies.”
In terms of pricing, the BenQ CinePrime W5700 is available at Rs 2.49 lacs and the CinePrime W5700 will cost Rs 2.99lacs.
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Why would Apple do that? iPhone SE starts selling once again
Apple has once again started selling the iPhone SE. This has been tipped by Macrumors that noticed that the Apple device is once again available for purchase through the company’s official website. The iPhone SE was discontinued last year along with the iPhone X and iPhone 6s. Alongside, it launched the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR as part of the 2018 lineup. However, things didn’t go as planned because the new iPhone models did not sell much. As a matter of consequence, Apple was forced to restart the production of iPhone X in November.
Now, it has also started manufacturing the iPhone SE. There are speculations that the company wants to get rid of its remaining stock of the iPhone SE, which is why it has made this move. The Apple iPhone SE has two storage variants—32GB and 128GB. The 32GB storage variant is available at $249 (roughly Rs 17,800) and the 128GB variant is purchasable at $299 (roughly Rs 21,300). Before they were banned, the former storage option costed $349 and the latter costed $449. To recall, the iPhone SE was launched back in March 2016 and appealed to a certain section of the Apple market with the Cupertino-based-tech giant selling quite a few units.
To recall, the device comes with an LED-backlit 4-inch IPS LCD display. The iPhone runs on iOS 12.1 and has a 2GB RAM. The main camera has a 12MP sensor with dual-tone flash and HDR. The selfie camera on the other hand comes with 1.2MP sensor. Connectivity options of the iPhone SE includes WiFi 802.11, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, NFC and USB 2.0.
This Apple product comes with a non-removable battery of 1,624mAh. The three colour options of the iPhone SE include space grey, silver, gold and rose gold. It measures 123.8×58.6×7.6 mm and weighs 113grams.
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Mobiistar X1 Notch review: Good looks, not-so-great internals
Vietnamese smartphone maker Mobiistar recently launched its X1 Notch smartphone in the Indian market. Priced at Rs 9,499, the smartphone competes with devices from Asus, Nokia and Honor in the budget segment. Is it good enough to give smartphones from these makers a run for their money? Or will it not manage to make a mark in the already crowded segment? Read the rest of our review to find out:
The notch of the smartphone houses the earpiece, front camera and an ambient light sensor. The bezels that outline the display of Mobiistar X1 Notch are thicker than the ones we have seen on other recently launched smartphones. And its chin is pretty thick too. The power and volume rocker buttons are housed on the right edge of the Mobiistar X1 Notch and the left one has the SIM tray sandwiched in between.
The 3.5mm headphone jack is placed on the top while the speaker grille, microUSB port and the microphone are at the bottom. Flip over and you will see multi-toned back panel of the Mobiistar X1 Notch. While it was dominated by Purple, it has tones of Blue and Pink too. The rear panel of the smartphone houses its vertically stacked rear camera setup, its fingerprint sensor and its branding. In a nutshell, aesthetically, the smartphone is very good to look at, especially considering its price. Its rear panel makes it look premium and it does manage to stand out in the crowded budget segment.
Coming to the 5.7-inch HD+ display of the smartphone, it left us with a mixed bag of feelings. We have already grumbled about the big notch and thick bezels while talking about the design, so we’ll straight away skip to the rest. The quality of images projected on the screen was mostly good and the colour reproduction was accurate in most cases.
They also remain consistent at various viewing angles and the display has decent sunlight readability. However, watching high-definition videos wasn’t too pleasant of an experience. But then, at this price point, that is forgivable. Overall, we would say that although the display has some downsides, it’s good for the price at which it is being offered.
A pop-box appears each time you receive a message and it can be slightly annoying at times. But, these are things we can live with. What we really found to be a problem is the fact that sometimes, the smartphone didn’t register our touch at all. So we had to tap the screen twice or even thrice to perform the function we intended to. Even launching or switching between some apps took longer than usual.
Although the device has an option of being unlocked via a fingerprint sensor or a face unlock, we preferred the former because, in lowly-lit conditions, the latter doesn’t work that well.
Mobiistar X1 Notch is powered by a 2GHz quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 processor coupled with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage. Users can also install a microSD card of up to 128GB in case they need more storage. If we have to sum up the device’s performance in a sentence, we would say that while it can handle day-to-day tasks, it does not excel when it is pushed beyond it.
Gaming on the device was a decent experience, provided the games being played aren’t too heavy. So, if you are into games like Alto’s Odessey and Temple Run 2, it shouldn’t be a problem at all. However, playing a game like Asphalt 9 Legends is not as enjoyable as the smartphone begins to heat up. It also started warming up while we were using it for navigation, but then, that’s an issue with most phones with glass back panel.
The 3,020mAh battery of the smartphone lasts an entire day with moderate usage involving phone calls, browsing various social media apps and a little bit of gaming and navigation. By the end of the day, you may have to charge it again though.
Now, let’s talk about the cameras of the device. Mobiistar X1 comes with a 13MP rear camera coupled with an LED flash. According to the company, the camera of the smartphone is powered by artificial intelligence and can adjust the colours of shot according to the scene. There are a number of modes on the app including Facebeauty, Night, Panorama, HDR, and Pro Mode.
Most of the images taken in well-lit conditions turned out to be clear and detailed. The colours were accurate and the images had the right amount of sharpness. However, the same cannot be said for the images clicked in lowly-lit conditions.
The 13MP front-facing snapper also comes with AI enhancements and supports the Bokeh mode. It did a good job in well-lit conditions and we managed to take some great shots with the Bokeh mode. But then, in lowly-lit conditions, the quality of the image dropped. To sum it up, we would say that the cameras of the Mobiistar X1 Notch are decent.
We ran the Antutu benchmark test on our device and it scored 65408. For some reason, Geekbench didn’t run on our unit.Verdict and Final Words
The smartphone has its pros and cons. The pros include the design, the display and the battery life. On the other hand, the cons include the average performance, the heavily customised operating system and the not-so-great cameras. You may choose to buy the smartphone if you are really impressed by its looks, but we have seen smartphones in this segment that have a much better overall performance like Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 and Nokia 3.1 Plus.
Pros
Beautiful design, Vibrant Display, Good battery life
Cons
Average performance, Heavily customised software, average cameras
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Design and Display
As far as the design goes, the Mobiistar X1 Notch is really appealing. For the given price segment, the smartphone looks premium primarily because of the glass finish on its back panel. The smartphone has rounded edges and it is very easy to use it with one hand. The front panel of the device is dominated by the 5.7-inch display that has a notch on top.
The notch of the smartphone houses the earpiece, front camera and an ambient light sensor. The bezels that outline the display of Mobiistar X1 Notch are thicker than the ones we have seen on other recently launched smartphones. And its chin is pretty thick too. The power and volume rocker buttons are housed on the right edge of the Mobiistar X1 Notch and the left one has the SIM tray sandwiched in between.
The 3.5mm headphone jack is placed on the top while the speaker grille, microUSB port and the microphone are at the bottom. Flip over and you will see multi-toned back panel of the Mobiistar X1 Notch. While it was dominated by Purple, it has tones of Blue and Pink too. The rear panel of the smartphone houses its vertically stacked rear camera setup, its fingerprint sensor and its branding. In a nutshell, aesthetically, the smartphone is very good to look at, especially considering its price. Its rear panel makes it look premium and it does manage to stand out in the crowded budget segment.
Coming to the 5.7-inch HD+ display of the smartphone, it left us with a mixed bag of feelings. We have already grumbled about the big notch and thick bezels while talking about the design, so we’ll straight away skip to the rest. The quality of images projected on the screen was mostly good and the colour reproduction was accurate in most cases.
They also remain consistent at various viewing angles and the display has decent sunlight readability. However, watching high-definition videos wasn’t too pleasant of an experience. But then, at this price point, that is forgivable. Overall, we would say that although the display has some downsides, it’s good for the price at which it is being offered.
Performance and Camera
Before we start talking about the performance of the smartphone, we would talk about its software. Mobiistar X1 Notch runs the Android 8.1 Oreo with the company’s own skin baked on top. We found the software is heavily customised and we would have preferred to see something closer to stock Android. The app icons are different and app drawer of the device is integrated with the Home Screen.
A pop-box appears each time you receive a message and it can be slightly annoying at times. But, these are things we can live with. What we really found to be a problem is the fact that sometimes, the smartphone didn’t register our touch at all. So we had to tap the screen twice or even thrice to perform the function we intended to. Even launching or switching between some apps took longer than usual.
Although the device has an option of being unlocked via a fingerprint sensor or a face unlock, we preferred the former because, in lowly-lit conditions, the latter doesn’t work that well.
Mobiistar X1 Notch is powered by a 2GHz quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 processor coupled with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage. Users can also install a microSD card of up to 128GB in case they need more storage. If we have to sum up the device’s performance in a sentence, we would say that while it can handle day-to-day tasks, it does not excel when it is pushed beyond it.
Gaming on the device was a decent experience, provided the games being played aren’t too heavy. So, if you are into games like Alto’s Odessey and Temple Run 2, it shouldn’t be a problem at all. However, playing a game like Asphalt 9 Legends is not as enjoyable as the smartphone begins to heat up. It also started warming up while we were using it for navigation, but then, that’s an issue with most phones with glass back panel.
The 3,020mAh battery of the smartphone lasts an entire day with moderate usage involving phone calls, browsing various social media apps and a little bit of gaming and navigation. By the end of the day, you may have to charge it again though.
Now, let’s talk about the cameras of the device. Mobiistar X1 comes with a 13MP rear camera coupled with an LED flash. According to the company, the camera of the smartphone is powered by artificial intelligence and can adjust the colours of shot according to the scene. There are a number of modes on the app including Facebeauty, Night, Panorama, HDR, and Pro Mode.
Most of the images taken in well-lit conditions turned out to be clear and detailed. The colours were accurate and the images had the right amount of sharpness. However, the same cannot be said for the images clicked in lowly-lit conditions.
The 13MP front-facing snapper also comes with AI enhancements and supports the Bokeh mode. It did a good job in well-lit conditions and we managed to take some great shots with the Bokeh mode. But then, in lowly-lit conditions, the quality of the image dropped. To sum it up, we would say that the cameras of the Mobiistar X1 Notch are decent.
We ran the Antutu benchmark test on our device and it scored 65408. For some reason, Geekbench didn’t run on our unit.Verdict and Final Words
The smartphone has its pros and cons. The pros include the design, the display and the battery life. On the other hand, the cons include the average performance, the heavily customised operating system and the not-so-great cameras. You may choose to buy the smartphone if you are really impressed by its looks, but we have seen smartphones in this segment that have a much better overall performance like Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 and Nokia 3.1 Plus.
Pros
Beautiful design, Vibrant Display, Good battery life
Cons
Average performance, Heavily customised software, average cameras
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. Vivo Y89 with dual rear cameras, Snapdragon 626 processor launched
Chinese smartphone brand Vivo has today launched its Y89 smartphone in its home country. The Vivo Y89 is now listed on the Chinese website of the smartphone brand and is also available on AliExpress. The key highlights of the newly launched Vivo Y89 include the Snapdragon 626 processor, a 6.26-inch display, a dual rear camera setup and a 3,260mAh battery.
It is worth noticing that the device has been launched right after Vivo Z3i Standard Edition got unveiled in China last week. Here’s a look at the pricing details and specifications of the newly launched Vivo Y89 smartphone:
In This Article
Vivo Y89 price and availability
Vivo Y89 smartphone is only available in one variant that comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage and is priced at CNY 1,598. On converting this price in Indian value, it becomes approximately Rs 16,700. The Vivo Y89 is available in Aurora Purple and Black Gold colour options and can be picked up from AliExpress. As of now, there is no word on the smartphone’s availability or pricing in India.Vivo Y89 specifications
Coming to the specifications, Vivo Y89 runs Android 8.1 Oreo and has support for dual SIM cards. The newly launched smartphone features a 6.26-inch full-HD+ display that has a notch on the top. Powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 626 SoC clubbed with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, the smartphone can hold a microSD card of up to 256GB. Vivo Y89 has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and houses a 3,260mAh battery. On the camera front, the device comes with a vertically stacked dual rear camera setup that has a 16MP primary sensor and a 2MP secondary sensor. the dual rear cameras of the device are coupled with an LED flash. For selfies and video calls, there is a 16MP sensor on the front panel of the smartphone that comes with an f/2.0 aperture. The camera app of the smartphone comes with a professional mode, panorama, beauty, slow motion, AR shoot, backlight photo, blur photo, etc. Sensors on the smartphone include a fingerprint sensor, facial recognition, a proximity sensor, a photosensitive sensor, a gravity sensor, and a gyroscope. 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.Oppo might launch a foldable smartphone with 10X hybrid zoom at MWC 2019
Oppo’s product manager, Chuck Wang recently confirmed that the company is going to launch a foldable smartphone at the upcoming MWC. Reports had showcased a media invite saying that Oppo could be experimenting with new themes. These include Connectivity, AI, Industry 4.0, Immersive Content, Disruptive Innovation, Digital Wellness, Digital Trust, and The Future. The design of the invite has led many people to believe that Oppo might launch a foldable smartphone. However, we are yet to see what this smartphone is really going to look like. Hopefully it will be revealed at MWC in Feb end.
Oppo had also recently announced that it will soon launch a phone with the 10x hybrid zoom. Considering that the theme of the MWC 2019 is “Get Closer” it just might be possible that the Oppo will introduce this feature under this theme. With this, if we take into account the media invite sent out by Oppo, it just might be true that the device Oppo will launch is going to be a foldable smartphone with a 10x hybrid zoom technology. In this announcement, Oppo described it has something that uses three cameras than two. So maybe a smartphone with 3 camera sensors that can zoom up to 10X using three different types of lenses can be seen.
The Chinese smartphone maker reportedly added an ultra-wide camera and borrowed telephoto dual camera setup of the 5x optical zoom for this technology. Chuck Wang said a few months back, that Oppo is also working on a 5G smartphone that is going to launch in 2020. Also, it is expected that the Chinese smartphone manufacturer is aiming to launch its first smartphone this year with a display cut-out. Speaking of foldable smartphones, Oppo is not the only brand that would have monopoly on this trend.
In fact, the first company to come up with this idea was South-Korean manufacturer, Samsung. Samsung is also expected to unveil its foldable smartphone during February at the Galaxy Unpacked event. Recently, there was a press release by Samsung that showed banners on which it was written ‘Unfolding the future’. This is the biggest hint that tells us that the tech-giant will unveil a foldable smartphone in that event. Rumours are, that the name of the smartphone is Galaxy F.
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Is it tough enough? Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 withstanding durability tests surfaced online
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 was recently launched in China at a price of CNY 999, that is roughly Rs 10,400. The smartphone has been seen in a few durability tests that have reportedly surfaced online a few days ago. Through those videos, we are convinced that the smartphone is extremely durable. As to why we are saying so, let us explain you what the videos have in store. In one of the videos, posted by Redmi, the phone is shown being stomped by employees several times. Inspite of that, there isn’t a scratch on it.
In another video, the Redmi Note 7 is thrown from the top of the stairs, it falls on the ground. There is no damage caused. A YouTube video shows Redmi CEO Lu Weibing putting the device in a metal basket and covering the top with a transparent tape. Then he kicks it down a flight of stairs. All the same, the phone remains unharmed; without any broken parts, glass, or dents. There was another video surfaced on YouTube where a user uses duct tapes to attach two Redmi Note 7s with the wheels of a skateboard.
Finally, he attaches the remaining part of the tape to his foot. The user stands on the phone for sometime but eventually, loses grip. However, it is claimed that the pressure that was put was enough to break the screen and cause critical damage. Yet, the phone remains the same as it was before the test was executed. To recall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is protected by a double-sided Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The device is expected to launch in India by the end of January. Pricing is expected to be between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000.
It sports an IPS LCD 6.3-inches capacitive touchscreen which has a resolution of 1080×2340 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. The smartphone measures 159.2x 75.2×8.1 mm and runs on Android 9.0 Pie skinned with MIUI 10. The handset is powered by Qualcomm’s SDM660 Snapdragon 660 octa-core processor. It has three RAM variants—3GB, 4GB and 6GB. The 3GB RAM variant brings an internal storage of 32GB. On the other hand, the 4GB and 6GB variants have an internal storage of 64GB.
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Motorola Razr foldable smartphone design leaked online
Since the last week, Motorola has been in the news because various reports about the revamped Moto Razr smartphone started circulating online. Adding fuel to the fire, a design registration has emerged on the World Intellectual Property Organisation that showcases the design of a foldable phone by Motorola Mobility.
We should mention that the iconic hinge of the Moto Razr family is clearly visible on the design that has been leaked. The design showcased looks very similar to a patent that was filed by the Motorola at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in August 2018.
The design registration that was filed by Motorola last week, was granted by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on Saturday. As we just mentioned, it shows that the smartphone will have the iconic Motorola Razr hinge and along with that, it will come with the iconic chin that the earlier devices in the range sported.
From what it looks like, the smartphone will come with two displays – a large display on the inside of the device and another one on the top side of the handset. Reports suggest that the second screen of the upcoming Moto Razr smartphone will be able to show some information to users even when their handset is unfolded.
The first display will come with more screen space and hence, it will be used as a regular one. The regular display of the Moto Razr smartphone will reportedly come with a notch on its top, which will house the earpiece. The back panel of the upcoming Moto Razr will come with two circular shapes on top as well as the bottom, which are said to be the selfie and rear camera of the device respectively. However, it is also possible that these circular shapes are, in fact, the fingerprint sensor and the Motorola logo. The report about the WIPO listing first appeared in 91mobiles.
Last week, a report by The Wall Street Journal said that Motorola is working with Verizon to launch a foldable Razr phone in February. The same report also said that Motorola is planning to price the smartphone around $1,500 which, on conversion, becomes approximately Rs 1,04,300.
The last clamshell phone launched by the company was the Motorola Razr V3, which was released in 2004. Reports claim that 130 million units of the smartphone were sold globally.
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The first display will come with more screen space and hence, it will be used as a regular one. The regular display of the Moto Razr smartphone will reportedly come with a notch on its top, which will house the earpiece. The back panel of the upcoming Moto Razr will come with two circular shapes on top as well as the bottom, which are said to be the selfie and rear camera of the device respectively. However, it is also possible that these circular shapes are, in fact, the fingerprint sensor and the Motorola logo. The report about the WIPO listing first appeared in 91mobiles.
Last week, a report by The Wall Street Journal said that Motorola is working with Verizon to launch a foldable Razr phone in February. The same report also said that Motorola is planning to price the smartphone around $1,500 which, on conversion, becomes approximately Rs 1,04,300.
The last clamshell phone launched by the company was the Motorola Razr V3, which was released in 2004. Reports claim that 130 million units of the smartphone were sold globally.
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. LG G8 with triple rear cameras, Snapdragon 855 SoC to launch on February 24: Report
South Korean consumer electronics maker LG was expected to launch its next flagship smartphone – LG G8 – at the upcoming MWC 2019. But now, a report has emerged that says that the smartphone will be launched ahead of the ahead of MWC 2019, on February 24.
The report also throws light on some key highlight of LG G8 including the Snapdragon 855 SoC, a triple camera setup on the back panel, a waterdrop-shaped display notch and 3D photographic abilities. Although a report that had previously surfaced online claimed that LG will be launching a smartphone with a secondary display at MWC 2019, more recent reports are not in-line with it.
According to the report in ETNews, LG G8 will be unveiled by the company on February 24 at 10 am. However, as of now, it is not clear whether the website is referring to the South Korean local time or Barcelona local time. We think that it mentions the latter.
For those unaware, Mobile World Congress 2019 is scheduled to begin on February 25 and will end on February 28. So, if the launch of LG G8 is indeed on February 24, the smartphone will be unveiled a day before the event begins.
We should mention that this isn’t anything unusual as a lot of major smartphone makers hold events before MWC to showcase their products.
The report in ETNews also threw some light on the specifications of the upcoming LG G8 smartphone. According to the report, the upcoming smartphone will come with a triple rear camera setup and the lenses of the camera will also have a 3D shooting setup. The display of the device will reportedly have a waterdrop-shaped notch on top, which is something that we have seen in a number of smartphones lately. LG G8 is said to be powered by the latest Snapdragon 855 processor, which will also be used by Samsung, Sony and OnePlus in their respective flagships.
However, until now, Samsung is the only company that has confirmed the launch date of its next flagship device. The technology giant said that it will be launching its next flagship smartphones on February 20 and has also hinted that it will also take wraps off its much-talked-about foldable phone at the same event.
Image courtesy: @Onleaks, 91mobiles
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