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TCL plans to launch a more affordable 5G smartphone and a 5G tablet

The TCL 20 5G launched back in January as TCL’s most affordable 5G smartphone with a price tag of under €299. Now TCL is planning to announce an even more affordable smartphone this year along with its first 5G tablet.

TCL's most affordable 5G phone
TCL’s most affordable 5G phone is coming later this year

The info was revealed by Stefan Streit, the Chief Marketing Officer of TCL Communication, in the global product announcement video for MWC 2021. TCL says its mission is to bring 5G to everyone and one of the ways to do so is by getting a 5G smartphone into the hands of users.

Apart from being its most affordable smartphone yet, the phone will also feature its NXTVISION display technology and have a high-performance refresh rate. A promotional clip of the phone shows it has a waterdrop notch, a headphone jack at the top, triple rear cameras, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, and a USB-C port. The phone is shown rocking a dark blue matte paint job. It appears the phone will launch under the TCL 20 series as shown at the end of the clip.

The TCL 5G smartphone is not the only 5G device to look forward to. TCL has also announced that it will launch a 5G tablet too. Very little was revealed about this product but we can expect it to launch under its TabMax series.

 

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Lenovo Legion Duel 2 available on Giztop for $559

Featuring a bigger battery, faster touch response, and more off-screen triggers than its predecessor, Lenovo’s new Legion Phone Duel 2 phone has been launched a couple of days ago. Being a gaming phone, it carries flagship-level specs with the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Mobile Platform at its heart. Days after its release, the device is up on GizTop that too with a huge discount.

Must See: Lenovo launches new ThinkPad laptops for productivity and creative professionals

The Giztop listing shows the Legion Duel 2 at just $599 for the base variant in Black colour. It’s almost $50 less than the actual price of $649. You can also take the beefy version with about 18GB of RAM and 512GB internal storage. Other storage options include: 16/256GB, 16/512GB, and 18/256GB. You can avail of all these options at a decent discount. In case if we missed it, the White version of the Duel 2 is available too.

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As mentioned, the Legion Duel 2 brings gaming-centric features including above-average thermals that are 30% better than Phone Duel 1. And, A smooth, sustained 144Hz refresh rate display coupled with a 720Hz touch sampling rate, which is a substantial improvement from the first Legion Phone’s 240Hz rating. For the unversed, the touch sampling rate is a measure of how fast a screen can detect touches on a screen. Higher the sampling rate more responsive the display to actions or touches. It’ll help in more accurate input while gaming and general navigation overall.

The Duel 2 has a massive 5,500 mAh battery with support of up to 90W fast charging. By all means, the Duel 2 seems to be a good gaming phone and with the $599, the device is much affordable and worthy for the price.

Related: Grab Realme Q3 Pro 5G is now on sale for $279 via Giztop

Micromax ln 2b & ln 2c Geekbench listings reveal a Unisoc SoC on par with the Helio G80

In line with the rollout plans of Micromax to unveil several products in the remaining part of the year, the company may be releasing two models soon. The Micromax ln 2b and Micromax ln 2c have just been listed on Geekbench 5, with some of the features of both devices revealed via the listing.Micromax IN 2B

The two upcoming Micromax models will be powered by the same Unisoc T610 chipset with 4GB of RAM available. Both devices will run on the Android 11 operating system from the box.

The Geekbench single and multiple core test results for the models reveal an impressive performance in comparison with some leading models in the segment. The Micromax ln 2b and ln 2c scored 350 and 248, respectively for the single-core test. The corresponding scores for the multi-core test for both devices were 1204 and 1233, respectively. The Geekbench results indicated that both devices performed below Xiaomi’s Redmi 9 Prime and Samsung Galaxy A32 in both single-core and multi-core tests. However, both the Micromax ln 2b and ln 2c outperformed the Realme C15 on both fronts.Micromax IN 2C

The two possibly upcoming Micromax smartphones could be released soon, although it is known that both models lack 5G support, as the Unisoc chipset only has a 4G modem. The rollout schedule of Micromax could indicate that the company is staging a comeback in the smartphone segment. Some of its earlier models released this year are the Micromax ln 1, ln 1b, and the ln Note 1. The ln 2 series could thus be debuted by the ln 2b and ln 2c anytime soon.

Much information relating to the impending launch will become available moving forward. This would include an official announcement of the launch of the devices and possible pricing information. We also await more specific information regarding the features of the two models.

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TCL NXTWEAR G is a pair of smart glasses that connects to your phone

TCL has marked its entrance into the smart glasses space with the launch of the NXTWEAR. The pair of smart glasses which was unveiled during an early MWC 2021 announcement doesn’t have an AI assistant built-in nor is it mixed reality glasses like the Microsoft HoloLens. So how does it work?

TCL NXTWEAR G featured

The TCL NXTWEAR G works by connecting to your phone or computer or tablet and serving as a display. Think of it as a PlayStation VR headset that connects to your devices. It doesn’t have a built-in battery, so your phone or PC is what powers it.

Each lens of the NXTWEAR G has an FHD Micro OLED panel from Sony and provides an experience similar to watching a 140-inch screen from 4 meters away. TCL says the display follows your motion, allowing you to move freely. There are also stereo speakers integrated into the glasses.

It has a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 47° field of view, and a 60Hz refresh rate. It also has an accelerometer, a gyroscope, compass, and P sensor. The smart glasses work with any smartphone, 2-in-1 notebook, and a computer with a DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

TCL NXTWEAR G contents

The NXTWEAR G weighs 100 grams and the integrated USB-C cable adds an extra 30 grams. There is no price tag yet but when it ships it will include 3 nose pads, a lens frame for corrective lenses, a cleaning cloth, and a carrying case.

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Microsoft unveils Windows 11 with new visual changes, available as a free upgrade

Today, Microsoft announced a new version of Windows, almost six years after Windows 10 was released. Windows 11, as it is called, comes with a new user interface and upgrades under the hood. Here is what is new with the new version of Windows:

Windows 11 featured

UI Changes

The first thing you notice with Windows 11 is the new UI. It has been reported that the new visual changes were carried over from the shuttered Windows 10X. The start menu is now positioned in the middle of the taskbar. Open and pinned apps/programs will appear in the middle too. Windows 11 also drops the search bar next to the Start button for a search icon.

If you didn’t like tiles, then you are in luck. The feature which was introduced with Windows 8 has now been removed. The redesigned Start Menu now has a search box at the top, pinned apps, and a section for recent documents.

While tiles are gone, Widgets are the focus now. A form of widgets is already available with the recent Windows 10 update. Widgets will now slide in from the left side of the screen and can be expanded to take over the whole screen. However, with Windows 11, users will be able to manage them. Microsoft has also switched to rounded corners for open windows.

There are also new themes for both light and dark modes.

Performance Changes

Microsoft says that updates for Windows 11 will be 40% smaller and will happen in the background, which should mean no interruptions while you are working. Microsoft Teams has also been built into Windows 11 just the way Skype was. You will be able to call or chat for free with the integrated app.

Another new feature is DirectStorage, a feature copied from the new Xbox Series X and Series S consoles which allow for faster loading times for games. The feature was first announced last year as coming to Windows. Users will need a DirectStorage capable PC and own a DirectStorage enabled game to enjoy the feature.

Still talking about gaming, Windows 11 will also have Xbox Game Pass integrated along with the xCloud game streaming service.

Windows 11 PC Check

Windows 11 will be available as a free upgrade when it is released later this year. Microsoft says users can use the PC Health Check app to see if their current PC meets the requirements to run Windows 11.

 

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Xiaomi smartphone owners are complaining about touch screen response issue

Some of the new devices from Xiaomi are reportedly suffering from touch response issues and the reason behind this issue is not yet clear. Also, the issue isn’t limited to just one device but several devices seem to be having the problem.

Xiaomi Mi 11i All Colors Featured

A thread on Reddit, which is around two months ago, talks about the following devices facing similar touch screen response problem:

  • Xiaomi Mi 11
  • Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra
  • Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite
  • Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro
  • Redmi Note 10 Pro
  • Redmi Note 9S

We haven’t independently confirmed issues with these devices listed above but reports indicate that the phones are facing issues fairly recently, that too on a small number of devices running the company’s own MIUI, which is likely the culprit.

Some users have tried to factory reset their smartphone but that has also not fixed the problem. However, rebooting the device seems to be fixing the problem temporarily but crops up again pretty quickly.

Xiaomi has confirmed that the brand is aware of the touch screen response issue on some of the devices and the company has also added that an update with the fix for various devices will be rolled out soon.

Currently, there is no indication about how widespread this issue is as there were very few mentions of touch sensitivity problems online. Nonetheless, the company has acknowledged the issue and has promised to solve it soon.

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Tecno Phantom X goes official packing a 48MP selfie cam & 50MP main shooter

Transsion Holdings subsidiary Tecno has built a towering reputation for itself in the Middle East, Indian, and African markets with its decently priced and durable offerings. The brand has over the years launched budget and mid-range smartphones as well as feature phones which have propelled it as a leading brand in these markets. Tecno Phantom X

However, the brand is looking to expand its dragnet into the high-end market. To this end, it is relaunching the Phantom series as a separate sub-brand. The Tecno Phantom X has been launched as the first premium smartphone under the new sub-brand. The smartphone features several high-end features, including a powerful front and rear camera setup.

The Tecno Phantom X sports a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a FHD+ resolution and support for a 90Hz refreshrate. The display uses the 19.5:9 aspect ratio and is curved on the sides. The phone also has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front and back panel for protection.Tecno Phantom X

The Phantom X is powered by a MediaTek Helio G95 processor paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The device also adopts a vapor chamber cooling system attached to the chipset to keep it cooler up to 3-5º. Tecno Phantom X

At the rear, the Tecno flagship packs a 50MP main camera with a large 1/1.3” sensor with 1.2µm native pixels that grow to 2.4µm with binning. The sensor utilizes Dual Pixel and Laser autofocus with an f/1.85 aperture. The device also packs a 13MP telephoto lens while the third sensor os an 8MP ultrawide-angle lens. The device also packs a quad-LED flash. The device features a fingerprint reader embedded under the display and is touted to unlock the phone in 0.4 seconds.

For selfies, the Phantom X packs a dual camera setup embedded inside the dual punch-hole cut-out located at the left corner of the display. The selfie camera includes a 48MP main shooter and an 8MP ultrawide module with a 105º lens. The front camera even has a dual-LED flash.

The device packs a 4700mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging. Tecno says a 30 -minute charge will boost a flat battery up to 70%.

Tecno is yet to announce the pricing details of the Phantom X. The flagship is expected to be available next month.

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Xiaomi’s Mi TV 6 will be the first TV with 48MP dual cameras

While TVs with built-in cameras have existed for a while, the feature is yet to be mainstream. The built-in camera allows for video calling on the TVs in addition to extra features such as gesture control and face and body recognition. Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei are among the manufacturers that offer TVs with built-in cameras, however, none of them have launched a model with two cameras. But that will change when Xiaomi announces its next-gen smart TV, the Mi TV 6.

Xiaomi has been revealing key features of its upcoming flagship TV as the launh date draws closer, and today’s feature reveal is that the Mi TV 6 will have dual cameras – 48MP dual cameras to be specific, a first for a TV.

Xiaomi Mi TV 6 dual cameras

The caption for the poster revealing the feature mentions a “new interactive mode” which will take advantage of the extra camera sensor. While they didn’t say which apps will make use of the technology, we presume games and fitness apps will be among them.

The Mi TV 6 is shaping up to be a really impressive smart TV. So far, it has been revealed that the TV will have 4.2.2 surround sound with spatial audio, 100W built-in speakers, Wi-Fi 6, two HDM 2.1 ports, AMD FreeSync Premium for ultra-low latency while gaming, and a “Designed For Xbox” certification.

Xiaomi has also confirmed that the TV will use QLED Quantum Dot technology for its display and will also have Dolby Vision IQ, a feature that allows the TV automatically adjust to ambient light.

The Mi TV 6 flagship TV is scheduled for launch on June 28 in China. At the moment, we do not know if Xiaomi has plans to launch the TV in other markets.

 

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Xiaomi launches the MIJIA DC Inverter Floor Fan E with XiaoAI & MIJIA app support

Xiaomi has launched the MIJIA DC Inverter Floor Fan E in China. The smart floor fan comes with low operating noise, low power consumption, gentle wind, and other characteristics. The product is also extremely affordable, coming in at 229 yuan (~$35).MIJIA DC Inverter Floor Fan E

One of the advantages of MIJIA fans is simulating natural wind and the newly launched MIJIA DC Inverter Floor Fan E is no exception. The MIJIA DC Fan E uses 7 large-area wing-shaped profile vanes, combined with an accelerating diversion hood. It also features a new R-angle rear hood, which not only cuts the airflow more evenly and densely but also fits the skin and ensures the air supply distance reaches 14 meters. The fan also has a maximum air output per minute of up to 22.3m³ while the head swings up to a 140° radius.MIJIA DC Inverter Floor Fan E

The motor is the core of the DC fan. The MIJIA DC Inverter Floor Fan E adopts a high-quality copper wire DC inverter brushless motor which reduces power consumption by more than half compared with traditional fans. The motor produces low noise with a minimum operating noise of 29.8 dB(A). The air output is also soft and quiet. It is also easy to install.

The Mijia DC Inverter Floor Fan E adopts a new fan structure design which is self-contained, and the head angle can reach 90°. The strong wind power accelerates the indoor airflow and assists the air circulation in the whole house so as to achieve the purpose of quickly balancing the indoor temperature.MIJIA DC Inverter Floor Fan E

Further, the DC Inverter Floor Fan can be used in consonance with other cooling and hearing systems as well as air purifiers to effectively distribute the air. The gadgets can be linked together to function at the same time.

Like other Xiaomi’s smart home appliances, the MIJIA DC inverter floor fan E can be operated intelligently through a XiaoAI-enabled device and the MIJIA app. The product is presently available in China via Jingdong (JD.com).

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MIUI 12.5 update released for Xiaomi Mi Max 3, Redmi 7

After updating newer smartphones to MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has now begun to roll out this update for older handsets. Today, the company has started seeding out the update for the last Mi Max phone and the seventh generation Redmi number series device.

Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Featured A
Xiaomi Mi Max 3

Xiaomi is now rolling out the MIUI 12.5 update for the Redmi 7 and the Mi Max 3 in China. The update arrives with build numbers V12.5.1.0.QFLCNXM and V12.5.1.0.QEDCNXM respectively.

The latest system update for these smartphones is in the stable Beta phase. In other words, the software builds are only available for a select few users. However, they should reach all the units (including international variants) in the coming days.

The Xiaomi Mi MAX 3 launched in 2018 with MIUI 9 based on Android 8.0 Oreo. After its release, the handset was updated to MIUI 10, MIUI 11, as well as MIUI 12. It even received Android 9.0 Pie and Android 10 upgrades. Now, it is getting its last major update in the form of MIUI 12.5. We don’t think it will receive MIUI 13, as per Xiaomi’s update track record.

On the other hand, the Redmi 7 debuted in 2019 with MIUI 10 based on Android 9.0 Pie. The device was later updated to MIUI 11 and MIUI 12. It even received an Android 10 upgrade. The MIUI 12 update for this phone was initially canceled. But the company delivered it nevertheless, in addition to MIUI 12.5. It will be also not eligible for MIUI 13 update.

 

 

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Vivo V21e 5G with Dimensity 700, 64MP dual cameras, 32MP front camera launched in India

In April, Vivo announced the Vivo V21 5G smartphone in India. Today, the company held an online launch event to unleash the Vivo V21e 5G handset. Some of the major highlights of the handset include Dimensity 700 chip, 64-megapixel dual cameras, and a 32-megapixel selfie camera.

Vivo V21e 5G specifications and features

The Vivo V21e 5G has a 6.44-inch teardrop notch display that offers a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, a 20:9 aspect ratio, 408ppi pixel density, and a 60Hz refresh. The AMOLED panel is integrated with a fingerprint scanner.

For shooting selfies and video calls, the V21e 5G has a front camera of 32-megapixel. The rear panel of the device has a 64-megapixel main camera, which is coupled with an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens. The cameras can capture brighter selfies and enhanced shots in low-light conditions. Other photography features available on the device include dual-view video, double exposure, and ultra-stable video.

Vivo V21e 5G
Vivo V21e 5G

The Dimensity 700 chipset is present under the hood of the Vivo V21e 5G. Apart from 8 GB of RAM, the handset offers 3 GB of available storage as virtual RAM, which helps in the smooth functioning of apps. The handset comes with 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage and boots to FunTouch OS 11.1 UI flavored Android 11 OS.

The V21e 5G has a 4,000mAh battery that supports 44W FlashCharge technology. The company claims that 30 minutes of charging allows the phone to reach 72 percent battery power from scratch. One of the major attractions of the V21e 5G is that it superslim chassis that measures 7.67mm in thickness and weighs 165 grams.

Vivo V21e 5G price in India

The Vivo V21e 5G has arrived with a price tag of Rs 24,990 (~$337) in India and it comes in two colors such as Sunset Jazz and Dark Peal. The smartphone can be purchased through Flipkart and Vivo India’s online store.

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Samsung patent reveals how the Galaxy Z Roll might look like

Samsung was recently granted a patent for a new sliding smartphone that features a display that rolls out and extends, which offers us a look at what the Galaxy Z Roll (or possible the Galaxy Z Slide) might look like.

Samsung

According to a LetsGoDigital report, the South Korean tech giant filed for the patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) back in November 2020. This application was granted earlier this month and showcases a sliding smartphone that has an extending display. In its compact form, the supposed Galaxy Z Roll resembles a conventional smartphone with an under display camera on the front and a triple camera on the rear.

Although, the device also sports a motorized mechanism under the hood that allows it to slide out and extend the display from one side. While the sliding display is undoubtedly its most highlighting feature, the smartphone also sports a heart rate monitor on the rear camera module as well. Meanwhile, the front also houses an in display fingerprint scanner, while the front display also houses an illuminance sensor and proximity sensor underneath the screen.

Samsung

Unfortunately, it is unknown if Samsung is actually working on such a smartphone or is just covering all bases. But looking at the degree of details in the patent, this might be one of the prototype designs of what could be the Galaxy Z Roll. However, this is just speculation so take this with a pinch of salt for now and stay tuned for more updates regarding this device.

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HUAWEI HarmonyOS 2 Stable update released for 18 devices, Open Beta for 17 devices

Earlier this month, Huawei officially unveiled HarmonyOS 2 for its smartphones and tablets. Since then, the company has been releasing beta builds for eligible devices gradually. A few weeks later, the firm has finally started seeding stable update for the first batch of devices.

Huawei HarmonyOS Logo Featured

According to the official HarmonyOS Weibo account, Huawei has begun to seed HarmonyOS 2 Stable update for the following 18 devices.

  1. PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate40 RS
  2. HUAWEI Mate40 Pro+
  3. HUAWEI Mate40 Pro
  4. HUAWEI Mate40
  5. HUAWEI Mate40 E
  6. HUAWEI Mate X2
  7. HUAWEI P40 Pro+
  8. HUAWEI P40 Pro
  9. HUAWEI P40
  10. HUAWEI P40 4G
  11. PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate30 RS
  12. HUAWEI Mate30 Pro 5G
  13. HUAWE Mate30 E Pro 5G
  14. HUAWEI Mate30 Pro
  15. HUAWEI Mate30 5G
  16. HUAWEI Mate30
  17. HUAWEI MatePad Pro 5G
  18. HUAWEI MatePad Pro

Further, the HarmonyOS 2 Open Beta (aka Public Beta) update is currently available for the following devices.

  1. HUAWEI P30 Pro
  2. HUAWEI P30
  3. HUAWEI Mate X
  4. HUAWEI Mate20 X 5G
  5. HUAWEI nova 5 Pro
  6. HUAWEI nova 5i Pro
  7. HUAWEI nova 5
  8. HUAWEI nova 5z
  9. HUAWEI MediaPad M6 10.8-inch
  10. HUAWEI MediaPad M6 8.4-inch
  11. HUAWEI MediaPad M6 Turbo
  12. HUAWEI nova 8 Pro 5G
  13. HUAWEI nova 8
  14. HUAWEI nova 7 Pro 5G
  15. HUAWEI nova 7 5G
  16. HUAWEI nova 6 5G
  17. HUAWEI nova 6

Unfortunately, HarmonyOS 2 Stable and Open Beta builds for the above-listed devices are only limited to China for now. Huawei is yet to reveal its update rollout plan for global markets.

 

 

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Apple Watch Series 7 to feature smaller double sided S7 chip: Report

A new report has revealed information regarding the Apple Watch Series 7. The next gen smartwatch from the company will apparently feature a smaller “S7” chipset that will open up more space for other internal components.

Apple

According to a paywalled report from DigiTimes (Via MacRumors), the Apple Watch Series 7 from the Cupertino based giant will house a new double sided SiP (System in Package). This new chipset will be built from Taiwanese supplier ASE Technology. On the supplier’s official website, ASE Technology confirmed that its double sided technology will allow for module miniaturization. In other words, the company’s latest smartwatch could sport a smaller “S7” chipset under the hood.

At the moment, the iPhone maker is expected to launch the Series 7 Watch in September of this year. This launch month is in line with its previous generation announcements. Furthermore, the brand is also reported on testing thinner display bezels and a new lamination technique that could bring the display and the front glass cover closer together.

Similarly, we had previously reported on the smartwatch featuring a new flat design along with a new mint green color variant. Previous leaks had also claimed that the upcoming Watch Series 7 will feature a blood glucose level tracking function along with a body temperature tor sensor as well.

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POCO X3 GT and F3 GT certification listings spotted, might launch soon

Earlier this month, we had reported on the POCO X3 GT bagging the FCC certification. Now, the upcoming smartphone has also been spotted on the Malaysian SIRIM certification, while POCO F3 GT has also received the TUV Rheinland certification as well.

POCO

Talking about the X3 GT first, the device is expected to be the rebranded version of the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G that has just been spotted clearing the SIRIM certification. This certification revealed the device’s model number and also confirmed its name as the POCO X3 GT. As per this listing (Via MySmartPrice), the smartphone carried the model number 21061110AG, which is in line with the FCC certification we had covered before.

On the other hand, the F3 GT, which is believed to be a rebranded version of the Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition, was also spotted receiving TUV Rheinland certification. The certification reveals that the model number for the M2012K10C/ M2012K10I. Notably, the “I” in the model number could be a reference to the Indian variant. The listing was spotted by known tipster Mukul Sharma who shared the information along with a screenshot on Twitter.

Both of the aforementioned smartphone are expected to launch in India soon. Although, the exact announcement date is currently unknown. Furthermore, the company has yet to official reveal any finer details regarding these handsets. So stay tuned for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.

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Xiaomi launches the MIJIA Screen Display Switch under crowdfunding

Xiaomi has consistently disclosed its desire to transform most homes into smart homes through the incorporation of smart, interconnected products. Over the years, we have seen the brand’s product offering increase from vacuum robots, smart bulbs, smart switches, and several others. The Chinese tech giant has now launched the MIJIA Screen Display Switch.MIJIA Screen Display Switch

The MIJIA Screen Display Switch is offered in two models; single-key and double-key, priced at 99 yuan (~$15) and 109 yuan (~$17) respectively. The smart switch is capable of realizing smart scenes such as remote switching of lights and XiaoAI voice control without the need for wiring.MIJIA Screen Display Switch

The switch has a built-in temperature and humidity sensor, which allows the user to see the temperature and humidity of the room. There is an LCD screen on the display which can be used to view the temperature and humidity of the room. The switch can be linked with the indoor air conditioner and humidifier.MIJIA Screen Display Switch.

At the same time, the screen also displays the current time and date, and the outdoor weather. The outdoor weather is represented with different symbols: cloudy, sunny, rain, snow, cloudy, and haze.

In addition, the switch features a built-in Bluetooth Mesh gateway function which allows it to be linked with other smart products to realize whole-house interconnection. You can even customize the buttons from functioning as a light switch. From the MIJIA app, the user can customize any of the buttons as a switch for other smart devices in the home.

The smart switch is durable as it is touted to withstand up to 80,000 presses. It won’t oxidize easily despite using a brass base and sterling silver contacts. The gadget is 110mm long and 86mm wide. The product is presently up for crowdfunding on Xiaomi Youpin and is expected to start shipping on July 4.

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LG faces backlash for its plans on selling Apple iPhones in South Korea

We had recently reported on Apple seeking to sell its iPhones and other products from LG stores in South Korea. But now, it seems that the latter is facing backlash in the country from local smartphone distributors over market competition.

LG

According to TheKoreaHerald report, the South Korean tech giant is facing backlash from local distributors and a private consensus based panel on shared growth, which stated that LG would be breaking its ‘word’ if it goes ahead with the new plan. Furthermore, the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership added that the company’s pact with the commission in signed in 2019 that had LG would work to achieve co-prosperity with smaller firms in the industry.

The company had just recently announced that it would be shutting down its smartphone unit. It was also reportedly planning on selling iPhones and other Apple products from its official retail stores in South Korea. But this plan has brought up criticism from the Korea Mobile Distributor Association as well, which is an agency that represents interests of domestic phone distributors.

Apple

Now, the organization has sent a letter to the Korea Commission Corporate Partnership and has asked the body to intervene. Back in 2018, LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics had agreed to limit the sale of smartphones from their stores to the ones of their own brand, to prevent competition with smaller phone distributors. An official from the commission added that “LG’s withdrawal of the smartphone business has become an unexpected change to consider. Both sides will need to coordinate and come up with a new agreement on the issue.”

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realme Smart TV Full HD 32″ launched in India for ₹18,999 ($256)

At the realme narzo 30 series launch event, the brand also unveiled realme Buds Q2 and realme Smart TV Full HD 32”. The new television from the company is one of the few models in the market to offer FHD screen resolution on a 32-inch panel. Let’s take a detailed look at this TV.

realme Smart TV Full HD 32” Specifications and Features

As the name suggests, the newly announced realme Smart TV Full HD 32” sports a 32-inch LED-backlit LCD panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 16.7 million colors, and an 85% NTSC color gamut. The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio and 178° viewing angle.

The television is powered by a 64-bit MediaTek chipset consisting of a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and ARM Mali-470 MP3 GPU. This SoC is coupled with 1GB DDR3 RAM and 8GB flash storage.

realme Smart TV Full HD 32-inch C

On the software front, the product runs Android TV 9.0 Pie with support for all the streaming services in India, Play Store Google Chromecast Built-in, Google Assistant via voice-enabled remote control, and realme’s proprietary Chroma Boost Picture Engine color profile.

As for connectivity, the television comes with single-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, 3 x HDMI (1 x ARC), 1 x AV, 1 x tuner, 2 x USB, 1 x LAN, and 1 x S/PDIF.

realme Smart TV Full HD 32-inch B

Last but not least, the TV features a 4-unit 24W speaker system with support for Dolby Audio.

realme Smart TV Full HD 32” Price and Availability in India

The realme Smart TV Full HD 32” is priced at ₹18,999 ($256) in India.  But for a limited time, the brand will be offering a ₹1,000 ($13) discount (Early Bird offer). The television’s first sale is scheduled for June 29 at 12 PM.

It will be available on realme.com and Flipkart. It will soon hit the partner retail stores as well.

 

 

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Apple next gen AirPods to launch later this year, suppliers begin component shipments

Apple suppliers have apparently began shipping components the for the next generation AirPods. The upcoming earbuds from the company are expected to launch later this year.

According to a paywalled DigiTimes report (Via MacRumors), around seven suppliers of the Cupertino based giant have began shipping orders for circuit board related components.  The report added that “Suppliers including Semco, LG Innotek, Kinsus, Unimicron, Nan Ya, Zhen Ding and AT&S have all kicked off their BT substrate shipments for Apple’s next-generation products including the Apple Watch, AirPods and iPhone, which all adopt SiP modules.” The news reportedly arrives from industry sources close to the matter.

Apple
The company’s AirPods Pro

As per previous reports, the third generation AirPods, that are set to launch later this year, are expected to feature a similar design as the AirPods Pro but with a shorter stem. Notably, this would mark the first update in the hearables series from the company since 2019. While the design might be similar to the Pro variant, the third gen AirPods will be priced lower that the AirPods Pro. Although, it is likely also to exclude certain high end features like the active noise cancellation (ANC) to lower the price.

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Xiaomi Mi TV Webcam launched in India for ₹1,999 ($27)

Xiaomi has launched its first-ever accessory for Mi TVs and Redmi TVs in India. This product is a webcam to make video calls to loved ones. It is officially called Mi TV Webcam. Let’s take a look at what it has to offer.

Xiaomi Mi TV Webcam Front Featured

Xiaomi Mi TV Webcam Specifications and Features

The newly announced Mi TV Webcam is the same as the OnePlus TV Camera. This accessory is an ODM product made by Seevo. Therefore, the sole difference between the two is branding.

The device sports a 2MP sensor with support for 1080p (FHD) video streaming at 25fps. It has a 71° FOV (field of view) and is limited to fixed focus. The sensor supports image 3D image noise reduction and it can be covered using a built-in privacy shutter when not in use.

Further, the device comes with dual stereo microphones. Xiaomi claims that these far-field mics can pick up noise from 4m away. Hence, it works well with Google Duo.

Xiaomi Mi TV Webcam Rear Featured

The accessory can be used with smart TVs running Android TV 8 Oreo or above and computers with both Windows as well as macOS. It uses a USB Type-C for connection. A 1.5m USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable is included in the package.

Last but not least, the Mi TV Webcam features a metal build and an adjustable magnetic bracket. It measures 80 x 35 x 67mm in dimensions and weighs 45.6g.

Xiaomi Mi TV Webcam Price and Availability in India

The Xiaomi Mi TV Webcam costs ₹500 less than the OnePlus TV Camera, which is basically the same product. Interested customers can buy it for ₹1,999 ($27) from Mi.com, Mi Home retail stores, and Mi Studio retail stores across India. It will be available starting June 28, 2021.

 

 

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