Redmi Note 9T starts receiving MIUI 12.5 update based on Android 11

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Jun 8, 2021

The Redmi Note 9T launched earlier this year as a rebranded Redmi Note 9 5G for the global markets. The device debuted with MIUI 12 based on Android 10. Months after its release, the handset has now started receiving the MIUI 12.5 update based on Android 11.

Redmi Note 9T Daybreak Purple Featured — Redmi Note 9T

Last week, Xiaomi started rolling out the Android 11-based MIUI 12.5 update for the Redmi Note 9 5G. Hence, Redmi Note 9T, the international version of this smartphone was expected to get the same update in near future.

But we did not anticipate Xiaomi to deliver the update for ‘EEA’ and ‘Global’ variants of the Redmi Note 9T just a week after the release of the update in China. That said, the update comes with build numbers V12.5.2.0.RJEEUXM and V12.5.2.0.RJEMIXM for these two versions of the phone.

Both the above-mentioned software builds are in the ‘Stable Beta’ phase. This means they are being seeded out in batches and are only available for a select few users.

Anyway, all users of the Redmi Note 9T EEA and Global variants should receive the MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11 update in the following weeks. The remaining Russia and Taiwan versions of the handset will certainly get a similar treatment soon.

Deal: Get Xiaomi REDMI AIRDOTS 3 for $36

By

Daily Deals

-

Jun 8, 2021

Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3 is now available at AliExpress for $36.57 only.

WHERE TO BUY

Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3 at $36.57 @AliExpress

Redmi AirDots 3 is powered by a QCC3040 chipset and Bluetooth 5.2. This means faster and stable connections with a high speed and data transmission rate. The deep bass and high-quality stereo audio make it a pleasure to listen to your favorite tunes on Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3. The multi-functional touch control can easily navigate through your music as well as pick up and hang calls and activate the built-in XiaoAI voice assistant.

The 600mAh battery gives you 7 hours of non-stop music with a single charge and up to 30 hours of music time, with the charging case.

Available in three color variants viz: white, blue, and pink this next-generation earbud is selling at AliExpress for a discounted price of $36.57 only. This is a limited-time offer. So place your order asap.

For more information on such exciting deals and offers check out our deals hub.

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

The Nokia C01 Plus is a revamped Nokia C1 Plus with a better chipset and bigger battery

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jun 8, 2021

HMD Global has announced a new entry-level smartphone today. The new device is the Nokia C01 Plus, and you won’t be wrong to call it a revamped Nokia C1 Plus. It not only features a more powerful chipset but also comes with a bigger battery and the latest version of Android Go.

The Nokia C01 Plus has a 5.45-inch HD+ (1440 x 720) display with thick bezels at the bottom and top of the screen. The top bezel is home to a 5MP camera and an LED flash. Unlike the Nokia C1 Plus that has its LED flash and camera on opposite sides of the earpiece, HMD Global has put them on the same side this time around.

Covered in blue or purple plastic with a textured finish for a better grip and a splash proof design, the Nokia CO1 Plus has a UNISOC SC9863a chipset under the hood along with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage that can be expanded via a MicroSD card slot (128GB max.). There is a 3000mAh removable battery and it charges at 5W via a MicroUSB port. The phone also has a 5MP rear camera along with an LED flash on the back.

HMD Global has added dual nano-SIM slots, an audio jack, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, and support for LTE. It ships the device with Android 11 Go and includes a charger and silicone case in the box. The Nokia C01 Plus weighs 157 grams and measures 148 x 71.8 x 9.3 millimeters which makes it heavier and thicker than the Nokia C1 Plus.

The Nokia C01 Plus is priced at ₽6,490 (~$90) and is already available for pre-order in Russia on the Nokia online store.

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Deal: Buy Tuya WiFi Smart Thermostat for $25 (Retail Price $35)

By

Daily Deals

-

Jun 8, 2021

Tuya WiFi Smart Thermostat which generally retails for $35 is now available at a discounted price of $24.89 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Tuya WiFi Smart Thermostat at $24.89 @AliExpress

Tuya WiFi Smart Thermostat

Key Features:

LCD Touch Display: Elegant appearance, one face design, anti-scratch body
APP Control: Smart thermostat that can be controlled by your smartphone
Voice Control: Works with Amazon Alexa, Google home, etc
Comes with both Manual and Auto Mode
Accurate Temperature: Perceptive ambient temperature, and floor temperature
Data memory works when power is off
Child Lock function
Suitable for electric heating, water gas boiler, water heating, etc
Supports different temperature settings with 6 time-modes

Generally retailing for $35, you can now buy Tuya WiFi Smart Thermostat for a discounted price of $24.89 only at AliExpress. Please note that this price is applicable to the smart WiFi variant. You can also buy the thermostat without the WiFi function at a cheaper cost. This flash deal ends on 13 June 2021. So place your order asap.

For more information on such exciting deals and offers check out our deals hub.

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Koo, India’s microblogging platform, launches in Nigeria following Twitter ban

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jun 8, 2021

Early this year, when the Indian government was in a battle with Twitter, an Indian-developed alternative called Koo, was launched. The micro-blogging platform, which shares several features with the platform it is trying to replace, was originally designed specifically for Indians as it offered its services in multiple local languages. A new report has announced that Koo is now available in Nigeria. This comes shortly after the Nigerian government banned Twitter in the country.

According to India Today, Koo made the announcement on Saturday, a day after the Federal Government of Nigeria banned Twitter. The CEO of Koo, Aprameya Radhakrishna, not only confirmed that it now offers its services in Nigeria but also revealed that they are considering offering it in a local Nigerian language too. There are over 500 native languages spoken in Nigeria including Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.

The Twitter ban has resulted in several users including some government officials resorting to VPNs to access the platform as all internet service providers in the country have blocked access to it. It remains to be seen if these users will switch to Koo or stick to Twitter.

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OxygenOS 11.2.7.7 for OnePlus 9 Pro adds toggle to manually enable/disable HDR video recording

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jun 8, 2021

Last week, OnePlus re-released Android 12 Developer Preview builds for the OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9 Pro after fixing them. Within a few days, the company is rolling out a new stable update for these handsets in the form of OxygenOS 11.2.7.7.

OnePlus 9 Pro Morning Mist Featured 07 — OnePlus 9 Pro

Despite releasing in the second week of June, the latest system update for the OnePlus 9 series does not bring the June 2021 security patches. Instead, it arrives with improvements, fixes, and a minor new feature.

According to the official changelog, the new OxygenOS stable update for the OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9 Pro reduces power consumption in specific scenarios and improves shooting as well as recording experience. It also brings fixes for known issues and improved stability.

Last but not least, the update also adds a new toggle in the camera app to enable or disable HDR video recording on OnePlus 9 Pro. This feature was previously automated.

Just like any other OTA system update, this one is also being seeded out in batches worldwide with the following build numbers.

OnePlus 9
- - IN: 11.2.7.7.LE25DA
  - EU: 11.2.7.7.LE25BA
  - NA: 11.2.7.7.LE25AA
OnePlus 9 Pro
- IN: 11.2.7.7.LE15DA
- EU: 11.2.7.7.LE15BA
- NA: 11.2.7.7.LE15AA

OnePlus 9, 9 Pro OxygenOS 11.2.7.7 Official Changelog

System
- Reduced power consumption in specific scenarios
- Fixed known issues and improved stability
Camera
- Newly added HDR toggle to support manual settings（Path: Menu options in the upper right corner of the screen-Dynamic video) (9 Pro-specific)
- Improved the shooting and recording experience

Deal: Get Baseus Wireless Anti-Theft Smart tracker for $10

By

Daily Deals

-

Jun 8, 2021

Baseus Wireless Smart Tracker which generally retails at $13 is now available for a discounted price of $9.99 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Baseus Wireless Smart Tracker at $9.99 @AliExpress

Baseus Wireless Smart Tracker

Key Features:

Intelligent Lanyard Anti-Loss Elves
Thin and delicate – can be easily slipped into your wallet or purse or tied to your bag
Connect with Baseus Smart App – You can easily monitor your items in real-time
Reverse Call Function – Press the button twice to call and find your smartphone
Disconnection Alarm – when the device is outside the safe distance from your smartphone
Two-way alarm function
Single Key search function
Can also be used as a real-time baby monitor
Comes with 180 days replaceable battery

Generally retailing for $13, you can now buy Baseus Wireless Smart Tracker for $9.99 only at AliExpress. Please note that this deal is applicable to the white, pink, and blue color variant of the smart tracker. This is an authentic Baseus product, sold by their official store. So place your order asap.

For more information on such exciting deals and offers check out our deals hub.

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Details of Dimensity 1200-powered OnePlus phone leaks, and it runs OxygenOS

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jun 8, 2021

OnePlus was supposed to launch a phone powered by a MediaTek processor last year but that never happened. Now, a new leak has revealed the specs of a new OnePlus phone in development that is powered by MediaTek’s top-of-the-line chip – the Dimensity 1200. And it seems this device is for the global market.

The unnamed OnePlus phone is reported to have a punch hole in the top left corner of the screen for the front-facing camera. It also has a high screen-to-body ratio.

According to Digital Chat Station, the source who revealed the details, the phone has a camera housing similar to that of the OnePlus 9 Pro. However, instead of a second camera at the bottom right, there is an LED flash. The primary camera is revealed to be the Sony IMX766, the sensor the OnePlus 9 Pro uses for its 50MP ultrawide angle camera.

The rest of the specs are unknown but he adds that the device runs OxygenOS which can be inferred to mean this OnePlus phone is getting a global release since OnePlus phones sold in China, beginning with the OnePlus 9 series launched this year, run ColorOS. However, we can’t rule out the possibility of the existence of a Chinese variant.

With respect to price, the source says that the Dimensity 1200-powered OnePlus phone fits into the ¥2000 price range which converts to about ~$312. We expect it to cost a bit more in other markets but should still fall in the $400 category.

There is still a lot we do not know about this device and when it will launch, but we will let you know once we have more details.

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Nokia 1 Plus receives Android 11 Go Edition update

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jun 8, 2021

HMD Global launched the Nokia 1 Plus entry-level smartphone in early 2019. The handset debuted with Android 9.0 Pie Go Edition. It was later updated to Android 10 Go Edition last year. Now, two years after its debut, the device has started receiving Android 11 Go Edition.

Smartphones with 2GB or less RAM run Android Go Edition. This version of Google’s operating system is designed for devices with low-end hardware. Hence, the Nokia 1 Plus was released with this version of Android.

That said, according to a Nokia Phones Community post (via PiunikaWeb), HMD Global has started rolling out the second major system update in the form of Android 11 Go Edition for the Nokia 1 Plus. The update is being rolled out in batches and it is currently live in the following regions.

Albania
Argentina
Bahrain
Bolivia (Tigo)
Bulgaria (Mtel, vivacom, Telenor)
Chile (Entel, Movistar, Claro, WOM)
Colombia (Claro, Movistar)
Costa Rica (Claro)
Ecuador (Movistar)
Egypt
El Salvador Claro, (Tigo)
Greece
Guatemala Claro, (Tigo)
Honduras Claro, (Tigo)
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Macedonia (Cosmofon, Vip MKD)
Moldova (Moldcell)
Montenegro (Telenor, Mtel)
Morocco
Nicaragua (Claro, Tigo)
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Poland (Plus, PLAY)
Portugal
Qatar
Romania (Digi RO)
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia (Telenor SRB, MTS, Vip mobile)
Spain
Tunisia
UAE
Uruguay

As per the official announcement post, 100% of Nokia 1 Plus units should have received the Android 11 Go Edition in the above-listed region by June 5. If you have got the update, then do let us know in the comment sedition below.

As far as users in other regions are concerned, they should also get the update in the coming days.

EarFun Free 2 Review: Great budget earbuds with aptX decoding

By

Paco Zheng

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Jun 8, 2021

EarFun has launched their new earbuds, the EarFun Free 2. The Free earbuds lineup has been one of the best-selling headphone series from the brand. Now updated to the second generation, let’s take a look at what’s new on the EarFun Free 2.

As usual, let’s start with the exterior. Unlike its predecessor, the Free 2 is taller and lighter. It’s also easier to open the box with one hand than the previous generation. The indicator on the front can be used to check the remaining power.

The top has the embossed logo, and the rear features the pairing button and the Type-C charging port. Like its predecessor, the EarFun Free 2 has wireless charging. The opening lid has a nice damping feel and the lid shows no signs of loosening. The frosted material is also not easily scratched in your pocket. For a basic headset, this workmanship is quite good.

While the changes to the earbud case are quite significant, the changes to the earbuds are very minor. The Free 2 earbuds are still snail-shaped, similar to the design of Samsung’s Buds series. When wearing it, you need to rotate it in the cochlea to hold it in place. Because the weight is more concentrated, it won’t easily fall off when worn firmly.

Although it does not have active noise cancellation. But when you play music, the noise is well shielded. Its earbuds are operated through the touch area on the logo. By touching it, you can play or pause music, switch to the previous or next song and even control volume. The earbud’s dustproof net is designed with care, it looks like a lemon cross-section, and has a kind of young and energetic feel, which I really like.

Although it is only a basic earbud, EarFun Free 2 still has a few features for good sound quality. It supports the Qualcomm aptX encoding protocol. So it can improve the sound quality performance and the latency is not bad either. Games that do not require high audio latency have acceptable performance.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that the EarFun Free 2 is a bit bigger compared to other earbuds. This is because it has a 50mAh battery tucked inside. You may think this capacity is very small, but the battery life of general TWS earbuds is just over 5 hours, while Free 2 can play music continuously for 7 hours. That’s enough time for you to watch two movies. And with the charging case, you get up to 30 hours of battery life. In the TWS earbuds segment, this kind of battery life is pretty good.

To conclude, the EarFun Free 2 has upgraded the audio decoding protocol to aptX, added an hour of battery life, and made the charging case lighter than the previous generation, while other advantages have been retained, such as wireless charging, which is rare in the low price segment. You can get these earbuds for just $49 on Amazon.

I think the EarFun Free 2 is best suited for those who don’t need too many features and just want a normal TWS to listen to songs.

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Jun 8, 2021

After series of teasers and pre-launch listings, Chinese tech giant Vivo has now launched the Vivo Y53s 5G in China. The Y53s is the latest offering in the highly popular and best-selling Y series. Its major highlight is the 5G connectivity it brings to the affordable smartphone.

Talking of the specifications, the Vivo Y53s 5G is equipped with a 6.58-inch LCD screen with a waterdrop notch at the top which houses the front camera. The display comes with support for a 90Hz refresh rate.

The Y53s 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 processor paired with 8GB of RAM. There is a sole 128GB storage option. The Snapdragon 480 was announced in January this year as the successor of the Snapdragon 460. It is an 8nm octa-core processor equipped with a Kryo 460 CPU and Adreno 619 GPU which bring improvements in efficiency and power management over its predecessor. The Snapdragon X51 5G modem integrated with the chip brings SA and NSA dual-mode 5G support as well as support for sub-6Ghz and mmWave networks.

In terms of the camera setup, the Vivo Y53s features a dual-camera setup at the rear comprised of a 64MP main shooter. At the front, there is an 8MP shooter under the waterdrop notch for selfies. The phone supports face recognition and equally packs a side-mounted fingerprint sensor embedded with the power button.

The phone is kept on by a massive 5000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging over a USB-C port. The phone also arrives with the good old 3.4mm audio jack.

As for the price the Vivo Y53s 5G is priced at 1,699 yuan (~$265). For a premium 5G smartphone with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, this is a decent price. The device is presently up for pre-orders in China via Jingdong (JD.com). It is available in three colors: iridescent, sea salt, and starry night.

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June 2021 Google Pixel Feature Drop brings Astrophotography Videos, Locked Folder, Call Actions on Google Assistant, and more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Jun 8, 2021

Google is rolling out a new Pixel Feature Drop update for its Pixel range of smartphones. For those unaware, the search giant is known for introducing new features for its phones every three months via Pixel Feature Drop releases. The latest update for June brings some interesting additions.

The June 2021 Pixel Feature Drop update is being seeded out for the following Google Pixel smartphones.

Although the entire Pixel range (except the end of support devices) is receiving the update, some features on not available on certain devices. That said, let’s take a look at these new features one by one.

Astrophotography Videos

As the name suggests, users of Pixel 4 and later devices will be now able to record videos while clicking pictures in astrophotography mode. Users can try waiting longer (longer exposure) to click a shot to get more stars in their video.

Heads-up

This feature is part of the Digital Wellbeing app. It will periodically alert users to look up from their handset’s screen while walking. It was previously only available for a select few users.

Locked Folder

This feature was first announced at Google I/O 2021. It will let users save their select photos and videos in Google Photos to a different called ‘Locked Folder’. These media files are hidden locally on the user’s phone and are protected by biometrics. They don’t show up in any other part of the Google Photos app.

Car Crash Detection

Car Crash Detection is part of the Personal Safety app and is not available on Pixel 3a/3a XL. It automatically alerts emergency services when a car crash is detected. This feature was previously only available in the US, the UK, and Australia, But now, it’s rolling out to users in Spain, Ireland, and Singapore.

Call Screen

Call Screen helps users in avoiding spam calls. This feature is now being rolled out in Japan. It was previously only available in the US and Canada.

Recorder

The Google Recorder app is one of the best recorder applications on any platform. The new update brings support for transcription in more English dialects, namely Singaporean, Australian, Irish and British English.

Pride Wallpapers and Sounds

Since June is Pride month, Google is celebrating by adding new Pride-themed wallpapers and sounds.

Call Actions on Google Assistant

Users of Pixel 4 and above can now ask Google Assistant to accept or reject calls.

Gboard Smart Replies

Gboard can now smartly suggest phone number, email address, and URL in clipboard for replies.

All the above-mentioned new features will be rolled out to eligible Google Pixel smartphones via respective app updates from the Google Play Store in the coming weeks.

Apple is reportedly in talks with China’s BYD to supply batteries for its electric car

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jun 8, 2021

Inside sources have indicated that US tech powerhouse Apple may be planning on a partnership with Chinese firms CATL and BYD to supply batteries for its planned electric vehicle. The sources say that talks have already begun between the three companies, although it is believed that no concrete agreements have been reached yet. The news further shows that Apple is indeed moving ahead in its plans for an Apple-produced electric vehicle.

Apple will likely settle for lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are cheaper to produce due to their composition. Apple has put in some prerequisites for potential battery supplies for its vehicle. The companies must have manufacturing capacity in the United States, although CATL is yet to have any manufacturing plant in the US. It is a major supplier to some heavy hitters in the industry, including Tesla. Amidst the growing tensions between Washington and Beijing, CATL is reluctant to set up shop in the US, as it fears it may be caught in the political crossfire. In addition, the inside source also indicated that cost considerations might also prevent CATL from manufacturing from the US.

CATL is a global leader in automotive battery production, while BYD is the world’s fourth-largest automotive battery maker. Apple may also discuss with other battery manufacturers before it decides on the preferred supplier of batteries for its EV.

Apple hopes to meet its target date of producing its self-driving passenger vehicle, and the company may also have its designs for a battery for its vehicles. This could mean that a potential partnership with any battery maker is for the possible production of an Apple-designed battery.

The global auto market is fast evolving with a major shift towards electric vehicles even by many traditional automakers. The demand for important components like automotive batteries is fast-growing and current manufacturers like CATL and BYD are expanding their capacity to meet this demand.

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(source)

RedMagic 6 series to launch in Indonesia in July 2021

By

Sean

-

Jun 8, 2021

The Red Magic 6 series is set to launch in Indonesia next month. The company has just announced that its latest flagship lineup will be available in the region starting in July 2021.

Talking about the upcoming lineup, the Red Magic 6 and 6 Pro will sport a 6.8 inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution. The screen also offers a 165Hz high refresh rate as well along with a 500Hz single finger touch sampling rate and a 360Hz multi touch sampling rate. On the front, the display offers a 91.28 percent screen to body ratio and full DCI-P3 color gamut. Under the hood, the series is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. This is paired with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.

Other notable features include the 300Hz Dual Pro Shoulder Triggers on both devices alongside the Game Boost Switch button and Game Space 3.01. Both devices will be powered by a large 5,050mAh battery pack that supports 66W fast charging. One of the primary differences between the base and Pro variant is the rear panel design, with the latter featuring an aero grade heat dissipation ice blade design, built with high thermal conductive aviation aluminum alloy materials.

Unfortunately, the company has yet to officially reveal the pricing of both smartphones as of right now. Although, it has been revealed both devices will arrive in a single configuration, namely 12GB of RAM paired with 128GB of storage for the base variant and 16GB of RAM + 256GB storage variant for the Pro version. The former will arrive in a single Elipse Black color, while the latter will be available in a Moon Silver color. The company will launch the devices through offline and online channels.

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Flagship killer Realme GT likely to be priced at €499 ($607) in Europe

By

Sean

-

Jun 8, 2021

Earlier today (8th June 2021), a retail listing revealed the pricing of the 12GB variant of the Realme GT. Now, we have received some information regarding the European pricing of the various configurations of the company’s latest flagship killer.

Looking at the spec sheet above, we can observe that the upcoming high-end device from Realme will likely start from 499 Euros (or roughly 607 US Dollars). This is for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage version. The higher-end 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant will apparently be priced for 549 Euros (roughly 670 US Dollars), which is in line with the listing that had surfaced. On the other hand, the top-end 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant will reportedly go for 649 Euros (roughly 790 US Dollars).

Notably, the listing also offered us a look at the specs of the European version of Realme GT, which features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC. This would also make the device the cheapest smartphone with the flagship Snapdragon processor in the region. Other notable features include a large 4,500mAh battery pack that supports up to 65W fast charging and a 64-megapixel triple camera module on the rear.

The smartphone maker is expected to officially announce the device in Europe on June 15, so stay tuned for more as we will be covering the launch event.

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Microsoft patents Logo shaped under display camera tech for Surface devices

By

Sean

-

Jun 8, 2021

A new patent from Microsoft has revealed a new Surface device that will feature four under display camera sensors, with the company’s logo being displayed when these cameras are not in use thanks to their alignment.

According to a LetsGoDigital report, the American tech giant had opened a vacancy for a ‘Principal Android Camera System Architect / Engineer for Surface Development’ back in October 2021. This is indicative of the company’s aim of improving the camera capabilities of its devices. In the same month, the brand had also filed a patent with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) regarding this ‘Logo Camera’ design for a Surface device. The four cameras in question will be positioned similar to the logo design with each camera having its own color filter.

These four sensors will be placed under the display of the device and are intended for “mobile computing device, such as a Microsoft Surface device.” Furthermore, the cameras can display a color icon when the sensor is not in use to display the company’s logo on the front. So, the device will display the logo by default and switch to the camera when the shutter is activated. This quad camera module is set up in a 2 x 2 array and will enable Microsoft to make the product slimmer since multiple sensors would be comprised of thinner modules.

The camera will be capable of offering high resolution shots and high pixel density by optimizing each sensor for one particular color. In other words, one sensor will be solely for Blue, while another will be used for Green, Red, and Yellow. Unfortunately, the patent doesn’t reveal what kind of device the logo camera will be housed in, but the Surface lineup includes laptops, 2 in 1 PCs, and even Android tablets. For those interested, LetsGoDigital’s in house designed Giuseppe Spinelli has even offered a number of product renders that feature this unique camera system.

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Oppo applies for OCAR trademark, amid rumors of its car project

By

Sean

-

Jun 8, 2021

Oppo has just applied for a new trademark registration for “OCAR”. This application recently surfaced and arrives amid rumors of the company planning on building its own cars.

According to an ITHome report, the Chinese tech giant recently applied for the registration of the “OCAR” trademark, which is classified under a scientific instrument by the international classification, and the current trademark status is awaiting examination. While the trademark application itself doesn’t reveal any information or offer any finer details, we had previously reported on the company apparently aiming at building and launching its own cars in the future.

This would have the company’s CEO and Founder, Tony Chen, apparently leading the project. The company has also been rumored to be investigating resources, hiring talents from within the industry, and has overall been testing the viability of the project. So, this registration for the OCAR trademark might be in some manner related to the brand’s automobile related project.

Keep in mind, this is just speculation as of right now so take it with a pinch of salt. It is also unknown if the company is actually planning on building its own cars or just offer self driving related technologies and other such products. Although, if the news is true, Oppo would join the likes of Huawei, Xiaomi, and other smartphone brands that have recently shown interest in the automobile industry.

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Xiaomi celebrates the opening of over 1000 Mi Stores globally

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Jun 8, 2021

Xiaomi has rolled out the drums to celebrate the opening of over 1000 Xiaomi Stores in the global turf. This is coming despite the challenge posed by COVID 19 on brick and mortar stores and the growing competition in the smartphone market.

For the avoidance of doubt, these stats don’t include Mi Stores in India and China. In September last year, Xiaomi announced the opening of a record 3000th Mi Store in India alone. While in China, it announced in April this year, that 5000 Mi Home stores have been opened so far in its home country.

The opening of 1000 Xiaomi Stores in the global market is a milestone that is a reflection of the brand’s global expansion strategy. This feat took the company five years to achieve, as it opened the first store in Singapore in 2016. A good number of these new stores are located in Western and Central Europe where Xiaomi is pushing to attract Huawei’s customers since the Chinese tech leader has been crippled by the US ban and to expand the brand to new frontiers. The quality of its products as well as their affordability have played well in Xiaomi’s favor.

Xiaomi is also holding a 1000 Xiaomi Store event both offline and online to mark the momentous occasion. The event will see fans of the brand receive exclusive gifts and get discounts on several products. The Chinese brand will kick off the celebrations with a promotional event online as well as offline sales on Xiaomi Stores in the different regions that make up its global market. Some of the exclusive gifts on offer during these events will be branded with the new Xiaomi logo and a “Thank You” inscription in different languages.

RELATED;

(source)

MIUI 13 is coming soon, suggests latest MIUI Cleaner beta

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Jun 8, 2021

Xiaomi unveiled MIUI 12 in late April. It has been over a year, however, the company is yet to announce the next major iteration of its mobile operating system. Instead, the Chinese tech giant has been delivering the MIUI 12.5 incremental update for eligible devices worldwide. But now, it looks like Xiaomi may finally unveil MIUI 13 in the coming days.

On May 26, Xiaomi released a beta version (V21.05.26.beta) of the MIUI Cleaner app (via PiunikaWeb). The changelog for this version of the application is rather strange.

Although the latest version of MIUI is currently MIUI 12.5, the changelog mentions that the company has added support for MIUI 13 floating windows. This clearly suggests that MIUI 13 is indeed in development.

As Xiaomi has now started updating its system apps for MIUI 13 compatibility, there’s a high chance for the next-gen MIUI to go official very soon. A rumor from early May tipped that MIUI 13 could be announced in June. The same report also revealed certain popular older devices which won’t be getting the update.

Even if Xiaomi unveils MIUI 13 by the end of this month, don’t expect your device to be updated right away. As usual, we expect the company to release weekly beta builds, followed by stable builds in China and other regions.

As of now, there’s no information regarding the new features in MIUI 13. Above all, Xiaomi is yet to officially confirm the release of the next major MIUI release.

RELATED:

Samsung develops OLED ‘skin’ display wearable device with fitness tracking

By

Sean

-

Jun 8, 2021

Samsung has just developed a futuristic flexible display technology that can be used as a wearable. This device can act as a fitness tracker, replacing the bulky smartwatches and other smart bands.

According to the company’s official Newsroom, researchers at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) have just developed a stretchable OLED display that users can put on their wrists. This device would offer fitness tracking features to the user. It even features an integrated PPG heart rate sensor, which the South Korean tech giant calls the “stretchable electronic skin form factor.” The SAIT researchers have tested the device by having it attached to the inner wrist near the radial artery.

In the tests, it was found that the movement of the wrists did not deteriorate the display. Furthermore, it was also found that the stretchable display remained reliable with skin elongation of up to 30 percent during the tests. The sensors and the OLED panel were also durable enough to continue working stably even after 1,000 stretches. SAIT researchers managed to “modify the composition and structure of elastomer, a polymer compound with high elasticity and resilience and used existing semiconductor manufacturing processes to apply it to the substrates of stretchable OLED displays and optical blood-flow sensors.”

The smartphone maker claims that this is a first for the industry and added that the patch will feel like a part of the user’s skin. Additionally, it would even measure biometric data while sleeping or exercising. Principal researcher Youngjun Yun added that “The technology can also be expanded to use in wearable healthcare products for adults, children, and infants, as well as patients with certain diseases.” Unfortunately, this futuristic device is still in the early stages of development and the company has yet to announce when it might launch commercially.

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