OnePlus TV U1S pricing information leaks ahead of launch in India

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Jun 9, 2021

HMD Global announced earlier this month that it would be updating the C-series with the launch of the Nokia C20 Plus set for June 11. Ahead of the launch, the smartphone is now available to pre-order in China via Jingdong (JD.com).

The pre-order page doesn’t contain the price tag but it teases the device as coming with large fonts as well as large volume icons, suggesting the device is targeted at elderly users. The page also reveals a few key specifications of the device as well as the renders of the mobile phone. Some of the specs of the Nokia C20 Plus had earlier appeared online thanks to an earlier GeekBench listing.

The C20 Plus is expected to arrive with a 4950mAh built-in battery and will run on the Android 11 Go edition designed for entry-level smartphones. Nokia promotes the device not to come with pure Android devoid of interfering adverts. The phone will also support one-key activation of the health code function.

The processor is not known, but the GeekBench listing shows the Nokia C20 Plus is powered by a Unisoc chipset that has four cores clocking at 1.20GHz and the other four cores running at 1.60GHz. This is believed to be the entry-level Unisoc SC9863A chip.

The renders of the Nokia C20 Plus show that it will utilize a plastic back panel. The phone will also pack a dual-camera setup at the rear housed in a circular module. We don’t know the price of the C20 Plus yet but the series is an entry-level one so the price will likely be pocket-friendly.

In addition to the mobile phone, Nokia will also release a brand new true wireless Bluetooth headset-BH-205 on June 11. The details of the earbuds are not known at this time but it is touted to feature a long-lasting battery life of 36 hours.

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Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reaffirms Apple AR headset will launch in Q2 2022

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Jun 9, 2021

Noted industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reiterated that Apple will launch its augmented reality (AR) headset by mid-2022. Kuo based his prediction on ongoing research, part of whose findings he shared with investors on Tuesday. Apple’s in-development virtual reality (VR) and AR devices have been the subject of speculations and leaks for several months. There were some indications that the first version of these headsets will have up to 15 cameras to provide an immersive experience for users. Another rumored Apple headset is the Apple Glass, which will use optical waveguide technology to overlay computer-generated graphics into actual scenery. It was also rumored that Apple could launch a mixed reality headset within months as recently as March.

Apple’s AR headsets will be a wonderful addition to the US tech firm’s iconic and innovative lineup of products. Kuo, in the note, stated that Apple would launch AR HMD devices in Q2, 2022. The device will provide a video see-through augmented reality experience, using a lens setup by Genius.

Kuo’s research covered Apple’s camera lens supply chain, and an iPhone 13 is in the works, going by initial supply batches of the camera components from suppliers, Genius and Largan. However, it is believed that Largan did not pass the latest evaluation by Apple, leading to the choice of Genius for the June supply of camera components.

Several other manufacturers like HTC and Razer recently unveiled their latest VR headsets. A few other OEMs are in active research on such devices, which have wide applications.

Latest ASUS Zenfone 8 and Zenfone 7 series updates brings new features and bug fixes

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Jun 9, 2021

ASUS is rolling out new updates to its 2020 and 2021 flagship phones – the Zenfone 7 and Zenfone 8 series respectively. The updates bring new features, enable others, and fix several bugs across all four devices.

The update arrives as v30.11.51.57 for the Zenfone 8, as v30.11.55.50 for the Zenfone 8 Flip, and as v30.41.69.66 for the Zenfone 7 and Zenfone 7 Pro. The Zenfone 8 series gets a new gesture detection sensitivity feature in one-handed mode as well as SMS-type QR code support in the camera app. VoLTE has also been enabled for several networks in Europe.

For the Zenfone 7 and Zenfone 7 Pro, ASUS has included new security patches and has fixed a bunch of issues one of which is an occasional reboot of the device when using the Wi-Fi hotspot. It has also added support for SMS-type QR codes in the camera app. You can check the full changelog for all devices here.

The updates are rolling out in stages, with a few users getting it now, and more later. However, you can manually check if you have not received a notification for the OTA update.

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Samsung updates SmartThings app for Android and iOS with a new user interface

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Jun 9, 2021

Samsung’s IoT platform, SmartThings, is getting a new update for its apps that brings a brand new user interface. The new interface should make it easier for users to manage connected devices.

The new interface has five tabs – Favorite, Devices, Life, Automations, and Menu. Samsung explained in its press release that the Favorites tab brings together the most used devices, scenes, and services for quicker access. For the Devices tab, this is where all devices are listed including bulbs, TVs, and home appliances. You can view and control each device here.

The Life tab is where users can explore and discover new SmartThings services. They can also learn about new functions that will further improve their living experience. One example given by Samsung is SmartThings Cooking, which it describes as “a one-stop-shop that creates seamless kitchen and meal-prepping experiences”.

Automations tab is where devices connect and work together based on specific conditions set such as the light bulbs coming on when a door is opened. The Menu tab is where you will find the SmartThings Labs, Notifications, History, and Settings.

The new interface is already rolling out to Android devices and will be made available for iOS later. Samsung’s decision to update the interface is so as to have a uniform experience on devices. Last month, it announced the SmartThings Windows app which offers a similar experience.

In the statement, Samsung also confirmed that it has integrated the Matter protocol into its SmartThings ecosystem. Matter is a unified platform for smart home products that are designed to work across different services including Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Homekit.

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Blackview Tab 10 goes official with 7480 mAh battery, 10.1-inch display and powerful octa-core processor

By

Simranpal Singh

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Jun 8, 2021

Blackview is here with a new affordable and extremely value-for-money tablet. Blackview Tab 10 houses some exceptional features at a competitive price. The new tablet is much attractive and useful than the ones from Huawei and Samsung. The company is primarily known for its rugged smartphones and for the past couple of years, it has continuously improved on making good tablets.

Must See: Blackview A90 launched Globally on AliExpress at $113.99

Blackview has evolved a lot over the past few years and the new tablet comes with all the new innovations.

Features of Blackview Tab 10

Doke_P Custom OS Skin

Blackview Tab 10 comes with a custom UI based on Android 11. It enables the users to have more control and convenience over the stock Android. The self-developed UI – Doke_P 1.0 carries several new features and is purely optimized for Android tablets. It delivers all-new icons and carries exceptional features like System Manager, Cold Room, Dark Mode, Game Mode, and some other useful features.

It is calibrated to provide smooth and efficient performance. The Blackview Tab 10 outperforms all its predecessors from a hardware as well as software perspective.

Large Battery – 7480 mAh

Blackview Tab 10 offers a massive 7480 mAh battery that can last up to days. Unlike the other affordable tablets which hardly carry a 5000 mAh battery, the new tablet will bring 600 hours of standby time upon full charge. Statistically, the tablet offers 5.5 hours of gaming experience, 6 hours of video playback, and 30 hours of music playback. It is more than enough for any tablet user who often uses it for entertainment purposes.

Slim and Durable

The Blackview Tab 10 comes with an 8.8mm thinness despite having a massive battery. It uses a durable metal cover. The tablet offers a premium look with its aluminum chassis. It is exceptionally thinner than the competition and looks more stylish and sleek while holding.

10.1-inch Massive display

Display always remains an important component for a tablet. Blackview Tab 10 houses a 10.1inch Full HD+ display that offers vivid colors and excellent contrast. The tablet improves the overall productivity as the user can opt for the split view which enhances the multi-tasking. Moreover, narrower bezels are often regarded as best for video watching and playing games.

Powerful Processor

It comes powered with an MTK8768 processor which is further coupled with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. The user can expand it up to 128 GB via a MicroSD card. The processor offers splendid performance and robust response while enabling smooth multitasking.

Other Features

Better Camera – The tablet debuts with a 13MP rear camera to capture the photos on the go. However, an 8MP lens is present on the front for wonderful selfies and quality video calls.

External Keyboard support – Blacview Tab 10 natively supports the expandable keyboard by the means of a USB port or Bluetooth.

Dual 4G SIM – The smartphone offers flawless connectivity options. It supports Dual 4G LTE SIM compatibility.

Considering the specifications and features it offers for the price of $13, Blackview Tab 10 is actually a real value-for-money tablet. The interested users can grab it in three color options of Gray, Silver, and Gold. It is now retailing via AliExpress at a discounted price of $139 ~~$199~~. The price will be revised to $149 from June 12 – June 20.

Related: Blackview launches OSCAL, a new brand aimed at Budget Phones

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

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Daily Deals

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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

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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)

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Daily Deals

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

RELATED:

Nokia 1 Plus receives Android 11 Go Edition update

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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.

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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.

RELATED:

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

By

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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