Google launches its Play Pass game service in India, Here are the prices

By

-

Feb 28, 2022

Google has just launched a new service in India. It is the new Play Pass that was announced for mobile gamers that use Android smartphones. This service was first rolled out in the US back in 2019, and has been released in India earlier today (28th February 2022).

For those unaware, the Search Engine giant’s Play Pass is a subscription based service for mobile games, which is similar to Apple Arcade. Although, rather than providing numerous games for the platform, the company is giving plenty of pre-existing popular games that buyers can download and play. Since it is basically a game pass, subscribers will gain access to games that are usually locked behind a paywall.

In other words, you can get many paid games for free with this service. However, the service isn’t limited to just games and also offers other premium applications as well. At the moment, the Indian model of Play Pass offers over 1000 titles across 41 different categories from developers from 59 countries. Play Pass will enable Indian developers to launch their apps and games through this service to a global audience.

As of right now, Google Play Pass is being launched in India with three different plans. The first one is 1 month free trial for all users, but users will have to pay 99 INR (roughly 1.3 US Dollars) per month to continue the service. The brand is also offering an annual Play Pass as well, which costs 889 INR (roughly 1.3 US Dollars). Prospective buyers can even consider a prepaid one month subscription for 109 INR (roughly 1.4 US Dollars). The service is compatible with smartphone that run Android 4.4 or above.

RELATED:

MediaTek Dimensity 8100 launch date officially announced, chip is in Snapdragon 888’s league

By

Zohaib Ahmed

-

Feb 28, 2022

MediaTek announced through its official Weibo account that a new Dimensity product will be unveiled tomorrow. While the model was unmentioned, it is most likely the Dimensity 8100 chip that has been the source of much discussion and leaks for the past few weeks.

Further, notable industry insider Digital Chat Station a couple of days back had tipped the processor’s specifications, speculating that it will be making its debut through a Redmi device next month.

From this, it is easy to ascertain that the chip MediaTek is talking about is no other than the Dimensity 8100. The Dimensity 8100 is part of the Taiwanese chipmaker’s Dimensity 8xxx series and will likely also be joined by the Dimensity 8000.

The same tipster had also revealed performance benchmarks of the 8100. With scores passing the 800,000 mark in AnTuTu, the chip sits in last year’s Qualcomm flagship Snapdragon 888’s league comfortably.

Previous reports had shown that the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 adopts TSMC’s 5nm manufacturing process and comprises 4x 2.85GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x 2.0GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The CPU is assisted by the Mali-G610 MC6 GPU for graphics and comes with 4MB of L3 cache. Support for LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage is also present.

The first phone expected to use the Dimensity 8100 will be a Redmi – most likely a performance-focused mid-ranger. It will be joined by another offering from realme around the same time, following which the processor will gain wider adoption.

RELATED:

MWC 2022: TCL 30 5G, 30, 30+, 30 SE, and 30 E launched: specifications, features, and price

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Feb 28, 2022

At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 tech trade show, TCL unveiled four new smartphones such as TCL 30 5G, 30+, 30 SE, and 30 E. Here is all the information on the specifications, features, and pricing of these smartphones.

TCL 30 5G and TCL 30 specifications, price

The TCL 30 5G has a 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ 60Hz display with a 20:9 aspect ratio. It has a 13-megapixel selfie camera and a 50-megapixel (main) + 2-megapixel (macro) + 2-megapixel (depth) triple camera unit on the back. It is equipped with a side-facing fingerprint scanner.

The Dimensity 700 chipset powers the device with 4 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 64 GB of built-in storage. It has a 5,010mAh battery that supports 18W charging. It is priced at €249 and comes in Dreamy Blue or Tech Black.

The TCL 30+ has a 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ 60Hz 20:9 display. It features the same set of front and rear cameras that are available on the TCL 30 5G. The Helio G37 chipset powers the device with 4 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128 GB of eMMC storage. The device packs a 5,010mAh battery with 18W charging support.

The TCL 30 is an affordable variant of the TCL 30+. It packs the same specs as the Plus model, but packs in differences such as 64 GB of storage and an 8-megapixel front camera,. While it supports 18W charging, it comes with a 10W charger. The TCL 30 and 30+ are equipped with dual stereo speakers and a side-facing fingerprint scanner. All three phones come preinstalled with Android 12 OS. The TCL 30 and 30+ are priced at €199 and €179, respectively.

TCL 30 SE, 30 E specifications, price

The TCL 30 SE has a 6.52-inch LCD FHD+ display, an 8-megapixel front camera, and a 50-megapixel (main) + 2-megapixel (depth) + 2-megapixel (macro) triple camera unit. The Helio G25 chip fuels the TCL 30 SE has 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB / 128 GB of storage, a 5,000mAh battery with 15W charging, and a side-facing fingerprint scanner. It is priced at €149.

The TCL 30 E feature the same display, triple rear cameras, chipset, and battery as the TCL 30 SE. However, it ships with 3 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a 10W charger. The handset is priced at €139.

RELATED:

Realme Pad Mini tipped to launch in India in March

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Feb 28, 2022

Chinese tech brand Realme entered the tablet category with the launch of the ‘realme Pad’ last year. Within a few months, the company is expected to release yet another tablet dubbed as ‘realme Pad Mini’. A report has now even revealed when this product will make its debut.

Realme Pad Mini leaked render 2 — realme Pad Mini | Source: @OnLeaks via SmartPrix

According to tech influencer Mukul Sharma (via MySmartPrice), the Realme Pad Mini will launch in India in March. The tablet will likely release in the second half of the said month.

Unfortunately, that’s all the information he has to say. Anyway, we know about the device’s design and some of its specs. We also expect to learn about its price before its official announcement next month.

According to previous reports, the Realme Pad Mini will arrive with a revamped design. The tablet will have the same metal unibody finish but it will have two antenna lines on the top and bottom of the rear panel instead of one on the left side like the original Realme Pad.

Most importantly the newer device will have a different camera module design. The camera on this tablet will be placed on a rectangular island. Whereas, the camera on the older device rests on the back panel itself.

Realme Pad Mini leaked render by Steve Hemmerstoffer / SmartPrix — realme Pad Mini | Source: @OnLeaks via SmartPrix

Talking about specs, the Realme Pad Mini is said to come with an 8.7-inch display. It will be powered by a UNISOC T616 SoC and will boot Android 11.

It is expected to arrive in multiple memory configurations. One of them will have 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The device will feature an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera.

Last but not least, despite sporting a 7.6mm thin profile, the tablet will be backed by a 6,400mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

Apple working on 20 inch foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid with touchscreen keyboard: Gurman

By

Sean

-

Feb 28, 2022

We had recently reported on Apple delaying its foldable iPhone to 2025 and shifting its focus towards a foldable MacBook. Now, new information has just surfaced regarding what appears to be a foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid.

The news was shared by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (Via 9to5Mac) in his Power On newsletter. For those unaware, the Cupertino based giant is reportedly working on a 20 inch foldable device. Furthermore, the new report suggests that the brand is also exploring a dual display format for the foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid. In other words, this is a new size for the company and could create a new category in its product portfolio. Although, the actual product is likely a long while away.

Gurman added that “The company could go with a foldable 20 inch screen attached to a physical keyboard or just have one side of the display serving as a virtual keyboard. I’m told Apple has indeed been exploring a dual screen, foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid that would take the second approach. It would trade in the physical keyboard and trackpad for a fully touchscreen base.”

As of right now, the iPhone maker could release this new product around 2026, which is the close to the release timeline for its first foldable smartphone as well. Other notable projects arriving around the same time includes its AR glasses, mixed reality headset, and even its highly anticipated Apple Car. So stick around for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.

RELATED:

ASUS 8z launched with 5.9-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, SD888, 64MP dual cameras

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Feb 28, 2022

ASUS 8z has debuted in India. The company had first teased the arrival of the ASUS 8z back in August 2021. For unknown reasons, the company did not launch the smartphone in India last year. Today, it finally unveiled the compact flagship phone in the country with a price tag of Rs 42,999 (~$570).

ASUS 8z specifications and features

The ASUS 8z has a 5.9-inch S-AMOLED display that offers a 20:9 aspect ratio, an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10, HDR10+, 1,100 nits of brightness, and Gorilla Glass Victus protection. The display punch-hole placed at the top-left corner has a 12-megapixel Sony IMX663 selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture and dual PD autofocus.

The back panel of the ASUS 8z features a dual-camera system, which comprises a 64-megapixel Sony IMX686 main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and 4-axis OIS support. It is accompanied by a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 ultrawide camera. The 8z carries support for 3-axis EIS, motion tracking, up to 4K UHD 120fps slow-motion video recording, and up to 8K video shooting.

The ASUS 8z is powered by the Snapdragon 888 mobile platform. It is equipped with 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It lacks a microSD card slot. The handset comes pre-installed with Android 11 OS and Zen UI. It is packed with a 4,000mAh battery that supports 30W fast charging (Quick Charge 5).

The device comes connectivity features such as dual SIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, a USB-C port, Dirac tuned dual stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Lastly, it comes equipped with an IP68 rated dustproof and water-resistant chassis. The ASUS 8z is the very same device that debuted as the ZenFone 8 in the global markets last year.

ASUS 8z price in India

The ASUS 8z is priced at Rs 42,999 (~$570) for the sole 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage variant. It comes in Obsidian Black and Horizon Silver. The device will be available for purchase through Flipkart starting from 12 pm (local time) on March 7.

RELATED:

POCO F4 key specs leaked: Snapdragon 870, 50MP triple camera, and more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Feb 28, 2022

Last year, the POCO F3 was released as a rebranded Redmi K40. The Redmi K50 is expected to debut in March. Going by its predecessor, it may break cover as POCO F4 in international markets. However, as of now, there’s no proof for this claim. Amidst this, a reliable tipster has now shared the key specs of the mysterious POCO F4 before the brand could even announce the launch date.

Leaker Yogesh Brar has disclosed the primary specifications of the upcoming POCO F4 on Twitter. According to him, the device will be powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC as its forerunner POCO F3. The chipset will be paired with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.

The handset will sport a 6.3-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It will house a triple camera system on the rear consisting of a 50MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide unit, and a 5MP telemacro snapper. Whereas, for selfies and video calls, the phone will use a 32MP shooter.

On the software front, the POCO F4 will boot MIUI 13 based on Android 12. It will get its juice from a 4,5000mAh battery, which will be able to charge at 67W.

Last but not least, the smartphone will arrive in 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB RAM versions coupled with either 128GB or 256GB storage.

Ukraine urges Apple to stop its product sales & App Store service in Russia

By

Sean

-

Feb 28, 2022

Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook earlier this week. In this letter, the government official asked to stop the sales of its products and even block Russia’s access to its App Store.

Fedorov’s letter stated that he is asking for the Cupertino based giant’s support amid the ongoing crisis (the invasion of Ukraine). It is asking the brand to stop supply its services and products to users in Russia. At the moment, Apple sells its iPhones, Macs, and other products through its official website in Russia. However, the US has already pushed sanctions that will prevent the company from exporting select products to Russia. But, this move might have not affected the brand yet since it has not stopped sales as of right now.

The letter states “I appeal to you and I am sure you will not only hear, but also do everything possible to protect Ukraine, Europe, and finally, the entire democratic world from bloody authoritarian aggression – to stop supplying Apple services and products to the Russian Federation, including blocking access to App Store! We are sure that such actions will motivate youth and active population of Russia to proactively stop the disgraceful military aggression.”

I’ve contacted @tim_cook, Apple's CEO, to block the Apple Store for citizens of the Russian Federation, and to support the package of US government sanctions! If you agree to have the president-killer, then you will have to be satisfied with the only available site Russia 24. pic.twitter.com/b5dm78g2vS

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 25, 2022

Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that he was “deeply concerned” with the situation in Ukraine and that Apple will be “supporting local humanitarian efforts.” Currently, the App Store in Russia is operational, although, sanctions on banks have interfered with Apple Pay. This includes five major Russian banks that are no longer eligible for Apple Pay or Google Pay.

RELATED:

Apple Al Maryah Island Store Looks Stunning, Here are Some Photos Apple Shared on its Opening Day

By

Leo Wong De Quan

-

Feb 28, 2022

As a company that focuses on both online and offline retail, Apple has always tried to attract its offline customers with its warm and friendly customer service coupled with its uniquely designed Apple stores, to create a nice and inviting atmosphere to shop for Apple products.

Apple’s newest and latest retail store arrives in the heart of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. Apple Al Maryah Island Store opened last Friday, February 25, a new retail destination elevated above steps of cascading water. Serving as Apple’s newest store in the United Arab Emirates, the space delivers the best of Apple with shoreline views amid Abu Dhabi’s prestigious financial district.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to open the stunning Apple Al Maryah Island,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail + People. “Our talented team is ready to welcome and delight customers from this vibrant community to our newest location in the Emirates.”

To celebrate the grand opening, the store will debut three unique Today at Apple sessions that draw inspiration from the beautiful surroundings and creative culture of Abu Dhabi:

Photo Walk: Fluidity and Motion with iPhone 13 Pro, co-created with local photographer Mohamed Somji
Music Walk: Liquid Soundscapes with GarageBand
Art Walk: Drawing Creativity Within Session Guide

Apple-AL-Maryah-2 — Hosted in the Forum, Today at Apple sessions will invite the local community into the new store.

Coming to the design, Apple Al Maryah Island introduces several new design elements reflective of its surroundings. From the promenade, two ramps paved with Absolute Black granite stone cut through water and continue seamlessly inside the store, blurring the barrier between inside and out. The store also features a golden carbon fibre roof locally sourced in the UAE. At the entrance of The Galleria Al Maryah Island Mall, visitors entering will walk through a mirrored stainless steel portal, enveloped by the sights and sounds of water jets cascading over exterior glass walls. A 72-foot-long mirrored foil ceiling creates a kaleidoscopic effect, with water falling down the walls, and reflections seen below.

For the interior, guests are greeted with panoramic views of Abu Dhabi’s extraordinary skyline. When looking up, customers will also find a one-of-a-kind ceiling made of stretched gold fabric. The glass walls bring in the natural light, with ficus trees adding greenery to the interior. In addition, the store also features an innovative radiant floor system combined with displacement ventilation that helps cool the building.

Apple’s new store features a multicultural team of more than 80 members who represent 28 nationalities and collectively speak over 30 languages, including Arabic, French, Hindi, Tagalog, and more. Throughout the expansive space, customers can get shopping assistance from highly knowledgeable Apple specialists as they explore the latest products, learn more about Apple services such as the Trade-In program, or receive expert advice and support at the Genius Grove.

RELATED:

(Source 1, Source 2)

HMD Global officially announces Nokia C2 2nd Edition entry-level smartphone

By

Jeet

-

Feb 28, 2022

Along with the Nokia C21 and C21 Plus smartphones, HMD Global has also launched another C-series smartphone in the European market, dubbed as Nokia C2 2nd Edition.

As the name itself indicates, it is launched as a successor to the Nokia C2 that was announced in 2020. The Nokia C2 2nd Edition comes in two color options — Dark Blue and Warm Grey. The company is yet to reveal pricing and availability details.

The Nokia C2 2nd Edition features a 5.7-inch display that offers a screen resolution of 480 x 960 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The company has not specified which processor is powering the device but it has been revealed that it is powered by a Unisoc quad-core SoC running at a clock speed of 1.5GHz.

The device is offered in two models — 1GB RAM with 32GB of internal storage and 2GB RAM with 32GB of internal storage. Both of them come with a microSD card slot, allowing users to expand the storage capacity.

In the camera department, the smartphone has an 8-megapixel camera sensor on the back and a 5-megapixel snapper on the front side. It comes with support for Face Unlock as well as fingerprint sensor for added security.

It runs the Android 11 Go Edition operating system and the company has promised to release security updates for two years. The device is powered by a 2,400mAh battery and supports just 5W charging.

RELATED:

Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro, Pro 360 launched with AMOLED displays, Intel 12th gen CPU

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Feb 28, 2022

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 event is now live. Samsung is one of the first brands to announce new products at the MWC event. The South Korean tech giant has unveiled the Galaxy Book2 Pro and Galaxy Book2 Pro 360.

Galaxy Book2 Pro, Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 specifications

The Galaxy Book2 Pro has a 13.3-inch display, whereas the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 has a 15.6-inch screen. Both phones offer a 16:9 aspect ratio. Both devices are equipped with AMOLED displays that offer a Full HD resolution with 400 nits of brightness while regular viewing. The brightness can reach up to 500 nits while viewing HDR content. The 13.3-inch model weighs 1.04kg, whereas the 15.6-inch variant weighs 1.41kg.

Both models run on Windows 11 OS and carry support for S Pen, which lacks support for Bluetooth connectivity. With reduced latency, the S Pen can be used for drawing and writing. The Samsung Notes app promises improvements in departments like handwriting recognition and hyperlink support. The app can instantly synch with respective apps running on Galaxy devices.

The Galaxy Book2 Pro and Book2 Pro 360 are powered by the 12^th generation Intel Core i7 and Core i5 processors, up to 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and up to 1 TB of NVMe SSD storage. The Book2 Pro has a 63Wh battery, while the Book2 Pro 360 packs a 68Wh battery. Both carry support for 65W fast charging through USB-C.

Both notebooks come with Dolby Atmos powered dual stereo 4 speakers. These devices are equipped with connectivity features such as Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, and 5G (only on Pro). When it comes to ports, these devices offer a Thunderbolt 4, a USB-C port (two on 360), 2 x USB 3.2 Type-A ports, an HDMI port, a microSD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack.

Galaxy Book2 Pro, Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 pricing, availability

The Galaxy Book2 Pro is priced at $1,049 and it will be available in colors such as Silver and Graphite. On the other side, the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 costs $1,249 and comes in Burgundy, Graphite, and Silver colors. Both models will go on sale from April 1 in the U.S,

RELATED:

Mysterious OnePlus phone with Dimensity 8100 tipped, key specifications leaked

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Feb 28, 2022

OnePlus announced the OnePlus 10 Pro at the beginning of this month in China. The Chinese manufacturer is expected to release the OnePlus 10 Pro in global markets in March or April. Fresh information reveals that the company is working on a new smartphone that will feature the upcoming Dimensity 8100 chip. Reliable tipster Digital Chat Station has leaked the key specifications of the phone.

According to the tipster, the Dimensity 8100 powered OnePlus phone will feature a 6.7-inch OLED display with a centered positioned punch-hole. The rear side of the phone will be equipped with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main camera.

The device is said to be equipped with a 4,500mAh battery. He further claimed that it will carry support for 120W fast charging. The other specifications of the phone are under the wraps. Also, there is no word on the final moniker of the device. There is a possibility that this device may launch as the OnePlus 10 series phone in China.

This phone appears to be similar to the Realme GT Neo3, which is also rumored to feature the Dimensity 8100 chipset. Reports have revealed that the GT Neo3 will house a 6.7-inch OLED FHD+ display with a centrally placed punch-hole. It will carry support for a 120Hz refresh rate. The device will feature a 16-megapixel front-facing camera.

The rear camera of the phone will feature an OIS-assisted 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main camera. It will be accompanied by an 8-megapixel lens and a 2-meagpixel snapper. The handset may come with up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of internal storage.

The GT Neo3 is expected to arrive in two battery variants. The 4,500mAh battery variant of the phone is likely to carry support for 150W fast charging. The other variant of the device will house a 5,000mAh battery with 80W rapid charging. It will come preinstalled with Android 12 OS and Realme UI 3.0.

RELATED:

Redmi Gaming Monitor with 23.8-inch FHD 240Hz display launched for 1,599 yuan ($253)

By

Jeet

-

Feb 28, 2022

A couple of years ago, the Xiaomi-backed Redmi brand launched its first-ever monitor in the market with Redmi Display 1A. Since then, the company has been introducing new models in the market at regular intervals.

Today, the company has launched a new gaming monitor in its home country China which will go on sale from 4th March at a price of 1,599 yuan (approximately $253).

The new Redmi Gaming Monitor features a 23.8-inch display with a Full HD screen resolution and up to 240Hz refresh rate. The company adds that it uses FAST IPS technology and has a 1ms response time.

It is also certified for AMD FreeSync Premium and has a 100% sRGB color gamut, support for DC Dimming, and is said to be certified for protection from Blue Light.

As for the design, the new 23.8-inch Redmi Gaming Monitor has a narrow-frame bezel design from the three sides. There’s also a magnetic back cover at the IO panel and the base has support for vertical adjustment and rotating adjustment using which the monitor can also be used in a portrait or vertical position.

Coming to the interfaces, the monitor comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.2, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

RELATED:

Huawei executive confirms the Mate 50 flagship will be a reality

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 28, 2022

Huawei‘s Consumer Business Group Strategy Marketing Department Vice President, Li Changzhou has stated that the Huawei Mate 50 will indeed be a reality. The Huawei VP alluded to a community forum. The statement seemingly puts to rest the insinuation which was already gathering traction that the Mate 50 family was never to transit into a sellable product lineup.

Huawei Mate 40 Pro featured — Huawei Mate 40

Huawei has had a mixed bag of fortunes within the past year as it tries to pick up from the debilitating US sanctions regime. A canceled product offering could well be one of its least worries, but the strong confirmation by Huawei will calm some frayed nerves.

In 2021, Huawei could only unveil a single flagship line – the P50, and industry watchers had expected the Mate lineup should have been a concurrent flagship addition. Huawei continues to shore up its architecture as it fashions out a long-term response to US sanctions.

Li Changzhou was speaking on the eve of MWC 2022 and the company’s upcoming Spring 2022 Smart Office Live event. The specific optics of the statement relating to the Mate 50 indicates that Huawei may be working on the development of the Mate 50 after all. However, we are left in the dark about the possible release date for the Mate 50, if indeed it is under development.

There are reports that a new Huawei Mate device could surface by the middle of 2022. There is no way of verifying the information, as Huawei remains blank at this time. However, we expect a minimum of a 2nd-gen Snapdragon 8 chipset.

RELATED:

iPhone found inside toilet in a fairly good shape 10 years after it was lost

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 28, 2022

A Maryland, US resident has relived her experience of retrieving her missing iPhone in the toilet after reporting the device lost since 2012. In a story monitored on the U.S. Sun, Becki Beckmann retrieved her iPhone from her toilet, ten years after the device was lost.

Despite efforts to get the device, Beckmann was unable to pinpoint what happened to her iPhone in 2012. Having moved on, she had forgotten about the phone and had already gotten a replacement. But a persistent sound from a toilet in Beckmann’s apartment warranted closer scrutiny of what was producing a sound whenever the toilet was flushed.

Beckmann’s husband then discovered that it was indeed the lost iPhone from 2012, which had fallen into the toilet. Given the disorienting nature of the toilet chamber, it was impressive that the iPhone still retained its basic structure, although the rear cover had separated from the phone. Sadly, iPhones only got water resistance in 2016 starting with the iPhone 7 series.

It is unclear whether the iPhone which looks like an iPhone 4 could still be restored to working conditions, but in all, we could say that the iPhone held its own in its decade-long sojourn beneath its owner. There were several opinions on the Facebook post detailing the sojourn of the iPhone in the toilet. Some views are challenging whether indeed the iPhone was in the toilet for ten years or it recently got stuck there.

RELATED:

(source)

HMD Global launches Nokia C21 and Nokia C21 Plus budget smartphones at MWC 2022

By

Jeet

-

Feb 28, 2022

HMD Global, the Finland-based company that launches new Nokia-branded smartphones, has now announced two new devices in the brand’s budget-focused C-series, dubbed Nokia C21 and Nokia C21 Plus.

As for the pricing, the Nokia C21 starts at around £83 while the Nokia C21 Plus has a starting price of about £100. While the standard model is said to go on sale from March, the Plus model will be available in select markets from April.

The Nokia C21 is a pretty upscale smartphone compared to what the company has been offering so far in the C-series. It comes with a metal chassis that is rated IP52 for water and dust resistance.

It features a 6.5-inch HD+ display that offers a screen resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels with an aspect ratio of 20:9. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor, coupled with PowerVR GE8322 GPU.

The device comes in three memory options — 2GB RAM, 3GB RAM, and 4GB RAM along with an option to choose from two internal storage — 32GB of 64GB. There’s also a microSD card slot for expanding the storage capacity.

In the camera department, there’s a dual-camera setup on the back that includes a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor with an LED flash. On the front side, there’s a 5-megapixel snapper for taking selfies and video calling.

The smartphone is running the Android 11 Go Edition operating system out-of-the-box and the company has promised to offer quarterly security updates for two years. Interestingly, there are two battery options — 5,050mAh and 4,000mAh battery.

On the other hand, the Nokia C21 features the same 6.5-inch HD+ 20:9 display with a screen resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. It also has a metal frame but the company has dropped the IP ratings.

Under the hood, this one too comes powered by the Unisoc SC9863A processor but the memory options are limited to 2GB RAM or 3GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB internal storage. It also has a microSD card slot for expanding the storage capacity.

The phone has an 8-megapixel camera sensor on the back and a 5-megapixel snapper on the front side. It runs the Android 11 Go Edition operating system with a promise of getting security updates for two years and the device is powered by a 3,000mAh battery.

RELATED:

Huawei MatePad Paper is a €499 e-ink tablet with M-Pencil support

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 28, 2022

Huawei is definitely not having an easy ride this year as it continues to struggle to deal with the challenges that came with the US ban. Interestingly, the company has devised some strategies to ensure it is still able to remain in the consumer electronics market, like releasing its flagship models without 5G support, among others. The company is also intensifying its innovative drive as it has released a number of cool products for the global market. The latest of such innovative products is the Huawei MatePad Paper which the company just announced.

The Huawei MatePad Paper is a tablet/ e-book reader with some impressive features that will ensure it performs the dual function effectively. The MatePad Paper packs a 10.3-inch grayscale display screen with a resolution of 1872 x 1404 pixels and an aspect ratio of 227 PPI. The e-ink display comes with added features such as an anti-glare and reflective screen that aids low-light use. Huawei says the slate is capable of reproducing 256 shades of greyscale to display text and images as well as videos. That is if you don’t mind viewing the videos in black and white. The tablet also comes with 32 levels of backlighting.

As an e-book reader, the device packs trimmed down bezels on the top, bottom, and right edges while the left edge is slightly wider to give the outlook of a book that is opened. As a result of the reduced bezels, the device features a screen-to-body ratio of 86.3%.

Furthermore, the MatePad Paper runs on a Hexa-core processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The device is compatible with the M-Pencil (second generation) that Huawei launched for its high-end tablets. Thus, you can take notes, annotate, edit books and other documents. The screen is well responsive to the stylus as Huawei tweaked the sensitivity of the textured screen. The M-Pencil features 4096 Levels of Pressure Sensitivity and low latency of 26ms.

The e-ink tablet boots HarmonyOS 2 bringing features such as the ability to easily establish a connection between the tablet and Huawei’s laptops, PCs, tablets, and phones. The connection takes the form of a USB drive but wirelessly, thanks to WiFi 6+ and Bluetooth 5.2 support onboard. Thus, you can easily share notes and PDFs between gadgets.

Keeping the lights on is a 3625mAh battery that is touted to deliver up to 28 days of battery life on standby. It also comes with 22.5W fast charging which Huawei claims can deliver up to 6 days reading with just a 1.5-hour charge. It supports reverse charging. The device also features fingerprint recognition as the power button doubles as the sensor.

The MatePad Paper actually ships with the M-Pencil and a protective case. It will retail in Europe for €499. There are speculations that the company will launch the new e-ink tablet in China in March.

RELATED:

(source)

OPPO Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition brings new features for skiers

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 27, 2022

At the recently held launch event where OPPO unveiled the Find X5 series, its first tablet – the OPPO Pad, the Chinese company equally took the wraps of a new version of the Watch 2 and it is dubbed OPPO Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition.

OPPO’s foray into the smartwatch industry began with the first-gen OPPO Watch that was launched in 2020. Last year, the company unveiled the second-generation OPPO Watch 2 with some improvements in the design and internal features. The OPPO Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition comes with a few improvements over the Watch 2 with which it shares design. It also comes with major upgrades in sports health management and full intelligence, which will provide users with long-term, practical, and professional health protection and ease of usage.

The appearance is the biggest difference from the previous version. The OPPO Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition has a comprehensive innovation in visual design, bringing the first three-color oil pressure wristband technology, which is light and thin and has a superior style, suitable for ski lovers.

At the same time, the function has also been optimized for skiing, with a built-in new outdoor skiing function and built-in OPPO Health Lab self-developed algorithm, which can accurately record skiing data and realize full-link skiing assistance.

The new Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition also comes with a physical test function for middle school students. It adopts the Gomore algorithm in cooperation with the Institute of Physical Education of China’s General Administration of Sports.

In addition, there are upgrades in smart experience, which support functions such as screen display, quick application, and remote car key.

As for other aspects, the new edition isn’t different from its predecessor. It is equipped with a 1.91-inch AMOLED 3D Curved flexible screen with a square shape and a screen ratio of 72.7%.

In terms of performance, the OPPO Watch 2 series is equipped with UDDE dual-engine hybrid technology and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 chip. It supports Android and RTOS dual systems and can install more than 50 apps, including WeChat Children’s Watch Edition, Alipay, QQ, NetEase Cloud Music, Baidu Maps, QQ Music, The Most Beautiful Weather, Air Travel, Phoenix News, etc. It also comes with e-SIM support.

In terms of price, the OPPO Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition is priced at 1499 yuan (~$237).

RELATED:

(via)

Apple iPhone SE 3 could be priced lower than its predecessor

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 27, 2022

There are indications that the Apple iPhone SE that could be released anytime soon could be cheaper than its predecessor from 2020. The third iteration of the iPhone SE is the iPhone SE 3 will likely have the same design as its predecessor while its improved internal setup will likely guarantee more updates. This also means that the iPhone SE 3 could have enhanced longevity in addition to the projected lower pricing for the device.

Apple iPhone SE 3 — Image via TenTechReview

The information of a cheaper iPhone SE 3 is culled from a report by analyst John Donovan projecting that the product could be sold around $300 which is about $100 less than the iPhone SE 2. It is not clear whether the price will be due to some incentive package or it is a flat offer from Apple. A recent report had also projected the price of the iPhone SE 3 around $300.

The fact however remains that the iPhone SE 3 will be targeting the lower end of the market spectrum and it is likely to be budget-friendly, supporting the lower price proposition. Although Apple is a powerhouse in the high-end segment of the smartphone market, it will be interesting to see how it performs in the mid-range segment of the market where Android products hold the aces. We expect to see an improved design together with 5G connectivity and overall improved performance of the iPhone SE 3. The new model is likely to be powered by the A15 Bionic chip which is what we find in the iPhone 13 lineup.

RELATED:

(via)

Huawei Smart Office unveiled, offering seamless connection across devices

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 27, 2022

Huawei is making substantial progress in the development of a seamlessly connected ecosystem that allows all Huawei devices to connect easily. Along this line, the company has just announced the Super Device software package that will allow Huawei devices to connect seamlessly.

The Super Device software package marks a smooth transition in the development of synergy in communications between laptops, smartphones, smartwatches, fitness bands, and the array of smart home devices. This also includes connectivity to the Huawei Smart Office which enables cross-device collaboration whether it is running on Huawei’s Harmony OS or the Windows operating system.

With the Super Device software, you can use your smartphone’s apps on Huawei laptops in an exciting manner. Up to three of the apps could be opened simultaneously when sharing the phone’s screen on the laptop. You can also transfer files through the traditional drag and drop mechanism. As per speed of connectivity, the Super Device feature allows for seamless pairing of Huawei’s laptops with an array of other devices and Huawei’s accessories via Bluetooth. The connected Huawei ecosystem includes the lineup of TWS earbuds, wireless speakers, microphones, and even keyboards.

The new Super Device software brings the array of functionality available within the Huawei ecosystem into a single interface and it is bound to enhance the appeal and overall user experience using Huawei’s devices.

RELATED:

(via)