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Xiaomi granted patent for smart glasses with detection & therapeutic properties

Xiaomi was initially thought to be a copycat which earned it the nickname- China’s Apple as the company was seen as copying the products of the US tech giant. Over time, the Chinese tech giant has been able to broke off that toga with several innovative products of its own. The brand’s R&D efforts have seen it clinch a new patent. The patent was initially filed by Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd. for “a smart glasses and glasses case.”Xiaomi smart glasses

The patent details show that the product is a smart glasses and a glasses case that can integrate detection and treatment. The details also suggest that the product emits some therapeutic signals which include phototherapy signals (ultraviolet signals, visible light signals, infrared signals, and laser signals) and sound wave signals, that can be used to treat brain diseases, mental diseases (for example, depression or anxiety), or eye fatigue.

The light therapy signal can treat brain diseases or mental diseases. The sound wave signal and the sound wave signal can treat mental illness, relieve headache or fatigue. Magnetic waves or electromagnetic waves can promote the absorption of missing elements or effectively promote blood circulation in the brain.

We don’t have further details of the product but it is obvious that the product will also come with several features including a speaker or sound transmission technology such as on conduction. We can’t say for sure if the product will be commercialized any time soon.

If Xiaomi chooses to mass-produce this, it won’t be the first Chinese OEM to launch smart glasses. Recall that Huawei has launched two generations of its Gentle Monster Smart Glasses. The smart glasses offer UV protection and also support taking and ending calls. They can play and pause music as well with dual speakers and a microphone which is assisted by an AI-powered speech noise reduction technology.

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Realme X7 5G price in India tipped, likely to arrive as rebranded Realme V15 5G

On Jan. 27, Realme confirmed that it will be launching the Realme X7 series of smartphones in India on Feb. 4. The event will be held at 12:30 PM on the same date. The microsite for Realme X7 5G and Realme X7 Pro 5G is now live on Flipkart. Ahead of the launch, a tipster has revealed the pricing of the Realme X7 5G.

According to tipster GadgetsData (Debayan Roy), the Realme X7 5G will come in two options such as 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GR RAM + 128 GB storage. These models are likely to be priced at Rs 19,999 (~$274) and Rs 21,999 (~$302). A previous leak revealed that it will be available in Nebula and Space Silver colors.

It is speculated that the Realme X7 Pro 5G will be coming in a single version of 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and it could be available in Mystic Black and Fantasy. There is no word on its pricing.

Realme X7 5G
Realme X7 5G image shared by Realme CEO Madhav Sheth

Realme X7 5G could be rebadged Realme V15 5G

The Realme X7 Pro 5G for India could be the same device that went official in China in September. However, it may not be the case with Realme X7 5G. It is likely that Realme V15 5G which debuted earlier this month in China could be rebadged as the Realme X7 5G for India.

Realme X7 5G cameras
A screengrab of Flipkart listing of the Realme X7 5G

The promo page of the Realme X7 5G on Flipkart states that it weighs 176 grams, and it is packed with specs like an S-AMOLED panel, Dimensity 800U chipset, a 4,300mAh battery with 50W SuperDart Charge technology, and a 64-megapixel (main) + 8-megapixel (ultrawide) + 2-megapixel (macro) triple camera system. These specifications can be found on the Realme V15 5G.

China’s Realme X7 5G and V15 5G phones have almost identical specs. However, the major difference between the two phones is that the former has a 64-megapixel quad-camera system. Since the phone heading to India has a 64-megapixel triple camera system, it is likely that the Realme V15 5G will be sold as Realme X7 5G in India.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series could be minor upgrade over Tab S7 models

In August 2020, Samsung took off covers from the Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S7+ tablets. Hence, it is likely that the South Korean tech giant may announce the Galaxy Tab S8 lineup around the same time this year. An early leak courtesy of a lesser-known YouTuber The Galox revealed that the Galaxy Tab S8 will come with minor upgrades over its predecessor.

According to the YouTuber, the Galaxy Tab S8 will be powered by the Snapdragon 888 and it will sport an 11-inch LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate support. Its fingerprint scanner will be integrated into its power button.

On the other side, the Galaxy Tab S8+ could be equipped with a 12.4-inch AMOLED panel that will deliver a 120Hz refresh rate. It will have an in-screen fingerprint sensor. It is also expected to feature the Snapdragon 888 chipset.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

The Galaxy Tab S8 series could be coming in RAM options like 8 GB and 12 GB. It could be available in storage models such as 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB. The Galaxy Tab S8 may feature an 8,000mAh like the predecessor Galaxy Tab S7 model, whereas the Tab S8+ could be housing a 10,090mAh battery like its previous version. Both tablets are expected to arrive with support for 25W fast charging. The Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ carried support for 45W rapid charging.

While the Galaxy Tab S8 series will have minor hardware changes, the major upgrades could in the form of software capabilities and multi-tasking features. As far as pricing is concerned, the South Korean company may launch the Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8+ at the same prices as their predecessor models. To recollect, the Galaxy Tab S7 started at $649, while the Tab S7+ started at $849.

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Samsung Galaxy F62, F12, A72, A52 5G support pages are now live, May launch in February

On Feb. 2, Samsung will be launching the Galaxy M02 smartphone in India. It is likely that the South Korean company may announce as many as four other phones in different markets in February. The reason behind it is that the official support pages of the Galaxy F62, Galaxy F12, Galaxy A72, and Galaxy A52 5G are now live.

The support page of the Galaxy F12 had gone live on Samsung India’s website at the end of December 2020. Now, the support page of the Galaxy F62 (SM-E625F/DS) has also appeared on the same site. Last year, Samsung introduced the F-series by launching the Galaxy F41 smartphone. The handset was made available exclusively through Flipkart.

Samsung M-series

The Galaxy F12 and Galaxy F62 are also expected to be sold through Flipkart. The company may launch these phones in February in India. There is a possibility that an almost similar variant of the Galaxy F12 could be sold on Amazon India as Galaxy M12. Speaking of M-series, the Galaxy M02’s (SM-M022F/DS) support page has surfaced on Samsung Thailand’s website.

The Galaxy A72 4G’s (SM-A725F/DS) support page was spotted at Samsung Russia’s site earlier this week. Its support page with model number SM-A725M/DS has now appeared on Samsung Caribbean’s website. The Galaxy A52 5G’s (SM-A526B/DS) support page has emerged on the Austrian edition of Samsung’s site.

Earlier this month, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S21 series of flagship phones, which is now up for purchase in different markets. This Galaxy A32 5G’s support page surfaced in the first week of this month and it went official in the second week. Hence, it appears that the new F/M-series and A-series that have emerged on Samsung’s site may go official in February.

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iPhone SE 3 concept renders envision the design of Apple’s next-gen budget phone

The next Apple iPhone SE could look relatively modern with minimal bezels. There are indications that Apple may announce its third-generation iPhone SE in a couple of months, if the rumor mills are to be considered.iPhone SE 3 concept renders

The release is put at April 2021 for the seemingly low budget smartphone. We now have an idea of what the device might look like, thanks to Concept renders but only if Apple decides to give the model a modern design.iPhone SE 3 concept renders

The earlier second-generation iPhone SE 2020 was a hit last year, in spite of not being as small as the original model. The sales figures of the 2020 iPhone SE may have exceeded forecast numbers so much and may be one of the reasons behind Apple’s decision to announce a follow-up in April.

For now, no leaked renders or images of the device have been seen so far but tipster Mac Otakara believes that the third-generation iPhone SE will be unveiled together with the latest version of Apple’s AirPods Pro.iPhone SE 3 concept renders

From the content put out on the website, we see that some changes are prominent and we see how an iPhone SE could look if it’s design followed that of the iPhone 12 mini. including retaining a single rear-facing camera module and a punch-hole front-facing camera.

A leak relating to Apple’s iPad mini 6 hinted that Apple was considering deploying this display style for some devices. Additionally, the iPhone SE 3 would retain the Touch ID feature via a fingerprint scanner integrated within the power button.iPhone SE 3 concept renders

The concept renders also stated that the device has a 5.4-inch OLED screen, much bigger than what obtained in the current iPhone SE.  Some features in the budget phone will remain unchanged from the higher model, like the chipset powering the device.

The coming days will however reveal the authenticity of the claims.

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Xiaomi patents a Smartphone design with detachable rear camera layout

Xiaomi is known for patenting weird designs of smartphones. Lately, the company has been trying different designs when it comes to implementing the cameras. Recently, we saw one of the company’s patents having a pop-up camera with a reflective mirror. Today, 91Mobiles have found another one and this time it’s a detachable camera module.

According to the report published on WIPO(World Intellectual Property Organization), Xiaomi’s patent shows a smartphone with a full-display upfront. You might wonder where is the front camera right?. Well, Xiaomi seems to answer that with a detachable rear camera module.

Precisely, the layout could have multiple camera sensors on it. A cutout of one of the images shows how the phone would look like if the layout is removed. Moving on, a couple of attachments at the top of the phone shows a possible attachment for the selfies. That is, this detached layout could be used as front cameras too.

While there isn’t proper evidence for how this would fall in place, there is a possibility that Xiaomi will do it with the help of magnets. Anyway, this is not the first time we are seeing a detachable camera layout. Back in December 2020, we saw an OPPO’s patent with detachable cameras.

Coming back, the layout of the cameras are in two shapes- One is a pill-shaped dual-camera layout while the other one is circular with a cut-out for four sensors. Still, a complete image of phone with a circular module isn’t available.

That said, just like any other patents, this could also end up as just a schematic and never make it to the final cut. However, what is almost certain is the arrival of a Xiaomi foldable smartphone finally in 2021. In fact, leaked images of the device have already appeared online.

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Deal: Zhiyun 2-axis smartphone gimbal on sale for $34.99 with 40% discount

Are you a video-maker and looking for an affordable gimbal? Then, Zhiyun 2-axis smartphone gimbal is worth looking forward as it offers some commendable features at great discounts. Zhiyun Smooth-X handheld Gimbal offers splendid stability along with extendable selfie stick. The gimbal carrying all the exciting features is on sale for $34.99 after using Coupon code SMOOTHXX. However, the Combo is available for the price of $41.99 with over $28 discount using coupon code SMOOTHXX.

Must See: Grab Zhiyun Weebill-S 3-Axis Gimbal for $299 using a coupon code

Zhiyun 2-axis smartphone gimbal carries an extendable stick which expands up to 10.2-inches in height. Overall, it is portable and can be adjusted into the pocket. The smartphone also offers intelligent gesture control which allows video recording effortlessly with Bluetooth Wireless Control. It can be easily used with smartphones like the iPhone and other Android smartphones.

There are dedicated buttons to easily and wirelessly switch between portrait and landscape modes. There’s support for intelligent New “ZY Cami” App which is designed for filmmaking. It allows creating/editing professional movies and fun videos with simple clicks.

Features of Zhiyun 2-axis smartphone

  • Foldable and Rotatable: The gimbal is portable and compact and measures 65 x 56 x 145mm in size.
  • Extendable Selfie Stick: Smooth X is quite useful and acts as a selfie stick.
  • Portrait Mode: The smartphone allows the user to record in portrait/landscape mode to record videos.
  • Bluetooth Control to Camera: Connect your smartphone wirelessly via Bluetooth without even touching the display.

The ZY Cami app is a den for creativity as it offers an easy user interface and useful tools for video creation. It also enables Face/Object tracking, Gesture Control and Filmmaking features.

Pricing

Zhiyun 2-axis smartphone gimbal usually retails for $59.99, but with a discount of $25 using a coupon code, it is retailing for $34.99. However, the combo is available for the price of $41.99.

Coupon Code: SMOOTHXX

Related: Zhiyun Smooth Q2 Gimbal and Smooth 4 Gimbal on sale for $107 and $94, respectively

LG & Qualcomm partners to jointly develop a 5G in-vehicle platform

It is the season of collaborations and business realignment in the automotive tech industry and LG Electronics has just thrown its hat into the ring. It has announced that the company will be collaborating with US chipmaker Qualcomm Technologies Inc. for the development of 5G automotive platforms, according to a senior LG executive. This is a strategic move by LG as it pursues expansion in the emerging markets of automotive technology.LG Qualcomm

Qualcomm is a leading manufacturer and number one semiconductor supplier in telematics and wireless car connectivity. The company aims to deploy what it termed “reliable, connected, intelligent and location-aware next-generation vehicles” with its expanding group of partners: LG, Continental AG, and ZTE Corp.

Park Jong-sun, vice president of LG Electronics, stated that LG and Qualcomm Technologies are mobile innovation leaders and both companies will be bringing their decades-long research and development experience to the automotive industry with a specific interest in 5G automotive platforms.

Stressing that LG and Qualcomm Technologies have a long history of partnership in the connected car segment of the industry, and it is the belief of LG that 5G technology is a critical component needed in the deployment of a fully connected car platform.

It has been projected that up to three quarters (75%) of all vehicles that will be sold in 2027 will have embedded cellular connectivity, indicating a fast-rising need for automotive technology like 5G.

LG has had a very cordial relationship with Qualcomm. In 2004, it collaborated with Qualcomm to develop telematics technology, and in 2017, the two companies signed a partnership to collaborate on connected car solutions.

Furthermore, in 2019, LG and Qualcomm agreed to strengthen LG’s in-vehicle infotainment system, webOS Auto.

LG has been pursuing its strategic plans to establish a strong presence in the automotive solutions segment of the automotive market in recent years.

Last December, LG signed a partnership agreement with Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc. to manufacture an electric vehicle and parts

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Nokia was the 15th largest smartphone brand in Q4 2020 with a mere 0.7% market share

HMD Global, the company behind Nokia-branded smartphones and feature phones was off to a great start in 2017. But as time passed, the firm could not keep up with the stiff competition. Mostly because its handsets pale in comparison with products from other companies, in terms of both specifications and price. As a result, the Nokia brand captured only 0.7% of the smartphone market in Q4 2020.

Nokia Logo Featured

Usually, research firms only list the top-performing brands in their free report. Hence, Counterpoint Research’s free report on Global Smartphone Market Q4 2020 does not include HMD Global (Nokia). But at the request of NokiaMob, Counterpoint has shared some details regarding the performance of the Nokia brand.

According to the data, HMD Global’s overall mobile phone shipments increased 30% QoQ in Q4 2020. Whereas, feature phone and smartphone shipments rose by 26% and 35% QoQ respectively.

In other words, HMD Global managed to ship only 2.8 million Nokia smartphones in the fourth quarter of 2020 but it shipped around 12.7 million Nokia feature phones during the same period.

Hence, Nokia was the second-largest feature phone brand in Q4 2020 with a 16% market share. However, it ranked distant 15th in the smartphone segment with a mere 0.7% market share.

What are your thoughts on the future of HMD Global? Do let us know in the comment section below.

 

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Huami to launch third-generation self-developed wearable chip soon

Huami Technology is a company that excels in smart wearable technology. Headquartered in Hefei, China, the company also makes its own AI-powered wearable chips. Today, the company’s founder has announced that the third-generation wearable chip is coming soon. And it could be the Huangshan 3.

Huami-Logo

At the Innovation Conference 2021 today, Huami Founder & CEO, Huang Wang, has reportedly revealed that Huami’s third-generation self-developed wearable chip will be launched soon. He feels that with the technology on chips advancing, the capital investment also jumps up.

Although this is a pain, it succeeds in enthralling the end consumer and reducing the overall cost of producing a commercial wearable product. For the unware, Huami stepped into the world of self-developed wearable chips back in 2018. It announced the world’s first AI-powered Huangshan No.1 chipset.

Nearly two years later, the company brought back the momentum with the Huangshan 2 chipset in June 2020. This chipset, which Huami used in many of its smart products, has architecture based on the RISC-V instruction set. It also has a C2 co-processor, independent NPU(Neural Processing Unit).

AI deep learning largely depends on the NPU that enables it to make predictions from the available dataset. Hence, we can expect the company to upgrade the NPU and the instruction set to get a leap in performance on the third-gen.

While Wang hasn’t confirmed a name for the chip yet, the naming could very well be the Huangshan No. 3 but let’s wait for the official confirmation. Huami has been a pioneer in the Smartwatches, fitness trackers segment and it also makes products for Xiaomi. Back in Oct. 2020, the partnership got extended for at least another three years.

In related news, the company’s Amazfit brand will get multiple smartwatches including the Amazfit T-Rex Pro this year.

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Razer Viper 8KHz Gaming Mouse launched in China, USA for 599 yuan, $79.99 respectively

Razer recently launched the Razer Naga X Gaming Mouse for 499 yuan. Today, it has unveiled a new 8k gaming mouse. As the name says, the mouse features a 8,000Hz HyperPolling technology and is priced under $80.

Razer Viper 8KHz Gaming Mouse – Price, Availability

The new Razer Viper 8KHz gaming mouse comes in a Single Black color variant. It however has the signature Razer logo in green color at the front. You can take a look at the China pricing below:

  • China- 599 yuan
  • USA- $79.99

In China, the mouse is available on Razer T-Mall store. As you can see above, the mouse is also available in the United States. There again, you can buy it on Razer’s website or Best Buy.

Razer Viper 8KHz Mouse Features

Razer calls the design of the mouse as True-Ambidextrous suitable for Esports. This means it will be convenient to hold both in left and right hands. Measuring 126.73×57.6×37.81mm(LxWxH), it weighs very light at just 71 grams.

For a gaming mouse, the most important thing is the feel of the buttons, scrolling wheel, and its response time. Accordingly, Razer says that this mouse has a max tracking speed of up to 650 IPS(inches per second). It also has a max sensitivity of 20000 DPI (Dots Per Linear Inch) and uses Optical Sensor.

Also, as mentioned above this has a HyperPolling technology with an 8,000Hz polling rate(8x faster speed than others). Polling rate is basically how often a mouse informs its position to the connected device, i.e., computer. Additionally, Razer’s tech also allows users to experience a delay as low as 0.125ms.

Other features include 100% PTFE* Mouse Feet, high-speed USB controller, 2nd-gen Razer Optical Mouse Switch, Razer Speedflex Cable(8m length), 8 programmable buttons, on-board memory to store up to 5 profiles, Razer Chroma RGB lighting.

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ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G will be the first flagship with the second-gen Under Display cam

Last year, ZTE launched the Axon 20 5G as the world’s first Under Display camera phone. The device wasn’t a flagship model per see, rather, it is a premium mid-range model that ZTE intended to use to test the waters. The device was well received even though the camera output of the selfie camera wasn’t spectacularZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G

Now, the company is gearing up to launch a second model with an Under Display camera and the name has been officially confirmed as Axon 30 Pro 5G. Tipster @TheGalox_ has now revealed the specs of the device.

According to the leak, the ZTE Axon 30 Pro will be the industry’s first flagship phone equipped with second-generation under-screen camera technology. It will also be the first Snapdragon 888 flagship with a true full screen. The phone will pack a 6.9-inch display with 1080p/1440p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It will also reportedly come with a new quad-camera setup. The device will be powered by a 4700mAh battery.

Further, industry insider Ross Young commented that the Axon 30 Pro’s display is supplied by Visionox.

According to the official introduction, ZTE has adopted core technologies such as ultra-high-transmittance micron-level new materials, independently driven screen display chips, and highly integrated minimalist circuit design to avoid the interference of complex lines on the camera, improve the front shooting effect, and cooperate with the original natural pixel arrangement. The display is more natural.

There is no word yet on when the flagship model will be launched but we expect that to happen in no distant time.

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FIIDO eBike maker opens Warehouses in the US

A popular Chinese eBike maker has introduced new warehouses in the US to address the increased demand in a rapid and more convenient way. FIIDO is a well-known company which has introduced high-performing eBikes such as D11 and D4S. The new overseas warehouses are operational since December and are serving tons of customers who will place an order via the official website.

Must See: FIIDO D11 Foldable eBike with 100km range coming soon on Indiegogo

Moreover, it will open new spheres for the company as the demand for electric vehicles is highest in the US. According to Sales Manager of FIIDO in the US – Caroline said, “says there’s no better time to open new warehouses than now. There are many opportunities that exist in today’s market, especially for riders in demand of electric moped.”

The overseas warehouses have currently debuted in New York and California last month. However, the company is offering these four eBike models – D11, M1, D4S, and D2S via an online sale at fiido.com. The shipping will be fast as the devices will be shipped from NY and CA warehouses. The timely delivery of the products will further improve the confidence among the buyers to buy FIIDO eBikes.

“We feel excited and take great pride in announcing the establishment of the overseas warehouse in the US,” said Mr Wang, CEO and founder of FIIDO. “Compared with the previous timeliness, customers will be able to obtain the e-bikes or accessories ordered on our official site about two weeks earlier.

Related: FIIDO M1 Electric Folding Bike is Now Available on Giztop for Just $999

Verizon’s OnePlus 8 5G UW gets OxygenOS 11 three months after the unlocked variant

OnePlus rolled out the Android 11-based OxygenOS update for the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro back in October 2020 itself. However, the Verizon-exclusive OnePlus 8 with mmWave 5G support is getting this update only now after three months.

OnePlus 8 5G UW Polar Silver Featured

OnePlus was once known for delivering faster updates. But that’s not the case anymore. The company is yet to release stable OxygenOS 11 (Android 11) update for the rest of its eligible lineup, apart from the OnePlus 8 series.

The update situation seems even worse for the carrier variants as Verizon Wireless’ OnePlus 8 5G UW is receiving the OxygenOS 11 update after a long time since the unlocked variant got it. Also, though the update has released at the end of January 2021, the build still comes with November 2020 security patch.

Anyway, the update features the build number IN2019_15_210110 and brings all the new features of OxygenOS 11, such as redesigned UI, Always-on Display (AOD), and new Zen Mode themes to name a few. The changelog also notes improvements to 5G ultrawide band feature.

Verizon OnePlus 8 5G UW OxygenOS 11 Update Official Changelog

  • System
    • Fresh new visual design and optimization of details provides a more comfortable experience.
    • Brand new weather user interface supports dynamic switches between sunrise and sunset. Day and night are right in the palm of your hand.
    • Optimizes the stability of some third-party apps and improves user experience.
  • Game Space
    • Newly added gaming tools box for convenient switches to Fnatic mode. You can now choose three ways of notifications: text-only, heads up and block, just for your immersive gaming experience.
    • Newly added quick reply feature in a small window for WhatsApp and INS. Enable this functionality by swiping down from the upper right or left corners of the screen in gaming mode.
    • Newly added mis-touch prevention feature. Enable it, swipe down from the top of the screen, click, and the notification bar will pop up.
  • Ambient Display
    • Added Always-on Ambient Display function, with custom Schedule/All day option included. (Go to: Settings > Display > Ambient Display)
    • Newly added Insight clock style, a joint creation with Parsons School of Design. It changes according to your phone usage data. (Go to: Settings > Customization > Clock Style)
    • Added 10 new clock styles. (Go to: Settings > Customization > Clock Style)
  • Dark Mode
    • Added the shortcut key for Dark Mode. Simply pull down the quick setting to enable.
    • Supports automatic turn on feature and customized time range. (Go to: Settings > Display > Dark Mode > Turn on automatically > Automatically enable from sunset to sunrise / Custom time range)
  • Zen Mode
    • Added 5 new themes (ocean, space, grassland, and others) and more timing options.
    • Included the Group feature in Zen Mode. Now you can invite your friends and enjoy Zen Mode together.
  • Gallery
    • Supporting Story function automatically creates weekly videos with photos and videos in storage.
    • Optimizes the loading speed of the gallery, and the image preview is faster.

 

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Google Chrome browser gets Tab Grouping feature with Grid View on Android

Google has been working on a lot of features to improve the browsing experience via Chrome. One such is the Group Tabs which is already live on the Desktop version. Finally, Google is bringing that to the mobile devices.

As spotted by 9to5Google, Google Chrome on Android now shows the tabs in a Grid View. Before, if you had noticed, the tabs inside the Chrome browser have shown in vertically arranged cards format. This not only blocks the preview of the content of the cards behind but appears but makes scrolling across tabs tougher if you have more of it opened.

Google Chrome Tab Groups- How to use it

To see the view, just press the number icon next to the address bar to get to the ‘Grid View’. Here, you can see the tabs appearing as small boxes. If you want to group two or more tabs, just drag them to one tab.

It’s also worth noting that this Tab Grouping is available on Chrome for iOS for a while now. Anyway, you can take a look at the images below to get an idea of how to group the tabs on Android inside the browser:

As usual, the ‘New Tab’ icon appears on the top left in a ‘+’ sign. Further, the incognito Tabs arrangement is revamped with this update. Before, these tabs will appear separately on the right side. Now, there is a toggle switch at the top to access them which also appears in Grid view.

To close a tab or a group of tabs, you can use the ‘x’ symbol on the right or just swipe left/right as always. Do note that you will be closing the group tabs as a whole on doing this so be sure to take out the tabs inside the group if you need anything beforehand.

How to disable Tab Groups on Chrome

Also, if for some reason you don’t like this new Grid View, you can switch back to the old layout. To do this, open a tab, type ‘Chrome://flags’ on the address bar, and press enter.

Here, type ‘Grid’ on the search bar, and you will see a ‘Tab Grid Layout’ option that is enabled by ‘default’. Now click on it & tap ‘disable’. Relaunch Chrome twice to see the change effect.

That said, this update is a server-side one and might take some time to reach everyone. Do let us know in the comments if you are sticking with the ‘Grid View’ or reverting back to the old format.

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Xiaomi Mi 11 global launch set for February 8

Since December 28 last year when fast-rising Chinese tech company Xiaomi unveiled its flagship smartphone, the Mi 11 to the Chinese market, the global launch has been awaited with bated breath by tech enthusiasts and industry watchers. It has been predicted that the Mi 11 could rival Samsung’s premium series the Galaxy S21 because of its exciting features on display. It is now all but confirmed that the launch date for the Xiaomi Mi 11 is February 8.Xiaomi Mi 11 leather purple featured review 01

Inside sources have confirmed that invitations for the unveiling event have been sent to various industry stakeholders and media platforms. It is slated to kick off at 12 pm GMT, on February 8, 2021.  However, at this time, no official confirmation has been made by Xiaomi on the date of the launch of the Mi 11, so there could be a faint chance that this could be a rumor.

It is expected that Xiaomi will release a number of smartphones in the coming months, as the Chinese event last year only witnessed the launch of the Mi 11, while a few other phones were believed to be ready for release.

In addition, the rumor mills have been abuzz that the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro could also be released. It has a very powerful camera and all-around features. Another possible release is Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite, which may be the affordable version of the Mi 11, although not much is known about it yet.  

If the rumors are anything to go by, then we could also see the release of a smart wearables device from Xiaomi in February. 

Xiaomi’s smartwatches and fitness trackers have been seemingly out of stock for a while, and we expect the company to release at least one of these devices during the unveiling of the Mi 11.

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Netflix certifies Galaxy S21 series, OPPO Reno4 series, TCL 20 5G, and more

Netflix is arguably one of the best streaming platforms available worldwide. The service can be accessed on a wide variety of devices with a display. But the OEMs require a license to support the app on their devices. Hence, not all Android smartphones can stream in HD or HDR quality. 

Netflix Logo Featured

Above all, not all companies disclose whether their phones support Netlfix. Customers can only know about it by installing the application themselves. But thankfully, Netflix has a dedicated page on its website with a list of supported devices. This list has been now updated with the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S21 series, a bunch of OPPO smartphones, and a TCL handset.

According to the update list, Netlfix can be now streamed in HD and HDR on the following phones.

It is interesting to know that only the 4G variant of OPPO Reno4 Pro supports Netflix HDR although the 4G variant has the exact same display. Also, all the OPPO handsets listed above are on sale for months but they have received Netlfix certification only now.

On the other hand, the TCL 20 5G launched only last month and the Galaxy S21 series just hit the shelves today.

 

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realme Watch 2 gets certified in Singapore’s IMDA; Asia launch Imminent

realme is gearing up to launch the realme Watch 2 soon. It was first spotted on the realme Link App and now, the wearable has now got certified in Singapore’s IMDA hinting at an imminent Asia launch.

realme Watch 2 Render FCC

Spotted by Mukul Sharma, a realme low-power, Short-range device appears on the IMDA database. Its model number is RMW2008 and described as a Watch with Bluetooth connectivity. If we recall, the realme Watch 2 with the same model number has already appeared on US’s FCC listing.

As per the info on FCC, the watch will have a 1.4-inch TFT square-shaped LCD panel. To recall, the company’s first Smartwatch launched as the realme Watch last year. It had the same display size and a square-shape. Anyway, the realme Watch 2’s display will also have the same 320×320 pixel resolution.

However, the realme Watch 2 will differ slightly in dimensions and measure 257.6×35.7×12.2mm as compared to 256mmx36.5×11.8mm on the predecessor. Similarly, the realme Watch 2 will have an upgraded battery of 305mAh as opposed to 160mAh on the realme Watch.

Hence, you can expect improved battery life on the successor. Apart from this, the realme Watch 2 will likely have features like Bluetooth 5.0 LE and support the realme Link App natively and compatible with Android 5.0+ devices.

Other features like IP68 water and dust resistance, Blood Oxygen(SpO2) and Heart-rate monitoring(PPG), sleep trahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdueuXZLRrQcking, workout & meditation modes, Voice call & app notifications, media controls, and more will also get carried to the realme Watch 2.

Considering the first Watch came around May 2020, we could at least a month away from the official launch but let’s wait for the official news.

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SK Hynix to shift chip facilities to China to meet surging demands

SK Hynix announced earlier today (29th January 2021) that it would be shifting some of its foundry facilities that use its 8 inch wafers from its home country South Korea to China. The move arrives to meet the surging demand in the market.

SK Hynix

According to a NikkeiAsia report, the South Korean chip maker and the second largest semiconductor based firm of the region is moving chip facilities to China to meet rising customer demands and lower costs as well. As per the company’s official notes, its foundry chips that are based on its 8 inch wafers is facing strong demand, as its supply of chips using 12 inch wafers is limited due to the higher requirement of investment to build newer facilities.

SK Hynix stated during its fourth quarter earnings report that it “plans to move 8-inch wafer facilities to China, where cost-saving is expected, to seize the chance fully. Initially we planned to do it in two years, but we changed the plan to do it as soon as possible to cope with rising customer demand.” Interestingly, Sky Hynix’s shift to China arrives amid major OEMs moving their supply chain and production away from the Southeast Asian nation.

sk hynix 8GB RAM

The company further added that “For us it is better to add more facilities in China, as we have no overseas factories outside of the country.” During the fourth quarter of last year, SK Hynix saw a four fold rise in operating profits, reaching 966 billion won (roughly 865 million US Dollars) year on year, thanks to the strong demand for mobile chips. Its operating profit for the whole of 2020 jumped by 84 percent as well, which was backed by rising demand for memory chips.

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OPPO is recruiting ColorOS 11 beta testers for OPPO F15 in India

ColorOS 11 is the latest version of OPPO’s mobile operating system based on Android 11. The company announced it in mid-September. Since then, it has been rolling it out to eligible devices worldwide. Now, as per the schedule, the firm has started recruiting beta testers for OPPO F15 in India.

OPPO F15 Blazzing Blue Featured

OPPO launched the OPPO F15 last January in India. The handset debuted with ColorOS 6.1 based on Android 9.0 Pie. It was later updated to Android 10-based ColorOS 7.

Now, the company has opened registrations for ColorOS 11 beta program. If you own this device and want to enroll in the program, then your phone should be on firmware version C.18.

If your handset is on the said build, then head over to Settings > Software Update > Gear Icon > Apply for Beta Version >  Update Beta Version and follow the on-screen instructions. Once you get selected, the company will be seeding out the beta build via OTA.

Apart from the OPPO F15, the Chinese smartphone maker is also recruiting beta testers for OPPO Reno2 F and OPPO Reno 10x Zoom in India. And a whole lot of devices are receiving stable builds in both India and other regions.

That said, since January is about to end, we expect OPPO to share the ColorOS 11 update plan for February by next week.

 

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