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OnePlus Band adds support for Google Fit synchronization

The OnePlus Band is the brand’s first fitness tracker. It is basically a rebranded OPPO Band. The product was announced in India in January and it is exclusive to the region. Two months after its release, the fitness tracker finally adds support for Google Fit.

OnePlus Band Tangerine Gray Featured

The OnePlus Band connects with Android smartphones via a companion app called OnePlus Health. This application lacked support to synchronize with third-party apps at launch. But not anymore.

With the release of OnePlus Health v1.3.2, users of the OnePlus Band can finally sync their data with Google Fit. This option in the app can be found with the name ‘Link to Google Fit’.

Anyway, according to Android Police, there is a bug with sleep data synchronization. Perhaps, OnePlus will be fixing it in the next update of the OnePlus Health application.

Unlike other OnePlus products, the OnePlus Band has received poor reviews from the media. One of the cons is incompatibility with third-party apps. Thankfully, the company has responded to it by adding support for Google Fit.

However, to fix inaccurate readings and improve battery life, the brand needs to tweak its algorithm. We believe OnePlus can fix these mishaps to some extent since it is known for rolling out multiple OTA updates for its smartphones dedicated to fixes and improvements.

 

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Deal: Buy Xiaomi Vertical Wireless Charger for $19.79 (Original Price $30)

AliExpress is giving a fantastic deal on Xiaomi Vertical Wireless Charger, 20W. The charger which generally retails at around $30 is now available for $19.79 only.

WHERE TO BUY
Xiaomi Vertical Wireless Charger at $19.79 @AliExpress

 

Xiaomi Vertical Wireless Charger 1

Xiaomi Vertical Wireless Charger, 20W is designed with a dual functional mode that works as a charger and a stand. The charger works in both horizontal and vertical directions while charging. This means you can simply put it in landscape mode when watching a video and switch it back to portrait mode to take a video call or read a document. 

Xiaomi Vertical Wireless Charger 2

Compatible with almost all Qi-enabled devices the device can also charge with a protective case with an effective distance of up to 4mm. With a smart foreign object detector and multiple safety features, the Xiaomi Vertical Wireless charger is a must-have for your home and office. 

Xiaomi Vertical Wireless Charger 3

Xiaomi Vertical Wireless Charger works on USB-C Port and comes with an anti-slip silicone mat. The charging stand which usually retails for $30 is available for $19.79 only with free delivery via AliExpress Standard Shipping. This offer is valid only for the next two days. So get your vertical wireless charging stand 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.

Dell launched a speckled variant of the G15 gaming laptop, first arrives in China

Dell has just launched a new G15 gaming laptop, which will first be available in China before launching in other regions across the globe. The laptop adopts an all new industrial design though the most notable feature might be its speckled paint job.

Dell

Looking at the image the new gaming laptops arrive with paint flecks on the new body. Under the hood, the G15 uses a “low-VOC waterborne paint for a durable and environmentally conscious design.” The new laptop is available in multiple color variants including Spector Green with Speckles, Phantom Grey with Speckles, Dark Shadow Grey, and Obsidian Black.

Talking about its specifications, the gaming laptop is set to house an Nvidia RTX 3000 series graphics card that has “three performance options ranging up to 115W of TDP.” It sports a 15.6 inch display with support for up to 360Hz high refresh rate. As per official notes from the company, the laptop also features an improved thermal design that is based on Alienware technology, along with an optional 4 zone RGB keyboard that uses the AlienFX software for customization.

Dell

The new Dell G15 laptop has just launched in China and starts from a price tag of 5,599 Yuan (roughly 860 US Dollars). Unfortunately, finer details regarding the higher end variants are currently unknown but the entry variant is confirmed to feature a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor along with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. So stay tuned for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available.

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Get 4 in 1 Wireless Charging Stand for $12.74 (Original Price $20)

If you are in the market for a one-stop charging solution for your multiple devices then check out this awesome deal on a Qi 4 in 1 wireless charger from AliExpress. The charging stand which generally retails for $20 is available for $12.74 only.

WHERE TO BUY
Qi 4 in 1 Wireless Charger at $12.74 @AliExpress

 

4 in 1 wireless charger 1

The 4 in 1 wireless charging stand comes with an intelligent identification function that is compatible with almost all devices. This function helps to identify the required current for each device and provides a secure and stable current, thereby protecting your device. 

4 in 1 wireless charger 3

The charging stand comes with a watch charging port (Apple watch only), a rotatable 3 – in 1 charging case with a Type C, Micro USB, and iOS port an earbud case charging socket, and a wireless charging stand. The wireless charging stand is compatible with almost all Qi-enabled devices and can even charge with an 8mm thick phone case.

4 in 1 wireless charger 2

This Qi-enabled 4 in 1 charging station usually retails for $20. But for the next 2 days, AliExpress is selling this charging stand for $12.74 only. Additional discount coupons and free delivery are available for this product. 

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.

Global Smartphone production expected to see slight decline in Q1 2021: Report

The global smartphone production is expected to reach 342 million units in the first quarter of this year, which marks a 25 percent rise year on year but a slight decline of 6 percent quarter on quarter.

Smartphone

According to a TrendForce report, the report arrives amid high sales of the iPhone 12 series in the last quarter, which also had Huawei drastically lose its market share due to US sanctions. Despite the decline, the quarter is estimated to record strong performance considering the first quarter usually sees a quarter on quarter decline of around 20 percent following the fourth and final quarter, which is usually the peak season of the year since demand falls.

The smartphone production for Q4 2020 is estimated to be around 364 million units, with Apple being expected to be the leader in terms of production volume. While the high end premium segment saw a decline in 2020, the Cupertino based giant still managed to push through “the headwinds and capture market share by introducing 5G models and adopting an aggressive pricing strategy,” as per the report.  Apple produced 77.6 million units of iPhones in Q4 2020, marking an 85 percent increase quarter on quarter.

Smartphone

Furthermore, the company managed to retain its lead even in the first quarter of 2021, followed by Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Vivo, as per the report. Samsung is expected to see a decline of 14 percent during this period, with its smartphone shipments estimated to fall to 67 million units in Q4 2020. The primary reason for the decline was the launch of new iPhone models that dominated the holiday season. Although, we can expect the momentum to slow down for Apple following this quarter.

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TCL P725 Series 4K HDR smart TVs launched in India with a detachable camera and Android TV 11

As expected, TCL has officially launched the TCL P725 series of 4K HDR smart TVs in India. The highlights of these new televisions include a detachable camera, Android TV 11, MEMC, and more. Let us take a look at their specifications, price, and availability.

TCL P725 Series 4K HDR smart TV FeaturedTCL P725 Series 4K HDR smart TV Featured

TCL P725 Series Specifications and Features

The newly launched TCL P725 series includes a total of four models. All of them feature the exact same set of specs and only differ in sizes. Hence, based on their requirements, customers can either opt for a 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, or 65-inch variant.

These televisions sport an LED-backlit LCD panel with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K) and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The display supports up to 60Hz refresh rate, up to 15ms input lag, MEMC, and micro dimming. Lastly, the screen covers over 75% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and supports HDR standards like HDR10 as well as Dolby Vision.

TCL P725 Series 4K HDR smart TV Built-in Camera

The TCL P725 series smart TVs flaunt a metal casing and premium design. They are powered by an unknown quad-core processor paired with an unknown dual-core GPU. They run Android TV 11 operating system with TCL Channel (content integration launcher like PatchWall on Xiaomi Mi TVs), Google Assistant (via remote control), Google Chromecast, Google Play Store, and all the popular streaming services available in India.

The USP (Unique Selling Proposition) of these televisions is the presence of a camera. The camera can be used for Google Duo video calls and other video conferences for office work as well as for family and friends. This camera has a shutter and it can be even detached when not in use.

On the connectivity front, these TVs support dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, ethernet (RJ45), AV, RF, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1 with ARC/EARC, and 2 x HDMI 2.0. Lastly, for audio, the televisions come with 2 x 12W speakers (24W) with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD.

TCP P725 Series Pricing and Availability

The TCL P725 series will be sold in India at the following price tags.

  • TCL P725 43” – ₹41,990 ($576)
  • TCL P725 50” – ₹56,990 ($781)
  • TCL P725 55” – ₹62,990 ($864)
  • TCL P725 65” – ₹89,990 ($1,234)

The larger 65-inch variant will go on sale initially exclusively on Amazon India. The other models should be available in the coming weeks.

 

 

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OPPO Find X3 color options revealed by the company ahead of launch

OPPO‘s next-generation of flagship smartphones under its Find-series is all set to get officially launched in its home country China — the OPPO Find X3 series. The devices are set to go official tomorrow.

Now, just a day ahead of the official launch, the company has revealed the color options of the OPPO Find X3 series. It has confirmed that the phone will come in three colors — Mirror Black, Fog Blue, and Condensed White.

OPPO Find X3 Series Colors

The company is expected to launch two variants of the phone — Find X3 and Find X3 Pro. Ahead of the launch, OPPO has already started taking reservations of both the phones on its own online store, JD.com, and other Chinese retailers.

As for the design, the renders of the Find X3 Pro shows that it features a curved edge display with a hole-punch placed at the upper-left corner. There is a square-shaped camera housing on the backside, housing four sensors and an LED flash.

OPPO Find X3 Colors

OPPO Find X3 Colors

So far, it has been revealed that the OPPO Find X3 Pro has a 6.7-inch QHD+ display that supports 10-bit color depth. Under the hood, it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 mobile platform, with up to 12GB of RAM. It could be coming with a 4,500mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging and 30W wireless charging.

In the camera department, it features a 32-megapixel front-facing camera. On the back side, there is a Sony IMX766 50-megapixel primary camera sensor, a Sony IMX766 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, a 13-megapixel telephoto periscope shooter, and a 5-megapixel micro lens.

On the other hand, the OPPO Find X3 is expected to come powered by the Snapdragon 870 chipset. It is likely to borrow many of its specifications and features from the Find X3 Pro model. To know for sure, we will have to wait for a few more hours.

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Europe aims to produce 20% of world’s semiconductor and build its first quantum computer

The European Union seeks to grow its presence in the semiconductor industry. It aims to produce 20 percent of the global output of cutting edge advanced semiconductors by the end of this decade, with the plans also including its first quantum computer in five years.

Europe

According to a Reuters report, the move from the EU arrives as a part of its efforts to reduce its dependence on non European technologies. The EU plan titled 2030 Digital Compass arrives after the pandemic exposed the reliance of the union on key technologies owned by Chinese and American based companies. In the plan, the EU emphasized the importance of semiconductors, which are used in a wide range of industries and fields.

Semiconductors are used in connected cars, smartphones, IoT devices, and high performance computers, and artificial intelligence fields as well. The news also arrived as the world is suffering from one of the worst shortages of semiconductors, which has even led to automobile makers having to halt production due to lack of chips. As per the document from the EU, “It is our proposed level of ambition that by 2030 the production of cutting-edge and sustainable semiconductors in Europe including processors is at least 20% of world production in value.”

Europe

In the plan, the EU also recommended investing in quantum technologies, saying that these could be a ‘game changer’ in developing new medicines and even speed up genome sequencing. The document also added that “It is our proposed level of ambition that by 2025, Europe will have the first computer with quantum acceleration paving the way for Europe to be at the cutting edge of quantum capabilities by 2030.”

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Super Deal: Get $62 OFF on Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ from AliExpress (Coupon)

AliExpress is giving out a fantastic deal on Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+. The device which is listed at $461 is now available for $399 via coupon code: 2PRO62.

WHERE TO BUY
Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ at $399 (after discount)@Aliexpress

Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ 3

Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ has a unique 3D Explore function which helps it to conduct 3D visual navigation and intelligent route planning. Equipped with S-Cross 3D technology it can accurately avoid obstacles and collisions just like a self-driving vehicle and a photon level sensor, helps it to detect any obstacles in its surroundings resulting in anti-collision and anti-fall functions which are 10 times more accurate than any infrared sensors. Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ 1

Fitted with a Cortex-A53 high-performance chip Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ can simultaneously locate the robot, plan the floor map and navigate through obstacles. With a 3000pa strong suction and Japanese high-tech brushless motors, the robot gives you a strong and neat suction leaving zero dirt behind. Additionally, an electronically controlled 250ml smart water tank helps to mop different types of floors like marble, tile, wood, etc, which at full capacity, can mop almost 160㎡ of the floor space. With a built-in 5200mAh large capacity battery that supports 180 minutes of standard cleaning and remote control function through the Mijia App, this robot vacuum cleaner is a one-stop solution for your daily cleaning and mopping needs. 

Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro+ is retailing at AliExpress at $461 but as a limited time offer you can buy this product for $399 only by using the discount coupon code:  2PRO62

Please note that this offer is valid only on orders made from EU warehouses and additional new user coupons and free shipping is available on this deal. So go get your robot vacuum cleaner before the deal expires.  

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.

Android 11 reportedly has the fastest adoption rate

Google’s Android mobile operating system is notorious for its slow adoption of newer version but that is now getting changed. As per the latest data from StatCounter, the latest Android 11 has the fastest adoption rate out of any Android version so far in the U.S.

As per the report, Google‘s Android 11 has more than 25 percent of the smartphones and tablets in the Android market as of this month, that too in just six months after the official release of this version of Android.

Android 11

However, Android 10 is still the most widely used version of the mobile operating system in the United States with more than 33 percent of the market share. Globally, it holds more than 41 percent market share.

Prior to this, Google had confirmed that the Android 10 was having the fastest adoption rate last year, signaling that Google and its partners are doing a much better job at rolling out the newer version.

Do note that the numbers related to the adoption of Android 11 is from a private research firm StatCounter and not the official numbers from Google. We expect the Mountain View-based tech giant to reveal the numbers in the coming months.

Google is currently working on a newer version of Android operating system — Android 12 and has already released the first Developer Preview. After a couple of developer previews and beta version, the stable version will be rolled out.

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Tesla and hundreds more face security breach, hackers gain access of Verkada security cameras

A small group of hackers has managed to cause a security breach, which has affected hundreds of businesses. This includes the popular electric vehicle maker Tesla after hackers gained access to surveillance cameras from Verkada.

Tesla Logo

According to a Reuters report, the hacker group gained access to the live feed of the security cameras and even archived surveillance footage from hundreds of businesses. The group even managed to breach Tesla by gaining administrative access to the camera maker Verkada over the past two days, as per sources involved in the security breach incident. Tillie Kottmann, a Swedish software developer, shared screenshots on Twitter from inside a Tesla warehouse in California and an Alabama jail.

Kottman gained attention for finding security flaws in mobile applications and other systems. As per the software developer, the breach was to draw attention to the pervasive monitoring of people after having found login information for Verkada’s administrative tools publicly online earlier this week. Verkada has since acknowledged an intrusion and said that it has disabled all internal administrator accounts to prevent any unauthorized access.

Tesla

As per an official statement “Our internal security team and external security firm are investigating the scale and scope of this issue, and we have notified law enforcement.” Notably, the hacker group could have used its access to control the camera gear to access other parts of the company’s networks with Tesla and even software makers Cloudflare and Okta, as per Kottman.

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Apple AirPods 3 renders leak showcases its design; expected to launch later this month

Apple AirPods lineup has become very successful and is generating billions of dollars in revenue for the company. To keep the momentum going, the Cupertino-based giant keeps introducing a new models.

Now, Apple is gearing up to launch the third-generation of the AirPods, aka AirPods 3. If the reports are to be believed, then the company is expected to officially launched them at an event later this month, most likely on 23rd March.

Apple AirPods 3 Render

Ahead of the launch, we have got our hands on a new set of AirPods 3 renders from suppliers. The design showcased in the renders is likely the final version which will be released in the market for everyone to purchase.

The design is pretty much in line with the previous render leaks, resembling the design of the AirPods Pro. It appears that the AirPods 3 will have a shorter stem and come with replaceable ear tips, similar to what we have seen with the company’s AirPods Pro.

Apple AirPods 3 Render

There is also a possibility that the next-generation AirPods may come with support for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). In that case, Apple to have something major to offer with the next-generation AirPods Pro to justify the “Pro” tag and higher pricing.

If the recent reports are to be believed, then along with the AirPods 3, the company is also expected to launch the second-generation AirPods Pro. Along with these true wireless earphones, Apple will also be launching new iPad models.

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Nokia G10 gets certified by Malaysia’s SIRIM

A few days back, news broke out that HMD Global will be releasing a new smartphone called Nokia G10. This handset is expected to be the first model in the Nokia G series. The said phone has been now spotted on Malaysia’s SIRIM certification bureau.

Nokia Logo Featured

HMD Global, the brand licensee of Nokia feature phones and smartphones has been releasing unimpressive products lately. Above all, the company has now become way slower in updating its lineup to the latest version of Android. For those unaware, it was the brand’s only major plus point.

But an interesting report recently revealed that the firm will be launching a new handset called Nokia G10 with model number TA-1334. The report suggested it to be a gaming smartphone. However, another leak tipped that HMD Global will be using new branding for its upcoming smartphones, just like the Lenovo-owned Motorola’s new Moto G lineup.

Hence, the Nokia G10 could be the first-Nokia branded smartphone under HMD Global with the new branding. Unfortunately, not much is known about this phone except for the fact that it could feature a 6.4-inch display, an octa-core processor, and a 48MP quad-camera setup.

Lastly, since the Nokia G10 (TA-1334) has been certified in Malaysia and Thailand (earlier) by SIRIM and TÜV Rheinland, we can expect this handset to launch in these markets.

 

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(Via)

Samsung and Apple face trouble after Austin chip plant halts production

Samsung and Apple may face troubles in their smartphone production after the former’s Austin chip plant has halted production for an extended period of time. This plant manufactures chips used in smartphones from both of the major brands.

Samsung

According to TheElec report, the suspension of the chip plant was caused by major power outages in the region, which was due to the cold wave that hit North America recently. The Austin plant is responsible for manufacturing chips used in the South Korean tech giant’s flagship handsets that it sells in America. Furthermore, this site is also the one that produces display driver IC for organic light emitting diode (OLED) panels, which are used by Apple for its latest iPhones.

Notably, the chip plant has a production capacity of 20,000 wafers per month. Usually, the company stocks up a month and a half of inventory for components, so that they won’t be affected by any short term suspension of production. However, the Austin site halted operations around two weeks ago. In other words, if it takes too long to restart operations, this may eventually affect smartphone production as well.

Samsung

As per sources close to the matter, it would take around two months for the plant to restarting production at its usual pace. This means that the company will have until mid April to have the production reach normal levels before it starts to affect its smartphone production. Additional sources from within the company’s supply chain have also added that Samsung is expected to ship around 30 million units of the Galaxy S21 series, which is around 15 percent higher than its predecessor. But with the halting of its Austin chip plant, this could be lowered to around the high 20 million units.

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Xiaomi Mi 10S with 90Hz display, Snapdragon 870, and 108MP quad cameras launched for ~$506

Xiaomi has taken off covers from a new handset called the Xiaomi Mi 10S in China. In terms of design, the handset looks like the Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra. Except for the inclusion of the Snapdragon 870 chipset, the Mi 10S borrows the other specifications from the Mi 10 5G handset that debuted back in February 2020. It has arrived with a starting price of 3,299 Yuan (~$506) in China.

Xiaomi Mi 10S specifications and features

The Xiaomi Mi 10S measures 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.96mm and it weighs 208 grams. It has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with curved edges and a hole-punch placed at the upper-left corner. The screen delivers a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, a 90Hz refresh rate, 180Hz touch sampling rate, 1120nits brightness, 5000000:1 contrast ratio, and 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut. The screen is shielded by Gorilla Glass 5 panel.

The Snapdragon 870 mobile platform powers the device with up to 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The phone offers users up to 256 GB of UFS 3.0 storage. The 4,780mAh battery of the smartphone carries support for 33W wired fast charging (charges fully in 56 minutes), 30W wireless charging (charges fully in 69 minutes), and 10W wireless reverse charging. It is equipped with vapor chamber liquid cooling technology for heat dissipation.

Xiaomi Mi 10S
Xiaomi Mi 10S

At the front, the Xiaomi Mi 10S features a 20-megapixel selfie camera. The back panel of the device has a camera housing, which looks similar to the one available on the Mi 10 Ultra. The vertically ranged camera module has a 108-megapixel primary camera with OIS support and f/1.69 aperture, a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens with a 123-degree FOV, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth of field lens. The phone carries support for 8K video shooting at 30fps.

The MIUI 12 based Android 11 OS comes preinstalled on the Xiaomi Mi 10 OS. It offers other features like an in-screen fingerprint scanner, dual SIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, dual-frequency GPS, NFC, IR blaster, X-axis linear motor, and USB-C. For audiophiles, the Mi 10S features Harman Kardon tuned dual linear stereo speakers that can offer a 360-degree surround sound experience. The company proudly claims that the device has recorded 80 points in the audio benchmarks of DxOMark.

Xiaomi Mi 10S price and availability

The Xiaomi Mi 10S variants such as 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, and 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB storage are priced at 3,299 Yuan (~$506), 3,499 Yuan (~$537), and 3,799 Yuan (~$583). Its color variants are black, blue, and white.

The handset is now up for pre-orders and its first sale is scheduled to take place in China starting at 10 AM on March 12. Customers who pre-order the device will get a 30W wireless charger among other purchase benefits. There is no word on the global availability of the Mi 10S.

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Apple patent auto diffusing flash tech for improved low light shots on future iPhones

Apple iPhones might arrive with a new flash technology in the near future. The company has recently filed for a patent for an auto diffusing flash module, which would enable improved photography during low light scenarios.

Apple

According to an AppleInsider report, the Cupertino based giant might be working on a new flash technology that could help its iPhone’s performance in night scenes. Generally, using flash in low light scenes tends to over illuminate the subject in an image and the result can even be a flattened shot, which would also suffer from a white tint and lack of depth. So, while it is usually used sparingly, there are times when one has to use the flash.

Looking at the patent filing, it is for a “Light source module with adjustable focus.” This implies that the flash mechanism can be altered or adjusted depending on the subject being photographed. While the patent does not mention the word LiDAR, it does mention “auto-focus information from the camera.” Furthermore, the patent also indicates that the new flash will rely on the iPhone camera to calculate distances to different objects within the frame.

Apple iPhone 12

The patent also stresses that this tech can be applied to cameras in various different types of devices, which includes “larger electronic device, including a mobile electronic device, which can include a mobile telephone, smartphone, notebook, etc.” It further adds that the flash would feature a “light source module [that] includes an illumination element and an adjustable light diffusing material.” This module may be made from “a polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (PSCT), a smectic phase liquid crystal, a polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC), or other suitable material.”

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Google Pixel 5a could launch on June 11; Pixel 6 to have center punch-hole cutout

After launching the Pixel 4a last year, Google is now gearing up to launch its successors. While the launch of the Pixel 5a may seem a bit early, it’s noteworthy that the Pixel 4a launch was delayed a couple of times before getting launched in August 2020.

A new report claims that the upcoming Pixel smartphone from Google, the Pixel 5a could be officially launched on 11th June. We expect that this will be the only device getting launched at the event and the Pixel 6 will be launched a bit later.

Google Pixel 4a Barely Blue Featured
Google Pixel 4a

As for the Pixel 5a design, it is being reported that the punch-hole cutout for the front-facing camera may be smaller compared to its predecessor. It is still expected to be placed in the top-left corner of the screen.

Based on the recent renders leak, it appears that the smartphone may feature a 6.2-inch OLED display and could have support for a higher refresh rate. At this moment, nothing much is known about the phone’s specifications.

Another report sheds light on the upcoming Pixel 6 smartphone. It is revealed that the phone may feature a punch-hole cutout in the top-center position. Further, it states that the device will have support for 4K video shooting using the front-facing snapper.

Apart from these two Pixel series smartphones, Google is also gearing up to launch its wearable device — the next-generation Google Pixel Buds, which are set to get launched next month. However, we are yet to get official confirmation from the company.

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Qualcomm working on next-gen Snapdragon 8cx chipset to take on Apple M1

Apple recently started shifting away from Intel chips for its Mac devices and has started transitioning to its in-house Apple Silicon, starting with the Apple M1 chipset. The move has been well-received by the customers and the company plans to completely shift to its own Apple Silicon platform soon.

Now, as per the reports, Qualcomm is also working on a next-generation Snapdragon 8cx chipset with an aim to take on the likes of Apple M1. It will be used for Windows notebooks as well as 2-in-1 devices.

Qualcomm Logo

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx hasn’t matched up to the performance offered by Intel and AMD and thus the devices powered by the said chipset could be used for light workloads only. The Microsoft Surface Pro X is powered by the SD8cx SoC.

With the next-generation Snapdragon 8cx chip, we are expecting the company to make it more powerful. As per the reports, the chipset is currently being developed and has at least two different variants.

The Snapdragon SC8280XP, one of the two variants being tested, reportedly has four absolute high-end cores called “Gold +” running at 2.7GHz. These cores are paired with four more high-end cores, which are referred to as “Gold” cores clocked at 2.43Ghz.

This means that the company is ditching the energy-saving cores in favor of higher performance. This leads us to believe that the chipset may not score much points when it comes to power efficiency.

The chipset is also said to include an integrated NPU to handle AI-based tasks with up to 15 TOPs of performance. The testing is being carried out on devices with 14-inch display and 32GB of RAM, running Windows operating system.

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Realme GT 5G crosses 100 million Yuan sales revenue in 10 seconds

In the previous week, Realme announced the Realme GT 5G flagship phone with an exciting starting price of 2,899 Yuan. As scheduled, it went on sale for the first time at 12 AM (local time) today in the home market. It appears that the company sold around 33,019 units of the smartphone in the first sale.

A few minutes after making the Realme GT 5G through multiple online retailer platforms in China, Realme confirmed that it achieved 100 million Yuan sales revenue in 10 seconds. The Realme GT 5G comes in two variants such as 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage for 2,899 Yuan (~$445) and 3,399 Yuan (~$522), respectively

During the first sale, the base model was priced at 2,799 Yuan (~$430), while the higher variant carried a price tag of 3,299 Yuan (~$507). It appears that the Chinese manufacture may have sold 35,727 and 30,312 units of both models, respectively, in the first sale. The handset is available in colors like blue, silver, and gold/black vegan leather.

Realme GT first sale

Realme GT 5G specifications

The Realme GT 5G offers users a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED E4 screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and in-display fingerprint sensor. The Snapdragon 888 mobile platform drives the smartphone along with a 4,500mAh battery, which supports 65W rapid charging. It runs on Android 11 OS and Realme UI 2.0.

The Realme GT 5G’s rear camera housing has a Sony IMX682 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel superwide snapper, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. It has a front-facing camera of 16-megapixel.

In related news, the Chinese firm is gearing up to launch the Realme GT Neo smartphone in China. While it is confirmed to feature the Dimensity 1200 chipset, its specifications are not known yet.

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Huawei Mate 40E 5G with 90Hz display, Kirin 990E, and 64MP triple cameras launched in China

Last year in October 2020, Huawei announced the Mate 40, Mate 40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro+, and Mate 40 RS Porsche Design flagship phones. Today, the company unleashed the Mate 40E as the fifth model in the Mate 40 family. The newly unveiled smartphone is slotted between the vanilla model and the Mate 40 Pro.

Huawei Mate 40E 5G specifications and features

The Huawei Mate 40E 5G has a 6.5-inch OLED screen with curved edges and a punch-hole design. It supports a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2376 pixels, a 90Hz refresh rate, a 240Hz touch sampling rate, and an in-screen fingerprint scanner.

The Mate 40 and Mate 40 Pro are fueled by Kirin 9000E and Kirin 9000 chipsets, respectively. The Mate 40E 5G is equipped with Kirin 990E. It boots to EMUI 11 based Android 10 OS and it comes with an NM card slot for additional storage. The Mate 40E is backed by a 4200mAh battery that supports 40W fast charging, 40W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging.

Huawei Mate 40E
Huawei Mate 40E

It has a front camera of 13-megapixel and its round-shaped rear camera module has a 64-megapixel main camera with an f/1.9 aperture, a 16-megapixel ultrawide lens, an 8-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and OIS support. It comes with other features like dual SIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.2, dual-frequency GPS, NFC, USB-C, and face unlock.

Huawei Mate 40E 5G pricing and availability

The Mate 40E 5G comes in two options such as 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. They are priced at 4,599 Yuan (~$706) and 5,099 Yuan (~$782), respectively. It is now up for pre-orders in China through Vmall and other Chinese retailer sites. Its first sale will take place on March 18. The Mate 40E comes in colors like Bright Black, Glaze White, and Secret Silver

In related news, the company also confirmed the arrival of a new base model for the Mate 40 RS Porsche Design. The 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage variant that went official today is priced at 10,999 Yuan (~$1,688) in China. The existing 12GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB variant of the smartphone are available for 11,999 Yuan (~$1,842) and 12,999 Yuan (~$1,995), respectively. The new variant will go on sale from March 18 in China.

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