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China’s best-selling foldable smartphone list has Samsung at the end

The foldable smartphone category has increased in the last few quarters. Samsung is leading in terms of worldwide. But the story is different in China.

Recently, a CINNO Research report revealed that Huawei is in the top spot in China. Now, another report by Counterpoint Research reiterates the same.

The latest report also lists the top 10 best-selling foldable phones. Let’s have a look at them.

Oppo Find N2 Flip
Oppo Find N2 Flip (Review)

Globally, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the best-selling foldable smartphone. Its predecessors held this position in the previous years.

However, in China, Samsung foldables are nowhere near the top spot. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 ranks distant eighth, followed by the Galaxy Z Fold 4 offshoot W23 in the ninth place.

Counterpoint says that the Chinese players will continue to dominate the domestic market in the future as well. On top of that, China is already the world’s largest foldable market.

So which is the best-selling foldable smartphone in China? The answer is Oppo Find N2 Flip. It is followed by Huawei devices in the next four positions, namely Mate X3, Pocket S, Mate Xs 2, and P50 Pocket.

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is not on the list, and so is the Vivo X Fold 2. But the Vivo X Flip is in the tenth place. Perhaps, the latest Mix Fold 3 could make the list in the next edition of the report.

Anyway, here’s the entire list.

Best-selling Foldable Smartphones in China H1 2023

  1. Oppo Find N2 Flip
  2. Huawei Mate X3
  3. Huawei Pocket S
  4. Huawei Mate Xs 2
  5. Huawei P50 Pocket
  6. Oppo Find N2
  7. Honor Magic VS
  8. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
  9. Samsung W23 5G
  10. Vivo X Flip

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Apple supports Right to Repair bill in the US

Apple has decided to back the Right to Repair bill in the US. Despite its history against repair accessibility, the company is endorsing the bill from Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman. So here are all the details.

Apple makes a 180 on Right to Repair

According to iFixit, the Cupertino based giant is taking a U-turn regarding the Right to Repair bill. The company as even sent out letters to legislators in the state, asking them to pass the Senate Bill 244. If this bill gets approved, then tech companies would be required to provide consumers and third-party repair service providers the repair diagnostics and parts needed to fix their products.

Apple Support Right to Repair

Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, stated that Apple’s endorsement of the bill is a “watershed moment for consumer rights.” He further added that the “Berlin Wall of tech repair monopolies is starting to crumble, brick by brick”. The bill’s passing could also lead to the market being more competitive and repair costs falling. The bill will also limit the cost of repair products between 50 to 100 US Dollars, which should be available for at least three years after being manufactured.

On the other hand, the repair materials for products over 100 US Dollars will need to be available for at least seven years. Companies that violate this law will be fined 1,000 US Dollars per day after their first violation, 2,000 US Dollars for their second violation, and 5,000 US Dollars per day for future violations.

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Lenovo Legion Go handheld to launch with Ryzen Z1 Extreme and 16GB LPDDR5 RAM

Lenovo is trying to enter the Windows-powered handheld gaming console arena by introducing the Lenovo Legion Go. The device is said to be a competitor to the recently launched Asus ROG Ally and Valve Steam Deck. According to recent leaks that have surfaced online, the device is expected to arrive with AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU and 16GB LPDDR5-7500 RAM installed.

Lenovo Legion Go leak

As per our previous report, the Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU was introduced in Asus ROG Ally. Now, Lenovo will also introduce this Z1 series in its handheld device, which more than likely guarantees its performance. The post also confirms that the device will feature 16GB LPDDR5-7500 RAM accompanied by two available storage options: 256GB and 512GB M.2 2242 NVMe. Lastly, the device is said to have a 2560 x 1600 display.

Performance of Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU

The Ryzen Z1 Extreme is an AMD-designed processor used in handheld gaming consoles. JayzTwoCents recently tested out the performance of the ROG Ally and found that games like Cyberpunk, Shadow of Tomb Rider, and Forza Horizon 5 run on nearly 60FPS on 720p turbo mode with FSR enabled (AMD’s equivalent to DLSS).

Lenovo Legion Go Leaked Renders

Lenovo Legion Go

The Lenovo Legion Go leaked design renders are also impressive. It has bumper buttons and trigger buttons on each side of the device. On the top, we can find a volume button to adjust the sound of the game and a 3.5mm Combo Audio jack. Full details about the specifications can be found by clicking on this link.

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Denuvo will now protect Nintendo Switch games from piracy

Denuvo is a top company that helps protect games on computers, phones, and game consoles from being pirated (illegally copied or shared). The company not only prevents games from piracy but also exposes players who cheats in competitive multiplayer games. Many games like Fifa 23, Monster Hunter Rise, and Battlefield 2042 use Denuvo DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection. According to recent news that has surfaced online, Denuvo might now be available on the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch

Denuvo will now protect games launching on Nintendo Switch from piracy using its latest Nintendo Switch Emulator Protection. If you’re not familiar, there are certain programs online that let you play Nintendo Switch games on your computer. These programs are called emulators. As per the Denuvo team, if a game is protected against piracy on the PC version, the Nintendo Switch version can be emulated from day one and played on the PC. By blocking unauthorized emulations on PC, the Nintendo Switch Emulator Protection will ensure that anyone who wants to play the title will have to buy a permitted copy of the game.

As we all know, Denuvo protection greatly impacts the game’s performance on PC. We can only imagine what effect this might have on Nintendo Switch. Denuvo will have to come up with a solution to protect the games without having any effect on performance.

In related news, Nintendo might launch its Nintendo Switch 2 in the second quarter of 2024. According to reports, the company has been waiting this long because it doesn’t want to be a victim of the pandemic’s chip crisis. The full news covered by us can be found by clicking on this link.

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Realme GT 5 Miracle Glass back is a collaboration project with BYD Electronics

The Realme GT 5 is set to launch on August 28th in China. Earlier, we covered that Realme GT 5 will come with the world’s first Miracle Glass. According to the latest Weibo post by Realme, we have received new information about this “Miracle Glass.” Let us go ahead and take a look at the post and see what this glass has to offer.

Realme GT 5 Miracle Glass

As per the official post, the company is collaborating with BYD Electronics to launch this glass. It is said that this alliance took more than a year to develop this piece of glass. The company is calling the texture of the glass “unparalleled” in the market. The phone will have a curved glass back that feels high-end. This is the company’s way of bringing a new kind of tough and textured glass to the world, challenging the industry’s glass technology.

Additionally, the official teaser released by the company shows us an LED on the back of the device, providing a more futuristic look. Previous reports have confirmed that the phone will support 240W fast charging accompanied by SuperVOOC S charging technology for longer battery life. It has been hinted that the GT 5 will give users almost 2 hours of talk time on a 30-second charge.

In related news, the Realme GT 5 has appeared on the Geekbench website, using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. The full report can be found by clicking on this link. Stay tuned for more news on the Realme GT 5 on our website.

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Indian student gets boAt speakers instead of MacBook, Flipkart denies refund

An Indian student just went through an odd and terrible experience of buying gadgets online. An order was placed for an Apple MacBook, but what was delivered instead was a speaker from boAt which cost a fraction of the laptop. So here’s what happened next.

Flipkart refuses to take responsibility

Receiving wrong orders isn’t too uncommon. People ordering smartphones have even received soap bars in deliveries. This time around, a student placed an order for an M1-powered MacBook on Flipkart. He paid 76,000 INR for this laptop, which was expected to be delivered by August 13. However, the delivery was delayed till August 15 since the delivery person dodged calls. The order was so delayed that the student personally went to collect it from Flipkart’s hub.

Flipkart Denies Refund

Once he got there the delivery person insisted on getting the OTP before giving his package. Opening the package revealed that the parcel under his name only featured a boAt speaker that was worth 3,000 INR. The student claimed that he provided evidence at the time of delivery and had even recorded the delivery person admitting that he received the wrong product.

Unfortunately, the amount of evidence didn’t help since Flipkart’s customer support didn’t seem all too helpful. The e-commerce platform denied refunds, stating that certain products fall under its ‘No Returns’ policy. Apple products are also included in this policy. As of right now, Flipkart has yet to issue a refund, so it’s possible that the student will take this complaint to court.

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Xiaomi 13T Pro full design revealed, live images surface on NCC

The Xiaomi 13T series is expected to launch soon. But prior to any official announcement, a new sighting on a certification website has revealed the entire design of the higher-end 13T Pro model. So let’s have a look.

Xiaomi 13T Pro Design

Xiaomi 13T Pro looks similar to the Xiaomi 13 Pro

We have already reported on the upcoming 13T Pro model being spotted on other certification sites like TDRA and SIRIM. But now, the device was spotted on the NCC database. This listing also featured live images of the Xiaomi 13T Pro, which reveals its entire design. On the rear, the smartphone features a triple camera setup, with a setup reminiscent of the Xiaomi 13 Pro. Meanwhile, the bottom houses a speaker grille and a USB-Type C port for charging and data transfer, and the front houses a punch-hole selfie camera.

Based on a previous report, the handset is equipped with the MediaTek 9200+ SoC that is paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. However, a 16GB RAM and 1TB storage configuration will also be released. The display is a tall 6.67-inch OLED panel that has a 2712 x 1220 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. The rear camera module has a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 13-megapixel ultra wide angle lens, and a 50-megapixel telephoto shooter. On the other hand, the front houses a 20-megapixel selfie camera.

Xiaomi 13T Pro Design

A large 5,000mAh battery pack is expected to power the device, which supports 120W fast charging. Other notable features include Android 13 OS out of the box and IP68 water and dust resistance rating. This is all the information we have at the moment, so stick around for more updates.

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Oppo Find N3 Flip and Oppo Watch 4 Pro now have an official launch date

Oppo’s next flip phone has been leaking a lot recently and now it has an official launch date. The company has confirmed the Oppo Find N3 Flip will make its Chinese debut on later this month and it won’t be alone. The new Oppo Watch 4 Pro will also share the stage with the flip phone on August 29. Oppo has also shared some images for you to have a look at before the launch.

As seen in the schematics before, the Oppo Find N3 Flip is getting a redesign. While the cover screen is similar to the Find N2 Flip’s rectangular design, Oppo is making changes to the camera module. The new module is now round and features three camera sensors. There is also a Hasselblad branding on the module, and the phone is pictured in a gold color.

The announcement post did not include any specifications. However, a recent Geekbench listing suggests that the flip phone is powered by a Dimensity 9200 chip paired with 12 GB of RAM and Android 13. The camera system is also said to be upgraded with an OIS-enabled 50MP Sony IMX890 primary camera, accompanied by an IMX581 48MP ultra-wide lens and an IMX709 32MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom.

We are bound to learn other details on August 29. In the meantime, Oppo has also confirmed that the Watch 4 will be launched alongside the Find N3 Flip. The images shared by the company reveal the wearable’s curved design, button layouts, case color, and strap options. The Watch 3 Pro successor is teased to have a stainless-steel case and a ceramic base.

Oppo launched the Find N2 Flip outside of China, so we hope the Find N3 Flip will receive the same treatment. However, the Watch 3 Pro remained limited to its home country, so it is unlikely that the Watch 4 Pro will go global. In any case, stay tuned for updates.

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Huawei’s new smart TV, the Vision Smart Screen SE3, to launch on August 31

The Huawei Vision smart screen lineup has a number of TVs that are packed with intelligent features and have a premium design. Recently in May 2023, the company announced a new TV under this lineup, the Vision Smart Screen 3. Now, Huawei has announced that another new TV under this series, the Huawei Vision Smart Screen SE3, will be released on August 31.

Huawei has released a teaser video for its upcoming Vision Smart Screen SE3 TV on Weibo. The video shows that the TV has an AI super-sensing camera, which is also found on the Vision Smart Screen 3. This camera can be used for intelligent functions such as bone joint recognition, portrait tracking, and sitting posture/distance reminder.

Likewise, the TV will have a 120Hz refresh rate and 4K resolution screen. It will run on the latest version of Harmony OS, as confirmed by the words “Powered by Harmony OS” at the end of the teaser video. There is not much other information available about the TV yet.

Besides, it is worth noting that several Huawei products have recently received Bluetooth SIG certification, including the new 100-inch, 110-inch, and 130-inch Huawei Smart Screen products.

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Sony PlayStation Portal handheld remote-play console unveiled, costs $200

After initially unveiling its plans for a remote gaming device back in May, Sony has now released the PlayStation Portal, previously known as Project Q. The device is essentially a handheld extension of your PlayStation 5 since it cannot render the games natively. More details can be found below.

PlayStation Portal

PlayStation Portal

The PlayStation Portal is essentially a glorified Remote Play machine. Sony has previously confirmed that the device will rely on Wi-Fi to stream games from your PS5 console. Yes, it means that you will need to own a PS5 to play games on the PlayStation Portal. As long as your PS5 WiFi connection and the WiFi connection at the location you are playing are strong, you won’t face any issues gaming on the handheld.

PlayStation Portal

As there is no Bluetooth available on the Portal, you won’t be able to use any of the shelf wire earbuds/headsets with it. That being said, it has a few solutions for audio. First, it features a 3.5mm audio jack so you can use wired earphones with it. Another solution for audio is the dual inbuilt speakers. The third option is Sony’s new hardware which runs on its new PlayStation Link connectivity standard. These are the Pulse Elite headsets and Pulse Explorer wireless earbuds.

On to the specifications, the Portal features an 8-inch LCD screen that can stream games at 1080p 60 FPS. The controller onboard is essentially a Sony DualSense with all of its features like the haptic feedback. It uses a USB-C port for charging, and as mentioned above, has a 3.5 mm audio jack. Details about the processor and battery are still under wraps.

Pricing & availability

No launch date or pre-order date has been revealed as of yet, however, the console will cost US$199 whenever it launches.

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Honor is beta testing official GMS support in China

Under new ownership, Honor got access to GMS (Google Mobile Services) on its devices. All the latest smartphones and tablets sold by the brand in global markets have it.

But it turns out the Chinese variant of the same devices still lacks support for it even after 2 years. This is finally about to change as the company has started a beta program for GMS in China.

Honor Magic 5 Ultimate
Honor Magic 5 Ultimate (Review)

For the unaware, Android smartphones and tablets sold in China don’t come pre-installed with Google Mobile Services like in other markets. Every OEM has its own alternative services and app stores.

However, almost all companies offer support for GMS, which needs to be installed separately from the app store itself. This move is beneficial for consumers traveling abroad and those who depend on Google apps and services for their work or personal use.

But for some reason, Honor does not offer official GMS support in the country (can be installed from external sources). The brand wants to change this as it has kickstarted a beta program.

Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the registration form lists only the following premium smartphones.

Anyways, there’s an ‘other’ category. So the official GMS support will likely arrive for all the phones and tablets released in the last two years in China.

The beta program kicked off on August 23 and will last until September 30. Therefore, the stable release may happen in October or later.

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Motorola Moto G84 5G launching on September 1 in India, Specs Confirmed

Ending all the rumors and leaks, Motorola seems to have detailed all the specifications of the Motorola Moto G84 5G via Flipkart listing. The smartphone is launching in India on September 1 with some exciting specifications and color options. The smartphone already appeared on FCC, TDRA, and several other certifications and leaks.

Must See: Moto G84 5G India launch timeline tipped along with key specs

Motorola Moto G84 5G Specifications

Motorola’s new mid-range smartphone bundles a Snapdragon 695 SoC with support for over 14 5G connectivity bands. Motorola Moto G84 5G will debut with 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. It houses a 6.55-inch Full HD pOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits maximum brightness. It is a 10-bit display and even supports HDR10+ with 100% DCI-P3.

As revealed earlier via a leak, the Moto G84 5G will feature a 50MP Primary OIS sensor along with an 8MP ultrawide sensor and another 8MP Macro Vision + Depth sensor. Details about the front-facing camera are not yet published. Further, the smartphone will bundle a 5000 mAh battery with support for up to 30W fast-wired charging. It will run Android 13 and will be upgradable to Android 14 after some time.

Motorola Moto G84 5G ships with Dual Stereo speakers supporting Dolby Atmos and Moto Spatial audio. The experience will further improve with the presence of Moto Connect and Thinkshield features. It is an IP54 water-resistant smartphone.

In design terms, the smartphone features a flat design with a headphone jack, USB Type-C port, and speaker grill visible at the bottom side of the phone. The power button and volume rockers can be seen on the right side of the phone. A punch-hole display is seen on the front.

The smartphone is listed with three PANTONE color options – Viva Magenta, Marshmallow Blue, and Midnight Blue.

Related: Moto G14 new color options go on sale today priced at ₹8,999

Pricing Details (Unconfirmed)

For the pricing details, we have to wait for the official launch. Moto G84 5G is a successor to the Moto G82 5G which was launched last year with the price tag of INR 21,499 for 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. We expect a similar price tag for the Moto G84 5G in India.

HarmonyOS 4 gains 5 million users in just 2 weeks

Huawei’s latest operating system, HarmonyOS 4.0, was unveiled earlier this month. The company opened the beta program in China, allowing over 36 phone and tablet users to try out the new features before the official release. Impressively, within just two weeks of its release, HarmonyOS 4 has already been installed on 5 million devices, with a remarkable 1 million users upgrading to this new operating system on its very first day.

He Gang, Chief Operating Officer of Huawei Devices BG, shared the latest stats on HarmonyOS 4 on his Weibo account. He said that the new operating system brings new visuals and interactive experiences, such as personalized themes, which have been well-received by users. 

Gang also added that HarmonyOS 4 is not only fun and personalized, but it also helps users get information more efficiently through its new notification center and “Live Window” feature.

Harmony OS 4 5 Million Downloads

For those unaware, HarmonyOS 4 has a new feature called Live Window, which is similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island. Supported apps will show real-time alerts and notifications in a pill-shaped icon on the corner of your device. You can then tap the icon to expand the window and interact with the app.

Live Window is available on smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, and it works with a variety of Huawei apps, as well as third-party apps from a growing list of developers. There are a bunch of other features in HarmonyOS 4 which you can learn from here.

The HarmonyOS 4 public beta is now available from Huawei for a range of 34 devices, including the Mate 50 series, P60 series, and Mate X3. A further 35 devices, including the P40, Mate 30, Nova 9, and Nova 10 series, will be added to the beta program later on.

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Moto G84 5G India launch timeline tipped along with key specs

Last week, renders of an upcoming Motorola smartphone called Moto G84 5G leaked. These pictures revealed the design of the product and confirmed its primary camera.

Just a few days later, another source says that the device will be released as early as next month. Let’s go through the details.

Motorola Moto G84 5G

According to tech influencer Mukul Sharma, the Motorola Moto G84 5G will make its global debut in India. The phone will be launched in the country in September.

He also goes on to say that the handset will be available in Pantone’s color of the year 2023 — Viva Magenta. Further, it will feature a vegan leather rear finish. He even shared the image of the device in the said color and finish.

As for specs, the source has only disclosed two things. Firstly, the smartphone will be equipped with a 120Hz 10-bit pOLED display. Secondly, it will be offered in a 12GB + 256GB memory configuration.

Going by the renders, the handset will come with an OIS-assisted 50MP main camera paired with an unknown secondary camera. It will have a flat frame design and will also sport a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Finally, FCC certification had earlier revealed that the phone will draw energy from a 5,000mAh battery. It will carry support for 33W wired charging.

We expect to learn more about the Motor G84 5G in the coming days. The brand should officially tease the features ahead of its release.

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Enjoy Bixby in your Own Voice

In a significant development for Samsung Bixby, the Korean giant adds the ability to use your own voice for Bixby. The feature seems limited to OneUI 5.1.1 and OneUI 6.0 Beta. The users are required to install the Bixby Voice Customization App and Bixby Voice Creator app on their devices to avail of the new feature. If the user tries to install the Bixby Voice Creator app initially, then they will get “Not compatible with this device” error. The app is not available in the Galaxy Store for devices running OneUI 5.1.

Must See: Samsung Bixby Assistant Becomes Smarter with the New Update

How to use Custom Voice for Bixby?

It is a great enhancement for Bixby, that lets the users easily set the Custom Voice. To get the feature head to Bixby > Settings > Language and Voice Style Menu > Create Custom Voice. The user has to record 10 sentences after pressing the Start button. It may take some time, but once it’s complete, give it a name, and you will hear your voice. There’s also an option to train the Bixby in the background if the user doesn’t want to spend much time.

Before using your voice, the user can test different voice samples of your own voice. This can be done from the same menu of the Language and Voice style menu in Bixby settings. Check different voice samples by tapping on the name and selecting it by tapping on the check box.

Bixby Voice Creator App allows users to create unlimited custom voices. However, your custom voice may not work everywhere, it is created especially for text calls, and text-to-speech features while responding with weather forecast information, time information, and other general queries.

Related: How to enable Bixby on Samsung Galaxy S22 series

We have tried to get the feature on Galaxy S22 running OneUI 5.1, but to no success. However, we have to wait for the support on old devices. The feature is flawlessly working on OneUI 5.1.1 and OneUI 6.0 Beta running devices.

iQOO Z8 & iQOO Z8x launching on August 31: Chipset officially revealed

iQOO plans to launch two new smartphones in China this month called the iQOO Z8 and the Z8x. The complete spec sheet of both of these devices has leaked along with the AnTuTu benchmark listing of the Z8. Now, the brand has officially revealed the launch date of these smartphones in a new teaser.

iQOO Z8

As per a post by iQOO on Weibo, the iQOO Z8 and Z8x will be launching on August 31 in China. There is currently no word on the global launch date. In another teaser, the brand has confirmed that the Z8 smartphone will feature a Dimensity 8200 SoC.

iQOO Z8

It claims that the device has achieved an AnTuTu score of 980,832, which isn’t that far off compared to the leaked score of 972,222 points. Here’s what we know so far about both of these devices.

iQOO Z8 specs (rumored)

The iQOO Z8 is said to feature a 6.64-inch LCD panel with an FHD+ resolution of 2388 x 1080 pixels and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it is powered by the Dimensity 8200 chipset. It will come with configurations of up to 12GB of RAM and a generous 512GB of storage. This phone will likely be equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, supporting 120W fast charging. For photography, it could feature a 16MP front camera and a dual-camera system on the rear, including a 64MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a 2MP depth camera. Additionally, it runs on the OriginOS 3.0-based Android 13, includes a 3.5mm audio jack, and offers the convenience of a side-facing fingerprint scanner.

iQOO Z8x specs (rumored)

The iQOO Z8x is said to also boast a 6.64-inch LCD panel with an FHD+ resolution of 2388 x 1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset for efficient performance. The device could offer configurations with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It will likely pack a sizable 6,000mAh battery, supported by 44W fast charging. On the front, it could have an 8MP camera for selfies. The rear camera setup consists of a 50MP main camera and a 2MP auxiliary camera for various photography needs. It runs on OriginOS 3.0-based Android 13, retains the convenient 3.5mm audio jack, and includes a side-facing fingerprint scanner for enhanced security.

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Google removing “Cleaner” Apps from the Play Store

In a bid to make Play Store free from malware and junk apps, Google keeps scanning potentially dangerous apps and even removes them from the store. The apps that offer fake promises, and distribute malware are always on the radar. But, sometimes genuine apps also have to suffer due to the automated removal mechanism on Google Play Store. In a recent takedown practice, Google has removed several “Cleaner” apps including the popular SD Maid.

Must See: MIUI 13 is coming soon, suggests the latest MIUI Cleaner beta

Play Store Taking down “Cleaner” Apps

The developers of these apps shared their plight on Reddit and informed about the sudden removal and full account termination from the Play Store. Especially for the SD Maid app, the reason for removal is cited as a violation of Google’s “Stalkerware policy.” Considering the developer’s claim, there’s no such feature that enables them to stalk user privacy and data. Even, the SD Maid’s source code is listed on GitHub. Here’s the detailed reason for the removal of the SD Maid app:

Reason for termination: We have identified a pattern of high risk or abuse associated with your Developer Account and are taking this action pursuant to Section 8.3/10.3 of Google Play’s Developer Distribution Agreement.

Well, there are some words in the SD Maid description that could have made it fall under the suspicious category for the automated removal tools. Going through the SD Maid App description, we can spot some keywords that could raise three eyebrows. Here’s a snippet from its description:

• Browse your whole device and manipulate files through a full-fledged file explorer.

• Remove superfluous files from your system.

• Manage installed user and system apps.

• Detect files formerly belonging to uninstalled apps.

• Search for files by name, content or date.

• Obtain a detailed overview of your device’s storage.

• Optimize databases.

• Do actual app cleaning and remove expendable files, which supersedes what others may call ‘cache cleaning’.

• Detect duplicate pictures, music or documents, independent of name or location.

• Run tools automatically on a schedule or via widgets.

Early Warnings

Most of the app developers are saying that Google has cited the same reason behind the suspension of their Cleaner Apps. However, we are not sure what could be the exact reason, but Google has warned this year about the new guidelines related to “Deceptive Behavior” Apps. The apps that don’t explain the exact usage of their respective apps fall under “Deceptive Behaviour”.

Related: Play Store introduces Auto Archive feature to help save storage space

The “Deceptive Behaviour” policy somehow applies to Cleaner Apps that market themselves as speed booster apps. But getting “Stalkerware policy” violations seems difficult to understand as of now. Well, Google knows better which app is violating the Play Store policies in a better way.

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Sony’s $199 PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds offer lossless audio and low-latency performance

Sony has finally unveiled its first official wireless earbuds for PlayStation. The Pulse Explore earbuds are claimed to offer premium audio quality, low-latency performance, and a sleek design. While we don’t know exactly when they’ll be available for purchase, Sony has revealed the earbuds won’t come cheap. They’ll cost a whopping $199. Here’s what is known about the earbuds.

Playstation earbuds pulse explore

Sony’s Pulse Explore earbuds are a premium offering that delivers lossless audio quality and low-latency performance. They feature dual microphones with AI-enhanced noise rejection to help cancel out background noise, and they come with a charging case.

Sony is also set to release a new Pulse Elite headset priced at $149.99, which is touted as an upgrade over the PS5’s original Pulse 3D headset. Similar to the Pulse Explore, the Pulse Elite offers lossless audio and AI-enhanced noise cancellation. The headset also boasts a retractable boom microphone and a charging mount for storage and recharging when not in use. Further details, including pre-order information and the release date, will be announced at a later time.

PlaySation Elite

PlayStation also dropped some exciting news about their Link Wireless Audio Technology. You’ll find this tech tucked inside a USB adapter that comes with the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore. When you’re using it, this adapter delivers super fast, high-quality audio with minimal delay. It will let you smoothly switch between your PS5 and the PlayStation Portal (formerly known as Project Q). Plus, this nifty PlayStation Link also works on your PC and Mac. Sony will be selling it separately.

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Moto G14 new color options go on sale today priced at ₹8,999

We earlier reported that Motorola is working to launch two new color options for the Moto G14, which recently made its debut in the Indian market. Now, the brand has revealed more details about one of the color options ahead of its sale later today.

Moto G14

The color option in question is called Pale Lilac, and it will be a vegan leather option. The brand claims that this is the segment’s 1st vegan leather design. For those unaware, Moto G14 has a price tag of ₹9,999.

Apart from that, Motorola will be selling the Moto G14 for ₹8,999 when it launches the new color options later today. Although no time is specified in the teaser poster, we expect the new colors to emerge online around 12 PM IST. Let’s take a look at the spec sheet.

Moto G14 specs

The Moto G14 sports a 6.5-inch LCD display with a clear FHD+ resolution of 2400×1080 pixels, featuring a centered punch hole for the front camera. It’s powered by the Unisoc T616 chipset, along with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage for smooth performance. Out of the box, it runs on Android 13, with an upgrade to Android 14 planned.

In the camera department, it boasts a 50MP main rear camera, supported by a 2MP macro rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera. It includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for enhanced security. The Moto G14 provides an immersive audio experience with dual stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos, and it also offers a 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening.

For those needing extra storage, there’s a MicroSD card slot for easy expansion. The Moto G14 is designed to withstand splashes with its IP52 rating, adding to its durability. It’s equipped with a substantial 5,000mAh battery that supports 20W fast charging to keep everything running smoothly.

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Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024 official website listing confirms specs

Lenovo has quietly listed its 4th Gen Tab M8 tablet on its website. The company introduced the Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) in Japan and other markets last year. As a result, this new tablet is likely the successor to that model as it carries the name Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024. The device was spotted on the TRDA certification website in April, and now Lenovo has officially listed its specs and features on its website. Let’s take a look at them.

Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024 Specifications

The Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024 has a similar design to the previous model, with a plain back and a circular camera ring on top. The front of the screen has noticeable bezels on the top and bottom and features an 8-inch HD display with 350 nits of brightness, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and a 60Hz refresh rate. The display is also TUV low blue light certified. Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024 is available in two colors: Abyss Blue and Arctic Grey.

Powering the device is an octa-core MediaTek MT8768 processor with four Cortex-A53 cores running at 2.2GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.6GHz. It runs on a near-stock version of Android 13 OS. Lenovo has confirmed that it will receive security updates for up to 2 years.  

As for the memory, you get 3GB/4GB LPDDR4x RAM, and 32GB/64GB eMMC 5.1 internal storage. It also has a microSD card slot for expandable storage.

The Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024 has dual speakers for audio, a 2MP front-facing camera, and an 8MP rear camera. It is powered by a 5100mAh battery that can provide up to 13 hours of video playback. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port.

The pricing details and launch timeline for the Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024 are still unknown, but we should know more soon.

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