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Leak reveals POCO F2 Pro launch date is next week

The POCO F2 Pro is coming and its launch date has been revealed in a leak posted on Twitter today.

Poco F2 Pro

According to a tweet by Sudhanshu Ambhore, the POCO F2 Pro will be announced on May 12, in Madrid Spain. The launch will be online and will begin at 14:00 (Spanish Time).

The POCO F2 Pro has been reported to be a rebadged Redmi K30 Pro thus it will have a Snapdragon 865 processor powering it and a 6.67-inch AMOLED display panel devoid of a notch or punch hole. It also won’t have a high refresh rate but will have HDR10+ support.

Other features are a 64MP quad-camera setup, a motorized 20MP selfie camera, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a 4700mAh battery capacity with support for 33W fast charge. It also has NFC, an IR blaster, an audio jack, and runs Android 10.

A price leak from a few days ago says the POCO F2 Pro will have a starting price of €649 for the 6+128GB version and €749 for the 8+128GB version. That sure isn’t the pricing POCO fans are used to but take it with a pinch of salt until the launch next week Tuesday.

 

(Source)

AnTuTu Top 10 Best-performing Flagship phones (April 2020): Still a Snapdragon 865 affair

Mobile phone benchmarking outfit AnTuTu has released its Android mobile phone performance ranking for April 2020. The top 10 flagship models are still Snapdragon 865-powered smartphones only. However, there are a few new models that moved up the ladder compared to the previous month (March).

With the release of another wave of Snapdragon 865 models, new changes have taken place in the top 10 flagship list for April. The iQOO Neo 3 and OPPO Ace 2 entered the top 10 rankings and edged the Xiaomi Mi 10 and Black Shark 3 Out of the list.

OPPO Find X2 Pro still occupies the number one spot and for the second month running with an average score of 607147 points. The Find X2 moved into the second spot, edging the Mi 10 Pro. The Find X2 rise in ranking may be related to the further improvement of stability after the firmware update.Xiaomi Mi 10 5G_Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G

At the third spot, is the new entrant – iQOO Neo3 while the Mi 10 Pro is now ranked at the fourth spot.  The 5th-10th places are occupied by the OPPO Ace 2, Redmi K30 Pro, iQOO 3, Realme X50 Pro, Vivo NEX 3S, and Black Shark 3 Pro in that order.

Antutu noted that smartphones with a higher screen refresh rate (90/120Hz or higher) and faster flash memory (UFS 3.1 or UFS 3.0 with Turbo Write enabled) will perform better than smartphones without these upgrades even though they both run on the same mobile platform. Also, software optimisation is still another important aspect which perhaps explains why the Blackshark 3 Pro is at the bottom of the ladder despite packing a powerful hardware configuration including a heat dissipation system.

 

 

Grab Selpic S1 and S1 Plus premium handheld printers at discounted prices of $159 and $191

Like smartphones, printers are also getting smarter and portable with the ongoing advancements in technology. The printers have evolved from big roller boxes to small and compact sizes with the ability to print on any surface. The new handheld printers are the most sought after gadgets these days with the ability to print anywhere, portability, and many other reasons. A prominent name in the handheld printer industry – Selpic is offering a massive discount on Selpic S1 and Sepic S1 Plus to celebrate the Mother’s day.

Must See: Xiaomi launches the MIJIA Inkjet Printer priced at 999 yuan ($141)

Selpic S1 is a premium handheld printer that can easily print text, graphic, photos, QR codes, barcodes, and other graphic media on different surfaces like paper glass, metal, textile, and human skin. The portability and ease of use are some of its primary advantages over traditional printers. The user can slide in on any compatible surfaces at any desired angle.

Selpic S1 enables seamless connectivity and ease of use via Wifi supported apps on both the iOS and Android platforms. It allows the user to customize the graphic and print without making any extra efforts. It is a productive tool to print any graffiti or wall art, a collage on the mug, can accomplish any sort of paperwork.

Selpic S1 Features

Large Ink Tank

Selpic S1 hosts a 40ml capacity ink tank which can print 900 A4 papers with a 5% ink coverage area. It is more than enough to print bright-colored graphics on any surface without worrying about any refill.

Longer Battery Life

Apart from the larger ink tank, the Selpic S1 can sustain for 6 hours of continuous working time and 72 hours of standby time per full charge. A single charge can sustain months if you hardly use the printer for a few minutes every day. Moreover, a single cartridge can print 900 A4 size pages without any issue.

selpic s1 printer

High-Quality Print

Selpic S1 supports high-quality prints if used in an accurate manner. It is equipped enough to print high-resolution bar codes and QR codes. The death of the print for large text and image blocks can be ensured by swiping multiple times over the area.

Intuitive User Interface of App

The intuitive and useful app interface further facilitates the ease of use while using Selpic S1. The user can easily edit the graphics by choosing between different fonts, layouts, sizes, and positions. It provides the ability to blend multiple images and text layers to develop beautiful art.

Portable and Lightweight

The Selpic S1 measures 119.2 x 46.99 x 109.88mm and weighs over 270 grams that make it freely portable and lightweight. It is convenient to use and can be a useful companion.

Price and Discount

Selpic S1 usually retails for $199.99 and S1 Plus for $239.99 but the company is offering a limited-time discount on the occasion of Mother’s Day. The interested user can use coupon code ilovemom during checkout to grab Selpic S1 for $159.99 and S1 Plus for $191.99. You can learn more about the printer by heading to the official Selphic store.

Related: Creality CR-10 V2 3D Printer launches with several new enhancements

Xiaomi’s MIJIA Electric Scooter 1S now on reservation on Jingdong

Xiaomi’s MIJIA brand launched the MIJIA ELectric Scooter 1S in April. The e-scooter is now set to go on sale for the first time as the scooter has now been listed on Jingdong (JD.com) for reservation. The Mijia Scooter 1S adopts a cheap 1,999 yuan ($232) price tag and from the reservation page, we can understand that the scooter will go on its first sale in about two days time (8th May). MIJIA Electric Scooter 1S

The MIJIA Electric Scooter 1S seems to be a remodelled Mijia M365 scooter which made waves when it was first released in 2017. The scooter has always been a cheap and reliable way to execute the daily commute in crowded urban cities. MIJIA Electric Scooter 1S

However, this model sees several upgrades and new features. The new features include a new interactive visual dashboard which notifies the users of a self-diagnosed problem with the scooter. The display also display the speed, driving status, battery life and other important information in real-time.MIJIA Electric Scooter 1S

The MIJIA e-scooter 1s retains the sturdy minimalist build of its predecessors, manufactured from aviation-grade aluminium alloy body and a total weight of just 12.5 kilograms. Notably, it is capable of carrying loads up to 100kg. There is a latch at the end of the handlebar which makes it foldable in just seconds. MIJIA Electric Scooter 1S

It packs a DC motor rated for a service life of 3,000 hours with a 250W power rating and a maximum output of 500W. The scooter can reach speeds up to 25km/h and has a mileage of up to 30 kilometres in a single full charge. The mileage can extend depending on how careful you use the scooter. There are three modes; an energy-saving mode which is automatically activated when the battery goes below 40%. there is also a normal mode and an adjustable sports mode.MIJIA Electric Scooter 1S

The scooter uses 8.5-inch pneumatic tires at the front and back. It also adopts a disc brake system on both ends with ABS system.

We have no idea when the e-scoter will be available outside China but we expect it to be available online soon via the popular Chinese e-tailers like GearBest, ALiExpress, Geekbuying etc.

 

(source)

 

LG Velvet official price tag revealed; costs over $700!

LG’s upcoming mid-range phone has been in the news a lot lately, thanks to LG’s refusal to keep a sealed lip on the features and specifications of the device. Now the manufacturer has revealed the price of the phone which is known as LG Velvet.

LG VELVET

The LG Velvet is an upper mid-range 5G phone that is the first to adopt a new design. The Snapdragon 765-powered smartphone will sell for a whopping KRW 899,800 (~$735/₹55,745)!

That sure is pretty expensive for an upper mid-range phone but the LG Velvet is practically a flagship with an upper mid-range chipset. There are a number of flagships released this year that sell for around the same price and even lower.

LG has included an “attractive offer” for buyers in its home country. LG says it will sell the device for half its price if the buyer agrees to return the phone after 24 months to purchase another LG device.

The LG Velvet will pack a 6.8-inch curved Cinema FullVision display with a waterdrop notch and support for HDR10. It has stereo speakers, 48MP triple rear cameras, and a 16MP selfie camera. The Snapdragon 765 processor is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage It also has an IP68 rating, NFC, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a 4300mAh battery with support for wireless charging and Quick Charge 4+.

It remains to be seen if the aforementioned specifications will convince buyers to overlook the processor and shell out such an amount for the LG Velvet. However, we think it would be more convincing to buy if the phone actually shipped with the LG Dual Display accessory and stylus but those have to be purchased separately.

 

(Source)

Xiaomi teases to launch Mi TV Stick alongside Mi 10 in India

Xiaomi will be launching the Mi 10 in India online on Friday the May 8th. At the same event, the company also confirmed to launch true wireless earbuds, a rebranded Mi AirDots Pro 2. Today, the company revealed to announce one more product, which will turn any TV into a smart TV. Going by the teaser, it will be either Mi Box or Mi TV Stick.

Xiaomi is currently the top smart TV company in India. The brand sells various models of televisions in the country under Mi branding. However, it is yet to debut Mi Box in the region, which is popular in Cina as well as in some western countries where it is officially sold.

The last international version of Mi Box, the Mi Box S was launched in late 2018. It was only recently updated to Android TV Pie. But since it is over one and a half years old now, we don’t expect the company to launch it in India.

Because Xiaomi is India’s largest market outside China and this region is mostly first to get new products. Also, some products debut first in the region like the recently launched Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9 Pro Max.

Hence, the teased product could be Mi TV Stick, which was leaked earlier by a well-known tipster Sudhanshu on Twitter. According to his tweet, this IOT or ecosystem product will be launching this month in Europe. But before that, Indians might get the first dibs on it.

Anyway, this is just a speculation and we will know exactly what this product is on May 8.

 

(Via)

Get $100 Off Xiaomi Mi 10 5G On Giztop

The hotly-anticipated Mi 10 series was unveiled via an online-only event in China in Feb. this year. The recently-unveiled line comprises the Mi 10 and the Mi 10 Pro premium flagship phones.Xiaomi Mi 10 5G Smartphone

With Xiaomi leaving no stone unturned in a bid to make an impression in the premium category segment, the aforesaid devices have been integrated with top-notch specifications and a slew of high-end features. On the downside, the Mi 10, as well as its Pro sibling seems to adopt the same design elements with similar-looking display and four rear cameras.

Multiple color and storage options of the 5G-ready Xiaomi Mi 10 has gone up for sale bearing considerably lowered prices through Giztop. Available in black, gold, and Ice Blue color options, the 8GB RAM+128GB ROM model would normally set you back $699, but you can now purchase it for only $599 from the popular Chinese e-tailer.

The other 8GB RAM model that offers slightly larger 256GB of onboard storage capacity usually retails for $729, but much to the relief of those on a tight budget, it is currently up for grabs for only $629 on Giztop. This variant is also available in three color options including black, gold, and Ice Blue.Xiaomi Mi 10 5GIf you fancy having more power and storage space on your phone, you might want to check out the 12GB RAM+256GB ROM model which would normally set you back $759. If you purchase the aforesaid model through Giztop, you can save $100, meaning, you can get your hands on this model for only $659.

An absolute steal at this price, the Xiaomi Mi 10 5G sports a mammoth 6.67-inch Curved AMOLED punch-hole display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It packs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G Octa-core processor, coupled with a highly competent Adreno 650 GPU under the hood.xiaomi mi 10In the optics department, the 5G-enabled Mi 10 houses a 108MP, a 13MP, and a coupled of 2MP cameras at the back. Upfront, it features a 20MP AI camera for selfies and video calling. The phone runs MIUI 11 based on Android 10 OS and is backed by a 4780mAh battery that supports fast 30W wired charging, 30W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.

To know more about the Xiaomi Mi 10 5G phone and take advantage of the discount, simply follow this link without wasting time.

The Gizmochina Coupons is a community that finds, reports, and evaluates deals and coupons of Chinese products from online shops. Please visit it here to find more coupons to save money on mobiles and smart gadgets.

Xiaomi Mi 10 5G

Amazon India introduces ‘Prime Gaming’ for free in-game content on selected mobile titles

Amazon India has introduced ‘Prime Gaming’ aka ‘Gaming with Prime’ fo its customers in India. Users can avail free in-game content on selected mobile titles. The games will be refreshed frequently with new rewards. The service is already live for Prime users in the country.

Amazon Logo Dark

Amazon Prime subscription in India is the cheapest than any other region. However, that comes with certain caveats as there are few titles to watch on Prime Video compared to the US and the UK. Nevertheless, it is value for money as the subscription also includes free fast delivery, Prime Reading on Amazon Kindle and ad-free Amazon Music for only ₹999 ($13) annually or ₹129 ($2) a month.

In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, the firm has now announced ‘Gaming with Prime’ (Prime Gaming). This gives users access to free in-game content on popular mobile games. The list of eligible games will be refreshed frequently along with rewards.

The current list of mobile games in which Prime users can avail benefits is as listed below.

  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
  • World Cricket Championship 2
  • Black Desert Mobile
  • Words With Friends 2
  • Mafia City
  • The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross.

Steps for availing free in-game content on games participating in Amazon Prime Gaming

  • Download and install the game with Prim Gaming offer.
  • Open the game and look for ‘Login with Amazon’.
  • Sign in to your Amazon Prime account.
  • Click on ‘Allow’ when prompted.
  • Finally. tap on ‘Claim’ to get free in-game content.

Recently, Amazon, Flipkart and other e-commerce platforms have resumed selling smartphones in India after a month of hiatus due to lockdown issued by the government.

 

(Via)

Oneplus 8 Pro Is Now Available For Just $829 On Giztop [Coupon]

Last month, OnePlus unveiled the hotly-anticipated OnePlus 8 series of smartphones during an online event. The recently introduced line comprises the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro smartphones.

As expected, the two handsets became instant hits among OnePlus fans; however, those on a tight budget had been unable to get their hands on the devices due to the steep price tags they carried. Much to the relief of these budget-conscious buyers, the Chinese phone maker is now giving them a chance to save a considerable amount of money.

OnePlus 8 Pro smartphone comes in 8GB RAM+128GB ROM variant and a slightly larger model that ships with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage space. While you’d normally expect them to set you back a pretty penny, OnePlus is offering on these models for lowered prices through one of China’s most reliable e-tailers, Giztop.

oneplus 8 pro

In addition to getting the aforesaid discount, we will show how Giztop users can save more money at the time of checking out. Available in black, as well as green color options, the 8GB RAM+128GB ROM model usually retails for $899, but you can purchase it for only $859 via Giztop.

As if that weren’t enough, you can save $30 more simply by applying coupon code GZMOP830 during the checkout process. The already lowered asking price of the phone reduces to just $829 after applying the aforesaid coupon code.

Likewise, the larger model that comes in black, blue, and green color options usually carries a $999 price tag but is currently up for grabs for just $959 on Giztop. If that doesn’t impress you much, all you need to do is to apply the above-mentioned coupon code and get an extra $30 off.

In other words, the OnePlus 8 Pro 12GB RAM+256GB ROM variant can now be yours for an unbeatable price of just $929. It is imperative for you to bear in mind that the coupon is likely to expire soon.

The OnePlus 8 Pro is an irresistible smartphone that sports an extra-large 6.78-inch Fluid AMOLED display with 2K 3168×1440 pixels resolution. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G 2.84GHz Octa-core processor and packs a highly competent Adreno 650 GPU under the hood.

Furthermore, the phone houses four rear cameras including two 48MP, an 8MP, and a 5MP camera. Upfront, it features a 16MP selfie camera. The smartphone runs OxygenOS 10 based on Android 10 OS while drawing its juices from a 4510mAh battery that supports 30W Qi Wireless Charging and 30T Warp Charge (5V/6A).

You can head straight to this link to check out more details about the OnePlus 8 Pro smartphone and take advantage of the coupon before it expires.

Huawei Y8s goes official with dual selfie cameras and Kirin 710

Huawei has unveiled a new smartphone called Huawei Y8s. The major highlight of the mid-range phone is that it comes with two front-facing cameras. The device is listed on the Huawei Jordan.

Huawei Y8s specifications

The Huawei Y8s has a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display that produces full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. It supports a tall aspect ratio of 19.5:9. In order to accommodate two front-facing cameras, the Huawei Y8s features a wide notch. The main shooter is of 8-megapixel with an aperture rating of f/2.0 and a depth assist lens of 2-megapixel with f/2.4 aperture.

The rear side of the phone is fitted with a dual camera system. It has a main camera of 48-megapixel with f/1.8 aperture. It is accompanied by a 2-megapixel depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture. The phone supports Super Night Shot mode for better photography in low-light conditions. A fingerprint scanner can be also found on the backside of the smartphone.

Huawei Y8s
Huawei Y8s

The Kirin 710 is at the helm of the Huawei Y8s. The base variant of the phone has 4 GB of RAM and it has an internal storage of 64 GB. The higher model has 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of built-in storage. A 4,000mAh battery is present inside the phone. It lacks support for fast charging.

The Android 9 Pie OS coupled with EMUI 9.1 UI comes preloaded on the Huawei Y8s. The usual connectivity features like dual-SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, microUSB and 3.5mm audio jack are available on the Huawei Y8s.

Huawei Y8s price and availability

Even though the Huawei Y8s phone is officially listed, there is no word on its pricing and availability. When available, consumers can purchase it in Emerald Green and Midnight Black color editions.

 

 

Nokia 9.3 spotted in a Concept video, sports SD865 and 5G networking

Nokia 9.3 has been spotted, but this time it’s in an unofficial concept video rather than a leak. The concept design of the device is heavily inspired by the Nokia Lumia series and was shared on YouTube by Concept Creator.

The video was shared by Concept Creator and was in collaboration with LetsGoDigital. According to the video, Nokia 9.3 is the upcoming flagship from the smartphone brand and will feature top notch specs. This includes Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 SoC and will support 5G network. Additionally, the Nokia 9.3 is showcased in three colors, namely White, Yellow and Black

According to Concept Creator, the video and the design of the Nokia 9.3 is heavily inspired by the Nokia Lumia series. For those unaware, it was Nokia’s Windows phone lineup that featured similar designs and the single solid color aesthetics. The video depicts a flagship handset with a 5 camera setup. The sensors are housed within a circular module and arranged in a diamond cross manner.

Nokia

On the left of the camera module, a triple LED flash can be observed while the module itself carries the Zeiss branding (a known lens and optics/optoelectronics provider). The rear panel is mostly baren except the Nokia branding in the middle. On the right of the smartphone, a power button is housed while the left features the volume rockers. Arriving at the front, the device is covered entirely by a display with minimal bezels on all sides. So it is unclear if a popup camera or under-display selfie shooter will be employed.

 

PUBG Mobile India Series is here again, with a Prize pool of 50 lakhs

Tencent Games and the PUBG Corp. has just announced that the second edition of the PUBG Mobile India series is here. The tournament series was a great success back in 2019 and the studio behind the massively popular battle royale game is bringing the flagship tournament back to India.“

PUBG Mobile India Series

The tournament is a big step in the Indian esports scene and brings with it a large prize pool of 50 lakhs INR (roughly 66,000 US Dollars). The official press release stated that the previous tournament brought in impressive online viewership, with 50 million viewers tuning in to watch their favorite esports athletes. As it stands right now, PUBG Mobile India is one of the most successful games in the country’s esports scene and is also one of the most popular games in the nation.

Registration and Format

The registration of the PUBG Mobile India series has opened up today (6th May 2020) and will go on till 17th May 2020. The tournament is open to all and participants need to clear in-game qualifiers to reach the Online Qualifiers. Every registered squad will be required to play 15 matches. In these matches, the 10 best games will be taken into consideration.

256 teams will compete in the online qualifiers out of which the top 248 teams will be decided through in-game qualifiers while the remaining 8 will receive direct invites. These teams will play 2 matches each and try to dominate the leaderboard to grab the top 3 spots in respective groups to reach the Quater Finals. In this stage, only 48 teams will make their way to Quarter Finals out of the 64 teams that clear the previous stage.

The Quarter Finals will also have 8 invited teams, which will be chosen from the Online Qualifier (like on the basis of top kills). This stage will have teams compete for the next 4 days to grab the top 32 spots for the upcoming semifinals. The Semi Finals is the stage where viewers will likely see favorite and established esports teams and new contenders as well, which will battle to reach the top 16 spots.

The Grand Finals is the stage that represents the highest skill tier of players and is also expected to have appearances from fresh young talents. The top 16 teams in the country will battle it out for 50 lakhs prize pool. This stage will go on for 3 days and will have intense battle royale action, with teams seeing a total of 18 matches before a winning team is crowned. So for those that think they got what it takes to win, go register through this link here.

 

Samsung sold 230,000 units of Galaxy Z Flip in March alone

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is the second clamshell foldable smartphone after Motorola razr. But the former is much popular although the latter has a recognized branding with a cult following. A new report also backs this claim by revealing the South Korean tech giant to have sold 230,000 units in March alone.

Galaxy Z Flip Mirror Gold

The whole smartphone market is stumbling due to COVID-19 global pandemic. Even Samsung itself has cut down its smartphone components orders by 50%. Amidst this, the company has somehow managed to sell 230,000 units of Galaxy Z Flip in March. That is a 56.1% month-on-month (MoM) sales increase from February.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S20 series sales declined by 35% YoY compared to Galaxy S10 series. This clearly implies people are willing to try cutting edge folding screen products than the same old boring rectangular slabs.

This has been possible due to durability ensured by Samsung by using UTG (Ultra Thin Glass). The first foldable from the company, the Galaxy Fold has various issues and also it costs way more than an average smartphone. But both these problems have been somewhat fixed with the Galaxy Z Flip.

Also, the latest foldable from Samsung has no major complaints from users so far unlike the ill-fated Galaxy S20 Ultra. This gives us more hope for the upcoming Galaxy Fold 2, which is expected to launch alongside Galaxy Note 20 series in the second of this year.

 

(Via)

Buy QCY T6 TWS Sport Bluetooth Earbuds for Just $38.99 From Giztop

If you are in the market for inexpensive, yet feature-rich TWS Bluetooth earbuds, you might want to check out the QCY T6.

QCY T6

The T6 adopts a non-slip hanging ear design which enhances the wearing experience. Moreover, they are small and can comfortably fit inside your ears and exclusively crafted for sports.

Each earbud weighs in at only 8.2g, which makes them a great choice for sports enthusiasts who fancy listening to their favorite soundtracks while running or working out. It is integrated with a built-in AAC/SBS audio decoding and 12mm large Dynamic Driver, which produces well-balanced sound output.

Aside from that, it supports pop-up pairing on Android phones. It also adopts the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology for a faster, more stable connectivity and considerably reduced game latency. It comes with a 600mAh charging dock that provides an impressive 30 hours of battery life, which single battery life of the earbud is over 6 hours.

QCY T6

Despite been loaded with high-end features, the QCY T6 will not burn a hole in your pocket. You can follow this link to purchase the newfangled TWS Bluetooth earbuds for only $38.99 from Giztop.

Xiaomi Japan issues apology after a Nuclear blast is seen in promotional video

Xiaomi had recently released a new promotional video for the launch of its Redmi Note 9 series in Japan. This video had showcased the lineups 30W fast charging rates, but unfortunately, the company depicted this in the form of a nuclear blast. Now, Xiaomi Japan has issued an official apology through Twitter.

Xiaomi

The Xiaomi advertisement commemorating the Redmi Note 9 series depicted various peculiar scenes. This includes a “fat man” flying into the sky after breaking through the rood with “Tokyo Asakusa” in the background. This is followed by a nuclear bomb explosion, which clearly misses the mark regarding what it intended to portray and the sentiments it ended up actually hurting.

For those unaware, the nuclear explosion dropped in Nagasaki, Japan during World War II was codenamed, “fat man.” This bomb was dropped from a white balloon. So, you can see regardless of intention, there are clear hints at the horrendous event that had taken place decades ago. Xiaomi Japan has since issued an official apology on Twitter stating, “We have posted a review of the latest product promotion video. We will work to prevent it from happening again in the future.”

Xiaomi

The official apology reads, “This latest product promotion for the overseas market contained ill-considered content and the video has been removed. Xiaomi respects users and cultures around the world, and we will be closer to our users when producing new products that promote them. We will do everything we can to prevent it from happening again in the future and to resolve the problem.”

 

Apple-backed NFC Forum adopts Wireless Charging Specs amidst rumors of iPhone wirelessly charging smaller devices

NFC Forum, which is an industry group that has been tasked to set global standards for near field communication technology, had recently announced that it was adopting a new Wireless Charging Specification (WLC). In layman’s term, its is a new standard that could enable smartphones to power smaller devices wirelessly through NFC.

Apple
Samsung Wireless Powershare utilizes Qi charging standard for bilateral wireless charging

From what we know, the WLC being adopted by NFC Forum uses a single antenna to carry both data communications and power transfer. Thus, it is only capable of providing power rated up to 1W with compatible devices. This may not sound like much but it is still enough for a quick power up for low powered IoT gadgets (Internet of Things). In other words, one would be able to charge smartwatches, wireless earbuds, and more through their smartphone.

Arriving at the interesting implication of this news, Apple is a sponsor group of the NFC Forum. This could potentially mean that the ‘bilateral’ wireless charging support could arrive in future iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. The latter two use low wattage due to the small internal battery cells, so, the iPhone may be able to charge such peripheral accessories in the near future.

Apple
Apple AirPods Pro

Unfortunately, this is still just a far out possibility. So far, none of the iPhone 12 leaks had pointed towards this feature while separate rumors had hinted at the technology. The Apple iPhone 12 series may feature bilateral wireless charging capabilities, but it will likely utilize the more commonly used Qi standards. This is currently used for existing iPhone chargers, AirPods, and AirPods Pro cases as well. So if Apple does decide to include this technology, it would have to revamp the internals and bring NFC technology to many of its existing product lineups.

 

(Via)

Joy UI 11 Android 10 update is now available for Black Shark 2 Pro

Black Shark, a Xiaomi-backed gaming smartphone maker launched its Black Shark 2 Pro smartphone last year with Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. It’s sibling, the standard Black Shark 2 was recently updated to Android 10 (Joy UI 11). Now, the Pro is also getting a similar treatment, albeit only a few users are receiving the update.

Black Shark 2 Pro Joy UI 11 Android 10 Update

Black Shark has scheduled an event for May 8 to launch Black Shark 3 and Black Shark 3 Pro globally. Ahead of it, the brand has started updating its predecessors to the latest software. The standard Black Shark 2 was updated last month and now the update is being rolled out to Black Shark 2 Pro as well.

However, not all the users are receiving the OTA weighing 1883.3MB. Like any other system update, it is being seeded out in a phased manner. Further, the new update apart from bringing Android 10 also brings new Joy UI 11

The new Joy UI 11 Android 10 update for Black Shark 2 Pro contains the following features.

  • Support for Mi Account and Mi Cloud
    • Find my Phone
    • Back up and Data sync
  • New file manager
  • Mi Share
  • Wireless Print
  • Cast
  • Improved system tools with richer functions
  • Natural Dynamic Sound System
  • Full screen gestures
  • New designed Shark Space 3.0
  • Professional Settings in Gamer Studio
  • Shark Arsenal for Easy Accessories Management

 

(Via)

China edges ahead in the 5G race due to Coronavirus Pandemic

With the Coronavirus outbreak raging across the globe, various economies and industries are facing severe issues due to the Pandemic. This includes the telecommunications industry and the rollout of the 5G network. However, it seems that the viral outbreak that had originated in China has helped the nation pull ahead in the 5G race.

China

Earlier this year, certain experts in the US had predicted that China will outrun the western nation in the so called “5G race.” The adoption rate of the newer and faster bandwidth has seen many hindrances to its rollout, especially considering that the nation has blacklisted Chinese companies like Huawei, which is a major telecom equipment provider and a pioneering figure in 5G networking.

At the moment, the global adoption of 5G has slowed down, but the Chinese government, on the other hand, has been raising the practical applications of technologies that utilize the new standard of networking. Since February 2020, various cities throughout China including the Sichuan Province were locked down to prevent the further spreading of the Coronavirus.

China
A 5G-enabled autonomous vehicle equipped with a camera films cherry blossoms inside the closed grounds of Wuhan University for a live-streaming event on March 17. (Image and Caption Via Reuters)

To combat the viral outbreak, China’s Government had employed unmanned drones that circled the skies. These drones broadcasted useful prevention measures and advise against the Coronavirus. They also served the purpose of spraying disinfectants and even conducted thermal imaging checks on the residents. All of this was built around the backbone infrastructure which is 5G, showcasing China’s increased utilization of the networking technology.

 

Xiaomi confirms Foxconn getting approval to resume manufacturing in India

India is currently under extended lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country. Amid this, there are uncertainties about letting smartphone makers open factories to resume manufacturing process.

But there are some good news for Xiaomi. Muralikrishnan B, Chief Operating Officer, Xiaomi India has confirmed that Foxconn, the company’s contract manufacturer, has received approval to resume manufacturing at its Andhra Pradesh factory.

Xiaomi Logo

The company says that it is expecting its factories to operate at regular capacity by June in India. Xiaomi has already resumed smartphone sales in India through both offline and online channels and will cater to demand in green and orange zones.

For those who are unaware, Foxconn which is also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, along with another OEM Wistron, had to suspend operations at their manufacturing plants as per the government guidelines during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The development is a major relief for Xiaomi given that almost all of its smartphones sold in India are manufactured locally. Muralikrishnan claims that nearly 99 percent of Xiaomi smartphones sold in India are made in the country.

While Foxconn’s facility at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh has received the approval, there’s no news about the company’s other facility in Sriperumbudur, Chennai. Foxconn’s Chennai unit is also manufacturing the iPhone XR smartphone.

Wistron and other ecosystem companies in Karnataka have also received approval from state authorities to resume production. However, companies such as Dixon, Samsung, OPPO and Lava with factories in the Noida Noida region and Tamil Nadu continue to be in limbo owing to lack of clarity on starting operations.

 

Microsoft Surface Go 2 images and specs leaked prior to official launch

Microsoft is gearing up for the launch of the Surface Book 3 alongside which the Surface Go 2 was also expected to arrive. The latter is expected to feature refreshed specs and will replace the existing Microsoft Surface Go. While there had been plenty of rumors circulating online, but now, a new report has revealed certain images and specs regarding the upcoming tablet just prior to its launch.

Microsoft

According to a report from WinFuture, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 will have the same design as the original Surface Go, but will feature a slight bigger 10.5 inch display. Furthermore, the physical dimensions of the tablet have remained unchanged, which makes it compatible with existing Surface Go covers that one may own or are available in the market.

Arriving at the display itself, Microsoft has bumped up the resolution to FHD (1920 x 1080p) and made the bezels narrower. The Surface Go 2 will arrive in two variants that will house different specs under the hood. One variant will feature the Intel Gold 4425Y processor while the other houses the Intel Core m3-8100Y chipset. The company is also reportedly adding 4G LTE support on the affordable Surface Go 2 variant and will also bring WiFi 6 support as well.

Microsoft

In terms of memory, the Surface Go 2 with the Pentium SoC will feature 4GB of RAM and 64B of internal storage. This variant will be priced at 459 EUR (roughly 496 US Dollars). The higher end version with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage will be sold for 629 EUR (roughly 680 US Dollars). A 256GB storage version is also claimed to be an option and, unfortunately, the pricing details for the Core m3 model is currently unknown.

 

(Via,Source)