Xiaomi-backed Redmi has officially confirmed that the company will be launching its next-generation flagship smartphone — the Redmi K40 on 25th February. Now, ahead of the official launch, information about the devices are surfacing online.
The leaked screenshots have revealed that one of the major differences between the Redmi K40 and Redmi K40 Pro is the chipset. While the standard model is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC, the Pro variant is powered by the Snapdragon 888. Do note that we haven’t verified the authenticity of these screenshots and they may be fake as the number ‘4’ in the model name looks a bit odd.
Reports indicate that there will be a third model in this lineup which will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset, based on the 6nm process. This model is expected to be named Redmi K40S.
Both the models — Redmi K40 and K40 Pro features a similar type of display. There’s a 6.81-inch AMOLED panel that supports a screen resolution of 1440p. It uses the same E4 luminous material as the Mi 11 and is likely to have support for a 120Hz refresh rate.
In the camera department, both of them will come with a 108-megapixel primary sensor. However, the Pro model features a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 5-megapixel telephoto lens while the standard model will come with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor and a 5-megapixel telephoto lens. Both of them will have a 30MP selfie snapper upfront.
Xiaomi has already teased that the Redmi K40 Pro will have a starting price of around 2,999 yuan (approximately $466) which means that the pricing of the Redmi K40 will be less than that and the Redmi K40S could be the cheapest among the three.
Styluses or styli have existed as far back as the early 90s. Before smartphones became the in-thing, several PDAs had styluses that allowed users to navigate through their user interface and features. Years later, manufacturers began shipping the input device with smartphones. It has been decades since the first stylus shipped and the pen-like input device has received some pretty significant upgrades.
Sony Ericsson P990i
Some of the early phones that had a stylus include the Ericsson R380, the Motorola Accompli 388, and the Sony Ericsson P990i. However, the styluses that accompanied these devices were not as refined as their successors. You couldn’t write properly with them and there were not a lot of apps that made the best use of the input device. They also sort of became redundant following the popularity of capacitive touchscreen devices. The big break for the stylus came when Samsung announced the first Galaxy Note with a stylus dubbed the S Pen.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note series with S Pen redefined the stylus
The S Pen brought several features that upped the functionality of the stylus. Its note-taking feature felt more natural and it had a handwriting-to-text feature that converted your written notes into typed text. You could also use it to quickly launch apps and even take down notes on the screen without unlocking the phone. The newer versions of the S Pen even have more features such as Bluetooth connectivity, 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, and a gyroscope and accelerometer that allows you to use the S Pen to control the phone by waving it in the air. It has also become a very useful editing tool.
Galaxy S21 Ultra with S Pen
The End of the Galaxy Note era but the S Pen lives on
For most people who want to experience the productivity that a stylus offers with a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note series is/was the way to go. Was because Samsung has all but confirmed that the Galaxy Note series is going to be killed off. The manufacturer launched the Galaxy S21 Ultra with support for the S Pen, a first for the S series, and it has confirmed that more Galaxy phones will get the S Pen too. This brings us to the main point of this post which is — it is time for more manufacturers to adopt the stylus for their phones, at least the flagship ones.
First, the other stylus-toting phones
While Samsung’s Galaxy Note series is widely known for its stylus, there are other manufacturers that also have a line of smartphones that ship with a stylus such as LG’s Stylo series and some models of Infinix’s Note series. There is also the Moto G Stylus series which got a second model just last month. However, these devices come with basic styluses and are missing several of the features that made the S Pen of the Galaxy Note series stand out.
Moto G Stylus
This is the era of the stylus
Phones have gotten much bigger in years. The average smartphone is significantly larger than the Ericsson R380, which is one of the first smartphones with a stylus. We also have foldable smartphones that pack even larger displays and offer them in a more compact form factor. However, there are very few phones that have support for a stylus even though they have the screen estate for it.
A bigger screen is not just the only reason for a stylus. There are now several apps from note-taking to drawing and painting to editing that are best used with a stylus. Also, smartphones are now more powerful than ever and can do more than their predecessors. You can even connect some smartphones to an external display and have them function as a full-fledged computer. If you own a stylus-equipped smartphone, you can use the input device to navigate when in desktop mode or even use your stylus-supported apps on an even bigger display.
Now that Samsung has begun offering its S Pen (as optional hardware) with its Galaxy S line, it may be time for other manufacturers to jump on the stylus train for their flagships too. We have a few manufacturers in mind that we believe may be able to pull this off.
Huawei – Actually, Huawei has already been offering stylus support for its flagship phones and even beat Samsung to making it optional hardware rather than bundling it with the phone. The Mate 20 X has support for the Huawei M-Pen, a stylus that has 4096-levels of pressure sensitivity and an eraser feature. The Mate 30 series also has support for the M-Pen while the Mate 40 series launched with a new stylus called the M-Pen 2 (sold separately) which has a better design, faster pairing, lower latency, tilt and pressure sensitivity, and multi-device support with seamless switching.
Huawei clearly already has experience with making styluses for its phones, and it will be nice to see it add more features and expand support to its P series and its foldable line of smartphones. Save for the Motorola Razr and Galaxy Z Flip, all the other foldable smartphones unfold into a tablet. And there are few portable devices that offer a portable creative experience as much as a tablet that has a stylus.
Xiaomi – Xiaomi is another manufacturer that should offer stylus support for its smartphones. The Chinese company has proved beyond doubt that it is a leader when it comes to innovation, but surprisingly, it has shied away from launching a device with a stylus. We think now is a great time for it to jump on the train. Going by the size of its latest flagship, the Mi 11, which is 6.81-inches, stylus support may be a welcome addition so users can take advantage of that real estate to get productive. We also would like to see the feature get extended to the Mi MIX series and its upcoming line of foldable devices.
OPPO – OPPO is the only manufacturer from the BBK family that seems likely to jump on the stylus train in the near future and it will be exciting to see the feature debut in the Find series. OPPO is also expected to announce its first foldable smartphone this year and stylus support will be a useful addition.
Which other manufacturers will you like to see jump on the stylus train? Let us know in the comment box below.
USI – An easy way to add stylus support to devices
For manufacturers that want to jump on the stylus train, it may be better for them to join the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) rather than developing their own technology. The initiative which has members such as Google, Goodix, Lenovo, and Dell uses an open and non-proprietary format for stylus communication. It is free and manufacturers do not need to pay to use the technology. All they have to do is manufacture a device that meets the specification.
USI styluses have 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, can save information on the stylus such as the color of ink color and size of the pen, and support two-way communication between the device and stylus to avoid interference from other electronic devices.
One of the biggest advantages USI brings is device interoperability which allows users to use a USI stylus across different devices (phones, tablets, and computers) that support the standard. Think of it as being able to connect Bluetooth earphones to any phone that has Bluetooth connectivity.
What this means is that you will be able to buy Xiaomi’s USI stylus and use it with OPPO’s phone provided that the phone supports the USI standard. The der determine which stylus a user purchases will be its design and price tag.
And just like with every new version of Bluetooth, the USI standard will add new features with every new iteration. For example, Goodix’s GP850 IC for stylus brings support for wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and tilt support.
Conclusion
The Galaxy Note series has made a huge impact in the mobile industry especially in popularizing the stylus. Now that Samsung is killing the series and bringing the S Pen to its other phones, one can say that the game has been reset, and now is the right time for other manufacturers to launch their own products with stylus support too. Not only are most phones toting a large display but with foldable phones about to get a lot more popular, a stylus will be a very useful tool especially when the displays are unfolded. And since a stylus will be optional, those who don’t need it, need not worry about the additional cost.
Samsung has announced SmartThings Labs, a feature within the SmartThings app that lets users get early access to new features before they are officially released. Think of it as a beta program of some sort.
The program is available only in the US for now and offers 8 experimental features that include a “Universal Remote Control” for your supported devices, “Gentle Wake-up” which slowly turns on the lights thus simulating a sunrise experience as you wake, and “Turn It Off When I Leave” which turns off lights and other devices when no motion is detected in your home.
Another feature that is currently available is No Worries while away which allows you to program lights and other devices to turn on and off at select times when you are away from your home for long. This can come in handy when you do not want people to know the house is empty.
Samsung’s aim for SmartThings Labs is to get feedback on new features before rolling them out to everyone else. Below are the steps to access the program:
Tap the menu bar on SmartThings app
Select SmartApps
Select SmartThings Labs
Engadget reports that Samsung says it will add more features in the coming months including its Upcycling At Home program that allows old Samsung Galaxy devices to be turned into cameras and a baby monitor.
The Redmi K40 series will be announced on February 25 which is about two weeks away. Prior to the announcement of the release date, Redmi executives including the General Manager, Lu Weibing, have teased certain features of the upcoming smartphones. However, one thing we haven’t seen is what the phones actually look like. We are glass we won’t have to wait until the launch as images of the Redmi K40 and Redmi K40 Pro have been spotted on TENAA’s database.
Redmi K40
The Redmi K40 which has the model number M2012K11AC is shown in a pale blue color that is similar to the Horizon Blue Xiaomi Mi 11. The phone has a flat display and a brightened version of the image of the front confirms that it has a centered punch hole.
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Redmi K40 TENAA
Redmi K40 TENAA
Redmi K40 TENAA
Redmi K40 TENAA
Redmi K40 TENAA
The back is curved and it is home to a camera module that seems like an elongated version of that of the Mi 11. The single-piece camera glass has four cameras behind it – there is a large sensor at the top followed by two small ones and another large sensor. It has a pill-shaped LED flash and what looks like a laser focus module flanking the sensors on the right.
The Redmi K40’s design is completed with a metal frame that goes around it. The volume and power buttons are on the right while the left side is devoid of buttons and even a SIM tray.
Redmi K40 Pro
The Redmi K40 Pro is shown in black/gray with a similar design to the Redmi K40 Pro. It too has a centered punch hole and a four-camera array like the standard model.
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Redmi K40 Pro TENAA
Redmi K40 Pro TENAA
Redmi K40 Pro TENAA
Redmi K40 Pro TENAA
Redmi K40 Pro TENAA
Based on the images, the two phones appear to be identical in design which means their differences are under the hood.
Only a few details are mentioned with respect to the specs such as 5G support (SA and NSA) and have Dual SIM support. We hope the full listing which contains all the specs will be released soon.
Xiaomi took the wraps off the flagship Mi 11 for the global market a few days back. The sole Mi flagship has now made an early appearance on JerryRigEverything’s durability test. The test gives us a hint as to the structural strength which the flagship possesses. Sure the Mi 11 looks good on paper and going by reviews, including ours, it sure looks incredibly good in real life.
The durability test, as usual, includes the scratch, burn and bend tests, all aimed at testing the physical strength of the display and entire fuselage. It begins with the scratch test and the phone scratches at level 6 with deeper grooves at level 7, thanks to the Gorilla Glass Victus slapped on top of the display. The sides of the phones are also made of metal and not plastic as noted on the scratch test. Also, the back panel is made from glass since the phone supports wireless charging. The panel scratches at the same level as the front screen even though it is covered by a layer of Gorilla Glass 5 instead of Victus.
The Mi 11’s 6.81-inch FHD+ OLED display is really quick at sensing the finger due to the 480Hz touch sampling rate. It also has other impressive features such as a 120Hz refresh rate. The display panel only withstood 20 seconds of heat from Zack’s lighter in the burn test before the display got a white patch and didn’t fully recover afterward.
The smartphone also doesn’t disappoint on the bend test. Even though it produces a minor creak when bent, the phone didn’t crack or become permanently deformed.
Overall, the Mi 11 is a pretty solid smartphone in addition to an impressive specs lineup and decent price tag. Check out our Mi 11 review video from below.
Sony‘s PlayStation 5 console is presently experiencing scarcity as a result of the global chip shortage but the console is yet to even launch in China, the world’s second-largest market. Sony has now announced via the PlayStation China official Weibo handle that the console will be launched in the Asian country “from April to June 2021”. The disclosure will surely gladden the hearts of many PlayStation fans in China who have been on the lookout for the official announcement. However, it may be too early to rejoice as the China version may also be plagued with shortages just like the global variant which is quite elusive due to chip shortage.
Sony first announced the PlayStation 5 in November 2020 but the company has only managed to ship a few million (4.5 million consoles last year) due to scarcity of AMD chip which can be traced to the build up of orders by TSMC. Several persons have taken advantage of the console’s scarcity and have increased the price of the gaming console. It was reported recently that the console was selling for up to three times its retail price in China as well as Hongkong, to those who are unwilling to wait for the official release.
The PlayStation 5 also broke the console sales record in the US in December when it was released for the North American market. We also expect the console to set new records for console sale in China when it is finally released.
Amazon’s line of Echo devices includes a variety of products. This wide range of products which include smart speakers and smart displays are powered by Alexa, its smart assistant. A new report says that Amazon is working on a new Echo Show, its line of smart displays, that will be wall-mounted.
The next Echo Show may be wall-mountable
The report from Bloomberg says that Amazon’s Lab126 division is developing on an Echo Show that will be 10 inches or 13 inches in size. Amazon is said to be undecided about the size. What will differentiate this new device from existing models is that it will be mounted on the wall rather than one that sits on a surface such as a table or a desk.
Since this will be wall-mounted, it means that it should be thinner than the current Echo Show models. The upcoming model will also have a microphone and camera so users can use it to make video calls.
Amazon is expected to launch the wall-mounted Echo Show by the end of 2021 or the end of 2022 with a price tag between $200 and $250. We expect other manufacturers that launch Alexa-powered displays to announce their own version of the wall-mounted Echo Show. We also won’t be surprised if other companies such as Google (Google Assistant), Xiaomi (XiaoAI), and Tmall (AliGenie) also jump on the train in the future.
The automobile industry globally has taken a huge hit as a result of the inability of chipmakers to meet the rising demand for chips from a motley of several sources. Many auto manufacturing plants had shut down operations outrightly or significantly scaled down their production numbers because important chips are yet to be supplied.
Chipmakers have made both short-term and long-term moves to improve the situation, although industry watchers have predicted that the situation may extend up to Q4 2021 before we will start seeing the impact of new investments.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) may have stepped in to stem the tide of several Chinese carmakers shutting down their plants as a result of the global chip shortage. It has encouraged domestic chipmakers to prioritize supply to the Chinese auto industry while also expanding their production capabilities. The supervisory ministry for IT issues says it met with representatives of Chinese chip companies and carmakers to mitigate the economic impact of the shortage of chips that have led to a cut in the flow of the auto production chain, leading to some temporary job losses in the automotive industry.
According to the statement released by the Ministry (via), chip manufacturing companies were urged to enhance their overall logistics ecosystem so as to improve efficiency in the supply chain, in line with the new suggestions on prioritization of attention to the automotive industry.
It is hoped that this new measure by the government will provide a short term respite from the biting effects of the chips shortage, as several chipmakers continue to unveil their plans for expansion and building of new chip plants.
Some chip manufacturers outside China are also considering relocating their plants to China for enhanced capacity and costs saving. This move, in combination with the others, will help put the Chinese automotive industry on a better footing.
Given that Chinese New Year is just around the corner, Ulefone has decided to treat all of you. The company has prepared a Spring Festival deal, dubbed “Love Delivers,” where the company is offering up to 47% off on various smartphones at its Aliexpress Ulefone Official Store. Let’s have a look at what they have in store for us.
The company is offering 40% off on the flagship – Ulefone Armor 10 5G that features a 6.67-inch punch-hole display and is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 800 5G SoC. It has 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. This smartphone packs a 64MP quad-rear camera system and a 16MP front camera. Other features include a 5800mAh battery, IP68 rating, MIL-STD-810G certification, and NFC payments.
For the Spring Festival promotion, interested readers can buy it for only $399.98 (original price: $529.99).
Ulefone Armor 9 runs on Android 10 OS and is powered by Helio P90 octa-core processor with 8GB of RAM & 128GB of internal storage. It packs a thermal imaging camera by FLIR that is designed for professional industrial use. Additionally, it has a 64MP primary camera and an 8MP selfie camera. It is a rugged smartphone with a 6.3-inch FHD+ waterdrop screen, 6600mAh battery, NFC & Google Pay support, and more.
This Ulefone smartphone is up with a price tag of $407.99 (original price: $429.99).
If you are looking for something in a more budgeted price range, Ulefone Armor 8 can be an option. It is powered by Helio P60 processor and has a 4GB RAM and 64GB memory combo. This smartphone features a 16MP triple rear camera, 6.1-inch waterdrop screen, 5580mAh battery, and much more.
For the current sale, interested readers can buy it for just $141.99 (original price: approx. $149.99).
The other phone you can opt for in the budgeted category is Armor X5 or X5 Pro. Armor X5 Pro is powered by an MT6762 octa-core processor and has 4GB RAM & 64GB ROM. It packs a 13MP dual camera for clicking decent pictures. Other highlights include a 5000mAh battery, NFC, and Google Pay support. At present, interested users can buy it for $105.99 (original price: $139.99).
Featuring similar specifications, Armor X5 differs in memory configuration and has 3GB RAM + 32GB ROM. At present, you can buy it for just $92.49 (original price: $129.99).
The Spring Festival started on 8th and will go on till 26th February. Interested readers can head onto Aliexpress Ulefone Official Store to check out other exciting deals and offers before the sale ends.
Redmi Smart Band features a 1.08-inch screen with adjustable brightness and a dynamic display. It features 24 x 7 heart rate monitoring to keep track in real-time throughout the day and notify you in case of irregularities. This Redmi band features 5 professional sports modes that allow you to monitor outdoor running, cycling, treadmill, power walking, and freestyle exercise. Other features include 50+ screen customization options, 14-day battery life, and direct USB charging.
With a sleek and straightforward design, this smartwatch blends well with most attires. Currently, it is up for sale on Amazon and available for just ₹1300 (original price: ₹1599). For an additional discount, interested readers can use the ₹100 on-page coupon. The deal is up only for today, so hurry and make the most of it.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro is arguably one of the best true wireless earbuds you can buy right now. Following its release, Samsung has been tweaking the earbuds with updates. A new update is being pushed out and it is its second this month.
As seen on SamMobile, the 2.20MB update which comes as version R190XXU0AUB3 brings improvements to Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound features. Below is the full changelog:
The operating concept has been changed when the user wears one earbud
Improved Ambient sound function
Improved system stability and reliability
This second update, like the one released last week, also improves the ANC feature. We would love to know if owners who have received the updates have noticed a significant improvement.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro which is priced at $199 succeeds the Galaxy Buds+ and Galaxy Buds Live which were released last year. It has an intelligent ANC mode that allows you to adjust the level based on your environment and also automatically switches ambient mode when it picks up your voice in a conversation.
The earbuds also have Dolby Head Tracking technology which brings a 360° immersive audio experience when watching a (supported) video or movie. Sensors built into the earbuds will locate the direction of the sound as the user moves his/her head.
The Galaxy Buds Pro has an IPX7 water-resistant rating which means you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged with sweat or if it is raining. Samsung says it will survive a dip in 1 meter of freshwater for half an hour and warns against using it at the beach or pool.
Thanks to SmartThings, users will also be able to find their lost earbuds. There is also Offline Finding that shows the last location you used the earbuds so you can know where to look.
The Galaxy Buds Pro’s battery life is 8 hours (5 hours with ANC turned on) and it goes up to 28 hours with the case. It supports charging via USB-C and via Qi wireless charging.
Tech giant Samsung has reported a record-breaking pre-order performance in the UK market for its flagship Galaxy S21 5G Series, barely a month after the launch of the products. Although the brand did not reveal the figure, it surpassed pre-orders for the preceding Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S10 series.
Samsung says the new sales figures were driven by the cutting-edge technology deployed to provide industry-leading features for the flagship 5G series including a powerful camera system. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G smartphone leads the pack. With its 6.8-inch AMOLED display, the S21 Ultra 5G has the largest display among the models in the Galaxy S21 series. It also features an impressive and powerful camera that can transform a rookie into a professional photographer, as it is capable of capturing professional photos. The S21 Ultra 5G has a great system of adjusting the screen refresh rate to suit the content being viewed, implying better battery performance, in addition to an impressive battery pack.
Another icing on the cake for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, is the incorporation of the S Pen technology that enables anyone to easily do important tasks like taking notes and other activities requiring a pen for a seamless experience. In particular, the S Pen will be quite useful for explaining more concepts while using video conferencing apps that may require you to share a whiteboard for greater explanation.
The Galaxy S21 5G also has some exquisite features with a 6.2 inch powerful AMOLED display that is capable of adjusting itself to help reduce the stress on your eyes, with the Eye comfort shield.
The Galaxy S21+ 5G has a 6.7-inch large display, an innovative camera system that can help in providing a professional touch to your photo sessions. It also has a powerful battery whose performance is at par with its equivalent from other brands.
The Galaxy S21 Series are all available for purchase with several color variants on offer.
The S21 Ultra 5G starts from £1149, while the Galaxy S21+ 5G goes from £949. The Galaxy S21 5G is up for grabs starting from £769.
Recently, Motorola rolled out the Android 11 update to the Moto G Pro making it the company’s first device to get the latest version. Today, the company is finally seeding out a new Android update for the 2019 Moto G8 Play but it’s the older Android 10.
Motorola is rolling out a new update for Moto G8 Play with software version QMD30.47-19 in Brazil. Accordingly, it updates the OS to the Android 10. The official Motorola Support page Courtesy of Piunikaweb shows that it has started seeding the update from February 8, 2021.
Apart from Android 10, the update also brings December 2020 Security patch to the device. If you recall, Moto G8 Play, which launched back in October 2019, shipped with Android 9 Pie out of the box.
After a long delay, Motorola Brazil had reportedly said back in July 2020 that the Android 10 Update for the device will be out soon. However, for some reason, that didn’t happen. Anyway, the update is here and you can expect features like a dark theme, full-screen Navigation gestures, and some improvements to privacy.
As for the rollout, expect it to gradually land on every G8 Play in the country soon. Also, it would be too much to ask for an update to Android 11 considering it’s a 2019 budget device but let’s see how things pan out in the future.
speaking of which, in case you don’t know, the Moto G8 Play features a 6.2-inch Max Vision HD+ Display, Triple rear cameras with a 13MP main lens, 4,000mAh battery, NFC, and debuted for R$ 1099 in Brazil.
Nubia‘s next-generation smartphone is expected to be the Red Magic 6 and there is no word yet on when the device will be released. One thing we know, though, is that the gaming phone will have a cooling system. Nubia’s brand manager Ni Fei has now announced on Weibo that the device will come with a completely revamped cooling system.
Ni Fei, who is also President of Mobile Devices at ZTE, disclosed that the device will feature a “strengthened” fan. Also, the device will feature a nine-axis spatial sensor that will track the phone’s movement in multiple directions. The Nubia exec also shared a video which shows the device literally floating in the air. The teaser doesn’t really show that the device will float in the air but it is used to show how the cooling system would pan out.
In January this year, Nubia’s Red Magic announced a strategic partnership with Tencent Games and the purpose of this cooperation is to offer a better gaming experience to Red Magic gaming phone users. This new cooling solution may be one of many new features that would be onboard the gaming phone.
TApart from cooling the chipset, allowing for much better performance under sustained load, we anticipate that the fan might come in handy in cooling the device while charging. This will be much needed if the device will utilize the 120W charging which was certified not too long ago. That powerful charging support may be on the Red Magic 6 Pro while the vanilla Red Magic 6 may pack an equally decent 66W charging.
There is no word yet on when the gaming smartphone will be released but we expect that to happen soon.
Twitter is one of the major social media platforms in the world with more than 300 million users according to a 2019 report. And like other platforms, one of the ways it makes money is through ads. A new report has revealed that Twitter is considering other forms of increasing its revenue one of which is a subscription service.
A Bloomberg report says that Twitter is developing a subscription product to reduce its reliance on advertising. The report says that this is something it has considered for years and has now gotten more attention following the pandemic and pressure from investors.
Insiders have revealed that Twitter is considering a tipping service that will allow users to pay for exclusive content from some of the accounts they follow. Twitter will get a cut of the earnings. Other possible models include payment “for the use of services such as Tweetdeck or advanced features such as “Undo send” or profile customizations”. Twitter is also said to be considering premium features such as high-quality videos and more in-depth analytic tools. An analyst at JMP Securities even suggested a subscription offering that removes ads or offers more content.
Chief Financial Officer of Twitter, Ned Segal, is said to have mentioned in a call with investors last year that a subscription option would offer sales “durability” compared to ads. The executive did say that they will be picky about it.
Bruce Falck, who is Twitter’s head of revenue products is reported to have said that “increasing revenue durability is our top company objective” and that it “may include” subscriptions.
Google hardware products are known for bugs. But the search giant is also known for fixing those with software updates. Hence, the company has released a new firmware update for Google Chromecast With Google TV with an important fix and some new features.
The Google Chromecast with Google TV is the latest streaming device from the company. It was announced in late September along with Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. Since its release, it has had some issues and the firm responded to them with software updates.
Currently, the product is receiving a new firmware update with build number 200918.033. This update brings a much-awaited fix for the recovery screen issue reported by many users. Hence, if you own the device, then make sure to update it as soon as possible. However, do note that the build is being rolled out in batches and therefore, it may take time to reach your unit
Further, as per the changelog, the latest update improves 4K support for TVs/AVRs and Dolby Audio for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus passthrough content. That’s not all, it also bumps up the security patch level to December 2020 and brings general stability, performance, and security improvements.
Google Chromecast with Google TV 200918.033 Update Official Changelog
Improved 4K support for TVs and AVRs
Dolby Audio improvements for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus passthrough content
Android recovery screen improvements and fixes
Reduced the occurrence of users seeing the Android recovery screen
Improved instructions when the Android recovery screen is shown
Security update: security patch level increased to December 5, 2020
General security, stability, and performance improvements
Amidst facing a lot of hiccups, Twitter never fails to update the features of its App. Today, it has started expanding the testing of one such ‘Twitter Spaces’ including a few users in India. This feature looks like a Clubhouse alternative and should give a tough fight to the invitation-only app soon.
Twitter has expanded the testing of the “Spaces” feature. For the unaware, this was first rolled out to Beta Testers back in December. It is a virtual audio chat room. Just like the currently popular Clubhouse, it enables users to join a voice chat or host one on the App.
It is actually powered by the Periscope, which is again a video streaming platform acquired by Twitter in 2015. Initially, the “Spaces” feature was available for a very limited number of users as a part of Beta testing. However, Twitter has confirmed to Techradarthat it is expanding the testing phase including a few users in India for feedback before wider rollout.
Besides, Alpha Exploration Co.’s Clubhouse is based on an invite system and is currently limited to iOS. Although its Android version is coming this year, Twitter Spaces could swoop in before and capture the user base. That is, it is working for both Android, iOS users simultaneously and has now increased the user base to 3,000 more people after an initial count of 1,000.
Basically, every Beta Tester would start a Public/Private Voice Room. Any Twitter user, following him, can listen to the audio inside the room. Inside the App, at the Twitter Fleet section, the Host icon with a Violet color ring and Voice icon will appear. Clicking on it shows two options- Listener, and Speaker.
It also shows the members inside the room and their designations. After clicking the option, you can either turn your mic on/off, send stickers, view transcriptions inside the space, and more.
Qualcomm‘s latest 5G modem is the Snapdragon X65 which replaces the Snapdragon X60 that was launched last year. The X60 was bundled on the Snapdragon 888 processor. The new Snapdragon X65 promises to bring superior speed and support for up to 10Gbps speeds on both standalone and non-standalone 5G networks.
In terms of the upgrades that this new modem brings, the Snapdragon X65 offers a maximum download speed of 10Gbps which is an upgrade over the 7.5Gbps maximum download speed offered by the SD X60 from last year. This speed is merely theoretical, though, as there is yet to be a 5G network that is capable of providing such a level of throughput. However, with the upgrade in 5G connectivity, the modem is battle-ready for whenever the 5G throughput will get to that level.
Further, the Snapdragon X65 comes with support for the upcoming 3GPP Release 16 specification and Qualcomm claims it is the first modem to have such support. Release 16 which is also called “5G phase 2” is designed to bring such improvements as power consumption, massive MIMO connectivity, and more. Release 16 comes with improved support for unlicensed spectrum and non-public networks designed to facilitate 5G network expansion from consumer to more commercial uses.
Qualcomm touts the modem to arrive with an upgradable architecture thus making room for the addition of new features which will, in turn, make the device it runs on to remain relevant and current for a long time, more so as 3GPP Release 16 continues to roll out, allowing devices to stay relevant and up to date for longer.
Qualcomm also announced the Qualcomm 545 mmWave antenna. The antenna is a 4th-generation model been though it retains the size of the third-gen model. However, the new antenna sees improvement in the transmission power and now supports the full range of global mmWave frequencies.
Also announced, is an “AI antenna tuning technology,” that is touted to enable huge improvements in performance due to the deployment of AI-powered tuning. To put it in perspective, Qualcomm explained that the new system has up to 30 percent more accuracy in the manner it detects the way users grip their phones in order to bump up the connection efficiency, faster data speeds, and better battery life.
We don’t expect the Snapdragon X65 to be available anytime soon going by precedence. We expect it to be unveiled in the next-generation flagship Snapdragon chipset that is expected to be announced in December.
In mid-January, Samsung officially announced the Galaxy S21 series consisting of three models. However, these smartphones hit the shelves only later that month. Now, within a few days, the trio has been already discounted in the US by up to $200 along with the Galaxy Z Flip 5G and Galaxy Z Fold2.
For those unaware, Samsung debuted the Galaxy S21 series starting at $799.99 for Galaxy S21, $999.99 for Galaxy S21+, and $1,199.99 for Galaxy S21 Ultra respectively.
The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ come in two storage configurations and hence, customers opting for the higher storage variant have to spend an extra $50. On the other hand, the Galaxy S21 Ultra comes in three variants. Its mid-variant costs an additional $50 extra but the top-most variant is $130 costlier than the previous version.
However, if you want to buy a Galaxy S21 series device right now, you don’t have to spend the handset’s MSRP. That’s because all three phones have been discounted by popular retailers in the US.
All the storage variants of Galaxy S21 now costs $100 cheaper, whereas those of Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra are discounted by $200.
With the new discount, the Galaxy Z Flip 5G is now more affordable than ever
Model
Storage Variant
MSRP
Discount
New Price
Galaxy Z Flip 5G
8GB + 256GB
$1,199.99
$200
$999.99
Galaxy Z Fold2
12GB + 256GB
$1,999.99
$200
$1,799.99
That said, there’s no telling when these promotions will end. Hence, if you were planning to get any of the above-mentioned phones, then make sure to not miss this deal.
Xiaomi launched its first Smartwatch, the Mi Watch Revolve in India back in September 2020. The company has officially announced a price cut that will make the wearable available ₹3,000 less than the launch price.
Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve
Xiaomi’s Mi Watch Revolve is now priced at ₹7,999($110) in India. The smartwatch comes in two color options- Chrome Silver, Midnight Black. If you recall, the company brought it for a price of ₹10,990($151). However, it sold for a ₹1,000 less during the Diwali sale.
That said, the company mentions that the new offer is a Limited Period one which could be on the occasion of Valentine’s day arriving in five days. Either way, the new Price of the Smartwatch has already reflected on the official channels. Speaking of which, you can grab the Mi Watch Revolve on mi.com and Amazon India.
Lowest price ever! 😍#MiWatchRevolve is available at an unbelievable price.
The Mi Watch Revolve features a 1.39-inch round-shaped AMOLED touchscreen housed inside a 46mm Watch dial. The strap width is about 22mm. The display has a 454×454 pixel resolution, 326ppi PPI, and a max brightness of 450nits. It is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3 as well.
It also has features like always-on functionality, close to 112 Watch faces. Further, the device has 10 sport modes, media control, notifications, find my phone, weather, and more. It is compatible with Android 4.4 or iOS 10 and above.
Other features include a 420mAh battery, Heart rate monitoring(PPG), GPS, Bluetooth 5.0 BLE, 5ATM water resistance, Ambient light functionality, and more. Finally, the watch measures 4.62 cm x 5.33 cm x 1.14 cm and weighs just 40 grams.
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