Habeeb Onawole, Author at Gizmochina

All You Need to Know About Pragati OS – Android Go(ing) forward

Habeeb Onawole — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 17:31:31 +0000

Pragati OS is a new operating system developed by Reliance Jio and Google. The Android-based operating system has made its debut on the JioPhone Next, an entry-level smartphone from Jio. If you are wondering what’s new about this operating system that brings to mind Android Go, then this post should answer the questions you may have.

A short history of Android Go

In December 2017, Google announced Android Oreo Go Edition as a lighter version of Android Oreo built specifically for entry-level smartphones. Since then, the launch of a new Android operating system has brought along a “Go Edition” for entry-level phones. Though we are still waiting for the launch of Android 12 Go Edition.

Following the unveiling of Android Oreo Go Edition, several manufacturers including Nokia, Alcatel, Samsung, Lenovo, and Xiaomi (Redmi), announced phones and even tablets that are powered by this lightweight version of Android. While most of these devices do not have any form of software customization that distinguishes them from one another, a few manufacturers have launched their own Android Go phones with customizations. The Samsung J2 Core and Huawei Y5 Lite (2018) are examples as both phones run Android Go but with a layer of Experience UX and EMUI on top respectively.

This customization brings us to Pragati OS, the operating system that powers the JioPhone Next, an entry-level smartphone made by India’s Reliance Jio in collaboration with Google.

Pragati OS – Android Go(ing) forward

Pragati OS is making its debut on the JioPhone Next, the new entry-level smartphone from India’s telecommunications giant, Reliance Jio. According to a blog post by Google, Pragati OS is an “optimized version of Android” “ customized to deliver a great smartphone experience to users in India.”

While Google and Reliance Jio are touting Pragati OS as a new operating system, the features it brings are directly carried over from Android Go or “optimized” versions of these features. Thus, it won’t be far-fetched to say that Pragati OS is the future of Android Go, going forward, at least for India.

Features of Pragati OS

While Google and Reliance Jio are being careful not to call Pragati OS a customized version of Android (11) Go (Edition), unboxing and early impressions video of the JioPhone Next show that Android Go is pretty much under the hood and even visible on the surface.

Not only does the phone ship with Android Go apps such as Google Go, Assistant Go, Gallery Go, and Camera Go, all of which are apps specially launched for Android Go, its key software features have also been borrowed from Android Go but alongside the apps, they have been fine-tuned for the Indian market.

For example, Google Assistant Go now has support for multiple Indian languages on the JioPhone Next. Users will be able to interact with the phone in multiple supported Indian languages and get a response in the same language.

The Google Go app will also translate supported pages to a supported Indian language and also read them aloud while the Camera Go app has a Snapchat integration with India-centric filters and Google Lens integration for translation. There is also HDR, Night Mode, and Portrait Mode. Since this is a Jio smartphone, there are pre-installed Jio apps too.

Will Pragati OS power non-Jio phones?

Pragati OS is jointly developed by Google and Jio, so it is expected that it will only be found on Jio smartphones.

Conclusion

It is clear that Pragati OS is practically Android Go with extra features for the Indian market even if the manufacturer doesn’t say so. That’s not a bad thing but there are not a lot of features that make this stand out from a regular Android Go phone. So those who opt for an Android Go phone from another manufacturer won’t be missing out on much.

There is the promise of frequent updates for the JioPhone Next, so maybe there is a chance these updates may bring more customizations and exclusive features that will help it further differ from Android Go.

Facebook is now Meta, kills Oculus name too

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 20:59:23 +0000

There have been reports that Facebook is planning to change its name, a move that will help people separate the parent company from the social media platform. Today, the tech giant revealed its new name is Meta.

The name was revealed by Mark Zuckerberg during the company’s Connect event. Meta will be the name of the parent company that owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Quest (Oculus is being retired). Think of it as the way Alphabet is the parent company of Google, Google Ventures, Waymo, Fitbit, Wing, etc.

Following the announcement, folks have renamed the acronym FAANG which stands for Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google to MANGA – Meta, Amazon, Netflix, Google, and Apple.

The change in name doesn’t come with a change in the company’s corporate structure according to Mark Zuckerberg in a blog post. However, financial reports will be different starting with Q4 2021. The company’s financial reports will be split into two – Family of Apps and Reality Labs. It will also trade under “MVRS” on the stock exchange.

In an interview with The Verge, Mark Zuckerberg disclosed that he has been thinking of rebranding the company since he acquired Instagram and WhatsApp. The change in name is also one of the steps the company is taking towards building the metaverse – “an internet platform that will be more immersive” and “with a feeling of presence like you are right there with another person or in another place.”

VR is the future of Meta(verse)

VR will be the backbone of the metaverse as Meta plans to bring 1 billion people into VR. To achieve this goal, the company has revealed it plans to sell its devices at cost or subsidized to make them reach more people. It will also continue to support side-loading and streaming from PCs to provide users with options rather than forcing them to use the Quest Store.

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Sony has sold over 13 million PlayStation 5 consoles

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 17:19:58 +0000

The PlayStation 5 is Sony’s latest gaming console. Announced about a year ago, Sony revealed in July when it had crossed the 10 million sales mark that the PS5 as it is also known as is its fastest-selling console in the history of Sony Interactive Entertainment.

PlayStation 5 and accessories

A new report via Winfuture has revealed the console has now sold over 13 million units. According to a second-quarter report of Sony’s internal fiscal year which ended on September 30, the Japanese manufacturer sold 3.3 million units. That figure is more than the sum of TVs and PlayStation 4 consoles it sold within the same period.

The report revealed an increase of 1 million units from the last quarter. The last-generation console, the PS4 saw its sales drop from 500,000 units in the first quarter to 200,000 units in the second quarter.

Sony is still dealing with supply issues as the console is not readily available to buy. So there is a high chance the total units sold would be higher if there were no supply constraints.

The report also revealed that Sony sold 76.4 million PS5 and PS4 games last quarter an increase from the 63.6 million sold in Q1 of its fiscal year. It also saw its PlayStation Plus subscribers grow from 46.3 million to 47.2 million while the number of monthly active users on the PlayStation Network drop from 105 million to 104 million.

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Early Pixel 6 series owners are reporting a screen flickering issue among other complaints

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 15:38:41 +0000

Google’s new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have been getting all the attention lately. The new Pixel smartphones which launched last week have begun to ship to some owners. And while there is a lot to love about them, it appears they are not without issues as complaints have begun to surface.

There are a handful of complaints but all of them are related to the display which appears to be a recurring issue with Pixel phones. For those who don’t remember, there were complaints about the Pixel 5’s display.

The reports about the Pixel 6 series display include a flickering issue on the Pixel 6 Pro. According to a Reddit post, the display of the Pixel 6 Pro flickers when pressing the power button while the phone is off. This is not a one-off issue as the comments under the post confirm many other users are experiencing the same issue. While it doesn’t seem to be a big deal, there are concerns that it might be a precursor to a bigger issue.

Display flickering when pressing start button while phone is off from Pixel6

Another user has complained about a green tint on the display of the Pixel 6. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro both use an OLED panel and this is not an uncommon issue associated with that type of display. Nevertheless, this issue can vary across the board, and depending on the severity, a replacement may be necessary.

Of all the complaints, the weirdest of them all is a second punch hole that has appeared on the Pixel 6 Pro, right below the first one. According to the user who shared a video on Twitter, this is not a damaged display but that the screen was punched twice. In the thread narrating the issue, he revealed he has had the phone swapped.

My pixel 6 pro has a broken screen #Pixel6Pro
The camera cutout has another cutout on it. It's everywhere and not part of the UI. Video follows pic.twitter.com/MH6sT9HOZx

— Mark Schramm #VR #AR (@MarkSchrammVR) October 28, 2021

Google is yet to respond to these claims. The phones are just beginning to ship out today, so these are from those who have gotten their device early. Nevertheless, it is disappointing to see that Google still suffers from quality control issues.

AGM G1 and AGM G1 Pro rugged phones pack a Snapdragon 480 chip, thermal imaging, and a 3.5W speaker

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 13:58:33 +0000

AGM, the Chinese rugged smartphone manufacturer, has announced two new rugged smartphones today. The AGM G1 and AGM G1 Pro not only have 5G but pack lots of features you won’t find on your regular smartphone.

AGM G1 and AGM G1 Pro Design

The two phones share a similar design but there are subtle differences that distinguish them apart. AGM says it has designed a new modular chassis for the phones which allows them to be moded.

The two phones have a waterdrop notch for the front-facing camera and a thick bottom bezel. On the back is a big round protrusion for the gigantic speaker it packs. The cameras and LED flash are arranged around this protrusion while a fingerprint scanner sits below.

The AGM G1 differs from the AGM G1 Pro with respect to the orange accent on the latter. This accent can be seen around the display, on the back, and on the corners of the phone.

It is important to mention that these are rugged phones with big batteries, so they are not lightweight. The AGM G1 weighs 360 grams while the pro model is 10 grams heavier.

AGM G1 and AGM G1 Pro specifications

The AGM G1 and AGM G1 Pro both have a 6.53-inch FHD+ LCD display. While it doesn’t say the type of protection available on the screens, AGM claims that it offers diamond-grade resistance. There is also glove support and the phone will continue to work at a temperature range between -30°C and 60°C. It can even operate for about half an hour when the temperature drops to -40°C.

Powering both phones is the Snapdragon 480 5G processor paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage. There is support for storage expansion for users that need more space for apps and files.

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The cameras on the phones are a 48MP main sensor, a 20MP Night Vision camera, and a 2MP macro camera. The phone can take clear and sharp photos in the dark thanks to the infrared night vision camera. This camera is also useful for detecting hidden cameras. However, only the pro model has support for thermal imaging. Both devices have a 16MP front-facing camera.

The AGM G1 series has a 3.5W speaker with an amplitude of 112dB. There is also a Smart PA that ensures the sound output is clear and not distorted. Another feature both phones have is a one-key rangefinder positioned at the top for measuring the distance between two positions.

AGM says both phones not only have an IP68 MAX rating but also an IP69K rating which is for protection against high temperature and high-pressure water. They are also MIL-STD-810H certified.

There is a massive 6200mAh battery inside each phone and they ship with an 18W power adapter. Both the AGM G1 and AGM G1 Pro run X OS 6 based on Android 11 out of the box.

AGM G1 Series Price and Availability

The AGM G1 has a price tag of ¥3699 (~$578) while the AGM G1 Pro is priced at ¥4999 (~$782). The two phones are available for pre-order on JD.com starting today and will be available for purchase on October 31.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4p0wrCBmV8

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Google announces Android 12L for tablets, foldables, and Chrome OS devices

Habeeb Onawole — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 18:29:08 +0000

Android has been criticized several times for not being designed to work on large screen devices such as tablets as compared to Apple’s iOS before it became forked into iPad OS for iPads. While Google has been tuning Android to support foldables, today’s announcement of Android 12L marks the tech giant’s major stride towards designing Android for large screen devices.

Android 12L was announced today at the Android Developer Summit as a “feature drop” that brings an optimized user interface for large screen devices such as tablets, foldable, and Chrome OS devices. Google says it has refined the UI to make Android more beautiful and easier to use on screens larger than 600sp.

Below are some of the visual changes that Android 12L brings:

A Google search bar at the top
A six-button power menu that includes bug report and screenshot
Two-column lockscreen
A dual-pane interface for the settings menu
A redesigned overview interface that shows the current app in almost full-screen while other apps are smaller
Automatic enabling of all apps to enter split-screen mode even if the apps are not resizeable
Ability for manufacturers to easily customize letterboxing
A taskbar for large screen devices to make app switching seamless

Google has said that Android 12L will be released early next year with the next wave of Android 12 tablets and foldables. However, it will be available today for developers while a developer preview will be released soon for the Lenovo P12 Pro. A beta version will also be released for Pixel phones in December.

Redmi Note 11 5G series specs and pricing details for Vietnam leaked

Habeeb Onawole — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 16:45:52 +0000

The Redmi Note 11 series launches tomorrow and the excitement in the air is pretty heavy. While the phones will be launching first in China, rest assured they will be coming to other markets later. Vietnam is one of the countries the phone will launch in and while there is no release date yet, the specifications and pricing for the global versions of the phones have been leaked.

According to the source, Xiaomi will bring the Redmi Note 11 5G and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G to Vietnam. There should be other phones in the series but they will most likely be announced later.

It has been reported that the Redmi Note 11 5G that will be sold in Vietnam will have an LCD panel and not an AMOLED screen. There will be a centered punch hole for the 16MP front-facing camera and the display will have a 120Hz refresh rate. On the back will be a 50MP main camera. Powering it will be the Dimensity 810 processor which will draw juice from a 5000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.

The Redmi Note 11 5G will be available in different configurations, however, the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage will have a price tag of about VND 5 million (~$220).

The Redmi Note 11 Pro will have a 120Hz OLED display, a 16MP selfie camera, and a 108MP main rear camera. The processor will be the Dimensity 920 processor, and a 5000mAh battery capacity. The phone will also have support for 67W fast charging, unlike the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G that will be sold in China which will have 120W fast charging. Unfortunately, the price tag for the Redmi Note 11 Pro wasn’t revealed.

There is no mention of when the phone will be unveiled in Vietnam but we don’t expect a global launch until next month at the earliest.

Honor X30 Max 5G full specs leaked a day to launch

Habeeb Onawole — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:10:23 +0000

The Honor X30 Max is scheduled for launch tomorrow. While Honor has confirmed some of its specifications, a leak has revealed all of the phone’s details.

Honor’s new phone will be a mid-range 5G device whose primary selling point is its large display. Screenshots of the phone’s product page posted on Weibo show there are a lot more features other than just the big screen.

The Honor X30 Max will have a 7.09 LCD display with a waterdrop notch and a 2280 x 1080 resolution. The RGBW panel has a DCI-P3 color gamut, blue-light protection, and multiple eye protection features. Honor says that the phone has a 90% screen-to-body ratio and that it has been designed to be carried with one hand. It has a thickness of 8.3mm and 35° curved corners that make it comfortable to hold.

There is a Dimensity 900 5G processor powering it and it is paired with 8GB of RAM. Buyers will be able to pick up the phone in 128GB or 256GB storage variants. There is GPU Turbo X, Honor’s new graphics engine that is also available on the Honor V40.

The spec sheet confirms the phone will have an 8MP front-facing camera and a 64MP + 2MP dual-camera setup on the back. It will have NFC, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, symmetrical stereo speakers, and HONOR Histen audio technology.

The Honor X30 Max will pack a 5000mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging. When it launches tomorrow, it will be available in gradient purple, blue, and black.

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Meizu 18X Jingdong PLUS Membership Gift Box launched in China

Habeeb Onawole — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 12:43:44 +0000

The Meizu 18X is one of three phones Meizu launched last month in China. The Snapdragon 870-powered phone has now gotten a special edition made in partnership with the Chinese retail giant, Jingdong.

The Meizu 18X Jingdong PLUS Membership Gift Box comes in a special white box that not only contains the white version phone along with matching accessories but also includes a Jingdong PLUS annual membership card.

The package costs ¥3345 (~$523) but those who pre-order can pick it up for ¥3099 (~$485). The configuration of the phone in the box is the 12GB RAM + 256GB model which sells for ¥2999 (~$469) if you are purchasing the regular version.

If you are not interested in picking up this phone, Meizu is also offering discounts on its other products today as it celebrates Meziu JD Brand Day. The new Meizu 18s series will be dsicounted by up to ¥200 (~$31) while the Meizu 18 Pro (8+128GB) which is priced at ¥5499 (~$860) will be sold for ¥3799 (~$594).

The Meizu 18X has a 6.67-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a centered punch hole. It is powered by the Snapdragon processor and is available in 8GB RAM and 12GB RAM versions. There is a 64MP triple camera setup on the back, a 13MP front-facing camera, a 4300mAh battery, support for 30W fast charging, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. It runs Android 11 with Flyme 9.2 on top.

Samsung announces Cloud Gaming Platform for Tizen TVs

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 23:08:32 +0000

The Samsung Developer Conference kicked off today, and during the keynote address, Samsung unveiled its Cloud Gaming Platform for its Tizen TVs.

Cloud gaming is steadily growing in popularity especially since there are now big players such as Xbox’s xCloud, Google’s Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and Amazon’s Luna in the new entertainment category. Samsung is now ready to join the fray and it is starting with its Tizen-powered smart TVs.

Unfortunately, Samsung has not revealed the details of its cloud gaming platform, so we don’t know how it will work and what types of games will be available on the service. However, Samsung did reveal some other plans for Tizen TVs:

Video communication – Samsung says a partnership with Google will allow users to enjoy better video calling on TVs via AI-enabled focus and zoom features.
Samsung Health – Smart TVs with a webcam will be able to analyze a user’s movement during a workout and provide real-time feedback.
HDR10+ for realistic gaming – Tizen TVs will also feature HDR10+ with automated settings for low-latency and HDR calibration.

Samsung says it will also launch “Tizen for Business”, a service that will support interactive e-boards in schools and kiosks as well as displays in restaurants, airports, and train stations. Businesses will be able to monitor these displays in real-time and easily apply settings to multiple devices with a simple touch.

Non-Samsung Tizen TVs are coming

Samsung also revealed its plans to license Tizen to other TV manufacturers through what it calls “Tizen TV Platform Licensing”. It said manufacturers that want to launch a premium TV platform like Tizen can do so quickly and with minimal cost. The decision to license Tizen for TVs to other manufacturers will not only help the manufacturers but also help Tizen increase its popularity.

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Microsoft is working on Windows 11 SE and an affordable Surface Laptop for younger students

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 18:16:24 +0000

Chromebooks‘ popularity, especially among those looking for low-cost computers, can’t be ignored. While Microsoft has tried to offer affordable computers under its Surface Go line, it hasn’t seen wide adoption. A new report says it is having another attempt with the launch of a new lightweight OS called Windows 11 SE that will make its debut on a new affordable Surface Laptop aimed at K-12 students.

Microsoft wants to take on Google’s Chrome OS with Windows 11 SE according to Windows Central. The operating system will be specially made for affordable computers starting with Microsoft’s own affordable computer which should launch as Windows SE. It is not yet known what SE stands for but this trimmed-down version of Windows will have features tailored for educational purposes. However, there are a bunch of details about the upcoming computer.

The source reports that the laptop is codenamed Tenjin and it will have a plastic body. Considering it will be designed for K-12 students, it should be able to survive kids’ not-so-careful handling.

The Surface Laptop SE (tentative name) will have an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 display, an Intel Celeron N4120 processor, and up to 8GB of RAM. There is no mention of the storage capacity but we won’t rule out the possibility of the base model having just 32GB of storage like many HP Stream laptops.

Other features revealed by the source are a full-sized keyboard and trackpad, a single USB-A and USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a barrel-style power port. We certainly would have preferred if it supported USB-C Power Delivery. The estimated battery life is currently unknown.

There is no mention of when Windows 11 SE and Surface Laptop SE will be announced but the latter is expected to be priced under $400 so it can compete with Chromebooks from Acer, HP, and Lenovo.

Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 778G Plus, Snapdragon 695, Snapdragon 480 Plus 5G, and Snapdragon 680 4G

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 16:57:03 +0000

Qualcomm has announced four new processors for the mid-range category. The new mobile platforms include the Snapdragon 778G Plus 5G, Snapdragon 480 Plus 5G, Snapdragon 690 5G, and Snapdragon 680 4G. The chip manufacturer says the new processors are targeted at the high, mid, and entry-level categories.

Snapdragon 778G Plus 5G

The Snapdragon 778G Plus 5G (Stylized as Snapdragon 778G+ 5G) is a slightly tuned-up version of the current manufacturers’ favorite, the Snapdragon 778G. Qualcomm says the new chipset has boosted GPU and CPU performance

Snapdragon 695 5G (SM6375)

The Snapdragon 695 5G is an improvement over the Snapdragon 690 5G that was announced last year as the first Snapdragon 600 series 5G processor.

The new octa-core processor is built on the 6nm process, an upgrade from the 8nm processor of the Snapdragon 690 5G. It also has a Kryo 660 CPU with a 2.2GHz clockspeed and an Adreno 619 GPU. According to Qualcomm, it brings a 30% increase in graphics rendering and a 15% improvement in CPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 690 5G.

The Snapdragon 695 5G also has Qualcomm FastConnect 6200, Spectra 346T ISP, a Snapdragon X51 5G modem with mmWave and sub-6GHz support, Bluetooth 5.2, and support for Quick Charge 4+.

Snapdragon 480 Plus 5G (SM4350-AC)

The Snapdragon 480 5G was a success and Qualcomm is building on top of that by announcing the Snapdragon 480 Plus 5G. The 8nm chip has a Kryo 460 CPU clocked at 2.2GHz, Adreno 619 GPU Snapdragon X51 5G modem, Spectra 345 ISP, Qualcomm FastConnect 6200, Bluetooth 5.2, and support for mmWave and sub-6 GHz technology. It also has Quick Charge 4+.

Snapdragon 680 4G (SM6225)

This 6nm processor is the only 4G chipset announced today and should be an upgrade over the 11nm Snapdragon 678. It uses Kryo 265 CPU cores clocked at 2.4GHz and has an Adreno 610 GPU. There is a Snapdragon X11 LTE modem on-board, Qualcomm FastConnect 6100, Bluetooth 5.1, and support for Quick Charge 3.0.

Supporting OEMs

In Qualcomm’s press release, HMD Global revealed that it will launch devices powered by the Snapdragon 480 Plus 5G. That should not be a surprise considering the manufacturer has five devices powered by the Snapdragon 480 5G.

Honor and Motorola have also signed up for the new chipsets but their statements didn’t reveal which of the chips they will be adopting. OPPO, on the other hand, has confirmed that it will launch a device based on the Snapdragon 695 5G in the coming months while Vivo has set its sight on some of the new chips including the Snapdragon 680 4G.

Xiaomi rounds off the list with a promise to launch phones powered by the Snapdragon 778G Plus 5G and Snapdragon 695 5G Mobile Platforms.

Palm Buds Pro costs $99 and offers ANC and 24hr battery life

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 15:58:34 +0000

After launching the minuscule Palm Phone in 2018, Palm is back with a new product – the Palm Buds Pro. The new earbuds are the first from the brand and land in a market that is filled with several options.

The Palm Buds Pro adopts the stem design many earbuds have. They also have a closed-fit design with replaceable silicone tips. Palm rounds it off with a matte paint finish. The earbuds are said to be designed for maximum comfort and to be worn all day without compromising on battery life. While it is only available in black, owners can buy protective silicone cases in Navy Blue and Rose Pink. Each silicone case also comes with a carabiner and three pairs of extra silicone tips that match the color of the silicone case.

Each earbud has a studio-grade 10mm dynamic driver that provides “big thumping bass, enhanced mids, and crisp highs”. There is Active Noise Cancellation thanks to a 6-microphone system. There is also Ambient mode so users can hear announcements, voices, and street traffic while playback is on.

Palm says users will also enjoy crystal clear calls thanks to environmental noise-canceling technology that reduces ambient noise during calls whether you are indoors or out having a run.

The Palm Buds Pro supports ultra-fast Bluetooth pair and sync and multi-device switching. The battery life is 4.5 hours with ANC on (5.5 hours with ANC off) and goes up to 24 hours with the case. The earbuds are compatible with Android and iOS, have support for the Google Assistant and Siri, are rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance, and have smart touch control.

The Palm Buds Pro is available for pre-order for $99 on Palm.com but will revert to $129 later. The protective silicone case + ear tips are also on sale for $14.99 but the MSRP is $24.99. Palm says pre-orders should begin shipping on November 9 while silicone cases will ship by the end of November.

iPhone SE Plus with 5G coming next year, iPhone SE 3 postponed

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:46:17 +0000

There have been numerous reports of an iPhone SE 3, a successor to the iPhone SE (2020). The phone is expected to be the last Apple smartphone with an LCD display and should have 5G support. New info has surfaced and it reveals the iPhone SE 3 has been postponed. However, a new model called the iPhone SE Plus will launch next year.

iPhone SE (2020)’ successor said to be the iPhone SE Plus

The iPhone SE series is a line of affordable small-screen iPhones that was first introduced in 2016. The second phone in the series didn’t launch till last year and a successor is expected to arrive in 2021.

According to Ross Young (@DSCCRoss), the latest news regarding the iPhone SE series says Apple will launch an iPhone SE Plus in 2022. This phone will have a 4.7-inch LCD like the iPhone SE 2020, which is actually the same display as that of the iPhone 8. The phone will also have 5G.

We now hear the next LCD iPhone will be introduced in 2022 and called the SE Plus with the same 4.7" LCD as the 8 along with 5G. We hear the iPhone SE3 with a 5.7" – 6.1" LCD is now pushed to 2024. https://t.co/9gxiAAk8Yi

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) October 25, 2021

He adds that the iPhone SE 3 which should have an LCD between 5.7 and 6.1 inches has been postponed to 2024. The new release date means Apple is sticking to a 2-year cycle for the iPhone SE line. Unfortunately, there is no explanation as to why Apple has changed its plans.

None of the info above has been confirmed yet, and while the source has a great track record, we still advise readers to take it with a pinch of salt. Manufacturers are known to change their plans and it can sometimes include the cancellation of a product.

You can’t buy the Xbox Series X Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Edition

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:08:33 +0000

Microsoft has announced a few custom Xbox Series X consoles, but except for the Xbox Series X Halo Infinite Limited Edition, the rest are not available for purchase. For example, the only way to own the Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl limited edition or the Marvel’s Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings limited edition of the new-gen console was if you won it in sweepstakes. That’s the only way to own the new Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Xbox Series X Custom Console too.

The custom console was announced by the Xbox account on Twitter along with details of how to partake in the sweepstakes. The tweet includes a photo of the custom console which has a fuchsia and black paint job along with a matching Xbox Wireless Controller. Alongside the custom controller and console, the grand prize also includes a copy of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Deluxe Edition for Xbox Series X. Both gifts have a combined value of $578.99.

Jet boots = engaged

Follow and RT with #GOTGGameSweepstakes for a chance to win this custom Xbox Series X, Xbox Wireless Controller, and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Deluxe Edition.

Age 18+. Ends 11/7/21. Rules: https://t.co/20XMcTvDUc pic.twitter.com/0dVzCIVOXr

— Xbox (@Xbox) October 25, 2021

To enter into the sweepstakes, you must be 18 years or older and a resident of any Xbox Live supported region. You can check the full details for how to enter in the link included in the tweet. Just hurry up if you are interested. The winner will be chosen on November 14th and contacted via Twitter DM.

Moto G200 coming next month with 144Hz screen and Snapdragon 888

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 16:14:33 +0000

The Motorola Edge S launched in China early this year as the first smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 870. The phone later made it out of China as the Moto G100. A successor is now on the way and it is expected to launch next month as the Moto G200.

The Moto G100’s successor arrives next month as the Moto G200

The first mention of the Moto G200 was on Twitter via the famous leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) who revealed that the phone is codenamed “Yukon”. Now the folks at TechnikNews have revealed more details about the phone.

The source reports that the Moto G200 will have an FHD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The display type isn’t mentioned but there is a possibility it is an OLED panel like that of the Motorola Edge 20 Pro/Motorola Edge S Pro.

The Moto G200 will swap the Snapdragon 870 chipset for the Snapdragon 888 which will be paired with 8GB of RAM. It will also replace the 64MP primary camera on its predecessor with the Samsung S5KHM2 108MP sensor of the Edge 20 Pro. There is also a 13MP ultrawide angle camera which should be able to shoot macro photos and a 2MP depth sensor. Those who didn’t like the double punch hole of the Moto G100 will be pleased to know there is a single 16MP front-facing camera on the Moto G200.

There is no specific date for the launch of the Moto G200 save for the report that it is arriving next month. Unfortunately, it will run Android 11 out of the box and not the latest Android 12. It has also been reported that it will be sold in China as the Motorola Edge S30.

Here is a first look at the Redmi Smart Band Pro

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 15:19:06 +0000

Last year, Redmi launched its first fitness tracker, the Redmi Band, in China. The fitness tracker eventually made its way to India as the Redmi Smart Band and to Malaysia as the Mi Smart Band 4C. Now, rather than a Redmi Band 2, it appears what we will be getting is the Redmi Smart Band Pro.

The Redmi Smart Band Pro is not far away. Actually, as reported by Winfuture.de, the fitness tracker is expected to arrive this week in Europe.

According to the source, the Redmi Smart Band Pro is the Xiaomi subsidiary’s take on the Huawei Watch Fit. As shown in the image, it has a larger display than the Redmi Band and even the Mi Band 6. We are not sure but the rectangular display should be AMOLED. There are no buttons on the side which means operating it is entirely via touch.

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The watch is shown in black in the photos with matching removable silicone straps. There should be other colors available when it launches on October 28.

The specs are unknown but from the watch face, we can deduce it will have basic fitness tracking features such as a heart rate monitor, step counter, sleep tracking, and a calorie counter.

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Sony Xperia Pro-I shows off 1” camera with variable aperture ahead of tomorrow’s launch

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 13:58:31 +0000

Sony has a launch event scheduled for tomorrow, and from a teaser video, we already know it is a smartphone. This is not just any Sony smartphone, but according to one early user that appeared in the teaser video, it is the “best smartphone camera”. Just a day to the event, official press renders of the phone have leaked, giving us an early look at this camera beast.

Sony Xperia Pro-I

The photos, which were posted on Twitter by @nokishita_c, show the phone from various angles as well as some of its features. According to the sources, the device should launch as the Sony Xperia Pro-I.

The Xperia Pro-1 seems to get its name from the 1-inch camera sensor on the back of the phone. The camera is said to be a brand new sensor that will be making its debut on the new Xperia flagship. This 1” sensor will be one of the highlights of the phone’s launch tomorrow. In one of the photos, it is shown that the sensor has a variable aperture and can switch between F2.0 and F4.0. Alongside the 1-inch sensor are three other cameras, all of which are stacked vertically in the middle of the phone.

The phone shares some of its design with the Xperia Pro that was announced back in January but has enough to distinguish it. The middle frame has three parallel lines running across it. On the right side of the phone are the volume rocker, a power button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner, a Google Assistant button, and a textured shutter button.

Unlike the Xperia Pro which served as a companion device to Sony cameras, thus acting as a viewfinder. The Xperia Pro-I is designed to be the only camera you need. In one of the photos, the phone is attached to a gimbal and a handful of accessories including a microphone and a small display that serves as a vlog monitor.

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In another photo, the Xperia Pro-I is seen attached to a white Sony VR headset which means Sony will likely announce a VR headset at tomorrow’s event.

The Xperia Pro-I will be pretty expensive just like the Xperia Pro which launched for $2499 in the US. Considering this new phone has better features, it should have a higher launch price.

2nd generation Huawei VR Glass is coming soon

Habeeb Onawole — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:15:56 +0000

In 2019, Huawei launched its first virtual reality glasses dubbed the Huawei VR Glass. It then followed with a successor called the Huawei VR Glass 6DOF Game Set with improved features and 360º controllers in October 2020. However, this new model is yet to be commercially available after more than a year.

Huawei VR Glass 6DOF Game Set

When Huawei announced the new VR Glass last year, it said the device will be available to developers by December 2020 and be available for purchase in April 2021. Unfortunately, that is yet to happen. However, new info has revealed that the new VR Glass should arrive soon.

The news of the launch of the 2nd generation Huawei VR Glass comes from the leaker Teme @RODENT950 who posted the info on Twitter a few days ago.

Second generation is coming pic.twitter.com/Qgd0dj06UU

— Teme (特米) (@RODENT950) October 21, 2021

Huawei has some products planned for release before the year wraps up such as a new foldable smartphone. So there is a chance the new VR headset will be announced at the event.

When it was first unveiled last year at the World VR Industry Conference Cloud Summit, Huawei only revealed the design and a few features of the device but didn’t disclose the price. The first-generation model launched for ¥2999 (~$470) and is still available for purchase on Vmall. Since its successor packs upgrades in multiple areas, we can expect a higher price tag.

The 2nd generation Huawei VR Glass or Huawei VR Glass 6DOF Game Set shares a similar design to its predecessor but now adds two cameras at the top for tracking. It also upgrades the Google Daydream-like controller to a pair similar to that of the Oculus Quest but with three buttons instead of two along with a joystick.

The first generation Huawei VR Glass launched with a design reminiscent of ski glasses. It packed dual 2.1-inch LCD displays with a combined resolution of 3200 x 1600 and a refresh rate of up to 90Hz depending on the device connected to. It was pretty light at 166 grams thanks to not having a built-in battery and also had two diopter dials for adjusting the focus for people who wear prescription glasses.

The Huawei VR glasses launched with compatibility for both its own phones as well as Windows PCs so we should see its successor retaining this feature. The headset could be powered by an external source such as a connected phone, PC, or portable battery pack. It also shipped with a controller in the box.

There is no info on when the 2nd Generation Huawei VR Glass will be released but there is a chance it will arrive before the end of the year.

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LG Chromebook gets certified by Bluetooth SIG

Habeeb Onawole — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 17:18:15 +0000

Chromebooks have become increasingly popular lately. While there are lots of options available from various manufacturers, there has actually not been a new player in the space. That should change soon as LG has its first Chromebook coming.

LG is not new to making computers. Its LG Gram line of slim and light Windows PCs are sold in various markets and have received generally positive reviews. Now, it is ready to bring its hardware to the Chromebook market.

The LG Chromebook will be its first Chromebook laptop and it has been spotted on the website of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group where it has received its certification. The listing was first reported by Chrome Unboxed, however, it doesn’t reveal much save that the computer has the model number “11TC50Q” and has Bluetooth 5.1.

There are so many unknown details at the moment but what is most exciting to know is what the LG Chromebook will look like. Of course, the specs are important too and so also is the price but we most likely won’t get to know these details until the device launches.

There is a chance the LG Chromebook may arrive this year but the possibility of a CES launch can’t be ruled out, which in all honesty, is a better avenue for announcing its first Chromebook.

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Next Week in Tech: Honor Play5 Vitality, Honor 50 Europe launch, and Palm earbuds

Habeeb Onawole — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 20:40:00 +0000

This week was a pretty interesting one with key announcements such as the new MacBook Pro computers, the Pixel 6 series, and customizable Galaxy Z Flip3. However, there are still a few launches scheduled for the last week of Techtober. Here is a roundup of the new announcements scheduled for next week:

Honor Play5 Vitality Edition – October 25

The Honor Play5 series will get a new member on October 25. The phone, which will launch as the Honor Play5 Vitality Edition, will be unveiled in China and it has been confirmed it will have dual rear cameras, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and support for 66W fast charging.

Honor 50 and Honor 50 Lite Europe launch – October 26

Following the launch in China, Honor will head to Europe on Tuesday, October 26, for the unveiling of the Honor 50 series. The Honor 50 already made its global debut in Malaysia but when it lands in Europe, it won’t be coming alone. There will also be an Honor 50 Lite but unlike the Honor 50 which is a 5G phone, the lite model will have a 4G chipset.

Palm Earbuds

Palm, the TCL-owned brand, will announce its first pair of wireless earbuds on October 26. The earbuds are expected to have a closed-fit design based on the teaser and will be arriving in a market that is already saturated. It remains to be seen how it will stand out from the competition.

Pixel 4 prototype photos show it could have had a curved display

Habeeb Onawole — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 15:25:52 +0000

The Pixel 4 was one of two flagship phones Google announced in 2019. The phone had a different design from the Pixel 3 but it turns out it could have had a different design.

Prototype photos of the Pixel 4 have been posted on the web and they show Google experimented with a curved display for the flagship. The retail version of the Pixel 4 has a flat display.

The photos were shared on Twitter by Mishaal Rahman, the former Editor-in-Chief of XDA Developers. The photos were originally posted on a Chinese forum according to the source that shared the photos with him

Speaking of the Pixel 4, right after I tweeted this, @trzpro sent me some images of various prototype models. If these are real, then it means some of the prototypes had curved displays. Retail models have curved edges but the display is flat. https://t.co/0NivaBHe9M pic.twitter.com/r6C0JpmwBi

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 22, 2021

The curved display is not the only thing that didn’t make it to the final version. The photo also shows the prototype Pixel 4 has a thick bezel for its chin similar to that of the Pixel 3. On the back, there isn’t a significant difference from the final model. The camera housing is a squircle and it is home to two cameras.

The Pixel 4 launched with a 5.7-inch FHD+ 90Hz OLED display, a Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of storage. The phone has a thick bezel at the top that is home to an 8MP front-facing camera, a ToF 3D sensor, and components for the Soli Radar technology that allows for a variety of different functions.

The phone also packed a 12.2MP main camera and a 16MP telephoto camera with OIS and 2x optical zoom. It also has a 2800mAh battery capacity, support for 18W fast charging and wireless charging, stereo speakers, Face ID, an IP68 rating, and dual-SIM support with eSIM. It launched with Android 10 and is upgradeable to Android 12.

A new OnePlus Bullets Wireless may launch in India soon

Habeeb Onawole — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 14:35:50 +0000

Even with the popularity of earbuds, manufacturers are still making other forms of headphones including the wireless neckband-style type. For fans of neckband wireless headphones, a new report says we may soon get a new pair from OnePlus.

OnePlus neckband-style wireless headphones are sold under the Bullets Wireless line, and considering it has been a year since the launch of the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z, the news about a new model coming soon isn’t too surprising.

The source of the info is the Indian leaker Abhishek Yadav (@yabhisekhd) and he disclosed in a tweet that he was informed by a source that OnePlus will soon launch (a pair) wireless Bluetooth neckband earphones(s) in India.

According to my source OnePlus will soon launch wireless bluetooth neckband earphone in India. #OnePlus

— Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) October 22, 2021

While no details about the features of the Bluetooth earphones were provided, we can expect some basic functions such as water and sweat resistance, Quick Switch, Fast Pair, and Warp Charge.

The new headphones should launch as the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z 2 or OnePlus Bullets Wireless 3. It has been more than two years since the launch of the OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2, so a successor is long overdue.

We do not know when the earphones will launch but it will most likely be launched alongside other products. The OnePlus 9RT is expected to launch in India, so both products may arrive together.

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Realme Pad, Realme Book, and more to come in Neo Green

Habeeb Onawole — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 12:14:08 +0000

The Realme GT Neo2 is available in three colors – Neo Blue, Neo Black, and Neo Green. The green appears to be a favorite as Realme has launched some other products in the same color such as the Realme Watch T1 and the Realme Buds Air 2. It may soon extend the paint job to other popular products including the Realme Pad and Realme Book.

Yesterday, Realme VP and newly-appointed President of Realme International Business Group, Madhav Sheth, shared a photo of all of the companies products in Neo Green. Alongside the Realme GT Neo2, Buds Air 2, straps of the Watch T1, and the Realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo, the photo also shows the Realme Pad, Realme Book (review), and a Realme Wireless Mouse in Neo Green.

It's just not in your wheels or in the air, it's in our Air 2.
Here’s the lineup of all our GREEN products. Handpick your favourite. https://t.co/0yyYNC6BdH pic.twitter.com/04OsyfSm6R

— Madhav Sheth (@MadhavSheth1) October 22, 2021

The Realme Pad is currently available in Real Gold and Real Gray color options while the Realme Book comes in Real Blue and Real Gray. Both devices are very popular but should see more adoption when Realme launches them in Green. The Realme Wireless Mouse-Silent which is sold in Malaysia is also shown in green.

We don’t know yet when the new colorway for these products will be released but there is a possibility they won’t be available in all regions.

It is nice to see manufacturers get creative with colors and deviate from the black, gray, or white that we are used to seeing. We hope this trend continues thus providing users with more options to pick up a device.

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Huawei Nova 9 unveiled in Europe with a Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset and €499 price

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 20:06:18 +0000

Huawei has announced its new Nova 9 smartphone in Europe after its debut in China in September. Huawei says the Nova 9 with its innovative features and design is targeted at the younger generation.

The phone has a 6.57-inch OLED “120Hz Original-Color Curved Display”. It can display up to 1.07 billion colors and has a 300Hz touch sampling rate. It also has a P3 wide color gamut.

Huawei has put a Snapdragon 778G 4G processor inside the phone and paired it with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also adds that the phone uses AI technology to prioritize tasks and optimize performance when gaming.

The cameras are one of the main features of the phone. The main sensor on the back is a 50MP Ultra Vision Main Camera with a 1/1.56-inch sensor with an RYYB color filter array that captures 40% more light than an RYYB sensor. This allows it to take better photos in low-light conditions. There is also an 8MP ultrawide angle camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. The centered punch-hole on the display is home to a 32MP Hi-Res front camera that can record in 4K like the main rear camera and also has AI Image Stabilization.

There are a bunch of camera features such as the ability to switch between the front and rear camera while recording without interruption, simultaneously recording from both the front camera and rear camera, and being able to take a close-up sot and wide-angle shot at the same time. The Nova 9 also has a Remote Shutter feature that allows it to be set up on a tripod and take a photo with your friends. The phone comes with the Petal Clip app which has video templates and themes for editing videos before posting.

Inside the phone is a 4300mAh battery with support for 66W Huawei SuperCharge fast charging, and when the processor is running heavy tasks, a combination of VC Liquid Cooling and graphene helps dissipate the heat faster.

It runs EMUI 12 and among the software features of the Nova 9 is Device+, a tab in the control panel that allows users to control and easily set up multi-device collaboration with other devices such as the Huawei Vision, FreeBuds, MatePad, and MateBook. By tapping the MatePad or MateBook icons, you can easily activate multi-screen collaboration with these devices, and tapping the FreeBuds icon will route your audio to the earbuds. There is also the Distributed File System which allows the Nova 9 to serve as a wireless connected external storage for the PC. This feature requires the PC and the phone to be logged into the same Huawei account and is compatible with select models.

Huawei Nova 9 Price and Availability

The Huawei Nova 9 has a starting price of €499 and is available for pre-order starting today. It will go on sale on November 2 and can be picked up in Starry Blue and Black. If you pre-order the phone, you get a free gift which might vary depending on the region. Those in Germany get a free HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro.

Huawei Watch GT 3 launched in the U.K. for £229, Watch Fit New available too

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 17:17:59 +0000

Huawei has taken the wraps off the new Watch GT 3 smartwatch in the U.K. The new watch packs lots of features, some of which have been carried over from the Huawei Watch GT 2 released in 2019.

The Huawei Watch GT 3 is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes and four variants: Active, Classic, Elite, and Elegant. The 46mm version has a 1.43-inch 466 x 466 AMOLED display and a case that’s 11mm thick while the 42mm version has a 1.32-inch display with the same resolution and a 10.2mm case. Due to the smaller size, the 42mm version uses 20mm straps while the 46mm version uses a 22mm strap. For those who want to know, the case is stainless steel but the underside is plastic on both watches.

Huawei says the Watch GT 3 has a new PPG 5.0 module for heart rate and blood oxygen level detection includes 8 photodiodes and two sets of light sources. There is also a curved glass lens that makes the watch more comfortable to wear and prevents external light interference. It also says that the AI algorithm has been upgraded to filter out noisy signals and record more accurate data even in fast-changing cases such as when swimming, sprinting, or skipping.

There is TrueSleep 5.0 for sleep tracking and TruSeen 5.0+ for health and fitness monitoring. The watch has support for 100+ workout modes including 18 professional modes and 12 outdoor workouts such as golf and skiing. There is an AI Running Coach that helps create a professional running plan based on your running data. It will also use a feature called Running Ability Index (RAI) to analyze the running performance after each training to help owners understand their progress and improvements.

The Huawei Watch GT 3 has 4GB of ROM and 32MB of RAM. It has an accelerometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, barometer, dual-band 5-system GNSS, and a temperature sensor. Other features are a built-in assistant, a microphone and speaker for Bluetooth calling, and the ability to sync with compatible sports machines. It is also the first GT watch to run HarmonyOS (2.1) out of the box.

The 46mm version has a 14-day battery life while the 42mm version has a 7-day battery life.

Huawei Watch GT 3 Price and Availability

The prices for the different versions of the Huawei Watch GT 3 are listed below. It is already available for pre-order starting today up until the 9th of November. Those who pre-order will get a free pair of Huawei FreeBuds 4i headphones.

HUAWEI Watch GT 3 46mm Active – £229.99
HUAWEI Watch GT 3 46mm Classic (Leather Strap) – £249.99
HUAWEI Watch GT 3 46mm Elite – £299.99
HUAWEI Watch GT 3 42mm Active – £209.99
HUAWEI Watch GT 3 42mm Elegant (Leather Strap)- £229.99
HUAWEI Watch GT 3 42mm Elegant (Milanese Strap) – £279.99

Huawei Watch Fit New

The Huawei Watch Fit New that launched in China last month is also available in the U.K. It is priced at £79.99 and is available in Isle Blue, Sakura Pink, Graphite Black, and Pomelo Red. If you purchase the fitness tracker, you get a free Huawei Smart Scale 3 worth £59.99.

The TCL Tab Pro 5G is a Snapdragon 480-powered tablet priced at $399

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 15:05:04 +0000

With no shortage of 5G smartphones, manufacturers are now turning to tablets as the next set of devices to stick a 5G modem into. The TCL TAB Pro 5G is one of such 5G tablets and it is powered by the Snapdragon 480 chipset.

The Snapdragon 480 is Qualcomm’s cheapest 5G processor and we have seen it appear in a lot of budget, mid-range, and frankly expensive devices too such as the Nokia XR20 which is priced at ₹46,999 ($638) in India. Thankfully, the TCL Tab Pro 5G isn’t as expensive.

The tablet packs a 10.36-inch NXTVISION display with a 1200 x 2000 resolution and HDR. The bezels are not slim but they are fine for a tablet this size. The corners are rounded and should make it comfortable to hold, although a tablet this size is not one you want to be holding in your hands for long.

The Snapdragon 480 5G is paired with 4GB of RAM and there is 64GB of storage that can be expanded via a MicroSD card slot (1TB max). There is a 13MP camera on the back along with an LED flash while the front-facing camera is an 8MP sensor. TCL has added a fingerprint scanner to the tablet and it is buried under the power button. There is also Face Unlock.

The TCL TAB Pro 5G has Hi-Res dual speakers but no audio jack which is disappointing. The tablet runs Android 11 out of the box. It also has support for mmWave and Sub-6GHz 5G networks. There a five pogo pins at the bottom of the device which may be for attaching to a keyboard accessory.

The tablet packs an 8000mAh battery that should last up to 17 hours based on usage. It charges via USB-C and has support for 18W fast charging. It also supports reverse charging

The tablet will be sold exclusively by Verizon for $399 and it is already available for purchase.

Apple AirPods Pro now has a MagSafe charging case

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 14:02:55 +0000

MagSafe is not a new feature but this proprietary magnetic charging technology that first appeared on a MacBook Pro back in 2006 is now making its way to more Apple products.

Earlier this week, Apple announced the AirPods 3rd generation and among the features it brings is a MagSafe-compatible case that allows it to be charged using a MagSafe wireless charger. It turns out the 2019 AirPods Pro has also gotten a MagSafe Charging Case.

New orders of the AirPods Pro will ship with a MagSafe Charging Case instead of the regular wireless charging case that shipped with it when it launched in 2019. Apple has also updated its website to reflect the change. At the moment, there is no listing of the MagSafe Charging Case as a separate purchase for those who want.

The AirPods Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-line wireless earbuds. They have Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive EQ, and Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. There is an H1 chip with 10 audio cores for real-time noise cancellation and the force sensor on the stem of the earbud will allow users to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparent Mode.

The AirPods Pro is sweat and water-resistant, has a 4.5-hour battery life on a single charge but with the charging case, users can get more than 24 hours. With the new MagSafe case, owners can charge the AirPods using a MagSafe wireless charger. They can also use a regular Qi wireless charger or a lightning charger.

You can order the AirPods Pro with the MagSafe Charging Case on Apple’s website for $249.

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This toy telephone is a real phone, sorta!

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:50:01 +0000

When you were a kid, one of the toys you most likely owned was a toy telephone. What if your childhood toy telephone was made into a real phone that could make and receive calls? That’s what popular toymaker, Fisher-Price has done with its Chatter Telephone toy.

The manufacturer has released a special version of the Chatter Telephone to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the toy. The Chatter Telephone with Bluetooth looks no different from the toy but it now has Bluetooth, allowing owners to connect it to their smartphones to make and receive calls. Yes, you will be able to dial your friends’ numbers using the rotary dial. It also has a speakerphone function which can be activated with the red button below the dialer.

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The spec sheet says that there is a 500mAh battery inside that will provide up to 9 hours of talk time. Behind the toy is a charging port but we are not sure if it is MicroUSB or USB-C. The Bluetooth range is 15 feet and the toy telephone is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

The Chatter Telephone with Bluetooth will be sold in the U.S. by Best Buy for $60. However, it is not yet available for purchase, but when it does, it is expected to fly off the shelves as both adults who have been gripped by nostalgia as well as kids will want to get one.

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OnePlus 8 series and OnePlus 8T receive new OxygenOS update with Oct. security patch

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:17:05 +0000

OnePlus is rolling out an update to the OnePlus 8 series and the OnePlus 8T. The update is rolling out to all three devices and it brings October’s security patch, bug fixes, a new Google app among others.

The update is arriving on the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro as OxygenOS 11.0.9.9 while the OnePlus 8T will receive it as OxygenOS 11.0.10.10/11.0.11.11 depending on the region. The changelog which is listed below is pretty much the same across the board.

Added the Files by Google, find files faster with search and simple browsing
Updated Android security patch to 2021.10
Improved system stability
Fixed known issues

The addition of the Files by Google app is a continuation of OnePlus’s switch to Google’s apps instead of using its own. OnePlus phones, starting with the OnePlus Nord released last year, now come with Google’s Phone, Messages, and Duo apps pre-installed as the default apps for calls, messaging, and video calling. Now, it appears to be making the switch to Google’s file manager app.

OnePlus says the update is rolling out incrementally to users in the EU region now and that those in India and North America will follow shortly after.

Android Apps arrive on Windows 11 for Windows Insiders

Habeeb Onawole — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 18:37:00 +0000

One of the features Windows 11 brings is Android app support but while the stable version of the new Windows has begun rolling out, it doesn’t bring the feature to users yet. Starting today, Windows Insiders can get to experience the new feature.

Microsoft announced that a preview of the Android apps experience is now available to users on its Windows Insiders Program. The official announcement by the tech giant says that the feature can be tested by Beta Channel users in the United States on eligible devices powered by Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm platforms.

If you are a beta channel user, you will be able to try out Android apps by going to the new Microsoft Store. You should see the Amazon Appstore preview were you will be able to download Android apps and games on to your Windows computer.

Microsoft says users will be able to run apps side-by-side, pin them to the Start menu or Taskbar and interact with them using a mouse, stylus, or touch input. You will also be able to switch between Android apps and Windows apps/programs using Alt + Tab and Task view.

Notifications from Android apps will also be visible in the Action Center and you can share your clipboard between a Windows app and an Android app. Microsoft also says that many of its Windows accessibility settings apply to Android apps but it is working with Amazon to improve them.

At the moment, there are 50 apps available for testing including popular games such as Lords Mobile, June’s Journey, and Coin Master while kids can learn and play with Khan Academy Kids and Lego Duplo World. The Kindle and Comics apps are also available.

Windows is able to run Android apps thanks to a component called Windows Subsystem for Android which powers the Amazon Appstore. The subsystem includes the Linux kernel and Android OS based on AOSP version 11.

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Galaxy Watch4 update brings Fall Detection, Gesture Control, and more

Habeeb Onawole — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 16:57:20 +0000

Samsung is rolling out a new update to the Galaxy Watch4 series, its latest line of smartwatches announced in August. The new update brings new customization features, new ways to operate your watch, and Fall Detection.

New Watch Faces

The Galaxy Watch4 series is getting four new watch faces, all of which have their own special features and use cases. Info Brick allows you to monitor your health stats right from your homescreen and owners will be able to customize what stats are displayed. Weather Center is a watch face that does what the name says – display weather info while Basic Dashboard displays info such as date, steps, battery level, time from other zones, and the temperature while Live Wallpaper brings the live wallpapers of the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 to your wrist.

The update will also allow owners to choose a gif for the My Photo+ watch face and add up to four complications to the Animals watch face. Steps Challenge Watch Face also adds new animations such as an animated bear that will stretch before you begin the challenge, celebrate when you win, and sob when you lose.

Gesture Control

The Galaxy Watch4 can be controlled with gestures such as rotating your wrist twice to reject a call or dismiss an alarm. Samsung has added a new one that allows for a double knock gesture to launch a pre-set app, open the list of workouts, turn on a light, or create a reminder.

Fall Detection

The new update also brings Fall Detection to the Galaxy Watch4 but unlike when it made its debut last year on the Galaxy Watch3, Fall Detection will not only work when you fall during an exercise but can also be adjusted to detect a fall even if the wearer is standing still. When a fall is detected, it will send an SOS notification to up to four pre-selected contacts.

Samsung is also offering a free 60-day subscription to Strava for Galaxy Watch owners including older models.

Samsung brings its Bespoke color customization to the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Watch4

Habeeb Onawole — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 15:56:27 +0000

The Galaxy Z Flip3 comes in multiple color options but if none of the seven colors it is available in catches your fancy, then Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition is for you.

With the Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition, buyers will be able to choose from a palette of different colors for their phones. Samsung will let buyers choose between black or silver for the frame and from blue, pink, yellow, white, and black for the top and bottom. Sure, the colors are not as many as Xbox offers for its Xbox Design Lab program but there are 49 different combinations to choose from.

Once you are done choosing, you can place your order. Samsung is charging $1099.99 for the Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition. This is the same price the 256GB version of the phone sells for. Does that mean Samsung is charging you extra for the customization? Not at all. The Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition has 256GB of storage too. What Samsung is doing is practically allowing buyers to customize the 256GB version of the phone.

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Samsung is even offering an option to replace the colors of the bottom and top part when you get bored but at an extra fee under a service called Bespoke Upgrade Care.

The Bespoke customization is also available for the Galaxy Watch4 series via what it calls the Galaxy Watch4 bespoke Studio. Buyers will be able to choose from different types/colors of bands and three different colors for the case.

Samsung offering a customization option for its phones isn’t a first for the mobile industry. Motorola used to offer a similar service called Moto Maker which even allowed users to engrave their devices after choosing the colors or materials they want for their phones. Nevertheless, it is nice to see that manufacturers are offering customers a chance to customize their phones.

There’s more than just a camera in the MacBook Pro’s notch

Habeeb Onawole — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 00:07:08 +0000

The new MacBook Pro laptops have a notch, a design that was copied from the iPhone series. However, unlike the iPhones whose notch houses not only a front-facing camera but other components for Face ID, the notch on the MacBook Pro doesn’t have components for a biometric scanner. So why is it there and why is it that wide? Actually, there are a couple of other components alongside the 1080p webcam.

A photo has surfaced on the web and it is of the camera module for the Macbook Pro. Posted by Twitter user David Pogue (@Pogue), the photo shows that there is more than just a 1080p camera on the module.

As you evaluate your opinion on the MacBook Pro’s notch, keep in mind that it houses more than just a 1080p camera. It also houses the TrueTone sensor (colors consistent in all lighting conditions), light sensor (adjusts brightness/keyboard illumination), and “camera on” LED. pic.twitter.com/XpKvhvtEWn

— David Pogue (@Pogue) October 19, 2021

As seen in the photo, there is a component flanking the 1080p camera on the left while an LED is on the right. The component on the left is the TrueTone and ambient light sensors. The former measures ambient light color and brightness and uses the information to automatically adjust the white balance of the display to match the environment. Apple‘s TrueTone technology made its debut on the 2016 iPad Pro and is now available on the iPhones and MacBooks.

The light sensor adjusts the brightness of the display as well as the keyboard’s backlight based on ambient light while the LED on the right of the camera is the camera indicator light that comes on when the camera is in use. All of these components were previously “hidden” by the bezel but are now visible since it has trimmed the bezels for more screen estate.

If Apple were to include the components for Face ID, the notch will be a bit wider. It has been able to shrink the Face ID module on the iPhone 13 series by moving the dot projector from the edge to the middle and combining it with the flood illuminator into a single module. So along with that and the infrared camera, that’s two more components to add to the existing ones on the MacBook Pro.

Sure, it could pack Face ID into the MacBook Pro and keep the bezel but with the bezel significantly reduced, the area occupied by this module now digs into the screen.

Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launch with a refreshed design, Tensor chip, and a $599 starting price

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:11:33 +0000

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are Google’s new smartphones and they come with significant upgrades in all areas. From a revamped design to better cameras to Google’s first mobile processor and software that is designed to take advantage of the hardware for a smooth experience, Google claims its new phones bring big upgrades.

Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro specifications

The Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch FHD+ Smooth Display with a 90Hz refresh rate while the Pixel 6 Pro packs a bigger 6.7-inch screen with a QHD+ LTPO display and a 120Hz refresh rate. The two phones have Gorilla Glass Victus on the front for protection against scratches while the Pixel 6 swaps Gorrila Glass Victus for Gorilla Glass 6 for the glass back.

The Tensor processor is Google’s first smartphone chipset. The SoC has 2 high-performance cores, 2 mid-cores, and 4 high-efficiency cores. It also has a 20-core GPU. Compared to the Pixel 5 which has a Snapdragon 765G processor, Google says the Tensor chipset has a CPU performance that is 80% faster and a GPU performance that is 370% faster. The chip is paired with 12GB of RAM and 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage on the Pixel 6 Pro while the Pixel 6 has 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. As expected, there is no storage expansion.

The Pixel 6 series both have an in-display fingerprint scanner and a Titan M2 security chip. The Tensor chip also has a security core built-in that works with the Titan M2 to protect the phones against attacks. They have dual SIM support (one nano-SIM and one eSIM), WiFi 6E, stereo speakers, IP68 water and dust resistance, and a fingerprint-resistant coating.

There is a 5003mAh battery inside the Pixel 6 Pro and a 4614mAh battery inside the Pixel 6. The two devices support 30W fast wired charging, fast wireless charging (21W on the Pixel 6 and 23W on the Pixel 6 Pro using the Pixel Stand), and reverse wireless charging. They don’t ship with a charger but if you have a USB-PD compatible charger available, that should be fine. You can also charge wirelessly with a Qi-certified EPP charger but the charging speed will be capped at 12W.

The Pixel 6 series will run Android 12 out of the box and will receive 5 years of security updates.

Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro cameras

There is a 50MP main camera on both phones as well as a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide angle camera with a 114° field of view. The 50MP sensor has an 82° field of view, an f/1.85 aperture, and a 1/1.31” sensor size. Google says that the phones capture 2.5x more light than the Pixel 5. The Pixel 6 Pro gets a third rear camera – a 48MP sensor with a telephoto lens that brings 4x optical zoom. The front-facing camera is an 11.1MP sensor on the pro model and an 8MP sensor on the non-pro variant.

The Pixel phones are known for packing impressive cameras thanks to the software. The Pixel 6 series takes the Pixel camera prowess to a new level with features such as Face Unblur which combines photos from two different cameras to remove the blur on faces when you take photos of fast-moving subjects such as kids. Magic Eraser will remove unwanted objects and persons from your photo.

There is also Motion Mode which detects if there is a fast-moving object in a photo such as a moving vehicle or the wheels of a bicycle and applies a motion blur to the object while keeping the subject sharp and in focus. The most important of them all for people of color is Real Tone which is a better image algorithm that authentically replicates the skin tone of the subject.

Pixel 6 Series Price and Availability

The Pixel 6 is priced at $599 for the 128GB version and $699 for the 256GB version while the Pixel 6 Pro is priced at $899 for the 128GB version. The 256GB and 512GB versions are not listed in the U.S. The two phones are already available for pre-order now and will be available for purchase on October 28.

The Pixel 6 will be available in Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral, and Stormy Black while the Pixel 6 Pro can be purchased in Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny, and Stormy Black. Those who pre-order in the U.S. get a free Pixel Buds A-Series.

Huawei Mate X2 5G will get a leather version with HarmonyOS pre-installed

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 16:34:09 +0000

The Huawei Mate X2 foldable phone was launched earlier this year as the third foldable smartphone from the manufacturer. When it was announced, it was released in four colors, all of which have a glass back. A new report says Huawei is planning the release of a variant with a leather back.

According to the Chinese leaker, Digital Chat Station, the Huawei Mate X2 will get a plain leather version. Unfortunately, he didn’t state what color the leather will be.

Apart from having a leather-clad back, the new variant will have a Kirin 9000 5G processor and run HarmonyOS out of the box. If this doesn’t sound like news, it actually is. The Huawei Mate X2 5G launched with EMUI 11 based on Android 10 out of the box. Huawei also announced a 4G version of the phone with the same processor but it runs HarmonyOS 2 out of the box. Save for these differences, the rest of the specs remain unchanged.

The Huawei Mate X2 has a 6.45-inch 90Hz cover display with a pill-shaped cut-out that houses a single 16MP front-facing camera. The foldable display is 8 inches and also has a 90Hz refresh rate. Both screens are OLED.

The Kirin 9000 processor is paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage. There is a NanoMemory card slot for adding up to an extra 256GB of storage.

On the back of the phone are four cameras – a 50MP main sensor with PDAF and OIS, a 12MP sensor with OIS, PDAF, and a telephoto lens for 3x optical zoom, an 8MP sensor with a periscope telephoto lens for 10x optical zoom, and a 16MP sensor with an ultrawide angle lens. It also has a 4500mAh battery, support for 55W fast charging, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, NFC, and an IR blaster.

We do not know when this leather version will be announced but it may cost a bit more than the versions with a glass back.

Honor 50 makes its global debut in Malaysia

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 14:43:31 +0000

Lots of Honor fans are looking forward to the global launch of the Honor 50. Initially thought to be launching first in Europe later this month, the phone has gotten a surprise launch in Malaysia first.

The Honor 50 is the first Honor phone to launch with Google Mobile Services since the company was acquired from Huawei last year. Fans of the Honor brand who had to hold on to their old phones or switch to another brand when Honor was still owned by Huawei can now pick up the new phone without worrying about not having Google services pre-installed.

With a starting price of RM1699, the Honor 50 has a 6.57-inch FHD+ curved OLED display with a centered punch hole for a 32MP front-facing camera. The screen has a 120Hz refresh rate and is capable of displaying up to 1.07 billion colors.

There is a Snapdragon 778G processor powering it and it is paired with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of non-expandable storage. The Honor 50 has four rear cameras spread between its two circular camera housing. The primary sensor is a 108MP f/1.9 camera that sits at the top and below it is an 8MP ultrawide angle camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth camera.

The Honor 50 packs a 4300mAh battery and has support for 66W fast charging, allowing users to refill the phone from empty to 70% in 20 minutes. It also has an in-display fingerprint scanner, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, and Wi-Fi 6. It runs Magic UI 4.2 based on Android 11 out of the box.

Honor 50 Price and Availability

The Honor 50 is available in two configurations 6+128GB and 8+256GB priced at RM1699 (~$407) and RM1999 (~$431) respectively. Buyers will be able to pick the 6GB RAM version in HONOR Code and Midnight Black while the 8GB RAM version is available in the diamond-like Frost Crystal, Emerald Green, and Midnight Black.

It is already available for pre-order on the HiHonor website and those who pre-order the base model get an Honor 50 Hand Strap Case and extended warranty while those who pre-order the 8+256GB model get a free pair of the Honor Earbuds 2 Lite alongside the case and extended warranty.

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Apple AirPods 3rd generation with Spatial Audio and 6-hour battery life launched for $179

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 23:32:44 +0000

Apple has announced a new pair of wireless earbuds. The AirPods 3rd generation comes with new features such as Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, and better battery life.

The AirPods 3rd generation or AirPods 3 for short have a new design. The stems are shorter and they are rated IPX4 for sweat and water resistance. They also come in a new case that supports wireless charging and can be charged on a MagSafe charger.

The AirPods 3 have Adaptive EQ which automatically tunes what you are listening to based on the shape of your ears. It works with the aid of an inward-facing microphone which detects what you are listening to and adjusts the low and mid-range frequencies to deliver the details of what you are listening to.

There is a force sensor on the stem for playback controls and for answering and ending calls. Apple says that the new AirPods 3rd generation will provide 6 hours of listening time on a single charge and it goes up to 30 hours with the case. A 5-minute charge in the charging case will provide 1 hour of listening time.

There is also a new skin-detect sensor that can tell when the AirPods are in the ears or another surface so as to play only when in your ears but pause playback when in your pocket or on a table.

The AirPods 3rd generation is priced at $179.99 and is already available for pre-order before it is available on the 26th of October. Apple has also brought down the price of the AirPods 2nd generation down to $129.

Apple announces M1 Pro and M1 Max chips and new MacBook Pro with notches

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 21:09:48 +0000

Apple fans can finally rejoice as the long-awaited new MacBook Pro laptops have arrived with incredibly powerful processors….and a notch. Yes, Apple has brought over the notch on the iPhones to its computers but not for the reason you expect.

The new MacBook Pro computers are powered by two new Apple processors – the M1 Pro and the M1 Max. The two new processors have 10 cores but the M1 Max is the more powerful one.

Apple M1 Pro and Apple M1 Max

The Apple M1 Pro has up to 10-core CPU (8 high-performance CPU cores and 2 high-efficiency cores) and up to 16-core GPU. Apple says it has 33.7 billion transistors and a memory bandwidth of 200GB/s.

The Apple M1 Max has up to 32-core GPU, a memory bandwidth of 400GB/s, and 57 billion transistors. It can also be configured with up to 64GB of unified memory while the M1 Pro can be configured with up to 32GB of unified memory.

Apple claims the new processors bring up to 13x faster graphics performance, 3.7x faster CPU performance, 11x faster machine learning, and up to 21 hours of battery life. Apple also claims they deliver more performance and consume less power than a discrete PC laptop graphics and a compact pro laptop with a high-performing discrete GPU.

MacBook Pro 14” and 16”

The new MacBook Pro is available in two sizes – 14” and 16”. They both have a 120Hz ProMotion mini-LED display a.k.a. Liquid Retina XDR display with slimmer bezels and a notch for a 1080p camera. Sorry to disappoint you but Face ID isn’t coming to MacBooks, at least not this year. The 14” version has a 14.2” screen with a 3024 x 1964 resolution while the 16” version has a 16.2” screen with a 3456 x 2234 resolution.

While Apple has added a notch, it has removed the touchbar and replaced it with physical keys. There is a MagSafe three-port but you can also charge the computers through one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports. There is also an HDMI port, headphone jack, and an SDXC card slot. The new MacBooks pack six speakers (four force-canceling woofers and two high-performance tweeters) with spatial audio.

The MacBook Pro 14” starts at $1999 for the base model with an M1 Pro chipset that has an 8-core CPU and a 14-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. The 10-core CPU version with the same RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 96W USB-C Power Adapter is priced at $2499.

The 16” model starts at $2499 for the base configuration with a 10-core M1 Pro processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD storage, a 140W USB-C power adapter. An extra $200 gets you 1TB of storage while an additional $1000 gets you the M1 Max with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD. There are multiple configurations to choose from and you can choose a model with up to 64GB of RAM.

Both laptops are available in Silver and Space Gray. Pre-orders are open today and they will be available next week.

Apple HomePod Mini gets three new colors

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 18:36:40 +0000

The HomePod Mini launched a little over a year ago as a more affordable version of the HomePod which wasn’t much of a success. The $99 HomePod Mini has seen wider adoption than its bigger sibling which has now been discontinued. For those expecting a successor, Apple has decided against and launched three new colors instead.

When it was announced last year, the HomePod Mini was available in two colors – Space Gray and White. Today, interested buyers can pre-order the speaker in Blue, Yellow, and Orange. It is still priced at $99 and will begin shipping in November.

The addition of new colors will provide more options for buyers to pick a color that better matches their apartments or rooms. Apple is taking a leaf out of Google’s book. The Nest Mini is available in Chalk, Charcoal, Coral, and Sky.

The HomePod Mini has an Apple S5 chipset that helps with computational audio. Two speakers can work together as stereo speakers, and if you have more than one HomePod Mini in the house, you can send a message to the other speakers using a feature called Intercom. You can also use Intercom to send and receive messages on your other devices such as your iPhone, Apple Watch, CarPlay, and AirPods.

Like smart speakers from Amazon and Google, the HomePod Mini will answer questions, control smart home devices, set reminders, and play your favorite podcasts. It can recognize up to six different voices and provide personalized responses depending on the user.

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