OPPO releases ColorOS 11 rollout plan for the month of April

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Apr 6, 2021

OPPO is one of the manufacturers that has accelerated the rollout of Android 11 for its devices. The Chinese manufacturer will continue the rollout this month and has released the plan via its official Twitter account.

The ColorOS 11 update will be made available in beta and stable versions for a plethora of devices across various markets. Below are the phones scheduled to get the update and when to expect it.

ColorOS 11 Beta

Ongoing – Reno2, Reno2 Z, OPPO A91
From 13th April – RenoZ (Saudi Arabia UAE)
From 14th April – OPPO A5 2020 (India, Indonesia), OPPO A9 2020 (India, Indonesia), and OPPO A73 5G (Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE)
From 27th April – OPPO A53 (India, Indonesia)

OPPO ColorOS 11 official version

Ongoing – Find X2, Find X2 Pro, Find X2 Pro Automobili Lamborghini Edition, Find X2 Lite, Find X2 Neo, F17 Pro, Reno4 F, Reno4 Pro 5G, Reno4 5G, Reno4 Pro 4G, Reno4 4G, Reno4 Z 5G, Reno4 Lite, Reno3 Pro 4G, Reno3 4G, Reno3 Pro 5G, Reno 100x Zoom, Reno2 F, OPPO A72, OPPO A92, OPPO A52, OPPO F11, OPPO F11 Pro, OPPO F11 Pro Marvels Avengers Limited Edition, OPPO A9, and OPPO F15.
From 9th April – OPPO A91 (Indonesia)
From 14th April – OPPO Reno2 Z (India)
From 21st April – Reno2 (India, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Phillippines, Cambodia).

April 2021 Rollout Plan of #OPPOColorOS11 based on #Android11 is out now!
Be sure to save the info so you can have the latest version.

🟢: Save the dates to apply the Beta Version
🟠: Get ready for the Official Version
🔵: Europe users, find your model in the update plan pic.twitter.com/S5Rl2eP8rR

— ColorOS (@colorosglobal) April 6, 2021

OPPO ColorOS 11 Official Version for European Union and European Economic Area

OPPO is also rolling out the stable update to several of its phones in Europe. The Find X2, Find X2 Pro, Find X2 Neo, and Find X2 Neo are currently receiving the update in countries such as Spai, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Romania, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK.

The Reno4 series, Reno 3, Reno3 Pro, OPPO A72, and OPPO A52 are also currently receiving the update while Reno2 users in Kazakhstan will begin to receive the update on April 21.

RELATED:

WhatsApp is working on a chat history migration feature between Android and iOS

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Apr 6, 2021

I remember someone asking me last year if there was a way to transfer WhatsApp chat backup from Android to iOS. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to help, and due to my busy schedule, I didn’t follow up to find out what the person eventually did. It turns out that there actually isn’t a way to natively transfer your chat backup from one platform to the other but now a solution is already in development.

For a messaging platform that is more than a decade old, you would think migrating your data from one platform to another would be one of the early features, but unfortunately, that is not the case.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp (or Facebook) is working on a feature that allows for chat history migration. An image shared by the blog, which is dedicated to all things related to the messaging app, shows an interface that allows a user to migrate their chats to Android. We believe there is a similar image that allows for moving chats to iOS too. The image shows that users will be required to update their app to the latest version to use the feature. This is believed to prevent compatibility issues.

There is no mention of when the feature will be available but we hope it arrives sooner rather than later. WhatsApp sometimes takes time before rolling out a feature, so we’ll advise you not to raise your hopes that this will come with the next update.

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Deal: Buy Asometech 40W 8 in 1 USB fast-charging station for $15.59 (Original Price $20)

By

Daily Deals

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Apr 6, 2021

AliExpress is giving Asometech 40W 8 in 1 USB charging station for $15.59 only.

WHERE TO BUY

Asometech 40W 8 in 1 USB charging station at $15.59 @AliExpress

Asometech 40W with QC3.0 is a portable charger compatible with almost all smartphones like iPhone, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Google, etc, and laptops from brands like MacBook, Lenovo, Asus, Sony, etc. The charger comes with 6 USB + 18W QC3.0 + Type C port. This means you can charge almost every device be it a laptop, smartphone, tablet, camera, mp3 player, etc using this one single charger. Moreover, you can charge 8 devices simultaneously using an Asometech charger.

The charger comes with a smart LED digital display that shows you real-time charging status and the Qualcomm QC3.0 port enables quick and fast charging for your smartphone. The charger comes with multiple safety features like protection from Over Temperature, Over-Discharge, Short Circuit, Reverse Current, Over Voltage, etc.

Asometech 40W fast charging station usually retails for around $20. But for a limited period, AliExpress is giving out this highly portable charger for just $15.59. Please note that this offer is applicable to both the EU and US plug models. With free shipping and additional new user coupons, this offer is a bargain deal. So get your Asometech 8 in 1 portable charger 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.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 gets a $100 discount just one month after release

By

Balaji S

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Apr 6, 2021

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 went on sale just a month ago. However, Samsung has already discounted the Chromebook on its website and Best Buy.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is available at a starting price of $449. This means it gets a $100 discount from the launch price of $549.99. You can look at the discounted prices of both the variants below:

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
- 4GB + 64GB(Intel Celeron 5205U) – $449
- 6GB + 128GB(Intel Core i3-10110U) – $599

This price is reflecting both on Samsung’s official website and e-commerce retailer Best Buy. We aren’t sure how long the deal would last so we suggest you grab it quickly. Anyway, it is a really good deal and a bit surprising considering it’s just been a month since its release.

Apart from this flat discount, you also get other offers like Trade-in benefits as well. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 comes in two colors- Fiesta Red and Mercury Gray.

The 2021 edition features a 13.3-inch Full HD QLED touchscreen display. This display has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. Under the hood, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is powered by two versions of CPUs each one for a variant.

The entry-level version is powered by the 10th-Gen Intel Celeron 5205U and the Core i3-10110U chipset is on the higher-priced version as mentioned above.

Other features include 2xUSB Type-C ports, 1×3.5mm audio/mic jack, microSD card reader, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth. Other features include a 45.5WHr battery, Backlit Keyboard, ChromeOS with all the Google Goodies pre-loaded, USI Pen support(Pen sold separately).

RELATED:

Deal: Get $50 off on POCO F3 (Coupon)

By

Daily Deals

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Apr 6, 2021

Attention readers!

There is an awesome deal on POCO F3 from the official POCO store at AliExpress. The store is giving out $50 off via coupon code: POCO50 only till 8 April 2021.

WHERE TO BUY

POCO F3 at $349 (after discount)@AliExpress

POCO F3 is the latest flagship from POCO, tailor-made for those who search for the best performance at the least price. The smartphone features a 6.67” E4 AMOLED display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The elegantly designed smartphone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G Octacore processor and comes in two storage variants viz: 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB. By fine-tuning the touch algorithm POCO has achieved a 360Hz touch sampling rate and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. This means you get an extremely smooth and responsive screen perfect for your gameplay or browsing. Moreover, the LiquidCool Technology 1.0 Plus ensures that your phone doesn’t get overheated making it perfect for pro gamers and heavy users.

The smartphone is fueled by a 4520mAh battery with a 33W fast charging support which charges your smartphone to 100% in just 52 minutes and gives you 10 hours of non-stop gameplay, 14 hours of video, and 149 hours of music.

On the occasion of the POCO F3 world premiere, the POCO store is giving a $50 discount coupon for POCO F3 via Coupon Code: POCO50. This means now you can get POCO F3 for as low as $349 at AliExpress.

Also, the first 1500 buyers will get free Xiaomi Earbuds 2. Moreover, the official POCO store is giving a free screen replacement service within 6 months: One free screen repair refers to the replacement of a cracked screen within the first 6 months. However regional availability may vary. For terms and conditions, please visit the POCO website.

Also, check out these awesome deals on Xiaomi Mi11 Lite and Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop 2 Pro+.

Xiaomi Mi11 Lite:

6+64GB（CN Warehouse) Current Price:$299 Discounted price after coupon: $279

6+64GB（EU Warehouse） Current Price:$347 Discounted price after coupon: $307

Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop 2 Pro+:

$20 Off via Coupon Code: 2PRO020

EU Warehouse – Current Price:$399 Discounted price after coupon: $379

CN Warehouse – Current Price:$439 Discounted price after coupon: $419

Please note that all the above coupon codes are only valid till 8 April 2021, 7 am UTC. So grab your discounted products asap before the coupons expire.

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.

Samsung Galaxy A52, A52 5G are eligible for monthly security updates unlike Galaxy A72

By

Balaji S

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Apr 6, 2021

Samsung recently moved the 2018 flagship Galaxy S9 series to a Quarterly update cycle. However, it has given a special spot to the recently launched Galaxy A52, Galaxy A52 5G devices as they are eligible for monthly security updates, unlike the other Galaxy Ax2 devices.

Samsung recently rolled out an update for Galaxy A52 with the firmware version A525FXXU1AUC5 in parts of Europe. This included the latest April 2021 security patch and it came even before April began.

That and looking at the recently Samsung’s updated Security update eligibility page, we found that Galaxy A52, Galaxy A52 5G are on the monthly security update list. Whereas, the other Galaxy Ax2 devices like:

Galaxy A02, Galaxy A02s, Galaxy A12, Galaxy A32, Galaxy A32 5G, Galaxy A42 5G, Galaxy A72 are all on the Quarterly update cycle. You can take a look at the screenshot below(at the time of writing this):

1 of 2

This makes the Galaxy A52 devices grab a special spot on the monthly security update cycle which only has the Enterprise version of Galaxy A50 as the remaining A-series phone. However, all the recently launched Galaxy Ax2 devices including the higher-priced sibling of Galaxy A52, the Galaxy A72 are on a Quarterly cycle.

You might wonder if it’s an erroneous listing but it looks like Samsung has updated the list very recently especially after updating few devices with April 2021 security patches. We can guess a lot of reasons for this including the incredible success of the predecessor Galaxy A51 but only Samsung can say the real reason behind this.

Anyway, let’s see if Samsung continues to update the Galaxy A52 above other A-series devices in the future. If you are a Galaxy A72 user, how do you feel about this change? Do let us know in the comments below.

RELATED:

Lei Jun: Mi 11 Ultra uses a Mi Band 5’s screen as its secondary display

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Apr 6, 2021

One of the interesting features of the Mi 11 Ultra is its secondary display which is on the back right next to the cameras. This 1.1-inch AOD screen performs a variety of functions – from displaying the time and date to displaying call alerts and other notifications to doubling as a small viewfinder for the cameras, there sure is a lot this small screen can do.

It turns out that this rear display isn’t specially made for the Mi 11 Ultra but the same display used in another Xiaomi product that has been adopted for the flagship smartphone.

According to ITHome, Xiaomi’s CEO, Lei Jun, revealed in a live broadcast today in China that the secondary display of the Mi 11 Ultra is the same one used for the Mi Band 5 that was released last year! Yes, this is the same 1.1-inch AMOLED screen of the Mi Band 5 (Mi Smart Band 5).

We are not sure if Xiaomi repurposed the screen of unsold units of the Mi Band 5 or it ordered more units of the display from the supplier. Nevertheless, the fact that the display is not custom-made means it will have helped with reducing the production cost of the Mi 11 Ultra.

The Mi 11 Ultra has a main 6.81-inch curved 3200 x 1440 display with a hole punch for a 20MP front-facing camera. There is a Snapdragon 888 processor powering the phone and it is paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM. There are also multiple storage variants with the maximum being 512GB.

For its cameras, the Mi 11 Ultra has a 50MP Samsung GN2 primary camera, a 48MP Sony IMX586 ultrawide angle camera, and another 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor with a periscope lens that doubles as a telephoto camera and a macro camera.

There is a 5000mAh battery inside the phone with support for 67W fast wired and 67W fast wireless charging. The phone has a starting price of CNY 5999 ($914) for the 8GB RAM + 256GB variant in China while Europe gets a 12GB RAM + 256GB version that is priced at €1,200.

RELATED:

OPPO’s mysterious “portless” phone with under display camera in works, features leaked

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Apr 6, 2021

Fresh information shared by tipster Digital Chat Station reveals that the OPPO is working on its under-display camera smartphone. He also shared some other key features of the mysterious smartphone.

The mysterious OPPO is working on a “portless” prototype handset, which features an under-display camera phone. It will be equipped with pressure-sensitive buttons. Last year, the Vivo APEX 2020 concept phone was introduced with a truly portless design. The handset only carried support for fast charging.

However, the OPPO phone will not a completely portless smartphone since it will feature both wireless and wired charging. The USB port of the phone will be hidden neatly, which will make it possible to look like a portless phone.

Reports have claimed many smartphone makers will adopt electrochromic technology, which was previously seen on the OPPO Reno5 Pro+ 5G’s color-changing rear shell. The new leak states that the rear cameras of the mysterious OPPO phone will be tucked under the electrochromic glass. Probably, the company could be using the same electrochromic glass technology that OnePlus had used to conceal the rear cameras of the OnePlus Concept One phone last year. The tipster did not share any information on the specs of the mysterious smartphone.

In related news, the tipster also shared that OPPO is working on two foldable smartphones. The first model has an 8-inch display with an inward folding design and the other one has a 7-inch screen with an in-folding design. He added that the company prepared a prototype of the foldable phone with a 7-inch display back in January. The progress on this model is faster than the other model with an 8-inch display. He claimed that the 7-inch model’s prototype is close to mass production, but there is no information available yet on its release timeframe.

RELATED:

Here is the list of Chromebooks getting Android 11 update with Chrome OS 90

By

Balaji S

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Apr 6, 2021

Chrome OS ecosystem has been growing lately and as of Q4 2020, it beat Apple’s macOS with a 16.4% market share. Recently, it got features like a dark theme in the Chrome OS 89 version. Now, a list of devices finally getting an update to Android 11 with Chrome OS 90 version is out.

Representative image: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

As reported by Android Police, a page on Chromium’s Gerrit review repository reveals codenames of Chromebook devices that are going to get the Android 11 update. These correspond to various models of Acer, ASUS, Samsung, Dell, Google, HP, and more.

That said, we can expect future devices that are launching to come with Android 11 out of the box. Anyway, the list of devices whose build of Android on Chrome OS will be updated to Android 11, are as follows:

Acer

Acer Chromebook 11 C670
Acer Chromebook 11 C732
Acer Chromebook 11 C732L
Acer Chromebook 11 C732LT
Acer Chromebook 11 C732T
Acer Chromebook 11 CB311-8H
Acer Chromebook 11 CB311-8HT
Acer Chromebook 13
Acer Chromebook 14 CB3-431
Acer Chromebook 14 CP5-471
Acer Chromebook 15 C910
Acer Chromebook 15 CB3-532
Acer Chromebook 15 CB515-1H
Acer Chromebook 15 CB515-1HT
Acer Chromebook 311
Acer Chromebook 314 (C933L)
Acer Chromebook 314 (C933LT)
Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-1H)
Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-1HT)
Acer Chromebook 315
Acer Chromebook 315 (CB315-3H)
Acer Chromebook 315 (CB315-3HT)
Acer Chromebook 512 C851
Acer Chromebook 512 C851T
Acer Chromebook 712 (C871)
Acer Chromebook CXI3
Acer Chromebook R11
Acer Chromebook R13
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 CP311-1H
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 CP311-1HN
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 R751T
Acer Chromebook Spin 13
Acer Chromebook Spin 311 (CB311-2H)
Acer Chromebook Spin 311 CP311-3H
Acer Chromebook Spin 511
Acer Chromebook Spin 512 R851TN
Acer Chromebook Spin 513
Acer Chromebook Spin 514
Acer Chromebook Spin 712
Acer Chromebook Spin 713
Acer Chromebox CXI4

AOpen

AOpen Chromebase Mini
AOpen Chromebox Mini

Asus

Asus Chromebook C202SA
Asus Chromebook C300SA
Asus Chromebook C425
Asus Chromebook Flip C100PA
Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA
Asus Chromebook Flip C204
Asus Chromebook Flip C214
Asus Chromebook Flip C302
Asus Chromebook Flip C434
Asus Chromebook Flip C436FA
Asus Chromebook Tablet CT100
Asus Chromebox 3
Asus Chromebox 4
Asus Fanless Chromebox

CTL

CTL Chromebook Tab Tx1
CTL Chromebox CBx1
CTL Chromebox CBx2

Dell

Dell Chromebook 11 3380
Dell Chromebook 13 3380
Dell Chromebook 13 7310
Dell Chromebook Enterprise Latitude 7410

Google

Google Chromebook Pixel
Google Pixel Slate
Google Pixelbook
Google Pixelbook Go

HP

HP Chromebook 11 G1 x360
HP Chromebook 11 G5
HP Chromebook 11 G7 EE
HP Chromebook 11 G8 EE
HP Chromebook 11A G6 EE
HP Chromebook 13 (db0000-db0999)
HP Chromebook 13 G1
HP Chromebook 14 G6
HP Chromebook 14a
HP Chromebook x2
HP Chromebook X360 11 G2 EE
HP Chromebook x360 11 G3 EE
HP Chromebook X360 14c
HP Chromebox G2
HP Chromebox G3
HP Elite C1030 Chromebook
HP Pro C640 Chromebook
HP Pro C645 Chromebook Enterprise

Lenovo

Lenovo Chromebook 100e
Lenovo Chromebook 100e (2nd Gen)
Lenovo Chromebook 11
Lenovo Chromebook 300e (2nd Gen)
Lenovo Chromebook 500e
Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen)
Lenovo Chromebook C340-11
Lenovo Chromebook S340-14
Lenovo Chromebook Tablet 10e
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 51 Chromebook
Lenovo ThinkPad Chromebook 11e
Lenovo ThinkPad Chromebook 11e (3rd gen)
Lenovo ThinkPad Chromebook 13
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga Chromebook 11e
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga Chromebook C13
Lenovo Yoga Chromebook N23

Samsung

Samsung Chromebook 3
Samsung Chromebook 4
Samsung Chromebook Plus
Samsung Chromebook Plus V2
Samsung Chromebook Pro
Samsung Chromebook+
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

Toshiba

Toshiba Chromebook 2 (2015)

Viewsonic

ViewSonic Chromebox NMP660

It’s worth noting that the few devices(with Hatch baseboard) have already had the access to the Android 11 features but are on the Beta version. The stable version of this should start rolling out to the above-mentioned list soon.

Also, you can look out for features like Dark Mode, uniform scaling of apps, and more. Lastly, the report says that the repository also has some weird names which could be of development tools, upcoming devices, or shelved products.

RELATED:

Gionee P15 Pro launched in Nigeria with Helio G35 SoC, 6,000mAh battery, and more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Apr 6, 2021

Last week, Gionee P15 Pro budget smartphone was launched in Nigeria. We did not cover this story back then as we were not aware of it. Now, as we have stumbled upon this product on the company’s official website and Facebook page, let’s take a look at its specs, features, price, and availability.

Gionee P15 Pro Specifications and Features

The newly launched Gionee P15 Pro features a polycarbonate body and flaunts a 6.82-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels (HD+), 84.6% screen-to-body ratio, and a dewdrop notch.

The phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G35 SoC coupled with 3GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Although the official website does not say anything, it should have a MicroSD card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, dual-SIM, 4G connectivity, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS like any other budget smartphone

Further, the handset sports a vertically-aligned triple camera setup on the back consisting of a 13MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 lens, a 2MP secondary sensor with an f/2.2 lens, an AI lens, and an LED flash. The rear panel also houses a capacitive fingerprint sensor. Whereas, on the front, the device features an 8MP snapper for selfies and video calls.

Last but not least, the Gionee P15 Pro is backed by a 6,000mAh battery and runs Android 11.

Gionee P15 Pro Price and Availability

The Gionee P15 Pro is priced at ₦58,900 ($144) in Nigeria. It can be purchased from partner retail stores across the country. Also, it should be available on Jumia in the coming days.

OPPO patents a mobile gaming controller with an earphone storage compartment

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Apr 6, 2021

Chinese tech giant and BBK subsidiary OPPO has often strived to stay ahead of the pack when it comes to innovation. We have seen a number of recent patent filings that point to the direction the company is looking at when it comes to foldable displays, camera technology, and even in the aspect of gaming. A new patent by OPPO Guangdong Mobile Communications Co., Ltd has just been spotted. The patent is titled “game controller” and the application was made on September 9, 2019.

The patent has, in March this year, been published with filing number CN112451961A. The patent description notes that with the rapid development of the electronic game industry, mobile games have been widely promoted due to their convenience. In order to better operate the game, a gamepad is generally needed outside the mobile phone for convenience.

The existing mobile phone gamepads are mainly divided into two categories. One is the gamepad that cannot be plugged into the headset, that is, the mobile phone is clamped in the middle of the gamepad, and the gamepad blocks the 3.5mm audio jack of the mobile phone making it impossible to use a wired headset while using the game controller. Another design is a game handle that has a phone holder bracket at the top. The controller looks like the regular joystick gamepad and it frees up the space to plugin the audio jack or use the charging port while gaming.

OPPO’s patented game controller provides a gamepad and a housing to store the earphones. There is also a compartment at the top that’ll hold the phone.

We can’t say when this product will be released into the market but since the design is basic, it may not be extremely hard to bring this design to reality.

RELATED;

Upcoming Apple TV model could support 120Hz refresh rate content

By

Balaji S

-

Apr 6, 2021

Apple is said to host a launch event later this month where it is expected to unveil the new iPad Pro and few others. Alongside the iPad, there are chances that a new Apple TV would also launch. This next-gen product is reportedly coming with upgraded SoC, and storage for better streaming. Now, 9to5mac has found evidences of 120Hz refresh rate support on the upcoming Apple TV 2021 model.

As per the report evidences of high-refresh-rate support has been found on the latest tvOS 14.5 beta code. That is, terms like “120Hz” and “supports120Hz” have been added to tvOS’s PineBoard in the latest build. However, if you recall, the currently selling Apple TV has only up to 4K video at 60Hz support. Also, it has HDMI 2.0 port which cannot technically project the 120Hz content.

For the unware, the latest HDMI 2.1 standard brings improved bandwidth up to 48Gbps, resolution up to 10K, Dynamic HDR, eARC(enhanced Audio Return Channel), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and more. Accordingly, it also supports refresh rates on content up to 120Hz.

To do this, Apple has to put a powerful GPU and higher RAM capacity inside to pull that kind of content smoothly. Also, keep in mind that you will need a TV that has 120Hz refresh rate support as well. This report also goes in line with early info that said Apple was working on including HDMI 2.1 on the upcoming Apple TV.

That being said, the Apple TV 2021 model is turning out to be a worthy upgrade over the processors. Still, we will have to wait for a bit to know more intricate details on the same.

RELATED:

RedMagic Watch gets an automatic dark mode feature via the latest update

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Apr 6, 2021

Last month, Nubia’s RedMagic announced its first smartwatch. The smartwatch which is sold as the RedMagic Watch and is exclusive to China, for now, has begun receiving an update that brings a dark mode to one of its watch faces.

According to a Weibo post by the official RedMagic account, the latest update to the RedMagic Sports app, the smartwatch’s companion app, lets you choose a particular watch face (Astronaut) that automatically switches from a white background (light mode) to a black background (dark mode) once it is 6 PM.

While this seems to be the only watch face to have this feature, it is pretty neat nonetheless.

The RedMagic Watch is a ¥599 (~$91) smartwatch with a 1.39-inch 454 x 454 AMOLED display and two physical buttons on the right side for controlling the watch. The watch has support for 16 sports modes including football which adds a heat map that shows the wearer’s most active positions on the pitch.

There is a Sony GNSS receiver that adds support for GPS, QZSS, and Beidou. The health sensor adds support for 24-hour heart rate measurement and blood oxygen level detection. The RedMagic Watch has a battery life of 15 days in typical usage mode but it can go up to 23 days in basic watch mode or drop to 50 hours with GPS turned on.

The smartwatch comes in different colored silicone straps and is also available in leather options that cost ¥100 more (~$15).

RELATED:

Smartphone average storage crossed 100GB in 2020: Counterpoint

By

Sean

-

Apr 6, 2021

Storage in smartphones is an important factor for any consumer while purchasing a new device. While there have been various improvements in various parts of the handset, like cameras and processors, the average amount of storage offered to consumers has also risen in recent years and apparently crossing the 100GB mark in 2020.

According to a Counterpoint Research report, the average smartphone NAND flash storage capacity in smartphones has surpassed the 100GB mark for the first time last year. Although, this figure differs based on iOS and Android platforms, with the former having an average of 140.9GB in Q4 2020 while the latter had an average of 95.7GB around the same period. However, the gap between the two platforms is closing as well, as Android devices are also offering higher storage options in past few years.

To put it into perspective, the average capacity in 2020 grew by 5.6 percent for iOS and 20.5 percent for Android handsets. These figures are indicative of the fact that Apple did not push the boundaries of its storage sizes that maxed out at 512GB. This has been the highest storage variant that the company has offered since 2018. Meanwhile, Android vendors like Samsung broke past this storage capacity and managed to offer 1TB of internal storage for the first time back in 2019, with the Galaxy S10 Plus.

Furthermore, higher capacities in Android smartphones are becoming more common as well. Devices with storage options can range from 256GB, 512GB, and even 1,024GB at times in flagship models. The final quarter of last year also showcased that 128GB was the minimum required standard for most mid range and every high end smartphones, especially premium grade flagships.

RELATED:

ZMI has launched a sleek USB Type-C to Lightning cable with 18-month warranty

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Apr 6, 2021

ZMI has launched a new accessory for Apple devices in China. This latest product is called ZMI USB Type-C to Lightning Silicone Cable. As the name suggests, it is a silicone-insulated cable for charging and data transfer. It is priced at ¥89 ($14) in the company’s home country.

For those unaware, ZMI is currently a subsidiary of Xiaomi. For years, this company has been developing chargers, power banks, and related products for its new parent firm. Since it operates independently, ZMI has also been selling accessories for other brands.

ZMI is known for value for money power accessories. It sells various types of chargers, power banks, and cables for a wide variety of products from different companies, including Apple. The latest ZMI USB Type-C to Lightning Silicone Cable is one such product.

This new silicone-clad skin-friendly smooth cable from ZMI is MFi-certified. Therefore, it works with Apple products without any problem. It also supports USB PD (Power Delivery) charging and up to 3A current.

Hence, it is highly compatible with the following Apple devices for maximum fast charging and up to 480Mbps data rate.

Apple iPhone
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone SE 2020
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 8
Apple iPad
- iPad Pro 12.9
- iPad Pro 10.5
- iPad Pro 9.7
- iPad Air 3rd Gen
- iPad Air 2nd Gen
- iPad Air
- iPad Mini 5th Gen
- iPad Mini 4th Gen
- iPad Mini 3rd Gen
- iPad Mini 2nd Gen
- iPad 8th Gen
- iPad 7th Gen
- iPad 6th Gen
- iPad 5th Gen
Apple iPod
- iPod Touch 6th Gen
- iPod Touch 7th Gen

Further, this FDA-approved 1m sleek cable can withstand over 30,000 bends and 10,000 plug-ins. It ships with a cable tie and comes with an 18-month warranty.

Last but not least, the ZMI USB Type-C to Lightning Silicone Cable with model number GL870 comes in two colors (Red, Black).

iRobot launches new Roomba i3 and i3+ vacuum cleaners in India

By

Sean

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Apr 6, 2021

iRobot has just launched a new range of automated vacuum cleaners in India, expanding its existing portfolio in the region. The new vacuum cleaners include the Roomba i3 and Roomba i3+.

As per the official notes, the new vacuum cleaners from the popular robotic consumer products maker arrive with stylish design and advanced features for customers on both offline and online stores. Similar to the Roomba i7+, the Roomba i3+ is equipped with Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which empties the debris on its own without user interaction in a 60 day cycle. All the dust is stored in the AllergenLock bag that offers four layers of allergen blocking material to trap pollen and mold.

Both the Roomba i3 and i3+ can be paired with the iRobot Home App, which offers a higher degree of control along with a personalized cleaning experience as well. This app is available for Android and iOS. Furthermore, the app can also offer suggestions regarding cleaning schedules based on cleaning jobs, pet shedding, and other personalized suggestions. The new vacuum cleaners are also designed in a manner to blend in well with modern homes.

The new Roomba i3 series start from 49,900 INR (roughly 680 US Dollars) for the base model and 69,900 INR (roughly 950 US Dollars) for the higher end model. However, the company is offering a promotional first sale offer for official stores in India, which can bring down the price to 39,900 INR (roughly 540 US Dollars) for the i3 and 59,900 INR (roughly 815 US Dollars) for the i3+. These offers can are only for a limited time and can be available on offline stores and e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.

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Google Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 get camera and graphic performance improvements with April update

By

Balaji S

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Apr 6, 2021

People who were interested in Pixel 5 back when it launched were faced with a surprise info that it had dropped the Neural core and Active Edge features. Later, the device also faced a few issues in graphics performance as per various reports online. Now, Google is rolling out the April 2021 security update to a lot of pixel devices and it comes bundled with Camera, GPU performance gains for some devices like Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5.

Google, in an official post, has detailed what are the changes coming with the latest update for the Pixel devices including Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. You can take a look at the build numbers below:

Global:
- Pixel 4a (5G): RQ2A.210405.005
- Pixel 5: RQ2A.210405.005

Talking about the specific changes, it says that Google Pixel 4a 5G and Google Pixel 5 gets improvements in

Camera quality in certain third-party apps
Optimizations for certain graphics-intensive apps & games
Fix for certain devices appearing offline when connected with VPN
Fix for Freeze on Google logo during startup

This update is said to have improved the GPU performance of the device by about 30-50% more than before(3DMark, courtesy of Andreas Proschofsky). Earlier, reports suggested that the Android 11 update could have had an impact on the graphic performance of the Pixel 5 leading to frequent stutters.

However, the dark days are over now, and if you are a Google Pixel 5 user, we suggest you update the device as soon as you get it. Speaking of which, users who haven’t received it yet should get it in the coming days as it is a phased rollout.

As mentioned above, the April update also includes few improvements for other devices like Pixel 3(XL), 3a(XL), 4(XL), 4a. You can check the entire changelog here.

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ZTE Axon 30 series will be launching on April 15 in China

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Apr 6, 2021

Recent reports indicated that ZTE will announce the Axon 30 series of smartphones by the end of April. However, the company confirmed through a Weibo post that the lineup will break cover on April 15 in China.

Reports have claimed that the Axon 30 series has three models namely, Axon 30, Axon 30 Pro, and Axon 30 Pro+. The handset shown in the image below is one of the Axon 30 series phones. It is likely that all three handsets may sport the same rear design.

The poster reveals that the Axon 30 series smartphone’s rear camera module has four cameras. There is a possibility that the Axon 30 Pro or the Axon 30 Pro+ will feature three 64-megapixel cameras and an auxiliary lens. While the rumor mill has revealed some of the key specs of Axon 30 Pro, the details of the Axon 30 and 30 Pro+ are yet to emerge.

Passt reports have revealed that the Axon 30 Pro is equipped with a 6.92-inch OLED screen, which is integrated with the second-generation under-display camera technology. The massive display is expected to deliver 10-bit colors, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 360Hz touch sampling rate.

The handset will be fueled by the Snapdragon 888 mobile platform and it houses a 4,500mAh battery with 55W or 65W fast charging support. The SoC will be accompanied by LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. It may feature a 44-megapixel camera for capturing selfies. It is expected to offer users other features like MyOS based Android 11 OS, dual speakers, and linear motor, and so on. Hopefully, the company will confirm the other features of the Axon 30 series through daily teasers before the official announcement.

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Realme x TÜV Rheinland event, showcases growing smartphone quality standards

By

Sean

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Apr 6, 2021

Realme just held an online conference earlier today (6th April 2021). In the event, the company offered us a glimpse of its new smart factory for its smartphones and was joined by TÜV Rheinland as well.

The Realme X TÜV Rheinland Quality Standards Event was live streamed on multiple platforms and had the smartphone maker showcase the growing quality standards of its devices. The Chinese tech giant was also joined by the German certification agency, TÜV Rheinland, which is a known brand in the smartphone industry, with its certifications being offered to handsets ranging from flagship to even affordable ones.

On the live stream, the company also showcased its new smart factory in action. This site had been teased recently on multiple image posters, that depicted its assembly lines, smart warehouses, automated workshops, and much more. Realme also further emphasized its focus towards the younger demographic or youth in the event, mentioning how their products are designed around these age groups, starting from product design and even testing.

In the event, the smartphone maker detailed a few key pillars of its Project C. This includes, Definition, Design, Development, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Quality Testing. Notably, the company also said that the Realme C series of smartphones are also the first to receive TÜV Rheinland high reliability certification. The company is built using highly advanced automated machineries, with the brand preparing for the global launch of the C21 and C25 handsets as well. You can check out this event above.

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‘Made in India’ iQOO 7 Legend confirmed to debut under ₹40,000 in India in April, Live images revealed

By

Balaji S

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Apr 6, 2021

iQOO is gearing up to launch a flagship smartphone in India this month. And going by iQOO India director Gagan Arora’s words, it should be sometime around the end of April. Now, the company has teamed up with popular YouTuber Gaurav Chaudhary(@TechnicalGuruji) to confirm the iQOO 7 Legend and reveal more details regarding the device.

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In a conversation with Gaurav on YouTube, Gagan has confirmed that two smartphones including iQOO 7 Legend will launch in India this month. Although he hasn’t talked much about the latter, reports say that it could be the iQOO Neo5 from China. Anyway, he says that the devices will debut somewhere at the end of April.

Talking about the ‘Made in India’ iQOO 7 Legend, Gagan also confirms that iQOO 7 Legend is designed in partnership with BMW M Motorsport and this news falls in line with a leak last week by Tech influencer Mukul Sharma.

Live images of the iQOO 7 Legend have also been shared in the video and it is the exact same one that launched in China as iQOO 7 Legendary edition. It has a white back panel with stripes of the BMW M Motorsport logo and a “Fascination meets Innovation” slogan.

Moving on, Gagan also talks more about how iQOO has been working on expanding its presence in India. He says that iQOO will bring multiple smartphones at different price points and users will be able to service their phones in select Vivo service centers in India in the future.

Also, he admits that iQOO, despite having separate philosophy, shares a manufacturing facility with Vivo.

iQOO 7 Legend is likely to feature a 6.62-inch AMOLED FHD+ centered punch-hole display with a 120Hz refresh rate, flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, 48MP main lens, 16MP selfie camera, 4,000mAh battery, and Android 11 OS.

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