Xiaomi launches new Mi Speakers, Shoes, Smart Bulb, and more to expand IoT Portfolio in India

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Sep 29, 2020

Xiaomi has just launched a range of new products in India. The company unveiled multiple devices to grow its IoT portfolio in the region, with new Mi Speakers, watches, bands, shoes, and more.

Mi Smart Speaker

The Chinese tech giant has just launched its latest Mi Smart Speaker in India. The speakers are built on a metal mesh with 10531 sound holes and a 63.5mm sound driver for a rich sound experience. The 12W speaker is placed at the front and covers a range of areas. It also features professional DTS tuning and Texas Instruments’ TAS5805M Hi-Fi Audio Processor giving a 360° surround sound experience.

Being a smart speaker, the device from Xiaomi also supports Google Assistant that makes the device more interactive. Users can even set up the Mi Smart Speaker with the Google Home app to better control various smart home products like lights, thermostats, smart security cameras, and more. In other words, it can be controlled with ease and even supports Hindi as a language input. The Mi Smart Speaker starts from 3,999 INR and will be available via Mi.com, Mi Homes, Flipkart.com, and retail stores, with buyers receiving a 1 year free subscription from Gaana. The inaugural price of the device is currently 3,499 INR (roughly 47 US Dollars).

Mi Athleisure Shoes

Through the Mi Athleisure Shoes, Xiaomi aims at growing its health centric clothing and other apparel. It arrives with a trendy and vibrant design, being built for sports. The shoes have a honeycomb mesh that helps provide wider air circulation and superior breathability to keep your feet fresh all day long. It also offers added comfort through its ventile Insole with shock-absorbing EVA foam.

For grip, the Mi Athleisure Shoes features a ZiG forward grip to prevent any accidental slips to maintain the best workout experience. The shows also have a reflective strip and arrive in 3 different color variants, namely Blue, Gray, and Black, making it suitable for everyday use. The new shoes from Xiaomi will be available at a price of 1,499 INR (roughly 20 US Dollars) and can be purchased from Mi.com and select Mi Homes.

Mi Smart LED Bulb

Xiaomi has also launched the Mi Smart LED Bulb, which emits 810 lumens of cool white light and consumes just 7.5W of energy. It is compatible with the Mi Home app, meaning, one can to the smart bulb and either increase or reduce brightness and also schedule it to turn on or off on the moment you reach home. It can also be activated via voice control through your voice assistant from a smart speaker like Alexa or Google Assistant. The Mi Smart LED Bulb is priced at just 499 INR (roughly 7 US Dollars) and will be available through Mi.com and Mi Homes.

Mi Automatic Soap Dispenser

Since personal hygiene and hand care has become increasingly more crucial due to the coronavirus pandemic, Xiaomi has launched a new household product to offer a modern design to a traditional product. The Mi Automatic Soap Dispenser arrives with a durable build that fits seamlessly into customers’ bathrooms and kitchen. It is powered by a low noise motor and sports an infrared sensor to dispense soap foam in a completely contactless manner. It is priced at 999 INR (roughly 14 US Dollars) and will be available via Mi.com and Mi Homes as well.

OPPO A93 to launch as rebadged F17 Pro in Malaysia on October 6

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Sep 29, 2020

Earlier this month, OPPO announced the OPPO F17 and OPPO F17 Pro smartphone in India. The F17 Pro handset recently went official in Ukraine as Reno4 Lite. The Reno4 F phone launching in Indonesia on Oct. 12 is also a rebadged version of the F17 Pro. OPPO will be launching the OPPO A93 smartphone in Malaysia on Oct. 6. The A93 is also a rebranded edition of the F17 Pro.

The launch event of the OPPO A93 in Malaysia will be held at 3 PM (local time) on Oct. 6 in Malaysia. The launch posters show that the device has a dual punch-hole display and a square-shaped camera module on its rear. The thickness of the device is 7.48mm and it will come with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of built-in storage.

Editor’s Pick: OPPO A33 is a budget phone with a 90Hz display and a Snapdragon 460 processor

The OPPO F17 Pro and Reno4 F will have identical specs, but one noticeable difference on the Reno4 F is that it comes with 18W charging whereas the F17 Pro supports 30W VOOC 4.0. It is unclear whether the A93 will support 18W or 30W charging.

OPPO A93 specifications (Rumored)

Considering the OPPO A93 is a rebranded F17 Pro, it will come with a 6.43-inch S-AMOLED full HD+ display, an under-screen fingerprint sensor, Helio P95 chipset, and a 4,015mAh battery. For photography, the handset will come with a 16-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual selfie camera system and a 48-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel + 2-megapixel quad camera setup. The ColorOS 7.2 based Android 10 OS will come preloaded on the smartphone.

China to ship 140 million 5G smartphones in 2020: Report

By

Sean

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Sep 29, 2020

China has been one of the first to adopt 5G networking and, by its extension, the country has also one of the largest userbases of 5G enabled handsets. Now, a new report from analysts suggests that China’s 5G shipments will rise even further and reach 140 million units by the end of this year.

According to a YicaiGlobal report, Counterpoint Research analysts have said that the country shipped nearly 14 million 5G enabled smartphones back in July. This is more than triple the amount shipped just a few months prior, in January. This number made up about 50 percent of the country’s total smartphone shipments. Most new launches from OEMs have targetted the 5G handset market that has grown immensely in the region, especially flagship models.

Chinese smartphone manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi helped boost the shipments of devices that support the newer and faster bandwidth while emerging brands like Realme and OnePlus also play a role in the market. These companies combined accounted for 79 percent of the global 5G smartphone shipments back in July, compared to 72 percent in the second quarter. Although, this dominance might fall with Apple soon launching its first 5G lineup in the arriving weeks.

Another factor that boosted the 5G handset market is its accessibility, which arrived when 5G chips were built for entry level and mid range devices. With the inclusion of more affordable 5G enabled handsets on the market, customers in China could benefit from the country’s wider coverage of 5G networking. At the moment, China has built more than 600,000 5G base stations across the nation, with more than 100 million terminal connections, as per the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 launched in India for Rs 2,499 (~$34), Mi Watch Revolve arrives for Rs 10,990 (~$149)

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Sep 29, 2020

Today, Xiaomi held its Smarter Living 2021 event in India to announce some of its smart products such as Mi Band 5, Mi Watch Revolve, Mi Smart Speaker, and more. The Mi Band 5 has arrived as the successor to the Mi Band 4 from last year. The Mi Watch Revolve is the company’s first smartwatch for India. GizmoChina has a dedicated story for the other smart products that were announced today in India.

Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve specifications and features

The Mi Watch Revolve has a 46mm dial that features a 1.39-inch round-shaped AMOLED touchscreen. The color display supports such as 454 x 454 pixels resolution, 326ppi pixel density, 450nits brightness, Always-On Display, anti-scratch coating, Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and 112 watch faces. The smartwatch offers 5ATM water resistance.

The Firstbeat Motion Algorithm allows the Mi Watch Revolve to offer the best health and fitness suggestions to the user. The inbuilt heart rate variability feature measures time intervals between consecutive heartbeats. There is an energy level tracker feature that helps users to estimate gained and lost energy throughout the day.

Editor’s Pick: Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro likely to debut in mid-October in India

The device offers users with 10 specialized sports modes such as running, cycling, outdoor, hiking, treadmill, spinning, walking, exercise, pool, and swimming. It supports other features such as music control, notifications, find my phone, weather, flashlight, stopwatch, timer, idle alert, and alarm. It is compatible with Android and iOS devices and its boots MIUI based WearOS.

The Mi Watch Revolve has a 420mAh battery, which promises up to 2 weeks of standby time and 20 hours of run time with GPS enabled. The device comes with a magnetic pogo pin connector. It comes with support for GPS, GLONASS, Bluetooth 5.0 BLE. As far as sensors are concerned, the device is packed with a PPG heart rate sensor, 3-axis acceleration sensor, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, baroreceptor, and ambient light sensor.

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 specifications and features

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 has a 1.1-inch AMOLED color touchscreen with 450nits brightness and unlimited watch faces. The device is backed by a 125mAh battery and it comes with an all-new magnetic charging feature. Once charged, the Mi Band 5 can last for up to 3 weeks in power saver mode and 2 weeks in normal mode. The Mi Band 5 is a 5ATM water-resistant device.

The Mi Band 5 supports 11 professional sports modes such as outdoor running, walking, indoor cycling, indoor running, indoor swimming, free exercise, indoor riding, elliptical machine, rope skipping, yoga, and rowing machine. Apart from 24-hour heart rate monitoring, the Mi Band 5 supports sleep tracking. The Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) function will let users know how active they need to be to remain healthy. The wearable tech can detect stress and guide users with breathing exercises.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 supports other features such as music control, camera control, unlock phones with MIUI, find my phone, mute phone, notifications, weather, timer, and alarm. The Mi Band 5 has sensors like PPG heart rate sensor, 3-axis acceleration sensor, and 3-axis gyroscope. The device is compatible with devices running on Android 5.0 or higher and iOS 10.0 or above.

Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve and Mi Band 5 pricing and availability

The Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve has arrived in India with a price tag of Rs 10,999 (~$148). Until the upcoming Diwali festival, the device will be available for Rs 9,999 (~$135). Amazon India, Mi.com, and MI Home Stores will carry out the first sales of the Mi Watch Revolve from 12 PM on Oct. 6.

The Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve comes in two color variants such as Midnight Black with Space Black strap and Chrome Silver with Neptune Blue strap. The other strap options available for the buyers of Mi Watch Revolve include Cosmic Dust Maroon, Space Black, and Astral Olive.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 has landed in India with a price tag of Rs 2,499 (~$34). It can be bought in colors like Black, Teal, Purple, Navy Blue, and Orange. The device will go on sale in India for the first time at 12 PM on Oct. 1.

Germany smartphone market declines by 27% in Q2 2020: Counterpoint Research

By

Jeet

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Sep 29, 2020

The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted markets and Germany seems to have been hit badly when it comes to smartphones. As per the report from Counterpoint Research, Germany saw a decline of 27 percent in Q2 2020 compared to last year.

When compared to the previous quarter, the numbers indicate a decline of 15 percent. The country went into a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19, which resulted in the smartphone market tumbling because of closures of physical shops.

Samsung, the leading smartphone brand in the country, managed to retain its position with a market share of 37 percent. It was followed by Apple with a market share of 23 percent and Huawei with 18 percent of the market.

Interestingly, Chinese brand Xiaomi has shown impressive growth in Germany. The company reported 5 percent of the market share in Q2 2020, an increase from 1 percent share in the previous year, and a nearly 250 percent jump in sales.

EDITOR’S PICK: Google says that it is planning to make it easier to use third-party App Store on Android 12

Because of the pandemic, the smartphone market is now moving from high-end or premium devices to mid-range offerings. The premium segment, which includes devices priced at $800 and above, shark to 7 percent from 19 percent in Q1 2020.

On the other hand, devices priced between $300 to $600 registered growth from 23 percent to 30 percent. This is mainly attributed to the sales of Samsung Galaxy A-series smartphones and Apple iPhone SE 2020.

As per the report, 30 percent are now planning to wait longer than usual for their next smartphone purchase, while 40 percent are planning to cut their budget for future purchases related to smartphones.

Realme sold over 130,000 Narzo 20 smartphones in first sale in India

By

Sean

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Sep 29, 2020

Realme, the Chinese smartphone maker, has seen great success in the Indian market since its entry into the region. Now, the company’s latest offering the Narzo 20 has also seen immense popularity, with over 130,000 units of the device being sold in the first sale.

According to Madhav Sheth, the Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Realme, the Narzo 20’s first sale reached a significant amount and the company aims at reaching 5,000,000 Narzo users with the launch of the series. As per a BusinessInsider report, the senior official stated that “With this series, we are taking forward our legacy of strong performance and powerful processors which is differentiated from the comprehensive experience of Realme products.”

For those unaware, the Narzo 20 arrives with a MediaTek Helio G85 processor along with a 6,000mAh battery a 48 megapixel triple camera setup. Overall it is a device that offers performance for smooth mobile gaming and adds a massive battery with fast charge capabilities at a competitive price. Its 4GB RAM + 64GB variant arrived at just 10,499 INR (roughly 142 US Dollars) while the 128GB storage variant is priced at just 11,499 INR (roughly 155 US Dollars).

Madhav Sheth further added that “the response is a testimony to the fact that our product strategy of providing power centric series for the Young Players have been well accepted.” The company is planning on launching two additional handsets in the Nazro series. This includes the higher end Narzo 20 Pro that will have a 65W fast charging technology and the entry level Narzo 20A for the budget users. The former sports a more powerful Helio G95 chip and a 90Hz refresh rate, while the latter sports a Snapdragon 665 processor and a large 5,000mAh battery.

Epic Games’ lawsuit against Apple could go to trial in July 2021

By

Jeet

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Sep 29, 2020

Apple and Epic Games fought in a federal court arguing whether to reinstate the popular Fortnite game in Apple’s App Store. It is a part of the larger antitrust argument that could reshape a key part of the apps ecosystem.

Epic Games is trying to get a temporary court order that would force Apple to reinstate Fortnite on its iOS App Store. For those who are unaware, Fortnite was removed from the App Store a couple of months ago for breaching contract as the game removed Apple’s proprietary in-app payment system that takes a 30% cut from developers.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California has not given a timeframe for a decision on the injunction. She also added that the case should be tried before a jury, which could happen in July 2021.

Epic Games acknowledged that the company breached its agreement with Apple but claimed that the company was simply refusing to comply with an anti-competitive contract and that forcing a legal battle was part of the plan.

EDITOR’S PICK: OnePlus 8T Pro will not launch this year since OnePlus 8 Pro has no room for upgrade

Apple has alleged that Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is attempting to lead a developer revolt that cuts at the heart of Apple’s business model. But it’s noteworthy that this isn’t the first time developer has revolted against Apple. Spotify also battled with Apple over its policies and most recently Hey email app also faced issues with Apple.

The scrutiny of Apple is based on the fact that the company holds much power over developers in its App Store. Apple and Google are virtually controllers of access to apps through their App Store and Play Store on iOS and Android devices.

Buy Xiaomi MI TV Stick- Global Version at Giztop for $34.99

By

Greeva Agnihotri

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Sep 29, 2020

With the introduction of the Fire stick, many people have opted to watch personalized content on TV. Contributing to this need, the Xiaomi has launched a Xiaomi Mi TV Stick- Global Version that offers a wide range of content with versatile functions for all-round use.

Currently, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick- Global Version is available for sale on Giztop at just $34.99. It features all the mainstream apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and YouTube. Powered by Android TV, this stick allows the user to download and install most apps and TV games from the play store. This unit offers 1080p resolution with 60fps to help the user view content in HD mode. The per-installed version of the Android TV 9.0 system allows voice search and Chromecast connectivity.

The Xiaomi TV stick (our Mi TV stick review here) is powered by Amlogic S905 quad-core processor that features 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage to deliver seamless and uninterrupted performance for games, movies, and content with high resolution. This TV stick supports dual-band Wi-Fi, HDMI 2.0 interface, and BlueTooth 4.0 for all connectivity needs. It also offers personalized recommendations of YouTube and Google Play preferences based on your history.

With a wireless and sleek design, this Xiaomi TV stick is portable and quite handy. The remote features one-click operation that activates the mic to help the user search through different content and functions. Voice control can be used with google assistant while the voice command can also be used with other smart devices at home.

This TV stick is compatible with DTS and Dolby multichannel HD audio encoding to offer a stereo surround sound experience. The plug-and-play connection offers hassle-free use.

Readers can buy the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick- Global Version at Giztop by clicking here.

Elephone R8 Smartwatch is Available in Black & Silver Colors for $39.99

By

Greeva Agnihotri

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Sep 29, 2020

Launched on 22nd September, the Elephone R8 Smartwatch is perfect for people with an active and fast-paced lifestyle. The smartwatch’s waterproof design makes it ideal for all kinds of outdoor adventures while the multi-sensor tracker helps monitor physical activity.

The Elephone R8 Smartwatch has a full-touch, round display with a 1.3inch IPS LCD screen. With a resolution of 360*360 pixels and high fidelity color, this unit reproduces a vibrant color spectrum for a clear view. It is equipped with a Realtek RTK8792ck processor with HX HRS3600 for monitoring heart rate and blood pressure while the g-sensor allows sports monitoring. Users can track multiple-sport modes like walking, running, mountain climbing, riding, and more. Automatic tracking helps in keeping a tab on the number of steps taken, calories burnt and distance covered.

Additionally, the R8 smartwatch features a notification function for calls, messages, and social media like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. This unit also offers sedentary reminders, sleep monitoring, alarms, stopwatch, weather, and music control. With a 280mAh lithium polymer battery, this smartwatch offers a 30-day standby time. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

This Elephone smartwatch is made from a full metal body to withstand minor bumps and feature single physical buttons on the side for easy access. With 47mm diameter and 12mm in thickness, the Elephone smartwatch is light and comfortable. This device has a fully-sealed body with an IP67 waterproof rating, making it both waterproof and dustproof. One can choose from either black or silver colored strap to suit their personal style.

You can buy this feature-rich smartwatch by clicking here.

For more information, readers can click on the link here.

Honor announces Shared Laptop Scheme for MagicBook devices in China

By

Jeet

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Sep 29, 2020

Huawei‘s sub-brand Honor is all set to launch an experimental limited-time promotion for the first shared laptop scheme in China. The promotional period will be during the upcoming national holidays in the country.

As a part of the offer, Honor MagicBook laptops will be available for the people to borrow during China’s upcoming national holiday that runs from 1st October to 8th October. Those who are interested in this offer, the devices will be available at Honor Stores.

For those who are in Beijing, the company has partnered with food delivery service provider Meituan to offer doorstep delivery of the laptop. In the announcement, the company has mentioned that the users will be able to work with personal files stored on their smartphones by connecting the phone directly to the laptop.

It is not yet known if that company plans to extend the availability of the offer. Nonetheless, it seems like a great opportunity for the company to promote the MagicBook lineup of laptops under the Honor brand.

EDITOR’S PICK: Google is making it easier to use third-party App Stores on the upcoming Android 12

Recently, Honor launched the newly updated MagicBook devices during the IFA 2020. The devices are the updated models of the 14-inch and 15-inch laptops from the brand but now comes with AMD Ryzen 4000 series processors. There’s also a more advanced MagicBook Pro variant which is powered by AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor.

It also makes sense for the company to promote its laptop devices instead of smartphones as the company’s future in the smartphone business isn’t certain yet. On the other hand, Intel has been granted a license by the U.S. to supply chipset to Huawei, ensuring that the laptop business will continue.

Google to make it easier to use third-party App Store on Android 12

By

Jeet

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Sep 29, 2020

One of the best things about the Android mobile operating system is that you are not restricted to using Google Play Store for app downloads. You can use a third-party App Store on your phone or simply side-load an application.

However, the process of sideloading an app or using a third-party app store isn’t quite simple. First, the user needs to enable permission in Settings to do so and even then there are a few warnings while going through the process.

Now, Google has outlined that it is making changes in the developer policies which will make it easier to use third-party app stores on Android 12. The company has said that it “will make it even easier for people to use other app stores on their devices while being careful not to compromise the safety measures Android has in place.”

So far, details about how the company plans to achieve this haven’t been revealed but we expect to get to know more about it soon. While it could relax third-party app store policies, the company is tightening grip on in-app payments.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi Mi TV LUX Pro 82-inch 8K 5G and Mi TV LUX 82-inch 4K launched in China

Google has said that “all developers selling digital goods in their apps are required to use Google Play’s billing system,” and to make the message more clear, it is updating language in its payment policy. Apps not using this system will need to add it for digital goods by 30th September 2021.

However, the company relaxed rules for businesses that started offering “virtual” versions of their normal non-digital offerings because of COIVD-19. Addressing this, Google said that “we recognize that the global pandemic has resulted in many businesses having to navigate the challenges of moving their physical business to digital and engaging audiences customers in a new way, for example, moving in-person experiences and classes online. For the next 12 months, these businesses will not need to comply with our payments policy, and we will continue to reassess the situation over the next year.”

Apple set to send out first shipment of iPhone 12 models to distributors

By

Jeet

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Sep 29, 2020

Although Apple has not yet confirmed the date for the launch of the upcoming iPhone 12 series models, reports claim that the company will host the event on 13th October. Now, ahead of the launch, a report about the distribution has surfaced online.

As per the report from Jon Prosser, the Cupertino giant’s first shipment of iPhone 12 models will set to go out to distributors on 5th October. He has also mentioned that the shipment includes two models — iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12.

He has also revealed that both the smartphones will be available in three variants based on the internal storage capacity — 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The iPhone 12 Mini has a 5.4-inch display and the iPhone 12 features a 6.1-inch screen.

This is in line with the previous leaks that indicated that during the initial days of the sale, Apple will be selling only one or two models and the rest of the models will be available for purchase from the month of November.

EDITOR’S PICK: OnePlus 8T Pro will not launch this year since OnePlus 8 Pro has no room for upgrade

The exact sale date for the smartphones is not yet known but we expect to get that information in the coming days. As for the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max models, they will start at 128GB internal storage, claims Jon Prosser.

Coming to the pricing, it was recently revealed that the upcoming iPhone 12 Mini could cost somewhere between $699 to $749 while the iPhone 12 could be priced around $799-849. The Pro and Pro Max models are expected to be priced between $1,100 to $1,200. To know for sure, we will have to wait for the official announcement from the company.

Grab 20% Off on the Zeaplus Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation

By

Greeva Agnihotri

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Sep 29, 2020

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is one of the key features that can make your music-listening and overall audio experience a true delight. Most premium earphones offer excellent noise-cancellation along with top-quality audio. The Zeaplus Earbuds are designed with a focus on the same features but at an affordable rate. After the initial 50% discount offer expired, Zeaplus is now offering 20% flat off on new orders using the coupon: BUDS20.

Apart from the pocket-friendly price tag and ANC, these earbuds offer up to 4 hours of playback and 3 hours of talk time in a single charge. With the wireless charging case, these earbuds provide more than 20 hours of listening time and 15 hours of talk time. Moreover, the transparent mode makes sound from surroundings audible to the user. With stereo sound quality and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, these earbuds offer seamless operation. Users can easily control the media functions like play/pause music and answer calls through the earbuds for hands-free usage.

These Zeaplus earbuds are quite similar to Airpods Pro, featuring a similar stem and tip design with a white and black color scheme. With wireless charging, the earbuds can be charged in a hassle-free manner.

Zeaplus initially launched the earbuds with a deal of 50% off for the first 1000 customers. Looking at the positive response from the customers and demand for the product, the company has decided to offer a 20% off on all orders of these earbuds. One can simply enter the coupon code BUDS20 on this link to avail the offer.

Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro likely to debut in mid-October in India

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Sep 29, 2020

Tomorrow, Xiaomi will be announcing the Xiaomi Mi 10T series through a global unveil event. The lineup is rumored to include three devices such as Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite, Mi 10T, and Mi 10T Pro. According to the tipster Mukul Sharma, the Xiaomi Mi 10T series will be made official by mid-October in India.

The tipster has claimed that the arrival of the Xiaomi Mi 10T series could be timed around the launch of the OnePlus 8T, which is scheduled to go official on Oct. 14. Hence, it appears that Xiaomi India will soon an official confirmation on the arrival of the Mi 10T series.

Editor’s Pick: Tipster: Xiaomi Mi 10T series will launch as Redmi smartphones in China

Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10 Pro 5G specifications

The Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro smartphones are equipped with a 6.67-inch IPS LCD screen with a punch-hole design. The screen offers a 20:9 aspect ratio and a 144Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 865 SoC powers the MI 10T series with up to 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. Both phones are expected to users with up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage.

The Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro phones feature 5,000mAh batteries with 33W fast charge support. The Mi 10T has a triple camera system that includes a 64-megapixel main shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 5-megapixel macro lens.

On the other side, the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro’s triple camera setup comprises of a 108-megapixel main camera with OIS support, a 13-megapixel superwide lens, and a 5-megapixel macro senor. Both phones have 20-megapixel front-facing cameras. These phones lack a 3.5mm audio jack, and they offer connectivity features dual SIM support, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, dual-frequency GPS, IR blaster, and USB-C.

As far as the Mi 10T Lite is concerned, its detailed specs sheet is not available yet. It is expected to arrive with specs like Snapdragon 750G, 4,820mAh battery, and NFC support. It is unclear whether the Mi 10 Lite will go official tomorrow with Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro.

Official: OnePlus 8T Pro will not launch this year since OnePlus 8 Pro has no room for upgrade

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Sep 29, 2020

OnePlus will be launching the OnePlus 8T flagship phone in India on Oct. 14. On the next day, it will go official in China. Rumors have claimed that the company will not be launching the OnePlus 8T Pro smartphone this year. Today, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau took to Weibo to confirm that there will not be a Pro model this year.

The Weibo post further states that those who like the Pro-level products could purchase the OnePlus 8T Pro. He seems to be saying that since there is no room for an upgrade, the company decided on skipping the OnePlus 8T Pro model this year.

Editor’s Pick: OnePlus teases a new Nord smartphone is coming soon

Lau said apart from the OnePlus 8T, the company also has a surprise worth waiting for. The following image that was released by the brand had carried some clues on the upcoming products that are likely to get announced at the OnePlus 8T launch event.

OnePlus fans have speculated that the company could be teasing products like USB-C to USB-C cable, OnePlus Bullets Wireless 3, OnePlus Buds Z, a laptop, and some sort of a gaming console. These are just assumptions, and since the launch is nearly two weeks away, It is advisable to wait for further reports to know the identity of the teased products.

OnePlus 8T specifications (Rumored)

The OnePlus 8T has a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a hole-punch design that offers Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 865 mobile platform fuels the device and it has a 4,500mAh battery with Warp Charge 65 support. The device is equipped with a front-facing camera of 16-megapixel. The backside of the phone is fitted with a 48-megapixel + 16-megapixel (ultrawide) + 5-megapixel (macro) + 2-megapixel (monochrome) quad-camera setup. The phone comes preinstalled with OxygenOS 11 based Android 11 OS. It is expected to arrive in Aquamarine Green and Lunar Silver colors.

Google Maps adds a new car mode UI similar to Android Auto

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Sep 29, 2020

Google Maps is arguably the best maps and navigation app. Over the years, the search giant has updated it with new features and functionalities.Currently, the company is rolling out a server-side update to certain users, which enables a new car mode UI.

The Mountain View-based tech giant already offers a dedicated app called Android Auto for cars. Last year, the company revealed that it will be replaced by Google Assistant Driving Mode, however, that is yet to happen.

Ahead of it, the firm is now seeding out a server-side update enabling a similar car mode UI inside the Google Maps itself. This mode comes after the addition of the music playback option back in June.

This feature was first reported by Android Police and as per the screenshots shared by the publication, we can see that users will be treated with large icons for calls, messages, music apps, and messaging apps.

Google Maps Car Mode UI

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These icons are larger so that users can focus more on their driving rather than their phone. In total, there are three tabs – one for voice, another for home screen with the set of applications as mentioned above, and a Maps icon to select navigation.

That said, as we mentioned in the beginning. This mode is being pushed to random users via server-side. Therefore, it may take time to reach everyone.

Roku launches the 2-in-1 Roku Streambar and the Ultra media streamer

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Sep 29, 2020

When it comes to digital media players Roku is one manufacturer that has carved a niche for itself. The company has just expanded its product offering with the launch of a new Roku Ultra media streamer as well as the Roku 2-in-1 soundbar. The US company also announced a new mobile app and some improvements to its interface software.

Roku Ultra 2020

Roku Ultra 2020 is an improved streaming device which comes with Bluetooth support, Dolby Vision, and improved Wi-Fi performance. The WiFi now has up to 50% more range. The device retains the Ethernet port if you prefer a wired connection.

The new Roku Ultra also keeps up with offering Dolby Atmos support and Roku has also introduced support for decoding the AV1 codec, which more and more video streaming services are beginning to encode their video content in. This means in the future, the device won’t become obsolete.

Further, the latest Ultra comes equipped with a quad-core processor as well as support for Alexa and Google Assistant. It ships with a remote control that includes personal shortcut buttons and a headphone jack for private listening. There’s also a remote finder function in case the remote gets misplaced.

As for the price, the Roku Ultra 2020 is priced at $99 and is presently on pre-orders. It is expected to start shipping on October 15, 2020.

Roku Streambar

Roku Streambar is a 2-in-1 device that doubles as a streaming device and soundbar. The device is a 14-inch Soundbar that also supports outputting 4K HDR video. The product is coming just one year after the company introduced a Smart Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer.

The Roku Soundbar features access to all the channels and services you’d come to expect from other Roku devices and combines that experience with a robust sound experience powered by four speaker drivers. You can also combine the Soundbar with Roku’s Wireless Subwoofer and Wireless Speakers.

One of the main features of the Roku Streambar is the ability to mute commercials that are too0 loud. You can also boost the volume of voices and optimize the sound for night listening.

The Roku Streambar connects to your TV via HDMI ARC or optical audio and features a Bluetooth receiver along with support for Spotify Connect. The device also comes with a USB port, allowing users to connect a portable hard drive and play content locally.

The Roku Streambar is available to preorder today for $129.99 and ships in mid-October.

Roku also announced a new software update to its operating system. The Roku OS 9.4 will start rolling out to devices in the coming weeks. According to Roku, the latest software update will provide users with new ways to access content quickly and feature a range of performance enhancements.

With the update, Roku users will be able to access the Live TV Channel Guide directly from their home screen. The update will also include support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit later this year. Additionally, Roku OS 9.4 will provide users with helpful hints for voice commands and the ability to adjust surround level control for multi-channel audio.

Finally, a new mobile app for iOS and Android has been introduced. The app will offer users free content on the Roku Channel in the U.S and if you prefer your Roku home screen to have a little style, there are updated Theme Packs that will make it easy to customize.

Meizu stops Android 10 development for Meizu X8 and Note 8; cites severe system instability

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Sep 28, 2020

Android 11 is already here but there are still a large number of devices yet to even get updated to Android 10. Among these devices are the Meizu X8 and Meizu Note 8 smartphones. Today, Meizu announced it is ceasing the development of an Android 10 update for the two phones.

The Meizu X8 and Meizu Note 8 were announced in 2018 as part of Meizu’s mid-range lineup. They ran Android 8 Oreo out of the box and a few months ago, Meizu announced the phones will get an Android 10 update. Today, it released a statement saying the two phones will no longer get updated due to the numerous problems encountered during development.

According to Meizu, the Android 10 development has resulted in multiple issues such as IMEI and baseband loss, Bluetooth failure, fingerprint scanner failure, and system instability for the two phones. Apparently, they have tried but couldn’t find a fix to all the issues. After deliberation, they decided to cease development. The official statement includes an apology to users of both devices.

Meizu says it has begun rolling out a new stable update (Flyme 8.1.5.0A) to beta testers to fix these issues and return them back to working conditions. It also said that both phones will continue to receive Flyme system updates and application updates.

Sony Xperia 5 II lands in Taiwan for NT$ 29,990 (~$1030 USD)

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Sep 28, 2020

Sony has launched the flagship Xperia 5 II in Taiwan. This coming just over a week after the company announced the smartphone for the global market. In Taiwan, it will retail for 29,990 New Taiwan Dollars (~$1030). This is quite higher than the price it is expected to be sold in the US which is $950.

The Xperia 5 Ⅱ emerges as Sony’s first device with 120Hz refresh rate but when compared to the Xperia 1 II, the resolution is reduced to FHD+. The Xperia 5 Ⅱ sports a 6.1-inch OLED HDR display and is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor paired with 8GB of RAM while there is 256GB of storage onboard. The phone packs a 4000mAh battery and has an IP68 dustproof and waterproof rating.

For photography, the Xperia 5 II features a triple camera setup, comprising of a 12MP f/1.7 primary sensor, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, and another 12MP f/2.4 telephoto lens. The phone is capable of shooting 4K HDR videos at 120fps, which can also be played back at 5x slow motion at 24fps.

It is worth noting that the China version of the Xperia 5 Ⅱ will be released on October 15 and is expected to be priced between 6000-7000 yuan.

Huawei P Smart 2021 vs Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

-

Sep 28, 2020

The ban did not stop Huawei from releasing affordable phones for the global market. The company just came up with the new Huawei P Smart 2021, but is Huawei still competitive in the affordable segment? There is no better way to understand it than comparing it with other potential best-sellers of this year offering amazing specifications at very affordable prices. For this comparison with P Smart 2021, we chose the Redmi Note 9 and the Realme 7. Is Huawei still able to release something as interesting as the latest Xiaomi and Realme budget phones? Let’s find it out together.

Huawei P Smart 2021 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7

	Xiaomi Redmi Note 9	Huawei P Smart 2021	Oppo Realme 7
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm, 199 grams	165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm, 206 grams	162.3 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm, 197 grams
DISPLAY	6.53 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 395 ppi, IPS LCD	6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 395 ppi, IPS LCD	6.5 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 405 ppi, IPS LCD
PROCESSOR	MediaTek Helio G85, octa-core 2 GHz	Huawei Hisilicon Kirin 710A, octa-core 2 GHz	MediaTek Helio G95, octa-core 2.05 GHz
MEMORY	3 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot	4 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD slot	6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot
SOFTWARE	Android 10, MIUI	Android 10, EMUI	Android 10, Realme UI
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS
CAMERA	Quad 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.2, f/2.4 and f/2.4 13 MP f/2.3 front camera	Quad 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.4, f/2.4 and f/2.4 8 MP f/2.0 front camera	Quad 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.3, f/2.4 and f/2.4 16 MP f/2.1 front camera
BATTERY	5020 mAh, fast charging 18W	5000 mAh, fast charging 22.5W	5000 mAh, fast charging 30W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Dual SIM slot, water-repellent, reverse charging	Dual SIM slot	Dual SIM slot

Design

Due to its huge camera module including a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, the Redmi Note 9 is not brilliant if we talk about the aesthetics. With their rectangle-shaped camera modules and side-mounted fingerprint readers, Huawei P Smart 2021 and Realme 7 are definitely more attractive. Realme 7 is actually the most beautiful one because of its color variants and more compact dimensions, despite not everyone may like it since it comes with a smaller display.

Display

The winner of the display comparison is the Realme 7 for a simple reason: it provides a higher 90 Hz refresh rate. For the rest, the display specifications are more or less the same as its rivals. Realme 7, Redmi Note 9, and Huawei P Smart 2021 are equipped with 1080p displays, but the Huawei P Smart 2021 has a wider 6.67-inch panel, while Redmi Note 9 and Realme 7 stop at 6.5 and 6.53 inches, respectively. Besides getting a higher 90 Hz refresh rate, with the Realme 7 you also get a higher 480 nits brightness.

Specs & Software

Realme 7 wins even when it comes to the hardware department. It is powered by a stronger Helio P95 chipset by MediaTek, which is naturally better than the Helio G85 found on the Redmi Note 9 and more powerful than the Kirin 710A found on the Huawei P Smart 2021. Besides packing a better chipset, Realme 7 has a higher-end memory configuration with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.1 internal storage. There is no challenge: Realme 7 is way better under every point of view. Further, note that the Huawei P Smart 2021 does not have Google services installed: they were replaced by Huawei Mobile Services due to the U.S. ban.

Camera

Realme 7 actually comes with a better main camera than Redmi Note 9 and Huawei P Smart 2021 on its rear camera setup. We are talking about a Sony sensor with a 64 MP resolution and f/1.8 focal aperture. Just for this reason, Realme 7 is a better camera phone. The secondary sensors are similar to the ones of its opponents, including the 8 MP ultrawide camera and a pair of 2 MP lenses for macro and depth info. Even the front camera is actually better with its 16 MP resolution.

Battery

Realme 7 and P Smart 2021 pack a 5000 mAh battery, while Redmi Note 9 has a 5020 mAh unit. Realme 7 has an inferior battery life because it comes with a 90 Hz display which is more energy-demanding. Redmi Note 9 should last more thanks to its standard refresh rate and smaller display than Huawei P Smart 2021. On the other hand, Realme 7 features a faster charging technology with a 30W power.

Price

Redmi Note 9 is priced less than €200/$230 globally, Huawei P Smart 2021 costs €230/$270, and Realme 7 starts from €174/$203 in India and it is still not available globally. Realme 7 wins this comparison thanks to a higher refresh rate, better chipset, and cameras.

Read More: Redmi Note 9 vs Note 9S vs Note 9 Pro (Global): Specs Comparison

Huawei P Smart 2021 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7: PROs and CONS

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

PROs

Very affordable
IR blaster
Water-repellent
Reverse charging

CONS

Uglier design

Huawei P Smart 2021

PROs

Affordable
Nice design
Side-mounted fingerprint reader

CONS

No GMS

Oppo Realme 7

PROs

Faster charging
Best cameras
Great hardware
90 Hz display
Side-mounted fingerprint reader

CONS

Limited availability

Mi Smart Speaker

Mi Athleisure Shoes

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Mi Smart LED Bulb

Mi Automatic Soap Dispenser

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OPPO A93 specifications (Rumored)

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Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve specifications and features

Editor’s Pick: Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro likely to debut in mid-October in India

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 specifications and features

Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve and Mi Band 5 pricing and availability

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UP NEXT: Two new Galaxy M Smartphones reportedly in development, may launch before 2020 ends

UP NEXT: Google to make it easier to use third-party App Store on Android 12

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UP NEXT: Apple set to send out the first shipment of iPhone 12 models to distributors

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Editor’s Pick: Tipster: Xiaomi Mi 10T series will launch as Redmi smartphones in China

Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10 Pro 5G specifications

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OnePlus 8T specifications (Rumored)

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Roku Ultra 2020

Roku Streambar

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Huawei P Smart 2021 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7

Design

Display

Specs & Software

Camera

Battery

Price

Huawei P Smart 2021 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7: PROs and CONS