Year 2019 in review for Blackview (video)

By

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Jan 9, 2020

Being a well-established company in the smartphone market after many years of continuous improvement, Blackview achieved another year of increased production and sales in 2019. Durability combined with the latest tech in the market made their products very popular so they made a 2019 year review video about it.

Blackview 2019 highlights

Starting from their top device, the flagship BV9900 instantly became the top rugged camera phone of 2019. Flagship performance combined with excellent camera resulted in a 1500 units limited stock sale disappearing in just 2 days.

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Key features

MediaTek Helio P90 AI processor
8GB RAM 256GB ROM
Sony® 48MP quad rear camera
IceMode – Phone, Message, Contacts, Camera functions still can be used when the temperature as low as -30℃
Heart rate monitor & barometer & air quality sensor & hygrometer & UV meter
Price: $499.99

Last year, Blackview also released a budget device with a killer quad-camera setup. It is Blackview A80 Pro and it became one of the best budget mainstream phones you can get in 2019.

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Key features

Sony® IMX258 13MP quad camera
MediaTek Helio P25 processor
4GB RAM 64GB ROM
4680mAh big battery
Flattering appearance and slim body
Price: $159.99

Another special device is the BV9800 Pro that was created for serious adventurers as it features a FLIR® Lepton® thermal and Sony® 48MP camera, giving you the power of thermal imaging. Whether you’re inspecting electrical panels, troubleshooting mechanical systems, looking for HVAC problems, or finding water damage, the thermal camera is the most useful feature on any rugged phone right now.

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Key features

FLIR® Lepton® thermal and Sony® 48MP camera
MediaTek Helio P70 processor
6GB RAM 128GB ROM
6580mAh battery
Global LTE bands
Price: $499.99

Next is the BV9100, the enormous battery rugged phone. Carrying a 13000mAh battery can run for days on a single charge, making outdoor trips more trouble-free. The battery capacity is larger than most powerbanks out there so you can imagine just how long it runs.

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Key features

13000mAh big battery, 60 days standby time
30W super-fast charging, fully charged in 2.5 hours
MediaTek Helio P35 processor
4GB RAM 64GB ROM
Sony® 16MP dual rear camera
Price: $269.99

Blackview 2019 performance highlights

As said before, the company constantly stays up to date with the developments in the smartphone market and that was mirrored in the company’s increasing fanbase. Having a product portfolio that covers the entire spectrum of the market -from entry-level to flagship- Blackview increased sales volume and a growing fan base. It’s worthwhile to mark that there was a 75% staggering increase in the fan base on Blackview’s Facebook page in 2019.

Blackview future

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To thank all of their customers and fans, Blackview launched a New Year Giveaway. At the same time, they are continuing to adapt, create, innovate and inspire. The first step this year is the upcoming MWC event in Barcelona on February 24th. They can’t wait to share more new good products.

Samsung T7 Touch Portable SSD has a fingerprint scanner

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 9, 2020

These days, there are a lot of computers that come with just 256GB SSD storage. There are even some with 128GB of storage. While there is the option to replace the storage with a bigger one, another thing you can do is pick up portable storage. However, unlike your PC which is password protected or has a biometric scanner to keep your files safe, most portable storage drives do not have any protection, thus allowing anyone can gain access to your files. To fix that, Samsung has announced a new portable SSD that has a built-in fingerprint scanner.

The Samsung T7 Touch has a fingerprint scanner at the top that scans your fingerprint before granting you access to the files on it. The drive can save up to four different fingerprints, which comes in handy if you share the drive with your partner, relatives, or colleagues at work.

The drive is enclosed in an aluminum case and Samsung says it can survive drops from heights up to 2 meters. There is a USB-C port along with an LED that lights up when you plug it in or transfer files.

The Samsung T7 Touch brings more than just protection. It has write and read speeds up to 1,000MB/s and 1,050MB/s respectively. According to Samsung, that is twice the read and write speeds of the Samsung T5, its predecessor.

You will be able to purchase a unit later this month starting at $129.99 for the 500GB version, $229 for the 1TB version, and $399 for the 2TB version. It will be available in black and silver.

Samsung will also announce a version without the fingerprint scanner but the price is unknown and it won’t be available until the second quarter of 2020.

(Source)

Realme TV confirmed to debut this year; Realme smartwatch certified in India

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 9, 2020

Realme plans to launch the Realme TV later this year. Ralme CHina CMO Xu Qi confirmed at the Realme X50’s launch event in China recently. This is the first smart television from the Chinese smartphone company that commenced business in 2018. Rumors around the Realme TV started last year with the company believed to launch the device by the end of 2019. Like smartphones, Realme plans to challenge Xiaomi in the smart TV market. At the same time, the mysterious Realme smartwatch has bagged approval from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India which indicates that it could be debuting in the next few months.

Realme plans to focus on IoT products this year, ranging from personal, travel, family solutions. The list includes smart wearables, audio products, TV and more. In light of the situation Realme recently launched the Buds Air, the company’s first truly wireless earbuds. The company plans to sell over 50 million smartphones this year with the primary focus staying on 5G and IoT.

Realme fitness band teaser — Realme fitness band teased by Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth

“Despite seeming overly ambitious the decision is not very difficult. Since Realme is a nascent brand and is among the lightest players participating in 5G implementation” Qi said. Realme plans to launch multiple 5G smartphones by the end of 2020, including a range of affordable devices priced below 1,500 Yuan (~$216). The company also plans to launch its first-ever smartwatch in India.

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

Realme Smartwatch

Courtesy of leakster Sudhanshu Ambhore, Realme smartwatch was recently spotted listed on BIS website with model number RMA183 Additional details are currently lacking. At today’s Realm 5i launch, the Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth teased the upcoming Realme fitness band. It sported a yellow strap, but its display was not shown clearly.

There is no confirmation on whether Realme has a fitness band and a smartwatch as two separate upcoming devices. With the budget smartwatch and fitness band market seeing some major activity from popular smartphone manufacturers, get ready to witness some great products being launched soon.

Xiaomi crowdfunds the MORROR ART Transparent Bluetooth Speaker

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 9, 2020

We just can’t help loving most of the products Xiaomi launches under the Youpin crowdfunding platform. The company has now launched the MORROR ART floating lyrics Transparent Bluetooth Speaker which has a “dynamic floating lyrics” that fits the mood of the music, letting you see the music.

The MORROR ART speaker is equipped with a 21.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1920×1080. The speaker comes with AR-coated glass which is a high-transmittance glass used in museum exhibit windows. The glass has excellent transparency as if it did not exist. It is also incorporated with backlight technology from Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation enables the screen to show brightness that is comfortable for the eyes in the dark and can be enjoyed at night.

The speaker uses a 6-series aluminium alloy shell which combines sandblasting and anodizing processes. The shell resists oxidation and corrosion and also shows a high-level surface texture. The speaker has a dimension of 525mmx140mmx322mm and weighs 10kg.

The MORROR ART floating lyrics transparent Bluetooth speaker uses a unique 100mm diagonally configured speaker. After precise calculation of the 10L resonance air volume in the box, the official said that this design is like a long and loose “air spring”, which greatly improves the response of the speaker. speed.

The speaker is equipped with an upgradeable 32-bit control unit and fine-tuned by subjective acoustic debugging experts. It supports 3 tuning modes (high-fidelity mode, sweet voice mode, and rhythm mode) and various music styles can be easily controlled.

The product comes with a crowdfunding price tag of 2999 yuan ($431) but will retail for 3799 yuan ($546) after the exercise. It is expected to start shipping to backers from January 31.

(source)

Future Smartphone may have Ultrasound sensors in place of physical buttons

By

Sean

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Jan 9, 2020

In the near future, smartphones might just turn to ultrasound sensing technology to replace any and all physical buttons on one’s handset. The news arrives after an video on YouTube (by Gary Explains) turned the spotlight on certain technological developments in Ultrasense.

The new technology could potentially improve smartphone design and also be a step closer to the future with seamless handsets; something OEMs have been working on for years now. Unfortunately, ultrasonic technology has previously left a bad mark in the industry, looking at the in-display fingerprint scanner on Samsung’s Galaxy S10 series. However, Ultrasense aims to tackle another area altogether.

The company plans on making a simple switch that can be situated under any surface and be used similar to capacitive buttons (which are generally not compatible with most surfaces). Technically, the technology would work on glass, metals and even unconventional surfaces like leather and wood. This implies that soon smartphone manufacturers would not need to drill holes in the handset’s frame to make room for the volume rockers and power buttons.

Furthermore, Ultrasense has claimed that its sensors can even detect the force of different levels. This would allow for unique drag-to-activate features alongside the conventional tap methods. Notably, the move to ultrasonic sensors will allow smartphone manufacturers to place additional emphasis on building durable, water and dustproof devices.

Another claim by Ultrasense points at the emerging 5G networking, which its sensors are apparently more responsive with. While Ultrasense can bring a wide array of features with the technology on smartphones, the company is also planning on including these sensors in various other IoT devices. It includes automobiles, home appliances and even enters the medical fields. Unfortunately, the company has yet to unveil this technology or its prototype, so safe to say it’s not arriving in any smartphone within 2020.

(Via)

Pre-Order UMIDIGI A3X 4G Smartphone for Just $79.99 from Banggood

By

Vinay Patel

-

Jan 9, 2020

Touted as the ‘Android 10 Entry Level Beast,’ UMIDIGI’s recently unveiled A3X smartphone has gone up for pre-order on Banggood.

As part of the UMIDIGI promotion that kicked off on January 8th, the Chinese e-tailer is offering the A3X 4G smartphone for a lowered price. So without further ado, let’s dive straight into the details.

The first 300 pieces will be up for grabs for just $79.99, which translates to a noteworthy 50 percent discount, given that phone would normally set you back $159.99. Those who fail to take advantage of this significant reduction in the phone’s original asking price can still get it for a lowered price of $89.99; however, this reduced price will be valid for 500 pieces only.

If you end up missing out these two offers, fret not, Banggood is offering the remaining 800 pieces for just $99.99, which is a significant drop in the phone’s retail price. Moreover, you can choose between the EU version, which is specifically designed for European customers, or go for the Other Area Version if you based outside EU countries.
On top of that, Banggood is offering free shipping if your cart value exceeds $19.99 – but wait, that’s not all. In case this your first order with Banggood, you can take advantage of the $18 Off New User Coupon and save more money at the time of checking out.

With the irresistible A3X smartphone, UMIDIGI aims at bringing the latest stock Android 10 OS even to those on a tight budget. Among a slew of other awe-inspiring features, the phone boasts system-wide dark theme and newfangled privacy features.

At the back, the phone houses a dual-camera setup comprising a 16MP and a 5MP camera, both equipped with a new software algorithm. If you are a selfie lover, it might interest you to know that the A3X features a 13MP AI selfie camera for a clear, beautiful and natural self-portrait.

Furthermore, the phone packs MediaTek’s MT6761 processor, paired with 3GB of RAM to enable advanced multitasking. The dual-SIM phone comes with 16GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 256GB.

It features a 5.7 inch Notch Screen with an HD+ screen resolution of 1512×720 pixels. Moreover, there’s a non-removable Li-Po 3300mAh battery that keeps the lights on for a longer period. You can check out more details about the UMIDIGI AA3X by following this link. To make sure you get this discount, you need to place your pre-order by January 15th.

More Deals and Coupons

UMIDIGI A3X 4G Smartphone

Vivo V1950A TENAA listing leaks specs; Seems Vivo NEX 3 5G with Snapdragon 865

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 9, 2020

The upcoming Vivo V1950A flagship smartphone has just appeared on TENAA, revealing a few key specifications such as battery capacity and the display size. The V1950A was previously spotted at CMIIT and the Compulsory Certification of China (3C). Vivo is planning to launch a flagship smartphone at the upcoming MWC 2020 in February. With rumors of the IQOO 3 launching at MWC 2020, it was earlier speculated that the V19850A and the IQOO 3 were the same devices. However, the details that have surfaced on TENAA suggests that it could be the Snapdragon 865 version of the Vivo NEX 3 5G.

According to the TENAA listing, the Vivo V1950A is a dual-mode 5G smartphone that flaunts a 6.89-inch display and measures 167.44 x 76.14 x 9.4 mm. The device is powered by a minimum rated 4,250 mAh battery.

Its 3C listing had revealed that it is likely to ship with 44W fast charge support. The smartphone supports 5G connectivity. Contrary to the initial beliefs that said it could be iQOOO 3, these specifications closely match the Vivo NEX 3 5G, leading experts to believe that the V1950A is the dual-mode 5G variant of the NEX 3.

The specifications are in line with a premium flagship, which is exactly what the Snapdragon 855+ powered Vivo NEX 3 5G is. The Chinese variant of the NEX 3 5G has a model number of V1924A/T. It is likely that V1950A is a new model powered by the Snapdragon 865 mobile platform edition along with some additional quirks and features, including dual-band 5G and a smaller battery than the NEX 3.

Editor’s Pick: Vivo phone powered by Snapdragon 765G appears on Geekbench

Vivo NEX 3 5G Specifications and Features

The Vivo NEX 3 5G flaunts a 6.89-inch Super AMOLED waterfall display with a resolution of 2256 x 1080 pixels. The smartphone is powered by am octa-core Snapdragon 855+ SoC and features up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.0 storage. The device sports a triple-camera setup comprising of a 64-megapixel primary lens, with dual 13-megapixel cameras for telephoto and ultra-wide shots. The front camera is a 16-megapixel unit housed within the chassis and mounted on a motorized pop-up platform.

Powering the Vivo NEX 3 5G is a 4,500 mAh battery with 44W fast charging. The device runs on Android 9.0 Pie-based FuntouchOS 9.1. Connectivity options include LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/b/n/ac, Bluetooth v5.0, USB Type-C, USB OTG, GPS, and A-GPS. The smartphone features a 3.5mm headphone port with active noise cancellation and a dedicated mic. It flaunts an in-display fingerprint scanner for additional security.

(Source)

ASICS Smart Shoes helps you run better by providing real-time feedback and tips

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Jan 9, 2020

Smart shoes are not new as we have seen a couple from some manufacturers. However, this one from ASICS is quite different. This is not designed to just count your steps but to actually help you run better and save you energy.

At the on-going CES 2020, ASICS’ Energy Research Lab unveiled a working prototype of its smart running shoes. The smart shoe is actually a pair of its new EVORIDE running shoes with an ORPHE TRACK sensor embedded inside it. The sensor was developed in partnership with Japan’s no new folk studio Inc. (nnf).

The ORPHE TRACK sensor will track a number of features including kick strength and stability and provide real-time feedback and suggestions to help you run better.

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The EVORIDE itself is a new pair of running shoes from ASICS. It is its lightest and most affordable energy-saving running shoes to date. ASICS says the EVORIDE is built around its GUIDESOLE technology that is designed to reduce movement in the lower leg to help runners “save energy” and “run more efficiently”.

The new EVORIDE running shoes will be available for sale globally starting February 7, while the smart running shoes will launch later this year. While the images above show the ORPHE TRACK sensor inside the new EVORIDE shoes, the look of the final product is still unknown.

You can find more CES 2020 coverage here.

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

By

Sean

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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.

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

By

Simranpal Singh

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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

Make sure you have enabled the USB Debugging option by following the above steps.
Now, extract the ADB and Fastboot Drivers into a folder on your PC.
Then, Open CMD or Powershell window by pressing the Shift + Right Mouse Key in the same folder.
Connect your device with the PC via a USB cable.
Poweroff your device and proceed with the next instructions.
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
```
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
```
If you want to root, then skip Step 9 and move to the Root section below.
Now, reboot your smartphone and enjoy the custom TWRP recovery on Redmi 8.
```
fastboot reboot
```
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.

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

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Jan 9, 2020

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

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.

Editor’s Pick: Samsung Galaxy smartphones vulnerable, Hackers could Blackmail Celebrities: Report

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

By

Sean

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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.

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

By

Vinay Patel

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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.

A 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

Amazfit T-Rex

Samsung Galaxy smartphones vulnerable, Hackers could Blackmail Celebrities: Report

By

Sean

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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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

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Jan 9, 2020

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).

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.

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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?

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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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.

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

By

Jeet

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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.

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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

By

Jeet

-

Jan 9, 2020

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.

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.

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.

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