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This Reusable box with an E Ink label may soon replace cardboard ones, up to 1000 uses

With the immense growth of e-commerce on a global scale, an awful lot of inventory and packaging are sent on one way trips. This results in a large amount of waste being gathered and resources being drained. But now, a startup by the name of LivingPackets has developed a reusable box that might replace the conventional cardboard boxes we see being used every day.

THE BOX

Interestingly, the reusable form of packaging has been dubbed THE BOX. And apart from its reusability, it also arrives with an integrated E Ink display, which seeks to replace traditional shipping labels. One of THE BOX’s main highlight feature is the fact that it can be used up to 1,000 times before needing a replacement.

LivingPacket THE BOX
LivingPacket’s THE BOX (with the E Ink Label)

To make THE BOX viable, LivingPackets also included the E Ink display which only consumes power when the label changes. Thus, it is also energy efficient, whilst also featuring environmental sensor to measure the temperature, humidity, and shocks. It can also connect to the internet allowing THE BOX to be tracked via an app.

Viability

According to LivingPackets, the production cost of the reusable box is around 100 times more than a conventional cardboard box. However, the company further added that it could actually savs customers (major e-commerce firms and rather any company with inventory) money in the longer run. Additionally, THE BOX even helps reduce CO2 emissions (Carbon Dioxide) and other wastes if it is reused properly.

LivingPacket THE BOX
LivingPacket’s THE BOX can be folded to take up less space when not in use, similar to a conventiona carboard box

LivingPackets with THE BOX is planning on developing an ecosystem through which it charges its customers for its services, not the reusable box itself. Customers can also send packages using a smartphone app by selecting a carrier and method of delivery. Thus, it would even enable delivery brands to save money with the reusable form of packaging.

 

(Via)

How to root and install TWRP on Redmi 8

Xiaomi smartphones always remain on the top list on several development forums. The overall active userbase and the development-friendly environment are some significant reasons behind active third-party development. TWRP – Team Win Recovery Project recently extended support for Redmi 8, and the users can now flash it by following the steps below.

redmi 8 twrp root

There are many advantages of using custom recovery like TWRP. It helps to interact with the system using a Graphical User Interface. Several other features of custom recovery include the installation of Custom ROMs, MODS, and Magisk. The user can perform the system-wide updates and can restore using the same interface.

What is Custom Recovery?

A custom recovery is a third-party recovery environment used to get the features that were limited while using stock recovery. It is an interface that helps the user to interact with the recovery environment. It carries some additional features to the stock Android recovery.

There is a wide variety of custom recoveries that are available for the Android system. However, TWRP, Philz, RedWolf, and OrangeFox are some prominent custom recoveries available for Android devices.

Advantages of Custom Recovery

  • Brings the ability to flash custom Recovery
  • Allows to root Android system with Magisk or SUperSu
  • Enables System Backup and Restore
  • Ability to flash third-party custom ROMs
  • Ability to Customize the system
  • Features an ability to flash custom MODs

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Specifications

Xiaomi launched the Redmi 8 last year in October featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chipset coupled with an Octa-Core processor and Adreno 505 GPU. The smartphone features a 6.22-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels having a 19:9 ratio. It is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 to protect from frequent falls. The display features 400 nits brightness and offers a ~81.8% screen-to-body ratio.

Redmi 8 runs Android 9.0 Pie atop MIUI 11. There are multiple storage variants including 3GB RAM + 32GB storage and 4GB RAM + 64GB internal storage. In optics, there’s a dual rear camera featuring a 12-megapixel primary camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. An 8-megapixel front camera is present for selfies and video calling. Both the front and the rear-camera support HDR feature while snapping pictures.

Unlike the high-end smartphones, Redmi 8 carries a 3.5mm audio jack. In Communication, there’s a WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, Infrared port, Radio, and USB 2.0 Type-C support. Redmi 8 hosts a 5000 mAh LiPo 18W fast-charging battery. It is available in four different colors, including Onyx Black, Ruby Red, and Sapphire Blue. A rear-mounted fingerprint is present for better authentication.

Note: Installing custom recovery may void your warranty. GizmoChina does not endorse in rooting or making any changes to your device. You may proceed to install the custom recovery at your own risk. If any damage to data or device happens, GizmoChina should not be held responsible.

Prerequisites:

  • Make sure to backup all important data.
  • Charge your device up to at least 50 %.
  • Download and Install ADB and Fastboot drivers on PC/MAC.
  • Download TWRP 3.3.1 from here and keep it into the extracted ADB and Fastboot Drivers folder.
  • Unlocked Bootloader is necessary for the TWRP installation.
  • Enable Developers Option by heading to the Settings > About Phone > Tap MIUI Version 7 times.
  • Enable USB Debugging Mode by heading to the Settings > Additional Settings > toggle USB Debugging option.

Steps to install TWRP on Redmi 8

  1. Make sure you have enabled the USB Debugging option by following the above steps.
  2. Now, extract the ADB and Fastboot Drivers into a folder on your PC.
  3. Then, Open CMD or Powershell window by pressing the Shift + Right Mouse Key in the same folder.
  4. Connect your device with the PC via a USB cable.
  5. Poweroff your device and proceed with the next instructions.
  6. Press and hold the Volume Up + Power button to boot into the fastboot mode.
    or
    Execute the following command and boot into bootloader/fastboot mode of Redmi Note 8 pro. (Note: A popup for permission to “Allow USB debugging” will come, tap OK.)

    adb reboot bootloader
  7. Execute the following command to flash the TWRP recovery on Redmi Note 8. Rename the image file to twrp.img and type
    fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
  8. If you want to root, then skip Step 9 and move to the Root section below.
  9. Now, reboot your smartphone and enjoy the custom TWRP recovery on Redmi 8.
    fastboot reboot
  10. That’s it! Now, you can enjoy the custom recovery.

The interested users can now root the device or can install custom MODs using the GUI interface of TWRP. Follow the steps below to get root access on Redmi 8.

Steps to Root Redmi 8

Rooting is the ultimate goal of installing a custom recovery on any device. Follow the instructions below to attain root privileges on Redmi 8.

  1. Download the latest Magisk zip and move it to the internal storage on the device.
  2. Boot into TWRP recovery by pressing Volume Down + Power button or execute the following command:
    adb reboot recovery
  3. Backup important data before proceeding further.
  4. Select “Install” from the TWRP and browse the Magisk.zip in internal storage.
  5. Confirm the flash by swiping action.
  6. Reboot System from TWRP recovery.
  7. Upon successfully boot, find the Magisk application or install the Magisk Application from third-party sources.
  8. Enjoy!!

You have successfully installed the TWRP and rooted Redmi 8 using the above guide. If you have any issues while following the above steps, then comment below for the solution.

 

Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite, Note 10 Lite prices in India leaked

Samsung is gearing up to bring the recently unveiled Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy Note 10 Lite to India. Both phones are now listed on the official website of Samsung India. Users can hit the Notify Me button on the listings for S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite to know more on the arrival of these smartphones. The company is yet to confirm the launch date for S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite. Fresh information has revealed the launch date and pricing of both smartphones in India.

Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite price in India

The Galaxy S10 Lite will be exclusively available through online platforms in India. Apart from Samsung’s site, it will be also available through Flipkart. IANS has stated that the S10 Lite will be priced Rs. 40,000 (~$559) and Rs. 45,000 (~$629). It is said to be available for purchase in the first week of February.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite price in India

Citing information acquired from retail sources, 91mobiles has claimed that the Galaxy Note 10 Lite will be available in two variants like 6 GB RAM and 8 GB RAM. Both versions will come with 128 GB of native storage. The publication has reported that the 6 GB and 8 GB RAM editions of the Note 10 Lite are respectively priced at Rs. 35,990 (~$503) and Rs. 39,990 (~$559).

Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite

Reliable tipster Ishan Agarwal has claimed that the Galaxy Note 10 Lite will be announced in India on Jan. 25. The S10 Lite could be also unveiled in the country alongside the Note 10 Lite. The new Note series phone is also expected to release in India in the first week of the next month. It is expected to be available on both online and offline channels.

Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite specifications

The Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite are fitted with S-AMOLED Infinity-O displays of 6.7 inches. Both phones have front cameras of 32-megapixel. They are backed by 4,500mAh batteries with fast charging support. The S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite come in 6 GB / 8 GB RAM editions and they are equipped with 128 GB internal storage and microSD card slot for additional storage. These phones also feature in-screen fingerprint sensors.

The Galaxy S10 Lite is powered by Snapdragon 855 mobile platform. It has a 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 5-megapixel triple rear cameras whereas the Note 10 Lite possesses 12-megapixel triple lenses. The Exynos 9810 chipset from 2018 powers the Note 10 Lite.

 

 

 

 

Satechi reveals 108W dual USB-C Desktop Charger

Satechi, the brand known for selling electronic accessories, revealed its 108 watt Pro USB-C PD desktop charger, on Wednesday (8th January 2020). The new desktop charger can power up mulitple gadget at the same time without sharing power between the ports.

Specifications and Features

The 108 watt Pro USB-C PD can charge up to 4 devices simutaenously through its two USB-C ports (90W and 18W) and two USB-A ports (12W total). Notably, the new Satechi desktop charger is even capable of charging Apple’s new 16 inch MacBook Pro which is officially rated at 96 watts, whilst Satechi’s latest power adapter only outputs 90 watts.

Satechi
Satechi’s 108 watt Pro USB-C PD desktop charger is capable of charging multiple electronic devices like Smartphones and laptops at the same time

Furthermore, the 108 watt charger supports a voltage range between 100 to 240 volts. The adapter was designed to be used in work environments and also whilst on the move, providing a single charging solution for multiple electronic devices like smartphones and laptops.

According to official Satechi notes, extra care was placed on protection since it is built with heat resistant materials to prevent damages caused by overheating and is made to be durable.

Satechi
The new Satechi charger can charge up to 4 devices, via its dual USB Type-C ports and dua USB Type-A ports

Price and Availability

The 108 watt desktop charger is currently available for 80 US Dollars which is roughly 556 Yuan. For those interested, the product can be purchased directly from Satechi’s official website online.

 

 

Buy Amazfit T-Rex for $139.99 from Giztop

Amazfit was tipped to unveil its much-awaited Amazfit T-Rex smartwatch at CES, and the Huami-owned smartwatch maker didn’t let us down.

Amazfit T-Rex

Housed in a sturdy frame, the Amazfit T-Rex is a rugged smartwatch that has been put through a series of 12 military-standard (MIL-STD-810G) quality tests. Aside from being able to withstand intense heat and cold, the smartwatch is corrosion and moisture resistant as well.

The Amazfit T-Rex has passed through 96-hour acid-alkali and 240-hour damp heat tests. Furthermore, it offers cold resistance of minus 40℃ and resistance to severe heat of 70℃. The smartwatch sports a 1.3-inch AMOLED screen that boasts an ‘always on display’ function.

The screen offers a high resolution of 360 x 360 and has a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 layer on top for added protection, especially from accidental scratches. Moreover, it has been outfitted with useful sensors including the Ambient Light Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, and 3-Axis Acceleration Sensor.

It comes with an optical heart rate monitor (PPG). In terms of connectivity, the Amazfit T-Rex offers GPS + GLONASS and Bluetooth 5.0 LE. On top of that, the smartwatch is compatible with Android 5.0 devices or later and iOS 10.0 or later.

amazfit t-rex smart watchA great choice for sports enthusiasts, the smartwatch offers 14 sports modes and adopts 5ATM water-resistant design, keeping it safe from unexpected water splashes. Moreover, its BioTracker PPG optical sensor monitors the wearer’s heart rate all day for accurate and instant heart rate alerts.

The smartwatch is backed by a 390mAh battery which lasts about 20 days on a single charge. You can now get your hands on the Amazfit T-Rex for $139.99 through Giztop by following this link. The Chinese e-tailer is currently offering the black color option only.

More Deals and Coupons

Samsung Galaxy smartphones vulnerable, Hackers could Blackmail Celebrities: Report

According to a new report, celebrities that include A-list actors, idols and other famous individuals are susceptible to blackmail by malicious hackers. The danger to the widely known men and women stems from a vulnerability found in Samsung‘s flagship Galaxy series of smartphones.

Reportedly, hackers can gain access to any celebrities’ handset, which gives them access to private messages. images, videos and much more. Once they acquire sensitive data regarding those popular groups, the data can be held for ransom. In other words, hackers that intend to do harm can access personal data from celebrities and demand money in return.

Samsung
South Korean Celebrities in possession of Samsung Galaxy smartphones are potentially at risk of having their data leaked

Not complying with the illegal hackers could mean that the criminals upload their data for the public to see. This would be extremely harmful to a famous individual’s career and livelihood. South Korea is a country filled with many idols, K-Pop stars, actors and others, so a big scandalous leak could mean the downfall for many such people.

As per reporting South Korean journalists, the hackers that have targetted celebrities all have one thing on common that pointed at the method through which data was leaked. It is that they were all in possession of a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Unfortunately, no official confirmation from the brand has been made regarding the solidity of these reports.

Notably, many are drawing the comparison to the dilemma faced by Hollywood celebrities which faced a similar hacking issue but with Apple iPhones. Thus, many are also drawing conclusions regarding the integrity of many popular cloud storage systems like iCloud, rather than the smartphones themselves.

 

(Source)

Realme 5i launched in India for Rs. 8,999 (~$126) and Realme fitness band teased

Update: The Realme 5i official listing also mentions 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage model. However, it wasn’t mentioned by Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth at launch.

Original story continues…

Last week, Realme unveiled the Realme 5i smartphone in Vietnam. Realme India today held an unveil event in the country to announce the same phone for the Indian audience. With a price tag of Rs. 8,999, the handset is priced lower than the Realme 5 that had gone official in the country in August last year. The Realme 5i resembles with the older Realme 5 smartphone. However, the only two major differences between the two devices is that the Realme 5i has a downgraded front and does not feature a diamond-cut patterned rear like the Realme 5.

Realme 5i price in India

The Realme 5i has arrived in India in 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage edition with a pricing of Rs. 8,999 (~$126). Forest Green and Aqua Blue are the two color variants of the smartphone. The first sale of the smartphone will be held on Jan. 15 at 12PM (local time). The smartphone will be exclusively available for purchase through Flipkart and Realme’s India online store.

In comparison, the Realme 5 with base model 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage is selling with the same price of Rs. 8,999 (~$126) in India.

 

Realme 5i

Realme 5i specifications

The Realme 5i is equipped with an IPS LCD display with mini dewdrop notch. The rear shell panel of the smartphone features a polished polycarbonate rear with an anti-fingerprint coating.

The 6.52-inch screen delivers 720 x 1600 pixels HD+ resolution and an aspect ratio of 20:9. The phone promises a screen-to-body ratio of 89 percent. The Snapdragon 665 mobile platform is present under the hood of the device along with 4 GB of LPDDR4x RAM. The phone ships with an internal storage of up to 64 GB. For additional storage, there is a dedicated microSD card slot on the device.

The ColorOS 6.1 based Android 9 Pie OS comes preloaded on the device. The phone is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that promises 30-day standby time. The phone supports reverse charging but lacks support for fast charging.

The rear side of the Realme 5i features a quad camera setup includes a 12-megapixel main lens with f/1.8 aperture, a 119-degree 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, a 2-megapixel macro lens. It comes with support for Super Night Scape 2.0, EIS for video shooting and slow-motion video recording. The handset has a front camera of 8-megapixel. In comparison, the Realme 5 is equipped with a 13-megapixel selfie camera.

At the end of the Realme 5i launch, the Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth teased the arrival of a yellow colored Realme fitness band. Nothing is known on the specs and features of the company’s first smart band. As Sheth had revealed earlier, the Realme fitness band is expected to launch in the first half of this year.

 

 

 

Redmi 8 Phantom Red edition is now available for purchase in China

The Redmi 8 has been available in three color variants since its launch in October last year. Starting from today, the Chinese firm has started selling a fourth color variant called Phantom Red for Redmi 8 buyers in the home market. The new color option is available only for the 4 GB RAM + 64 GB edition of the smartphone.

The Redmi 8 Phantom Red color variant will be selling alongside other options like Fairy Green, Sapphire Blue and Carbon Ash. The new color edition is available as Ruby Red in other markets like India. The Redmi 8 Phantom Red 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage is priced at 799 Yuan (~$115).

Redmi 8 Phantom Red
Redmi 8 Phantom Red

The 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage edition of the Redmi 8 is priced at 699 Yuan (~$100). This variant is available in other color editions except for Phantom Red.

Redmi 8 Specifications and Features

The Redmi 8 has a 6.22-inch IPS LCD display with waterdrop notch. The 19:9 aspect ratio producing screen delivers HD+ resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels. The Snapdragon 439 mobile platform drives the smartphone. The phone ships with MIUI 11 based Android 9 Pie OS.

The rear side of the Redmi 8 has a dual camera setup. It has a Sony IMX363 12-megapixel primary shooter and a depth assist lens of 2-megapixel. For shooting selfies, the phone posses an 8-megapixel lens. There is a 5,000mAh battery inside the smartphone that offers support for 18W fast charging through USB-C. The back panel of the smartphone is fitted with a fingerprint scanner below the dual camera module.

Apart from introducing the Redmi 8 Phantom Red edition, the Chinese firm has also started selling the Twilight Orange color option for Redmi Note 8 Pro in the home market. The new color models are available for only two variants of the Note 8 Pro such as 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage. These models are respectively priced at 1,399 Yuan (~$201) and 1,599 Yuan (~$230).

 

 

 

Huawei MatePod moniker trademarked; Could it debut with P40, P40 Pro?

In 2018, Huawei had launched FreeLace wireless headset alongside the Huawei P30 and P30 Pro flagship phones. In September, the company unveiled the Mate 30 series and it also announced the FreeBuds wireless earbuds as a rival product for Apple AirPods. The Chinese firm has trademarked the “MatePod” moniker with European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). It seems like the company has a trademarked the new for its new earbuds that may go official with the P40 and P40 Pro phones.

The trademark for MatePod was filed with EUIPO on Jan. 6. The same name was also trademarked with Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in the U.K on the same date. The product category in which the MatePod has been classified includes headsets; earphones; speakers; computer hardware; tablet; smartphones; handheld digital electronic devices capable of providing access to the internet and for sending, receiving, and failing telephone calls, electronic mail, and other digital data ‘.

The MatePod sounds quite similar to Huawei’s Android tablet lineup – MatePad. Probably, the Chinese manufacture could be planning to replace the FreeLace / FreeBuds names with MatePod. It is just being speculated that the new MatePod headset may debut alongside the P40 series of flagship phones that are expected to go official in March. There is a possibility that the MatePod may break cover later this year along with the Mate 40 series smartphones.

In related news, a reliable tipster had claimed Huawei is planning to launch three flagship phones with P40 branding. These include standard, pro and lite. The leakster also claimed that there could be a Porsche Design edition or Max variant too. While the rumor mill has leaked details on the P40 and P40 Pro models, past reports have claimed that the P40 Lite could be a midranger and a rebranded version of the Huawei Nova 6 SE. However, the tipster has claimed that the lite model is also a flagship phone. Hopefully, more details on the specs of the third member of P40 family will be revealed in the coming days.

Huawei P40 Pro

A recently seen render of the P40 Pro revealed that it has a dual-edge curved display with a punch-hole at its top-left corner for the dual front-facing cameras. The size of the display could be 6.5 or 6.7 inches. The back panel of the phone a rectangle-shaped camera module. It comprises of five cameras along with LED flash. It is speculated that the rear camera system includes such as a wide-angle lens, a cine lens, a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor, a periscope lens with 10x optical zoom support and a fifth lens that could be a telephoto sensor with up to 9x optical or ultrawide lens. The P40 and P40 Pro will be equipped with Kirin 990 5G chipset and Android 10 OS.

 

 

 

(source)

Samsung and Huawei increases usage of their own chipset in smartphones

In a bid to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers, leading smartphone makers like Samsung and Huawei have ramped up usage of their own chipsets for products. According to IHS Markit, this is causing a major shift in the market.

The report shows that both Samsung and Huawei have expanded their in-house chipset shipments by more than 30 percent in Q3 2019 compared to the same period last year. In line with this, the share of Qualcomm fell by 16.1 percent during the same time.

Samsung Exynos 990 featured
Samsung Exynos 990 SoC

Further, it has been revealed that South Korean giant Samsung used its own Exynos processor in about 80.4 percent on its mid-range smartphones in Q3 2019, up from 64.2 percent in 2018. Overall, the Exynos chipset were found in 61.4 percent of smartphones coming from Samsung during the same quarter.

On the other hand, Huawei used its own Kirin lineup of processors in 74.6 percent of the smartphones that the company shipped in the third quarter of 2019. This represents an increase from 68.7 percent one year earlier, according to IHS.

This is a major shift for the Chinese giant which previously used its Kirin chipsets mainly on flagship smartphones. However, it is now expanding the usage of its own Kirin processor for mid-range devices as well.

Kirin 1000
Huawei’s Kirin SoC

The report from IHS adds that Qualcomm’s portion of Huawei shipments decreased to 8.6 percent in the third quarter of 2019, down from 24 percent in the third quarter of 2018. On the other hand, MediaTek increased its share of Huawei phones, rising to 16.7 percent in the third quarter, up from 7.3 percent a year earlier.

However, at the same time, both Qualcomm and MediaTek are fighting fiercely to maintain and grow their market share. With the likes of Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo being the major customers of Qualcomm and MediaTek, the competition between these two chipmakers is heating up.

Qualcomm retained the highest share in the global mobile processor market in the third quarter of 2019 with a 31 percent share, followed by MediaTek at 21 percent. Samsung’s Exynos and Huawei’s Kirin recorded 16 percent and 14 percent market share, respectively.

(Via)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G key specs appear through Android Enterprise listing

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G is inching towards its launch in South Korea. The tablet had bagged necessary certifications at the end of the last month. Now the tablet has been spotted on the database of Android Enterprise. It appears that the flagship tablet will soon go official in the home market.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G Android Enterprise listing

The Android Enterprise listing of the Galaxy Tab S6 5G carries its SM-T866N model number. The listing reveals that the tablet has a 10.5-inch display. The device includes 6 GB of RAM and it has a native storage of 128 GB. The tablet is loaded with Android 9 Pie OS which will be overlaid with Samsung’s One UI skin.

Samung Galaxy Tab S6 5g
Samung Galaxy Tab S6 5g

The aforementioned specs of the Galaxy Tab S6 5G are exact match with its 4G LTE / Wi-Fi edition. It could be also available in higher edition featuring 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of built-in storage. The promotions of the tablet have started in South Korea and its support page has also gone live on the official website. Samsung had recently confirmed that the Galaxy Tab S6 5G will be made official in the first quarter this year. It will be going official as the world’s first tablet with 5G support.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 specifications

The 4G LTE / Wi-Fi edition of the Galaxy Tab S6 houses a 10.5-inch S-AMOLED display that is integrated with a fingerprint scanner. It is the first tablet with HDR10+ compliant display. The screen of the device offers 1600 x 2560 pixels quad HD resolution and a tall aspect ratio of 16:10. The Snapdragon 855 mobile platform is present under the hood of the device. It comes in 6 GB / 8 GB RAM choices and 128 GB / 256 GB storage options.

The Galaxy Tab S6 features a dual camera setup on its back. It has a main lens of 13-megapixel and a 5-megapixel secondary senor. It houses a big battery of 7,040mAh capacity that is coupled with 15W fast charging. The tablet is equipped with AKG tuned quad speakers. The device carries support for S Pen stylus.

The 128 GB and 256 GB Galaxy Tab S6 are respectively priced at $649 and $729 in the U.S. Its color options are Cloud Blue, Rose Blush, and Mountain Gray.

 

 

 

 

 

OnePlus announces its Screen Technology event on January 13

Chinese premium smartphone maker OnePlus has sent out media invites for an event on 13th January which the company has named “OnePlus 2020 Screen Technology Communication Meeting.”

The brand has not yet revealed what to expect in this meeting, which will be held on 13th January at 14:00 local time in Shenzhen B.PARK bloom garden.

However, going by the name of the event, it seems that the company will be revealing information about the latest screen or display technology that the company plans to use in its upcoming flagship smartphones.

OnePlus 2020 Screen Technology Event

If that turns out to be true, then we expect the company to showcase its 120Hz refresh rate screen for the upcoming smartphone given that the OnePlus 7T series phones come with 90Hz refresh rate.

There are lots of major developments happening when it comes to smartphone displays — from in-display fingerprint sensors to in-display camera modules to higher refresh rate. What OnePlus plans to talk about at this event still remains under the wraps.

OnePlus Concept One
OnePlus Concept One

The news about the screen technology meeting from the company comes just days after OnePlus showcased its OnePlus Concept One smartphone at the on-going CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

The phone features a vertical triple camera system that is neatly tucked under an electrochromic glass. When a current is applied, the glass can swiftly change from opaque to transparent. This special type of glass is used for sunroofs of some luxury cars, airplane windows and also for buildings where it used as a walls and windows.

In this smartphone, when the camera is turned on, the three sensors become instantly visible. When the camera app is closed, the triple cameras again become invisible. The company claims that it takes only 0.7 seconds for the glass to transition from transparent to opaque or vice versa.

 

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro rugged smartphone is official; Specifications and price

Samsung has discreetly unveiled the Galaxy XCover Pro smartphone in Finland. The confirmation has come through an official press release. Like the predecessor models, the Galaxy XCover Pro is a rugged smartphone. Unlike the older models that came with thicker bezels, the XCover Pro features the latest punch-hole screen that is surrounded by slimmer bezels. Also, the other attractive features of the smartphone include dual rear cameras and a large-sized battery with fast charging support.

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro specifications

The Galaxy XCover Pro has 165.2 x 76.5 x 9.94 mm and it weighs 217 grams. It is an IP69 and MIL-STD-810G certified rugged smartphone that is built to withstand harsh climatic conditions and damage from water, dust, impacts and shocks. The XCover Pro features a TFT panel of 6.3 inches. The punch-hole screen supports 1080 x 2400 pixels. The display can be operated with wet hands and gloves.

The Exynos 9611 chipset along with 4 GB of RAM powers the Galaxy XCover Pro. The native storage of the device is 64 GB and there is an external storage slot that supports up to 512 GB of microSD card. It has a 4,050mAh battery that carries support for 15W fast charging. The battery is removable.

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro
Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

The rear shell of the smartphone has an LED assisted and autofocus enabled dual camera system that comprises of a 25-megapixel primary shooter and an ultrawide lens of 8-megapixel. The punch-hole on the display is the home for its 13-megapixel selfie camera.

The Android 9 Pie OS comes preloaded on the Galaxy XCover Pro. It is overlaid with the company’s One UI customs skin. The smartphone possesses two programmable buttons which can be used for switching on / off the flashlight or sending text messages by talking (Push to Talk). Samsung promises utmost security on the device through its Knox security system. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor is also available on the device.

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro price and release date

The Galaxy XCover Pro comes in Black color only. It is priced at 499 euros (~$555) and its sales will commence on Jan. 31 in Finland. There is no word on the availability of the smartphone in other markets.

Share us your thoughts on the specs and pricing of the Galaxy XCover Pro by posting your comments below.

 

 

 

(source)

Redmi Note 8 Pro Twilight Orange goes on sale in China

Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi’s highly anticipated Redmi Note 8 series went official in China in August last year. The launch of Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone made it the world’s first to come with 64-megapixel primary camera sensor.

Recently, the company introduced a new color option for the Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone — Twilight Orange. This is in addition to existing colors that include Fritillaria White, Ice Emerald (Green) and Light Gray.

Redmi Note 8 Pro Twilight Orange

Today, the Redmi Note 8 Pro Twilight Orange color option will be available for purchase in the Chinese market at 10:00 AM local time. This new color model comes in two variants — 6GB RAM + 128GB storage for 1,399 yuan (~$201) and 8GB RAM + 128GB storage for 1,599 yuan (~$230).

Coming to the specifications, the smartphone comes with an IP52 splash resistant body and is equipped with a 6.53-inch IPS LCD display with waterdrop notch. It supports Full HD+ screen resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The TUV Rheinland certification for the display ensures that it filters the harmful blue rays.

There’s a MediaTek Helio G90T processor which fuels the smartphone. It is packed with 6GB and 8GB of RAM, depending on the variant you choose and comes in two storage options — 64GB and 128GB. There’s also a dedicated microSD card slot that enables you to further expand the storage capacity on the device.

The quad-camera setup on the back includes an f/1.7 aperture 64-megapixel ISOCELL Bright GW1 as primary lens, an ultrawide lens of 8-megapixel, a 2-megapixel macro lens with 2cm focal length and a depth sensor of 2-megapixel. There’s also a 20-megapixel front-facing camera for taking selfies, housed inside the notch on top of the display.

The smartphone runs Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box with MIUI 10 which comes with enhanced gaming experience, thanks to the Game Turbo 2.0 and HyperEngine by MediaTek. The device is powered by a 4,500mAh battery that carries support for 18W rapid charging technology.

 

Realme X50 5G smartphone to again go on sale in China today

A couple of days ago, Realme launched its first 5G smartphone in its home country China — Realme X50 5G, which went on sale the very same day. The company then announced that all the units put on sale were sold out, without revealing the numbers.

Now, the company is all set to host another sale of the Realme X50 5G smartphone in China today. If you didn’t get your hands on the smartphone in the first sale, then you can try again today at 10:00 AM local time in China.

Realme X50 5G Sale Poster

The smartphone costs 2,499 yuan (~$360) for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model and 2,699 yuan (~$388) for the 6GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. The top-end model with 12GB RAM + 256GB storage costs 2,999 yuan (~$432). The phone comes in two color options — Polar White and Glacier Blue.

As for the specifications, the Realme X50 5G features a 6.57-inch IPS LCD display with 120Hz refresh rate, an aspect ratio of 20:9, and Full HD+ screen resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, along with a screen-to-body ratio of 90.4 percent.

Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G mobile platform that includes Adreno 620 graphics, fifth generation AI processing engine and dual-mode 5G. It supports n1, n41, n78 and 79 5G frequency bands of China.

The company also reveals that the phone can not only connect two dual Wi-Fi connections but also with 5G networks simultaneously for stable and uninterrupted web connection. The five-dimensional ice-cooled heat dissipation system that includes a double layer of graphite sheet, liquid cooled copper pipe, thermal gel, thermal silicon pad, copper foil thermal array and more layers graphite sheet ensures that the phone remains cool.

Coming to the camera setup, the device comes equipped with a dual-camera setup on the front side, housed inside the pill-shared cutout on the display. It includes Sony IMX471 primary lens coupled with an 8-megapixel super-wide sensor.

Realme X50 5G

On the back side, the smartphone features a quad-camera setup that includes an f/1.8 aperture Samsung GW1 64-megapixel main lens, an f/2.3 aperture 8-megapixel ultrawide lens with 119-degree field-of-view, an f/2.5 aperture 12-megapixel telephoto lens and an f/2.4 aperture 2-megapixel macro lens with a focal length of 4cm.

As for the connectivity options, the phone supports dual-SIM slot with microSD support, dual frequency GPS, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C. The smartphone lacks a 3.5mm audio jack. It also has features like side-mounted fingerprint reader, 1216 super linear speaker Dolby Sound and Hi Res audio support.

The smartphone is running Android 10 operating system out-of-the-box with the Realme UI custom user interface on top. The device is backed by a 4,200mAh battery with Enhanced VOOC 4.0 Flash Charge technology for 30W charging that is promised to charge up to 70 percent in just 30 minutes.

 

Motorola Razr set to go on sale in China in Q2 2020 with 5G support

A couple of months ago, in November 2019, at the Lenovo Innovation and Technology Conference, the company released its first foldable smartphone — Motorola Razr. At that time, the company confirmed that the phone’s isn’t coming to China anytime soon.

Now, during CES 2020 in Las Vegas, Liu Jun, Executive Vice President of Lenovo Group and President of Lenovo‘s China operations, said in an interview that the Motorola Razr smartphone will be launched in the Chinese market in the second quarter of this year.

motorola razr 01

After launching the Motorola Razr smartphone in November in the United States, Yang Yuanging, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo Group confirmed that the phone’s sale in the U.S. has been postponed due to demand and supply issues. Also, Liu Jun has said that the Razr foldable smartphone coming to the Chinese market in Q2 2020 will come with support for 5G connectivity.

Earlier, explaining the reason for not launching the device in China, the company had said that China’s network operators currently do not support eSIM cards due to technical problems. This is an issue given that the Motorola Razr doesn’t come with physical SIM card slot and only supports eSIM.

As for the specifications, the Motorola Razr features a main Flex View p-OLED display of 6.2 inches. It carries support for 2142 x 876 pixels and a tall aspect ratio of 21:9. It can be accessed by unfolding the device.

While the Galaxy Fold and Mate X can be unfolded horizontally to use them like a tablet, the Razr can be unfolded vertically to use it as a regular phone. The device comes with nano-coating for splash resistance and it weighs 205 grams.

Motorola Razr
Motorola Razr

When the device is closed, users can make use of the Quick View secondary display of 2.69 inches that offers a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. When folded, it becomes a pocketable device as it measures 94.5 x 71.95 x 14.06mm.

The second screen or the Quick View display can be used for viewing notifications and basic tasks like responding to messages. The Quick View is integrated with Google Assistant which enables quick responses. Content can seamlessly transition between the Quick View and Flex View screens.

Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset, which is coupled with 6GB of RAM and internal storage of 128GB. The device runs Android 9 Pie operating system and is fuelled by a 2,510mAh battery that carries support for 15W TurboPower charging through USB-C.

 

Photos of LG V60 ThinQ’ rear panel leaks; may have four rear cameras

The LG V50 ThinQ was released almost a year ago and it seems a successor will soon arrive. Photos of the LG V60 ThinQ’s rear panel have surfaced on the web and they give us an idea of the design and its camera configuration.

The images show the rear cameras will be arranged horizontally just like that of the LG V50 ThinQ. However, the opening is longer and hints at the LG V60 ThinQ coming with more cameras. Our guess is there will be four cameras along with the LED flash occupying the hole.

[envira-gallery id=”299844″]

There is no cut-out for the fingerprint scanner which means we are getting an in-display fingerprint sensor like that of the LG V50S ThinQ. The photos show the phone will come in black and surprisingly, pink.

Popular leaker, OnLeaks, said the V60 ThinQ may be the same he originally leaked as the LG G9. If that is true, the LG V60 ThinQ will have a U-shaped notch in its display as shown in the leaked renders of the LG G9. The phone should also have an audio jack and a dedicated Google Assistant button.

It is also possible that the LG G9 and LG V60 ThinQ share the same rear design but different designs for the display. Nevertheless, more leaks will probably surface before the device’s launch next month at Mobile World Congress. Actually, we believe the LG G9 and LG V60 ThinQ will arrive together.

 

(Source)

DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is back on their online store, grab it while stock lasts

DJI’s line of “prosumer” drones is particularly popular because they offer professional-grade quality and features in a price tag that is still accessible to casual drone fans. For a long time, the golden standard was the DJI Phantom 4 Pro that became iconic instantly with its white body and features that blew away most of the competition. Well, the original version is no longer in production and has been replaced by the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 that comes with improved propulsion system and OcuSync transmission technology.

The Phantom 4 Pro was released at a time when ultra-portable drones dominated the market. Coming with features that could rival professional-grade drones, it challenged technology to create a miracle that could fit in your pocket yet being able to deliver professional results.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

And then came V2.0 of the Phantom 4 Pro with unique features like the Cinematic 4K resolution, also known as 4K DCI. This is a wider aspect ratio which may not be relevant to some drone pilots but is highly valued in the professional filmmaking industry. The 2.0 version has also been upgraded with a variable aperture that allows you to make on-the-fly adjustments for a variety of lighting conditions.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

After the release, mystery was spread over its production as it was out of stock many times. But that’s all in the past now as it is back on the company’s online store and is in stock. So, if you’ve been waiting to grab one during the holiday season in December but didn’t, now is your chance. You can get it here.

DJ Koh: Samsung sold between 400k to 500k Galaxy Fold

If you put a $2000 price tag on a phone, it is only fair people are curious to know how many units you are able to sell. Last year, there was a report that Samsung had sold 1 million Galaxy Fold units but the statement was later denied. At an interview at CES 2020, CEO of Samsung Electronics, DJ Koh, has revealed the true amount sold.

The top executive revealed that they have sold between 400,000 to 500,000 units of the Galaxy Fold. This goes in line with the earlier statement refuting they had sold 1 million units. The official statement had said that if they had sold 1 million units, they would have sold double their initial sales expectations.

Galaxy Fold price

The Galaxy Fold is definitely out of the reach of a lot of people but its launch was one of the highlights of the last decade and a defining moment for the mobile industry.

Samsung is set to announce a new foldable phone that folds vertically. This device should have a cheaper price tag than the Galaxy Fold. There are reports it will launch as the Galaxy Fold 2 but we have also seen some folks say that is not its official name.

There is a launch event scheduled for February 11 where Samsung will announce the Galaxy S20 series and the new foldable device. It is still a month away but we are pretty sure more details about the devices will surface before the launch day.

You can find more CES 2020 coverage here.

 

(Source | Via: 1, 2)

Wacom rolls out the Wacom One pen display clutching a $400 price tag

Wacom has joined the list of tech giants that made a presence at CES 2020 with amazing products. One of the Japanese techy’s products unveiled in the Wacom One pen display tablet. The device lets you draw directly on a screen for $400 which is cheaper than the company’s previous offerings with a base price of $650wacom one pen display

The Wacom One display features a mammoth 13-inch display with a screen resolution of 1080p and 72 per cent NTSC colour gamut. The display has a 26ms response time which some professional artists who desire a quick-response canvas might find slow. It is also bundled with a stylus pen that doesn’t use a battery. The pen can be used to sketch with 4,096 pressure levels and a tilt of up to 60 degrees. The display also comes with retractable legs which allow users to mount it uprightly on any surface.

The creative-focused tablet is compatible with Macs, Windows PCs and “certain” Android devices which we believe are the flagship models or based on the Android operating system version. Wacom also supplies apps like the long-serving Bamboo Paper as well as six months of Celsys’ Clip Studio Paint Pro.

The Wacom One is scheduled to go on sale later this month on the Wacom eStore, Amazon.com, select Best Buy locations and other authorized Wacom partners.

You can find more CES 2020 coverage from here.

(via)