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Showing posts from October, 2019

How Microsoft has quietly started automating driving tests in India using AI

Let’s face it: the process of acquiring a licence to drive in India is as easy as walking up to the nearest convenience store and asking for a pack of Lay’s. This is in part due to unfair, ineffective, non-standardised driving tests, negligence in execution, and corrupt government officials. Well, Microsoft Research India believes it has the solution to at least one of those problems. In a recent announcement, Microsoft demonstrated the use of its new smartphone-based driving test system, HAMS, in the real world. Called HAMS (Harnessing AutoMobiles for Safety), Microsoft’s new invention uses proprietary software on an off-the-shelf low-cost mobile phone along with a proprietary edge cloud architecture to deliver an accurate automated driving test. The first state transport authority to deploy Microsoft’s HAMS is the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Dehradun in the state of Uttarakhand. Microsoft says its system employs deep learning models along with traditional computer vision techni...
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Airtel to gradually phase out data rollover for broadband users, postpaid users to still get the benefit

Competition in the telecom sector has been gradually increasing ever since Reliance Jio commenced its commercial operations. Rival telcos such as Airtel and Vodafone-Idea had to revamp their entire offering lineup to keep up and retain their subscriber base. Airtel has again made some changes to the benefits it offers to its broadband customers but unfortunately, its users might not like it. Airtel will be gradually phasing out the data rollover facility it offers to its broadband users. We confirmed with Airtel about this development and were told that this change will gradually come into effect for all of its broadband users.  Since this a gradual change, this means that any data left in an Airtel broadband users’ data bank won’t be wiped out. They will be able to use it till it is depleted, however, no additional data will be added over their existing data since the rollover option is no longer available. For example, let's assume you have a total of 1000GB data left in yo...
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Google to stop indexing Flash content by the end of 2019

Adobe introduced Flash way back in 1996 as a way of producing richer content on the web and on computers. As time went on, fewer and fewer browsers continued to support Flash. The latest development comes from Google that has announced it will stop indexing and ranking Flash content in its search engine. The search engine will no longer process content within Flash SWF files on websites designed fully in Flash or the sites that have portions in Flash. Flash was a very popular web publishing platform in the late 90s. It inspired many new content creators on the web. In a blog post titled “Goodbye, Flash,”, the company said, “Google Search will stop supporting Flash later this year. In Web pages that contain Flash content, Google Search will ignore the Flash content.”  Flash is disabled by default in Chrome (starting in version 76), Microsoft Edge, and FireFox 69. Google advocated that by not using the Flash, users would be able to enjoy “faster, safer, and more battery-efficient b...
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Sony PlayStation 4 is officially the second-best selling console of all time

It finally happened. It took a good 6 long years for the writing to finally hit the wall but as of right now, the PlayStation 4 has officially become the second bestselling console of all time, behind its ancestor, the PlayStation 2. The PS4 overtakes the Sony PlayStation One to claim the second spot. The fact that the top three systems ever sold belong to Sony, it’s clear that the Japanese giant understand the console market better than their competitors.  The main issue that Nintendo and Microsoft have been left behind could be partially blamed because of the games. The true heart of any console. You could have the coolest looking, most powerful system ever, but if you don’t have any good games for it, then what’s the point? Sony realized this and dove headfirst into creating some of the best exclusives on the market. Games like Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War and even The Last of Us: Remastered were all manor financially and critical hits. You could even go as far as to say that ...
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Kuo predicts 2020 Macbook Pro and Macbook Air to use scissor switches in keyboards

Rumours around the alleged 16-inch MacBook Pro are getting ridiculous at this point. Most of them stem from investor notes sent out by Ming chi Kuo, a financial analyst who seems to have garnered a reputation for being able to predict what Apple is going to do and when. However, during the course of the year, he is often known to retract earlier predictions, so by the time the product actually launches, his overall accuracy is 50-50 at best. Now, in another investor note read by MacRumours, Kuo says that Apple will launch new Macbook Pros in 2020 with a scissor keyboard. Kuo’s investor note points out that Winstron is getting ready to supply parts to Apple for the scissor mechanism in keyboards, a type that Apple used last in 2015. The company had moved to the butterfly switches since them, which have continued to garner a bad reputation when it comes to reliability. What is unclear from the note is whether Kuo is talking about the rumoured 16-inch Macbook Pro or refreshes of the exi...
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Xiaomi Mi Watch will run MIUI for Watch, to have a dedicated app store

Xiaomi is planning to launch a smartwatch alongside the Mi Note 10 (CC9 Pro in China) on November 5. While there were rumours that it will run WearOS, that didn’t turn out to be true. The company has revealed that Mi Watch will run a special version of its Android-based operating system called MIUI for Watch. It is expected to be an open ecosystem that incorporates MIUI into wearables. The company has revealed two videos that show the OS in action. According to the reports, MIUI for Watch will have a dedicated app store. It is said to include apps like maps and even TikTok. Further, the store will have music streaming apps and several watch faces as well. One of the videos shows a video streaming app in use. However, why would anybody like to watch a video on a watch is yet to be known.  The Xiaomi smartwatch will most likely be powered by the Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor. Earlier reports have given us a quick look at what’s inside the new Xiaomi smartwatch: radios for Wi-Fi, N...
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WhatsApp could finally let users log into multiple devices simultaneously

There was a time when WhatsApp was the only chat app that everyone talked about. However, it is now facing competition from numerous other apps like Telegram, WeChat and others. Developers of the app have been adding new features to their online messaging app so that users don’t switch to its rival’s offerings. It recently added a new fingerprint lock mechanism in the app that enables users to lock the app and unlock it via fingerprint authentication. Now, as per WABetaInfo, WhatsApp might finally enable its users to simultaneously log in to more than one device.  The information was outed via a tweet by WABetaInfo, which reads, “As previously announced, WhatsApp is developing a feature what will allow to use your WhatsApp account on more devices at the same time. Chats will be still end-to-end encrypted because WhatsApp was developing a new method to assign keys to specific device.” As mentioned, WhatsApp won’t take risks when it comes to privacy and security since the chats...
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WhatsApp confirms Israeli spyware used to snoop on Indian journalists and activists before 2019 General Elections

WhatsApp has revealed that Israeli spyware Pegasus was used to snoop on Indian journalists and human rights activists in a disclosure that followed a lawsuit in a US federal court in San Francisco on Tuesday. Facebook-owned WhatsApp alleged that over 1,400 WhatsApp users were targets of surveillance by Pegasus. While WhatsApp declined to mention the number of people compromised, or even their identities, a WhatsApp spokesperson told The Indian Express that the company was aware of the issue and had contacted each one of them. The spokesperson did state the number of people targeted were “not an insignificant number.” The report by Indian Express claims at least two dozen academics, lawyers, Dalit activists and journalists across India were alerted by WhatsApp that their phones have been under surveillance for a two-week period till May 2019. The time period coincides with the 2019 General Elections in India. The NSO group which built the Pegasus spyware strongly denied WhatsApp’...
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Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite powered by Snapdragon 855 SoC spotted on Geekbench

Samsung may be looking forward to launching the ‘lite’ variant of its flagship, the Galaxy S10. As we reported earlier, the South Korean manufacturer is planning to launch even more versions of its Galaxy S10. Now, the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite has been spotted on Geekbench. While the smartphone is still a mystery, a Samsung device bearing the SM-G770F model number has appeared on a Geekbench 5 listing, which has revealed some details about the Galaxy S10 Lite. According to the Geekbench 5 listing, Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, paired with 8GB RAM. It may run Android 10 out of the box. The smartphone managed 724 points in the single-core department and 2,604 in the multi-core test. Interestingly, the scores are higher than both Exynos and Snapdragon version of the regular S10. A recent report also revealed the colours of the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite. It is expected to come in ‘some familiar paint jobs’, including white, black, and bl...
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2020 5G iPhones to use Qualcomm X55 modem and 5nm chipset: Report

While most premium smartphone makers came out with 5G flagships, Apple was one of the few that held out this year. But that could change in 2020 if a new report out of Japan is to be believed. The 2020 iPhones, according to a new report, will come with 5G support by using Qualcomm's X55 5G modem. The X55 5G modem from Qualcomm will replace the X50 modem, and based on previous report, it could be sold both as a discrete module or integrated into a Snapdragon platform. Knowing Apple, it will be designing it's own silicon for the upcoming iPhones, and borrow the 5G modem from Qualcomm. Furthermore, the Apple A14 SoC that will house the 5G modem could be manufactured on the world's most advanced 5nm manufacturing process by TSMC. As of now, Huawei and Apple seems to be the only ones interested in 5nm manufacturing next year. Based on previous reports, we know at least two out of three iPhones in 2020 will sport flexible OLED displays, giving rise to rumours that we may see a...
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Google Hit by Australian Regulator Lawsuit Over Data Collection

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said Google had failed for almost two years from January 2017 to tell Android phone customers that they needed to switch off two settings - rather than just one - if they did not want the company to retain their information. from RSS Feeds | GOOGLE - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com https://ift.tt/2NoptSz
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Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon green-lighted by HBO

US TV network, HBO has confirmed that its has approved a prequel to Game of Thrones, which ended its run earlier this year. The new series is said to be set 300 years before the events of the book/show and will be called ‘House of the Dragon’.  The new show will be based on the book, Fire & Blood by George RR Martin and as the name would suggest, it will tell the story of House Targaryen. The new series’ pilot and additional episodes will be directed by Miguel Sapochnik, while Ryan Condal will be writing the series. It should be noted that the announcement of the new series comes shortly after it was announced that HBO had cancelled plans for another Game of Thrones prequel, which would star Naomi Watts. The Targaryens were epitomised in the Game of Thrones TV show by the character of Daenerys, who was played by Emilia Clarke. Daenerys was one of the stand-out characters of the series and the name was also one of the most popular names for baby girls in America. As one of the...
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MacOS Catalina gets new emoji, Siri Privacy controls through major update

Apple just released iOS 13.2, which brought a number of updates to the iPhone, the most notable being Deep Fusion. However, lost somewhere in the hype were various other features like new emoji and Siri Privacy control. Now, Apple has released an update for macOS Catalina, version 10.51.1, a fairly notable update for the company’s non-mobile operating system. The new update brings some of the same features that were introduced in iOS 13.2 to the Mac. That is new emoji characters, Siri Privacy controls and even support for the new AirPods Pro that were announced yesterday. In addition, the update also brings HomeKit Secure Video support and a large number of bug fixes. The full changelog as shared by Apple is below: The macOS Catalina 10.15.1 update includes updated and additional emoji, support for AirPods Pro, HomeKit Secure Video, HomeKit enabled routers, and new Siri privacy settings, as well as bug fixes and improvements. “Emoji - Over 70 new or updated emoji, including animals, ...
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Heres when your Realme phone will be updated to Android 10

Realme is on a smartphone-launching spree. While the newest edition to the Realme X line-up, the Realme X2 Pro, is yet to be unveiled in India, Realme has announced the Android 10 roadmap for its smartphones. Realme X2 Pro is Realme’s flagship device, which was launched in China earlier this month alongside the Realme X2, which is basically a Realme XT with a Snapdragon 730G chipset and 30W fast charging support. The smartphones will be launched in India on November 20.  Meanwhile, Realme is also working on updating its older smartphones to Android 10. The update will be made available to a range of smartphones from the Realme 2 Pro to Realme X2 Pro. Realme 3 Pro, Realme X, Realme 5 Pro and Realme XT will be updated to Android 10 in Q1 of 2020. In contrast, the Realme 5 will get the Android 10 update in Q2 of 2020, while the Realme 2 Pro is planned to run Android 10 in Q3 of 2020.  While the Realme X2 and Realme X2 Pro are yet to be launched in India, the smartphon...
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Samsung OneUI 20 beta users report being locked out of their phones

Samsung’s OneUI 2.0 beta program has been live in parts of the world for some time now, allowing some users early access to the next iteration of Samsung’s mobile OS. The beta has been available so far in very limited countries and only works on the Galaxy S10 flagship smartphones. However, a new bug has cropped up in the beta program that is causing significant frustration to some users by locking them out of their phones. According to multiple posts by users on various online forums, the phone is not letting users go past the lock screen despite them entering their PIN/password/pattern. Users who have remote unlock enabled in their Samsung accounts are reporting that they are able to remove the previous authentication method, but once that is done, they are no longer able to set a PIN/Pattern/password to secure their devices. In case you’re someone who is facing this issue and don’t have remote unlock enabled, the only way to get back into your phone is to downgrade back to Android...
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Google could add Games Hub to Chrome soon

We have all been there - playing the Chrome Dino game to keep the mind distracted from the frustrating reality of not having an active internet connection. Now, Google could soon add options for the users to choose games from. The company appears to be working on a set of changes for Chrome under the codename “Joy,” which will add a Games Hub to Chrome for both desktop and Android.  Google is preparing to add a new page, chrome://games on Desktop. One the other hand “Top Sites” page will likely feature a “Games” section on Android. The latest findings come from Chrome Story that says both of these sections could have a curated list of games built for the browser.  Chrome Story further discovered that Google is working on a browser version of the classic Snake game, which is said to be hosted at chrome://snake when it is ready, similar to the way users can access the Dino game at chrome://dino even when the internet connection is not available. Moreover, a reference to Proxx,...
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Redmi K20 Pro, POCO F1 start receiving MIUI 11 stable update

Xiaomi is pushing ahead with Android 10-based MIUI11 update for its entire portfolio of devices. At the launch of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, Xiaomi had outlined the update timeline for all its devices with the Redmi K20 among the first to get the update. Now,  the K20 Pro and the Poco F1 are also reportedly receiving the update. The MIUI11 rollout for Redmi K20 Pro is being done in a phased manner with only a handful of users reported getting the update. Along with that, Xiaomi announced the MIUI11 stable rollout for the Poco F1 on Twitter. This too will be a staggered rollout, so users might have to wait for a few days. For the K20 Pro, the version number for the update is MIUI 11 Stable 11.0.1.0QFKINXM. The update is 2.2GB in size and includes the October 2019 security patch as well. MIUI 11 brings new features like a dynamic home screen and lock screen including kaleidoscopic effects, dynamic clock, new sound effects, Mi File manager app, steps tracker and more. Interestingly, th...
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Xhelper Android malware infects over 45,000 smartphones and is virtually non-removable

Phones might generally be considered safer when we talk about viruses and malware, but this is definitely not the case anymore. There are numerous malware and trojan apps designed specifically for targeting Android smartphones. One such Android malware called Xhelper has now been reported of infecting 45000 devices. As per a new Symantec report, the malicious persistent Android dropper app was first spotted in March 2019 and while its code was relatively simple at the time with the main function being visiting advertisement pages for monetization purposes, its code has changed over time. The app now hides its icon, displays ads, can download other infected packages, and more. What’s even more concerning is that the malware can auto-reinstallation, even if it is removed or if the infected device is reset. The report mentions that around 45000 devices have been infected by the Xhelper malware until now and in the past month, about 131 devices were infected every day. An average of 2,400...
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YouTube Music gets support for widgets on Android, Siri on iOS 13, PWA on Windows

If you're a YouTube Music patron, there's some good news coming your way. Google's popular music streaming service has been updated across multiple platforms with easier ways to get to your music. On Android, there's finally a much-awaited home screen widget. On iOS, Siri can be used to play music through YouTube Music. And finally, on Windows, there's a progressive web app (PWA) in the works. There's also news of an upcoming browser extension for Chrome and Microsoft Edge. The home screen widget for Android, which users have been expecting to see for many months now, can be found on the latest version of the YouTube Music app (ver. 3.39.52). Available in two sizes (4 x 1 and 5 x 1), the newly added widget greatly resembles the older one from Google Play Music. It has the same media playback options as before, including play/pause, next track, previous track, thumbs up, thumbs down. According to a recent report on the update by 9to5Google, the widget can be dra...
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Mi Smart Bedside Lamp 2 goes up for crowdfunding in India

The latest Xiaomi product to join the crowdfunding bandwagon is Mi Smart Bedside Lamp 2. It is basically a bedside lamp that can be controlled using the Mi Home app. It also lets users set schedules and enable the transient Flow mode. The product is priced at Rs 2,299 and will start shipping starting December 3. Just like its LED smart bulb, Xiaomi’s new Smart Bedside Lamp 2 also offers 16 million colours to choose from. The Mi Smart Bedside Lamp 2 is  Wi-Fi-enabled and works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, so users can control it with their voice. Further, it comes equipped with a double-layer lampshade that gives off a warm glow. The device has a touch-sensitive panel that can be used to adjust brightness, change the light colour + mode and power on/off the lamp. Users can change the colour of the light or mode with a short or long press. Actions like slide up or down work to adjust the brightness and also turn the light on or off. Xiaomi claims the Mi ...
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Moto 360 smartwatch is making a comeback, but theres a twist

Motorola launched its first smartwatch, Moto 360 in 2015 and its sequel in 2016. The company then exited the smartwatch market. Now, the Moto 360 is making a comeback after 3 years. But, the new smartwatch is not made by Motorola. Yeah, you read that right: the Moto 360 has been announced, but it’s not made by Motorola. Instead, it is made by a company called eBuyNow, which has licensed the Moto 360 brand from Motorola. The 3rd generation Moto 360 looks like the successor of 2nd gen Moto 360 released 3 years ago. However, it does not feature the signature “flat tire” display. It comes equipped with a 1.2-inch fully circular OLED display with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels that features always-on functionality.  The new Moto 360 smartwatch has two physical buttons on the sides that is similar to the rotating crowns seen on other smartwatches. The top button helps users to scroll through the UI of the smartwatch and the lower button enables users to customise app launch shortcuts...
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Microsoft Xbox One streaming to Android now available in preview

Microsoft has started allowing Xbox One Testers in the US and UK to try out the Xbox Console Streaming feature. The feature allows users to stream Xbox One games from their console to their mobile device. The feature is available to Xbox Insiders in the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings and is currently only offered on Android smartphones and tablets.  “Our vision at Xbox is to empower you to play Xbox games where you want, when you want. Whether you’ve got just a few minutes to complete a race in Forza, or find yourself with an hour to get some online multiplayer in before the next train arrives, console streaming allows you to play your games on the go,” writes Jonathan Hildebrandt, Principal Program Manager at Xbox.  Those eligible for Xbox Console Streaming will need to have a phone or tablet running Android 6.0 or higher with Bluetooth 4.0. They also need a Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One Wireless Controller. Users will then have to download the Xbox Game Streaming ...
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Call of Duty: Mobile is offering a free upgrade to an automatic sniper rifle for Halloween

If the DL Q33 sniper rifle is not being useful enough for you in Call of Duty: Mobile, the game is offering a limited-period free upgrade to the Arctic.50 rifle with a bat-themed camo of it. You only have two days to unlock the gun, otherwise the gun unlocks when you reach level 67. The Arctic.50 rifle’s stats reveal it can deal a one-shot kill damage if you aim right. The rifle has a lesser 85 damage point (can be extended to 95 with the FMJ-SR bullet), while the mobility and fire-rate is much better than the DL Q33's. The accuracy of both the rifles is the same. What this means is that the Arctic.50 has a faster rate of fire, letting you shoot faster than the DL Q33. Because of a higher mobility (largely due to lesser weight), the Arctic.50 also has less recoil. We played a round of Crossfire with the new rifle and the difference was quite noticeable. The gun comes handy in situations where you have to gun down multiple enemies in one go, especially in maps like Crossfire and ...
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Samsung unveils Galaxy Book Flex, Ion laptops with Intel 10th Gen CPU, QLED display

With PC manufacturers like Lenovo and Asus bringing in more Thin and Light laptop models each passing year, Samsung appears to be feeling the need to step in and try its hand. At this year’s annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC19), Samsung unveiled two new Thin and Light laptops under the Galaxy sub-brand. While the Galaxy Ion is a traditional Thin and Light model, the Galaxy Flex is a Thin and Light Convertible with support for the inbuilt S Pen stylus. Both laptops will be available in 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch variants. Their pricing and availability are not known at present. Galaxy Flex comes with an inbuilt S Pen stylus Both models are powered by Intel’s 10th Gen Core series CPUs and up to 16GB of system RAM. Storage goes up to 1TB on a PCIe NVMe solid-state drive. Both models feature a QLED display panel with a maximum resolution of 1980 x 1080 pixels (Full HD), AKG-tuned stereo speakers, a fingerprint scanner, Wi-Fi 6, and support for Thunderbolt 3. The 15.6-inch variants o...
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PUBG Mobile takes on hackers with new anti-cheat system and real-time detection

PUBG Mobile is one of the most famous battle royale games available for mobile phones. While it is facing stiff competition from other battle royale titles like Call Of Duty: Mobile and Fortnite, it's developers are working hard to add new features and bring new experiences. PUBG Mobile was recently updated with a new payload mode, new weapons and more but the game is still plagued by cheaters who employ unethical means to get a leg up against the competition. To counter this, the company has now introduced a new anti-cheat detection system, which is set to identify and ban in-game cheaters. This new detection software by PUBG Mobile is said to be the first line of defense against cheaters as it scans for software and modified game data. The company also uses "a massive and ever-expanding library to cross-reference when detecting suspicious software," which helps it keep up with new and evolving hacks and cheating methods. In addition, there are game observation techniqu...
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Xiaomi Mi Note 10 108MP camera zooming capabilities teased ahead of launch

Xiaomi has confirmed that the Mi Note 10 will launch with five cameras at the back. One of those cameras will be a periscope lens with up to 5X optical zoom, 10X hybrid zoom, and 50X digital zoom. To showcase the zooming capabilities, the company has released a video showing the camera in action. It shows Mi Note 10 mounted on a tripod on one side of the road while on the other side of the road, 5 meters away, is an eye chart. The phone zooms in up to 50x in the chart. Xiaomi Mi Note 10 will feature a glossy finish with a jade green colour. It will sport a penta-camera setup. The main sensor will be the 108MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor. The phone is said to sport a 20MP ultrawide angle camera, a 12MP portrait camera, and a 1.5 cm macro camera. Moreover, leaked images also show a curved display, a waterdrop notch, and hint at a tall aspect ratio.  Xiaomi Mi Note 10 was allegedly spotted on Geekbench where it was spotted to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G chipset,...
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The next Samsung Galaxy Fold could be a flip phone-style foldable smartphone

Samsung kicked off a new smartphone segment with the launch of the Galaxy Fold. With a flexible display, six cameras and a whole new form-factor, the Galaxy Fold ushered in a new era of industrial design for smartphones. Even though it was riddled with design issues, Samsung went ahead and launched in the market. In India, the Galaxy Fold can be grabbed for Rs 1,64,999. Now, it seems like Samsung is planning to continue making foldable smartphones. We have reported that Samsung is working on more foldable devices and the company has just teased a vertically folding smartphone. At the Samsung Developer Conference 2019 in the United States, the Korean giant has unveiled a new design for a smartphone that folds into a square. The new form factor is a completely different approach from that of Galaxy Fold. It folds vertically, like the old flip phones. The teased device is interesting as instead of unfolding into a tablet, it unfolds into a tall smartphone and folds into an easily pocket...
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Netflix explains its new playback speed tests after Hollywood directors rage online

If you were the director of a war drama film that’s streamed on Netflix by hundreds of millions of viewers, would you give your audience the option to speed up that lengthy but poignant scene that tears the protagonist away from their only newborn? That’s exactly why Hollywood directors were tweeting in rage and disappointment a couple of days ago, after reports of Netflix testing a new playback speed feature on mobile devices surfaced online. Netflix has since responded to the uproar in a blog post, explaining why it’s testing such a feature. The new playback speed feature on Netflix, which was spotted on some mobile devices a few days ago as part of a public feature test, allows the viewer to either speed up or slow down video playback by up to 1.5x/0.5x. YouTube and other online video players have had this feature for as long as we can remember. Netflix appears to be testing it on certain mobile devices along with the option to change the screen brightness and lock the screen witho...
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Red Hydrogen Project officially dead, founder announces retirement

What was supposed to be a smartphone unlike any other will now rest in peace. The Red Hydrogen One, the world’s first phone with a holographic display, was meant to disrupt the smartphone space but it was never really able to deliver on what it promised. Now, with Red Founder Jim Jannard retiring, the Red Hydrogen project is declared dead. Jannard wrote a post in the Red Hydrogen forums explaining that after turning 70 and tackling a ‘few health issues’, he thought it was now time to retire. This comes after Red teased a second Hydrogen phone in the same forum earlier this year. With Jannard retiring, the project now stands cancelled, for certain. Jannard said that the Red Hydrogen One will continue receiving support. Now, it’s unclear whether he meant just basic security updates or the latest Android version and new features. As for the second Hydrogen phone, it was teased by Jannard himself in the forums. He teased the phone while blaming the Chinese ODM who manufactured the Hydro...
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Gmail users can now enjoy dark mode on Android 10, iOS 131211 devices

In the past few months, Google has been slowly but steadily equipping many of its smartphone apps with a dark theme in order to complement the system-wide dark mode that was introduced in the latest version of Android and iOS a couple of months ago. The latest app in Google’s long list of productivity apps to get dark mode is Gmail. You can enable dark mode in Gmail right now if your phone is running Android 10. Oh, and it also works on Apple devices running iOS versions 13, 12, and 11. If you’re on a phone that’s running Android 10, which is the latest version of Google’s popular mobile operating system, the dark mode feature will be enabled automatically in Gmail if dark mode is turned on at a system-level (i.e., in system settings). If not, you can always enable it manually by pulling out the hamburger menu in the app, scrolling all the way down to tap Settings, visiting General settings, and finally selecting Theme. It’s the first item in the list. ‘System default’ is the default...
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Google Messages RCS arrives in India, heres why its important

Rich Communication Services (RCS) is the next generation of an aging SMS protocol, which has been here since the early days of the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM). The SMS protocol is about 27 years old. As for RCS, it offers advanced features such as file transfer, typing indicators, multimedia and more. This makes it similar to iMessage.  Google has been working on RCS protocol to create its “Jibe Cloud” platform since ever. However, it has faced delays in rolling out RCS messaging on Android due to issues with getting carriers on board because RCS adoption will cut into the SMS revenue. To recall, GSMA released a Universal Profile for RCS in 2016 and two OS makers, 47 mobile operators, and 11 smartphone makers pledged to support RCS.  RCS Messaging will allow users to send rich, verified messages, which means messages will be able to carry more information and enable users to send photos, videos and audio messages to one another. Users will be able to make v...
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iOS 132, iPadOS 132 update adds Deep Fusion mode in camera, AirPods Pro support and more

Apple is rolling out iOS 13.2, iPadOS 13.2 and tvOS 13.2 for iPhones, iPads and Apple TVs respectively. The new update brings new features like the Deep Fusion camera mode, new emojis, compatibility with the new AirPods Pro and more. The update is available for iPhone 6s and above. Apple has been releasing a slew of updates ever since iOS 13 first came out in September. It was riddled with bugs and the iOS 13.2 update fixes a lot of them. While updating to the latest iOS is always optional, if you plan on using the new AirPods Pro, there’s no other choice. AirPods Pro are compatible with devices running at least iOS 13.2, iPadOS 13.2, watchOS 6.1, tvOS 13.2, or macOS Catalina 10.15.1. New features in iOS 13.2 and iPadOS 13.2 Choose whether to share Siri recordings with Apple The new update gives you the choice to share Siri recordings with Apple. This comes after Apple received backlash over its decision to share Siri recordings with third-party contractors to improve the servic...
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Hideo Kojimas Death Stranding is finally coming to PC in 2020, no longer a PS4 exclusive

As soon as Death Stranding was announced by famed video game creator Hideo Kojima, it was assumed that the game would be a PlayStation 4 exclusive. After all, the game was releasing on the console and most of the marketing was centered around the PlayStation experience. And even though PlayStation players will receive the game on November 8, it is clear from an official tweet by Kojima Productions that Death Stranding will definitely be coming to the PC in the summer of 2020.  Thanks to all of you who have been supporting #DEATHSTRANDING! DEATH STRANDING release on PS4 is November 8, 2019!! Furthermore, KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS is happy to announce that DEATH STRANDING will be coming to PC in early summer of 2020!!#kojimaproductions #deathstrandingpc pic.twitter.com/Sk4clWWY1X — Kojima Productions (@KojiPro2015_EN) October 28, 2019   To be fair, it does look like more publishers are waking up to the fact that there is money to be made by porting console games to the PC. As both a...
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2020 Apple iPhone models could come with 120Hz refresh rate display

According to a new report by DigiTimes, smartphone displays in 2020 are expected to start using high refresh rate displays. This is supposed to include the iPhone, which is suggested to ship with a ProMotion display for 2020 models. As of now, all iPhones use a display panel with a 60Hz refresh rate, with the iPad Pro sporting a 120Hz display which Apple calls the ProMotion display. High refresh rate displays are starting to appear in smartphones a lot more frequently as 2019 draws to a close. Typically, a main-stay for gaming, high refresh rate displays also make the user interface a lot smoother, which is most notable while scrolling. For games, however, the display’s refresh rate only comes into play if the smartphone manufacturer and the game developer have both enabled support for the high refresh rate, case in point being the OnePlus 7T Pro, which has a 90Hz display but does not run any game at that refresh rate. Traditionally, high refresh rates were also limited to IPS pa...
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Xiaomi Smartwatch renders reveal Apple Watch-like design, GPS, WiFi, eSIM support

Realme may be bringing a fitness band to India sometime soon but Xiaomi has bigger plans globally, namely, an Apple Watch-rivalling smartwatch. Xiaomi recently confirmed plans to launch this smartwatch along with the Mi Note 10 (CC9 Pro in China) on November 5. But we’re already getting our first look at the new wearable from renders released by Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun through a report published by Gizmochina. And by the looks of it, the new Xiaomi smartwatch scarily resembles the popular Apple Watch to a great length. Just by looking at the renders from the report filed by Gizmochina, it’s easy to tell that Xiaomi’s new smartwatch bears a design that’s very similar to that of the Apple Watch. In fact, it wouldn’t be outrageous to call the new wearable a slightly taller Apple Watch, in terms of appearance alone. We say this because it appears to sport the same type of rounded rectangle frame with a single crown on the top-right edge and a power button just below it. The renders from the ...
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Samsung jumps on the slowfie bandwagon, will soon offer front camera support for slow motion videos in Galaxy S10: Report

Remember how Apple touted slow-motion selfies in its new iPhones? Well, it looks like Samsung is getting a piece of that pie. According to a report by Sammobile, the Samsung Galaxy S10 series is receiving a new software update that is introducing the ability to take slow motion videos using the front camera on the phone. Other new features include a function called Auto Hotspot, which allows users to share their internet with other devices that are logged into the same Samsung account. Further, users will now get a Media and Devices button on the notification shade itself, thereby allowing users to control any connected external devices. The update is also said to offer improved fingerprint recognition and the October security patch. As per the report, the update is currently rolling out in Germany and Switzerland, but it should make its way to other regions soon. Are ‘slowfies’ that big of a deal to warrant another bout of tech one-upmanship? We aren’t the right people to ask, to be...
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MTNL takes on Reliance JioFiber with new 1Gbps plans starting at Rs 2,990

Recently, we came across the news that the government might be planning to revive BSNL and MTNL with a big merger. While there’s no concrete information on when, or whether, this will actually happen, MTNL has announced a couple of new broadband plans in its Delhi circle. The new offerings by the telco are priced at Rs 2,990 and Rs 4,990, and they offer speeds of up to 1Gbps. This new plan comes soon after Reliance JioFiber service was announced and when most telcos are in the midst of revamping their current services and plans to keep consumers interested.  Coming to the details of the new Fiber To The Home plans by MTNL, the two plans have a set FUP.  While both the plans offer up to 1Gbps speeds, the Rs 2990 pack offers high speeds till 3000GB while the Rs 4990 plan offers the same benefit up to 6000GB. After exhausting high-speed data, users will get to access the internet at speeds of 5Mbps. Additionally, there’s 1000 and 2000 GB of extra data benefit for six months resp...
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Delhi metro smart cards could be linked to biometrics to offer fare concessions to students and senior citizens

In a bid to to offer fare concession to students and senior citizens, smart cards for the Delhi Metro could soon be linked to your biometrics, according to a report by Financial Express. The report also notes that the DMRC has the technology to link biometrics to smart cards and it’s ready. Only the physical implementation of the same will take some time. The announcement was made by the Housing and Urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri who said the DMRC has zeroed-in on a technological solution to offering fare concessions to students and senior citizens. How much of the fare will be discounted as concession will be decided by the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC). Integration of biometrics with smart cards will mean they won’t be transferrable. The card will be linked to the individual user who won’t be able to share the card with anyone else. The system will essentially be used to identify the beneficiaries, but how the DMRC will go about it remains unknown. The report does n...
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LG W30 Pro with 62-inch display, 4050mAh battery and more launched in India for Rs 12,490

LG has expanded its W-series with the launch of LG W30 Pro. The smartphone was launched alongside the W10, W30 and W30 Pro at an event in India, back in June. While the LG W10 and W30 went on sale in July, LG W30 Pro has been made available to buy through Amazon, now. The smartphone sports a waterdrop-style notch, triple rear camera setup and a 4050mAh battery. It is available to buy for Rs 12,490 and comes in two colour options,  Midnight Blue and Midnight Purple.  LG W30 Pro features a  6.21-inch HD+ FullVision Display with a 19:9 aspect ratio. The company claims it offers an 86.83 percent screen-to-body ratio. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 chipset, paired with 4GB RAM. It comes with 64GB inbuilt storage that can be expanded up to 512GB through a microSD card.  On the optics front, LG W30 Pro sports a triple rear camera setup: a 13MP primary sensor + a 5MP secondary sensor + an 8MP wide-angle sensor. It comes equipped with a 16MP selfie camera. Fur...
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Mi Note 10 with 108MP camera to launch on November 5 alongside Mi Watch, Mi TV 5 Series

The Xiaomi Mi CC9 has been making rounds on the internet. Now, Xiaomi has confirmed that the global version of the Mi CC9 Pro will be called Mi Note 10. The Chinese company has already announced that the Mi Note 10 will be sporting five rear cameras along with a 108MP primary sensor. Further, Xiaomi has also teased the launch of its first smartwatch and the Mi TV 5 series of smart TVs. Alleged hands-on images of Mi Note 10 have also leaked online. According to the first render shared on Weibo, Xiaomi Mi Note 10 will feature a glossy finish with a jade green colour. The smartphone is shown sporting five rear cameras. The main sensor will be the 108MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor. Also, it is said to offer 5x optical zoom support. Moreover, leaked images also show a curved display, a waterdrop notch, and hint at a tall aspect ratio. A Xiaomi phone codenamed “Tucana,” which is expected to be the Xiaomi Mi Note 10, has also been spotted on Geekbench. The smartphone is tippe...
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Google could be buying Fitbit, according to reports

Alphabet, the parent company of Google is reportedly looking forward to acquiring the U.S wearable device maker, Fitbit. The report comes from Reuters, which says Google may join the likes of Apple and Samsung in developing wearables. However, there is no certainty that the negotiations will lead to any deal. Further, the exact price offered by Alphabet is not known. According to the report, the matter is confidential and both Google and Fitbit have declined to comment. Google has been involved in the wearable market with Wear OS supported by a range of companies including Fossil, LG and more, but has struggled to compete with the Apple Watch. To recall, Google acquired smartwatch technology from Fossil for $40 million, and it is still unclear what that technology was. As Fossil stated, it was a “new product innovation that’s not yet hit the market.” Over the past couple of years, rumours have suggested that Google has been interested in foraying into the wearable market. In...
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