Realme launches Buds Air Pro TWS and Buds Wireless Pro in India

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Oct 7, 2020

Realme has just launched two of its new audio products in India. The new hearables include the Buds Air Pro TWS (truly wireless) and Buds Wireless Pro, with both earphones supporting Active Noise Cancelation (ANC).

Realme Buds Air Pro TWS

The Realme Buds Air Pro TWS is the company’s latest high end audio product. It features two microphones that enable its active noise cancelation feature with a maximum noise reduction of 35dB. It is powered by the company’s S1 noise cancellation chip and offers a stable connection with low power consumption. The device also features a low latency mode (94ms) for gaming and has a battery life of 25 hours.

Furthermore, it sports 10mm drivers with supports for ACC high-quality audio, which is a high compression ratio encoding algorithm with high music fidelity. It also features advanced Dynamic Bass Boost (DBB), has an IPX4 certification for water resistance, and offers touch controls as well. The TWS earbuds are currently available on Flipkart and Realme.com for a price of 4,999 INR (roughly 68 US Dollars) and arrive in Yellow and Green Color options.

Realme Buds Wireless Pro

The Realme Buds Wireless Pro is the second audio product launched by the Chinese company. It is a wireless earphone that features a neckband design. The neckband earphones sport a 13.6mm drivers, which is 21 percent larger than its previous generation while it also offers Sony LDAC Hi-Res Audio support for an improved audio experience.

The Buds Wireless Pro also features the Super Low Latency mode that offers a 119ms response time. Its earphones also house a magnetic instant connect feature with Google Fast Pair. However, in terms of battery life, the earphones can last for up to 22 hours without ANC being active and up to 16 hours with ANC enabled. It is priced at 3,999 INR (roughly 54 US Dollars) and will be available through the same online portals as the aforementioned Buds Air Pro.

Samsung patents hideaway hinge with LED indicators for foldables

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Oct 7, 2020

Samsung is the leading player in the foldable smartphone category. The latest foldable from the company is Galaxy Z Fold2. This device is also set to launch as a China-exclusive limited edition Galaxy W21. Ahead of it, a utility patent regarding LED indicators in foldables filed by the South Korean tech giant has been published.

Samsung filed a utility patent for a hideaway hinge with LED indicators with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in March using Galaxy Z Fold2 as a reference. However, this patent was only approved and published on October 1.

It was unearthed by none other than LetsGoDigital. The publication also created 3D renders showcasing the patent in action.

According to the documents, if this patent is ever utilized in a foldable smartphone, that device will come with a six LED module hidden inside its hinge. These red, blue, green and white lights will be covered by a translucent layer to diffuse their rays.

As per the patent, the above-mentioned four different-colored lights can be used to form more combinations. Talking about their use case, like most LED strip on smartphones, they are merely meant for notifications and aesthetics.

The Galaxy Z series of foldable phones are premium consumer products. These lights make them look fancy, which is not ideal for everyone. Hence, we don’t think Samsung to introduce this as a feature in its next foldable.

That doesn’t mean the company may never use it. As foldable devices become more durable and affordable in the future, the South Korean tech giant could implement it in a separate foldable gaming smartphone series.

Right now, all we can say is Samsung has patented this utility purely to secure this idea.

Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro launched along with special online deals till October 10 in Singapore

By

Sean

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Oct 7, 2020

Huawei has just launched the new Watch GT 2 Pro in Singapore along with the announcement of the 10.10 Deals, which is a special online sale for its products that started from 1st October 2020 and lasts till 10th October 2020.

Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro

While the Watch 2 Pro from the Chinese tech giant has been available in the UK for 299.99 Pounds Sterling (roughly 386 US Dollars), the company is now offering the product in Singapore, officially priced at 398 Singapore Dollars (roughly 292 US Dollars), alongside a special premium bundle worth 106 US Dollars which will be available till stocks last.

The new smartwatch offers various fitness tracking features and is the company’s latest high end smartwatch. It arrives with minor upgrades over the Huawei GT 2 that launched back in 2019, with a major inclusion this year being its support for wireless charging. The wearable will be available for purchase starting from 10th October 2020.

10.10 Deals

The 10.10 Deals is Huawei’s special online deals at the Lazada and Shopee from today till October 10. During this period, the company will offer flash sales with customers being able to save up to 440 US Dollars on Huawei devices, including smartphones and wearables at the store. On the weekend, from October 10-11th, the Huawei Concept Stores will also have in store deals for its audio and wearable devices. Furthermore, the company is also offering exclusive deals on its Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) from 5th October to 18th October 2020. This includes deals in the AppGallery, Mobile Cloud, Books, Themes, and Videos.

Realme SLED 4K TV and 100W soundbar announced in India for Rs 39,999 (~$545) and 6,999 (~$95)

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Oct 7, 2020

At the end of September, Realme unveiled the world’s first SLED 4K smart TV in China. Today, the Chinese firm held an exclusive launch event in India to announce the Realme 7 Pro SE, Realme 7i, and a couple of IoT products. The company also used the same platform to announce the first-ever SLED 4K Smart TV along with a 100W Soundbar for the Indian audience.

Realme SLED 4K smart TV specifications and features

The Realme SLED 4K smart TV has a 55-inch display panel that supports 108 percent NTSC ultra-wide color gamut. The TUV Rheinland certified screen can effectively reduce harmful blue light. According to Realme, most LED TVs including QLED use of a blue backlight which is turned to white, whereas he SLED technology RGB for the initial stage, which makes it possible to reduce the detrimental blue light and offer a better viewing experience with higher color purity.

The SLED TV offers a high screen-to-body ratio of 94.6 percent and its sports a 9.5mm super-slim metal frame. It is equipped with a metal stand. Realme is offering free wall mount for the buyers of the SLED 4K TV.

The SLED 4K TV is a certified Android TV which gives access to built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant. It comes with unlimited access to content on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Google Play. The SLED TV is fueled by a 64-bit quad-core processor by MediaTek. When it comes to connectivity, the smart TV offers features like 2.4GHz/5GHz WI-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, three HDMI ports, two USB ports, tuner, LAN, headphone out and COAX. The remote control that ships with the smart TV have dedicated buttons for Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Google Assistant.

Editor’s Pick: Realme 7i and Realme 7 Pro SE with sun-kissed leather back unveiled for Rs 11,999 (~$272) and Rs 19,999 (~$177)

Realme 100W Soundbar specifications and features

The Realme 100W Soundbar has a body that is made out of metal and skin-like material. It houses a 2.1 channel acoustic system that comprises of 60W full-range quad speakers and 40W subwoofer. This allows the soundbar to deliver clear and crisp mid and high-frequency sound output with a deep and punching bass. The device offers connectivity features like Bluetooth, AUX, ARC, COAX, OPT, and USB.

Realme SLED 4K Smart TV and 100W Soundbar pricing and availability in India

The Realme SLED 4K Smart TV which comes in a sole color of Black is priced at Rs 42,999 (~$586). However, during the first sale, it can be bought at a discounted price of Rs 39,999 (~$545). The pre-bookings for the SLED 4K Smart TV begin at 12 AM on Oct. 16 through Realme.com and Flipkart. SBI bank card users can take advantage of a 10 percent instant discount on the SLED 4K smart TV.

The Realme 100W Soundbar also comes in Black color and it costs Rs 6,999 (~$95). Amazon India, Flipkart, and Realme.com will carry out the first sales of the soundbar from 12 AM on Oct. 16.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon leaked in a new video, features ultra thin design

By

Sean

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Oct 7, 2020

Lenovo is apparently planning on launching a new laptop to boost its thin and light ultrabook portfolio. A recent video leak revealed the Yoga Slim 7i Carbon, which features an ultra thin design with the branding, “Whatever you have learned about laptops, unlearn them.”

According to a Neowin report, a Twitter leak from WalkingCat (@_h0x0d_) revealed that the laptop maker is launching a new ultrabook within its Yoga 7 series. While the Yoga 9 series is generally known for the premium high end models, the company is promising the new Yoga 7i Carbon to be “strikingly white”, “made of unyielding carbon”, “ultra-light”, “uncompromisingly durable”, “sleek”, and “with unmatched performance,” among other buzz words.

pic.twitter.com/NHix6HUXnP

— WalkingCat (@_h0x0d_) October 6, 2020

However, the teaser video leaked by WalkingCat shared no other details regarding the laptop. So, we do not have a lot of information to go on at the moment. Although, the laptop is likely to be a high end ultrabook, which would probably arrive with Intel’s latest 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors. But that is just speculation, so take this report with a pinch of salt. The only thing known about the laptop is its external design, ith dominant white accents. So, stay tuned for more updates, which are likely to arrive soon as a teaser video is indicative that Lenovo may soon unveil more details.

Realme 7i and Realme 7 Pro SE with sun-kissed leather back unveiled for Rs 11,999 (~$163) and Rs 19,999 (~$272)

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Oct 7, 2020

The big launch event that Realme held in India has marked the arrival of the Realme 7i smartphone in India. Alongside it, the company also announced the Realme 7 Pro SE (Special Edition) smartphone with the sun-kissed leather rear. The Realme 7i is a mid-range phone that comes with exciting features like a 90Hz refresh rate display, a 64-megapixel quad-camera system, and fast charging support. On the other side, the Realme 7 Pro SE comes with an attractive leather back.

Realme 7 Pro SE specifications and features

The Realme 7 Pro SE features a white-orange dual-tone rear that is made out of Vegan Multigrain Leather. The elegant and durable leather has a soft finish and it gives a premium look to the device. Its specs are identical to the Realme 7 Pro handset. Hence, the phone comes with a 6.4-inch S-AMOLED that supports full HD+ resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio, The Snapdragon 720G chipset fuels the smartphone along with up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 128GB of UFS 2.1 native storage.

The Realme 7 Pro SE’s rear-facing camera system has a Sony IMX682 64-megapixel main shooter, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens with f/1.8 aperture, a 2-megapixel macro camera with a focal length of 4cm, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The smartphone runs on Android 10 OS and Realme UI. The device is backed by a 4,500mAh battery and it comes with 65W SuperDart fast charging technology

Realme 7i specifications and features

The Realme 7i is a mid-range smartphone with polycarbonate construction. It flaunts a slightly large 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen. The punch-hole display produces 720 x 1600 pixels HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 662 chipset fuels the device and it has a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. It ships with 4 GB / 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 64 GB / 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage.

Realme 7i in Fusion Blue and Fusion Green colors

The Realme 7 has a Sony IMX471 16-megapixel selfie shooter. Its back panel has a 64-megapixel (Samsung GW1) + 8-megapixel (119-degree ultrawide) + 2-megapixel (macro) + 2-megapixel (depth) quad-camera system.

The Realme 7i has a rear-facing fingerprint scanner. It has a microSD card slot for additional storage, and it is loaded with Realme UI based Android 10 OS. The phone is equipped with support dual SIM, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth, GPS, USB-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Realme 7i and Realme 7 Pro SE pricing and availability in India

The Realme 7 Pro SE comes in 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variants. It is priced at Rs 19,999 (~$272) and Rs 21,999 (~$300), respectively.

The Realme 7i has come to India in two options. The 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage version of the smartphone is priced at Rs 11,999 (~$163). The higher 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage edition costs Rs 12,999 (~$177). The Realme 7i comes in two color variants like Fusion Blue and Fusion Green.

Customers who wish to purchase the Realme 7i and Realme 7 Pro SE smartphones can catch hold of the first sale at 12 AM on Oct. 16 through Flipkart and Realme.com.

Google Chrome mobile app will check if saved passwords have been compromised

By

Jeet

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Oct 7, 2020

Google has revealed several security-related features coming in Chrome 86, enhancing the security and usefulness of the Chrome mobile app. One of the highlights includes improved password security for Android as well as iOS application.

The feature has the capability of spotting compromised passwords within the list of saved passwords on Chrome, and then offer users advice on how to fix them. It will crosscheck saved credentials against a list of credentials that are known to be compromised.

For those who are concerned about privacy and security, the company says that usernames and passwords are sent to the company in a special form of encryption so that the company cannot get hold of the data.

If Chrome spots a compromised password, it will offer users an option to directly go to the “change password” form of the associated service or platform.

EDITOR’S PICK: Instagram expands shopping service support to IGTV and Reels

Another feature is Safety Check, which enables the manual check of compromised passwords, the status of Safe Browsing mode, and the version of the current Chrome app with details about the latest security protections.

For those who are using Chrome on iOS devices, it will now allow users to autofill saved login credentials into other apps and browsers. Users can also enable biometric authentication prompt before Chrome fills passwords, as an improved security feature.

Google will also rollout Enhanced Safe Browsing feature for Android users in which users will be able to choose to be proactively protected against phishing, malware, and other dangerous sites by sharing real-time data with the company’s Safe Browsing service.

Redmi SonicBass Wireless Earphones & Redmi Earbuds 2C debut in India

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Oct 7, 2020

At the Redmi Beat Drop virtual event, the sub-brand of Xiaomi launched two new audio products for India – Redmi SonicBass Wireless Earphones and Redmi Earbuds 2C. The former made its global debut last month in Nepal and the latter is nothing but a rebranded Redmi AirDots 2 that was unveiled in the month of July in China.

Redmi SonicBass Wireless Earphones Specifications & Features

The Redmi SonicBass Wireless Earphones are the first the pair of neckband-style audio product from the brand. Also, it happens to be first earphones from the company to offer dual pairing support so that users can switch between two devices at ease.

It comes with 9.2mm drivers and dual-mic for ENC(Environmental Noise Cancellation). Further, the neckband is flexible, the buds are magnetic and the product as a whole weighs only 21.2g. As a bonus, it is also IPX4-certified for splash and sweat resistance.

Like any other neckband earphones in the market, this model also comes with an inline remote control to power on/off, accept/decline calls, play/pause music, mute/unmute calls, launch voice assistant, switch to phone during calls, and switch between two calls.

The Redmi SonicBass Wireless Earphones uses Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity with a maximum range of 10m and supports HFP, A2DP, HSP, and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles. The brand claims it to offer up to 12-hour battery life from its 0.44Whr battery that charges via MicroUSB port.

Last but not least, buyers can pick it up in either Black or Blue color variant.

Redmi Earbuds 2C Specifications & Features

The newly launched Redmi Earbuds 2C is the second true wireless earphones from the brand for India. As we mentioned in the beginning, it is a rebadged Redmi AirDots 2 that debuted in the first half of 2020 in China. What’s more interesting it is identical to the previous model – Redmi Earbuds S (Redmi AirDots S) but still costs less.

Therefore, it features the same 7.2mm drivers and the old school buttons on either bud to play/pause music, accept/decline calls, access voice assistant, mute/unmute during calls, switch between two calls, and switch from earbuds to the device.

Just like the other model, it comes only in black color and is IPX4-certified was splash and sweat resistance. The buds weigh 4.1g each and house a 43mAh battery inside them to provide a maximum playback time of 4 hours. Whereas, with the charging case(300mAh) that charges via MicroUSB port, users can get up to 12-hour battery life, as per the brand.

Lastly, the Redmi Earbuds 2C connects with devices via Bluetooth 5.0 with a maximum range of 10m.

Redmi SonicBass Wireless Earphones/Redmi EarBuds 2C Price and Availability

The newly launched Redmi audio products in India can be yours for the following introductory prices.

Redmi SonicBass Wireless Earphones – ₹999 ($14)
Redmi Earbuds 2C – ₹1,299 ($18)

Both of them will be available to buy starting today (October 7) at 2PM from Mi.com and Mi Home. Further, the neckband can also be bought from Flipkart while the TWS is an Amazon India exclusive.

These two products should also make their way to partnter retail outlets in the coming days.

Global Online Music Streaming market growth slows in Q2 2020

By

Sean

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Oct 7, 2020

The global online music streaming revenues have declined 2 percent quarter on quarter but grew by 13 percent over last year at 6.7 billion US Dollars. The fall in music streaming arrives after the sudden surge that occurred earlier this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to a Counterpoint Research report, the paid subscriptions for online music streaming grew by 29 percent year on year over 35 percent in the previous quarter. Research Analyst Abhilash Kumar stated that “The growth slowed down in the second quarter and, for the first time, the revenues declined sequentially. There are a couple of reasons for the same. Also, the advertisement revenues saw a dip since many companies opted to cut expenditure in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, podcasts related to different genres were able to keep people glued, offsetting some of the decline.”

In terms of overall monthly active users, Tencent Music, along with its subsidiaries QQ Music, Kuwo, and Kugoi, led the charts in Q2 2020 with a 26 percent share, followed by Spotify and YouTube Music with 12 to 10 percent shares respectively. However, Spotify led the paid subscriptions numbers, with a 34 percent market share followed by Apple Music at 21 percent and Amazon Music at 15 percent.

For those unaware, while various nations, economies, and industries faced the impacts of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, the online streaming market remained unaffected. Rather, the industry saw a boom during this time in both paid subscribers and overall userbase as people stayed indoors. Although, this surge has already started to decline quarter on quarter and is expected to reach pre COVID-19 levels by Q4 2020.

Instagram expands shopping service support to IGTV and Reels

By

Jeet

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Oct 7, 2020

Social media platform Instagram has announced that the platform’s IGTV and Reels section is getting support for the Instagram Shopping Service. With this, users can now watch a video and then check out a product in a few steps.

This is not a surprising move given that e-commerce has been a part of the company’s growth strategy. The expansion of shopping services across the Instagram platform comes at a time when holiday season shopping is about to begin in the United States.

Commenting on this development, Instagram Chief Operating Officer Justin Osofsky said: “By bringing shopping to IGTV and Reels, we’re making it easy to shop directly from videos. And in turn, helping sellers share their story, reach customers, and make a living.”

EDITOR’S PICK: Indian government approves incentive plan for smartphone manufacturers to boost local production

In the year 2018, Instagram added a personalized Shopping channel in the Explore section, which was later expanded to Shopping tags to Stories. Last year, the company introduced another feature called Checkout, which enables users to directly transact within the app. Recently, the Shop section on Instagram has been redesigned and the service is powered by Facebook Pay.

Instagram saw the potential for shopping in this short-form video content market and it seems that Walmart is also seeing the potential in “social commerce” as it is acquiring a minor stake in TikTok along with Oracle.

While shopping features are now available for IGTV on the Instagram platform, the company says that Reels will get support for the feature “later this year” but as of now, there’s no specific timeline for it.

AOC announces 16T2 , a portable 15.6 inch display with 10 point touch recognition

By

Sean

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Oct 7, 2020

AOC has just announced a new portable touchscreen enabled monitor. The 16T2 arrives with USB Type C connectivity and sports a 15.6 inch display, which is similar to the standard size of laptops.

16T2 display panel features a Full HD resolution and it can be connected to a laptop, desktop, or even a server and smartphone through two USB Type C ports or a Micro HDMI port. Under the hood, an 8,000mAh battery pack powers the portable display that can be used on the go, without requiring a power connection and it can also double as a power bank for charging a smartphone.

Since it is built with portability in mind, AOC 16T2 is less than a centimeter thick and features a smart foldable cover that allows for both landscape and portrait orientations. Notably, it also supports VESA wall mount options, which also makes it a great tool for students, mobile games, IT administrators, small businesses, and more.

The 16T2 is set to launch sometime later this month of October 2020 and will be priced 279 Pounds Sterling (roughly 360 US Dollars). So, if you are a professional or casual mobile gamer or even someone who watches a movie on their smartphones, a monitor such as this can enhance your overall experience, and as the company puts it, “Sleek, talented, flexible – the best mobile companion for all.”

Global Smartphone Shipments to post double-digit growth in 2021: Digitimes Research

By

Jeet

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Oct 7, 2020

According to the latest report published by DigiTimes Research, global smartphone shipments are expected to witness double-digit growth in the year 2021 after three consecutive years of decline.

The report adds that shipment in the upcoming year could grow by 150 million units, mainly because of the acceleration of 5G operations in several regions, including the USA, Western Europe, and Japan.

It also estimates that the entry-level 5G smartphones, as well as 4G smartphones, will drive the demand in the emerging markets. The report adds that these devices are expected to reach over 1.5 billion units in 2023 and 1.7 billion units in 2025.

EDITOR’S PICK: HarmonyOS for smartphones could also be available for older models from the company

Further, the report goes on to claim that Samsung and Apple will secure the top positions in the year 2021 in terms of smartphone shipments. These companies will be followed by Chinese brands OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi. Huawei, which is currently the leading smartphone company in China, will slip to seventh position globally, as per the estimate.

Digitimes Research also expects global shipments of 5G smartphones to reach over 200 million units in 2020 and to expand to over 1.22 billion units in 2025.

Recently, Canalys predicted in its latest forecast report that in 2020, global 5G smartphone shipments will reach 278 million units. It also added that in 2020, smartphone shipments will drop by 10.7 percent compared to 2019, and it is expected to rebound in 2021, with a year-on-year growth of 9.9 percent.

OPPO A15 and OPPO A15s phones bag vital certifications

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Oct 7, 2020

The OPPO A15 is an upcoming entry-level smartphone from OPPO. Amazon recently began teasing its arrival in India. It appears that a couple of other Asian markets will also receive the OPPO A15 as it has been approved by certification bodies of Thailand and Indonesia.

Recently, an OPPO phone with model number CPH2185 was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It revealed a few details of the smartphone such as a 4,230mAh battery, 10W charging support, USB-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Apart from these details, the FCC documents also carried a schematic of the phone that revealed that it has a square-shaped camera module with three lenses and an LED flash inside it. It also revealed that the phone is flanked with a rear-facing fingerprint scanner.

After that, Amazon India released a teaser of the OPPO A15 phone in India. The poster shared by the retailer giant showcased the rear design of the smartphone. Since it resembled the CPH2185 phone, it was speculated that this device could be arriving in the Indian market as the OPPO A15.

Editor’s Pick: OPPO files a utility patent for clamshell foldable smartphone hinge

The rumor has now turned out to be true since Thailand’s NBTC certification (spotted by MySmartPrice) has revealed that the CPH2185 model number indeed belongs to the OPPO A15 phone. An Indonesian Telecom certification platform has also certified the OPPO A15. The handset heading to the European markets since it has also received EEC approval in the past.

Oppo A15s Appears On IMDA & EEC Certification. pic.twitter.com/e9r9iApY9Q

— Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) October 7, 2020

Shown above is a tweet from a leakster who has revealed the existence of another device called the OPPO A15s. The images shared shows that the OPPO A15s that has a CPH2179 model number has received approval from EEC and IMDA. There is no information on the specs of the OPPO A15s smartphone.

India approves incentive plan for smartphone manufacturers to boost local production

By

Jeet

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Oct 7, 2020

In order to boost domestic smartphone production, the Indian government has approved an incentive plan for 16 companies, which includes the likes of Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron, among others.

With this new incentive scheme worth $6.65 billion, India is hoping to become one of the export and manufacturing hubs for smartphones. This is a part of the country’s “Make in India” initiative that aims to promote domestic manufacturing.

The scheme offers a production-linked incentive involving cash worth 4 percent to 6 percent of additional sales of goods made locally over five years, and it is considering 2019-2020 as the base year.

As per the report, to be able to tap into the scheme, the companies need to make an investment. Interestingly, the Indian government has not disclosed what investment Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron have made.

EDITOR’S PICK: Huawei’s HarmonyOS for smartphones could also be available for older models from the company

However, Reuters reports, citing two people aware of the development, that all three companies are planning to invest around $900 million in total over the course of the next five years to get benefits of the incentive scheme.

Apart from these three companies — Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron, which are contract manufacturers of Apple, South Korean giant Samsung has also got approval. Notably, Samsung operates the world’s biggest smartphone manufacturing plant in India.

It is also confirmed that five Indian companies, including Micromax and Lava, has received approval. According to the statement from India’s tech ministry, the approved companies are expected to produce smartphones and components of more than 10.5 trillion rupees, which is approximately $143.05 billion.

HarmonyOS for smartphones could also be available for older models

By

Jeet

-

Oct 7, 2020

Last month, at the Huawei Developers Conference, the company officially unveiled the HarmonyOS 2.0 and also revealed its plan of using the newer version of the self-developed operating system on smartphones.

Now, a new report about the adaptation of HarmonyOS for Huawei and Honor smartphones based on the chipset has leaked online. It claims that the Kirin 9000 will be the first to get the update, which includes the upcoming Huawei Mate 40 lineup.

After that, the next in line to receive the new operating system is Kirin 990 5G that powers the Huawei Mate 30 series, P40 series, Mate Xs, Nove 6 5G, and Honor 30 series. However, not all of these devices are expected to get the update in the first rollout.

In the third batch, the HarmonyOS update will be rolled out to devices powered by the Kirin 990 4G, Kirin 985, and select devices of Kirin 820 SoC. In the fourth batch, all the remaining devices of the chipsets mentioned earlier as well as Kirin 980 will get the update. At last, phones powered by Kirin 810 and Kirin 710 will get the newer version of the OS.

EDITOR’S PICK: Upcoming smartphones in October 2020: Xiaomi, Huawei, OnePlus, and More!

Notably, the list doesn’t include devices powered by the Kirin 970 chipset, which includes the Huawei Mate 10 series, P20 series, and a few other devices. The list seems to confirm that the update will be available for older smartphone models as well.

Previously, the company had revealed that it plans to roll out a beta version of HarmonyOS 2.0 by December exclusively for developers. After initial testing, the software will be available for a few smartphones in Q1 2021.

Ulefone Armor X8 arrives as an entry-level rugged phone with Helio A25, 4GB RAM

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Oct 7, 2020

Rugged phone maker Ulefone has over the years garnered a towering reputation for the manufacture of dependable rugged smartphones. the company’s product lineup transcends the flagship line to the mid-range segment and even budget models. Ulefone Armor X8 is the brand’s latest offering which even though is a budget-friendly model, that doesn’t compromise on durability.

The Ulefone Armor X8 sports a 5.7-inch LCD screen with an HD+ resolution. The display is covered by a hardened glass but there are no details on its exact type. However, the display can be operated with gloves without any issues. The device is powered by a MediaTek Helio A25 backed by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. For photography, the Armor X8 packs a triple camera setup made up of a 13MP primary camera and two 2MP modules for macro shots and depth data. The phone runs on Android 10 and is powered by a 5,080 mAh battery.

On the physical side, the Armor X8’s casing is made from plastic and feature rubber gaskets for added water protection. It measures 160x79x13.8mm and weighs 256 grams. There’s a programmable key on the left-hand side for easy shortcut toggles as well as a headphone jack and rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

The phone comes with IP68/IP69K/MIL-STD-810G ratings and can withstand shock, drops, vibration and extreme temperatures. It can survive for 30 minutes when submerged in water at up to 1.5m levels and drops from 1.2 meters on hard ground.

Ulefone Armor X8 comes with a price tag of $180 though a limited time pre-sale promo gets it down to $160. The phone is available in black as well as a black model with an option with orange accents around the display and cameras.

Dell Slim Soundbar unveiled as the world’s slimmest and lightest soundbar

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Oct 7, 2020

U.S. PC giant Dell recently held a launch event where it announced a number of monitors under the UltraSharp and P-series. The company also unveiled the Slim Soundbar, its latest audio product which is designed as the perfect companion to some of the monitors.

The Dell Slim Soundbar comes with the model number SB521A. It has a built-in magnetic system that allows it to be attached directly to the underside of such a peripheral. The soundbar has a dimension of 298 mm x 18 mm x 24 mm (11.73 inches x 0.71 inches x 0.95 inches), weighing in at 114g.

The Slim Soundbar packs a 3.6W RMS speaker which delivers a wide frequency response range of 180Hz to 20kHz. It connects via USB type-A port which grants the soundbar a seamless plug-and-play interface with effective cable management for its compatible monitors. It is also intended to stay in place relative to these devices with a built-in security chain.

The Dell Slim Soundbar (SB521A) carries a price tag of $54.99 and is available right away globally.

ASUS ROG Strix XG32VC gaming monitor silently launched

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Oct 7, 2020

Taiwanese tech giant ASUS has silently launched the ROG Strix XG32VC gaming monitor on its official website. The monitor features a 32-inch panel with WQHD resolution. The price has not yet been announced but there are European retailers who have already listed the monitor, indicating that it would be sold for 569 Euro.

As a gaming monitor, the display has 1.0737 billion colors, a curvature of 1800R. It also provides a viewing angle of 178° horizontal/vertical. The panel supports up to 170Hz refresh rate and has a 1ms MPRT response time, a brightness of 400 cd/m2, and a contrast ratio of 3000:1. It has passed S DisplayHDR 400 certification. The panel also covers 125% of the sRGB color gamut and 90% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. The monitor is also DisplayHDR 400 cewrtified which means you’re getting real HDR performance.

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In other aspects, the monitor supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro synchronous refresh technology and can achieve -5° to 20° tilt, -25 to 25° rotation, 100mm height adjustment, etc., supports VESA 100 wall mounts, and supports various eye protection and gaming functions. It comes with HDMI 2.0 interface, DisplayPort1.2 interface, USB-C and a 3.5mm audio port.

The Teracube 2e is a $99 sustainable Android phone with a 4-year warranty

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Oct 7, 2020

When Apple and Google announced their new products last month, they mentioned how they are built from recycled materials such as recycled aluminum and recycled plastic. This is part of the goal to reduce waste. If you are looking for an affordable Android phone that is also made from recycled materials, then the Teracube 2e might be that device.

Teracube is an American company, and their new phone, the Teracube 2e is currently on crowdfunding on Indiegogo. The entry-level smartphone is DIY repairable (no glue, just screws), has a fully biodegradable case, a replaceable battery, and a 4-year warranty!

With respect to the specs, the Teracube 2e has a 6.1-inch HD+ display with a waterdrop notch. It is powered by the Helio A25 processor and has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. The selfie camera is an 8MP sensor while the back is home to a 13MP+8MP dual camera setup.

The phone has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, face unlock, dual SIM support, a dedicated MicroSD card slot, an audio jack, and a replaceable battery with a 4000mAh capacity. It also has Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, dual-band Wi-Fi, a USB-C port, and runs Android 10 out of the box.

Talking about the box, Teracube will not ship the phone with a charger, earphones, and cable. They have tagged them “redundant accessories” that “most users already have”. They also believe the smaller packaging, which is 50% smaller than that of other phones, reduces carbon emissions from shipping. The Indiegogo page says the packaging is made from recycled paper and printed using soy ink.

As with all crowdfunded items, the price varies. You can grab the super early bird deal for $99. There are only 8 units of that left, and if you are unlucky, the next price tag is $119. There is also a twin pack (2 units) early bird that is $199.

The 4-year warranty is no longer limited to the US and Canada. It is now available to those in France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Spain, and the UK.

Some Microsoft Surface Duo users have reported a cracked frame around the charging port

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Oct 6, 2020

When the Microsoft Surface Duo was announced, I remember seeing several tweets from those who got review units praising how thin the device is. Even when closed, the Surface Duo still manages to be thinner than a lot of other smartphones. It turns out that while the incredible thinness earned it praises, it was actually a demerit in the long run.

The news is that some users have noticed cracks in the plastic around the charging port of the Surface Duo. We know it is disappointing that the $1400 Surface Duo has a plastic frame! These cracks are said to have occurred while they tried to plug in the charger while others say it cracked when in their pockets. So far, no one has complained about a faulty USB port.

Surface Duo broken plastic — Image source: Reddit (foganime)

The cracks are happening because the plastic around the port is really thin. This problem would also have been avoided if the Surface Duo had a metal frame rather than a plastic one.

Some owners have suggested purchasing a magnetic charging cable whose head sits permanently and the port and thus doesn’t require the user to remove and reinsert just because they want to unplug or charge the device. If you own a Surface Duo and planning to go this route, we advise you to ensure you get a good cable that will not damage your device.

We hope Microsoft learns from this design mistake if and when it plans to launch a second-gen model of the Surface Duo.

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