Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 extended reality platform announced with support for 5G

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Dec 6, 2019

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality were said to be the next big thing, however, they haven’t lived up to the hype and is moving forward at their own slow pace. There are few companies which are doing good for the next-gen platforms, including HTC Vive and Oculus.

Now, Qualcomm has announced the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 platform, which is the successor to last year’s XR1 platform and brings several upgrades. For those who are unaware XR platform is for extended reality which combines augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality.

The Snapdragon XR2 comes with the brand’s latest-and-greatest Snapdragon 865 processor which the company claims can enable performance and graphics benefits of up to two times. This is not surprising considering the Snapdragon XR1 made use of the Snapdragon 835 chip.

The graphics engine also gets 1.5 times the pixel rate and 3 times the texel rate for offering lifelike visuals. It also has four times the video bandwidth, and 11 times faster AI processing. It can also support up to seven concurrent cameras thanks to a dedicated processor for handling computer vision.

With support for more cameras, the platform gets the ability to accurately track head, lips, and eyes in real-time as well as 26-point skeletal hand tracking. The platform also enables low-latency camera pass through, ensuring that users continue enjoying the virtual world while being connected to the real world at the same time.

The Snapdragon XR2 can support displays of up to 3k x 3k resolution for each of the eyes at 90fps. Qualcomm also touted that the XR2 is the first platform to be able to see 8k 360-degree videos at 60fps, with the 4k video offering a refresh rate of 120fps. For audio, it features a custom-built always-on, low-power Hexagon DSP for offering 3D spatial sound, and better voice activation.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 also comes with support for 5G and the company believes that this will make XR headsets more affordable, unlike standalone headsets. It adds that the processing can be split between the device and edge cloud and 5G will ensure high-speed, low-latency experiences.

Gearbest is Offering Up to 50% Off on Christmas Lighting Accessories [Get 20% Off with 2 Pcs]

By

Vinay Patel

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Dec 6, 2019

We are just days away from Christmas! In short, it is time for Christmas shopping. You can now get up to 50 percent off on lights with Gearbest latest promotion.

Dubbed as Lights & Lighting Best Deals, the recently kicked-off promo features a wide range of amazing lighting accessories that would normally set you back a pretty penny but are currently available for lowered prices. To save the time consumers spend looking for a specific product, all items featured on the promo page have been split into specific categories.

The first section dubbed Super Star is teeming with great lighting products from leading manufacturers such as Yeelight and ZDM. More importantly, you can purchase these items without emptying your pocket.

For example, the Yeelight 10W RGB E27 Smart Light Bulb, which normally retails for $40.20 can now be yours for only $17.99. This is a noteworthy 55 percent reduction in the bulb’s original asking price.

The following section called Hot Pick features products that you might want to get your hands on to enhance the overall ambiance of your house this holiday season. To make sure you get the best deals on these products, Gearbest has reduced its retail price for a limited period.

If you do not like waiting too long to get your hands on the products you order online, you might want to check out the 5 Days Arrival, which features products that will be shipped from Poland based warehouse. Moreover, these products are currently available for heavily discounted prices.

LED striplights can breathe new life into any decoration, and you can get a wide range of these amazing lighting accessories for reduced prices under the Holiday Strips category on the promo page. Every other accessory that you might need for Christmas decoration has been placed under the concluding section called Christmas Essentials.

To make the best out of the promotion sale, all you need to do is to follow this link and start placing your order without wasting time.

Gearbest Lights & Lighting Best Deals

Buy LEMFO LEM T Smart Watch for Just $255.99 from Banggood

By

Vinay Patel

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Dec 6, 2019

Gone are the days when a timepiece was meant to show just the time and date. Newfangled smartwatches are designed to help you lead a healthier lifestyle and monitor your various activities.

While smartwatches are becoming an inseparable part of our fast-paced lives, they aren’t easy on the pocketbook. Those who go for an inexpensive alternative usually end up compromising on quality.

If you have restlessly been looking for a feature-rich smartwatch that doesn’t cost a bomb, Banggood’s got your back. The popular Chinese e-tailer known for offering the best bang for your buck is giving its loyal users a chance to purchase the LEMFO LEM T smartwatch for a considerably lowered price.

Available in silver, as well as black color options, the LEMFO LEM T smartwatch would normally set you back $399.99, but Banggood is offering it for a lowered price of only $255.99. On top of that, you can get free shipping on orders over $19.99.

An irresistible smartwatch from LEMFO, the LEM T sports a 2.8 Inch easy-to-read OLED display with 480×640 pixels resolution. It runs Android 7.1 Nougat OS and is compatible with Android 6.0, iOS 11.1 or above.

Furthermore, the LEM T houses a 5-megapixel camera. It is powered by MT6739 chipset and ships with 3GB of RAM and 36GB of internal memory. In terms of network, it supports WiFi, nano-SIM, and GPS.

To ensure you meet your fitness goals, the LEM T has been outfitted with a Heart Rate Sensor and sleep monitor for keeping a track of your sleep quality. The smartwatch draws its juices from a 2700mAh battery that offers a standby time of four days and using time of about 2 days.

To know more about the LEMFO LEM T smartwatch and to take advantage of the discount, simply follow this link.

LEMFO LEM T Smart Watch

Buy FIIDO Q1 Folding Electric Moped Bike for Just $599.99 from GeekBuying [Coupon]

By

Vinay Patel

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Dec 6, 2019

The Cyber Monday Sale finally kicked-off earlier this month on GeekBuying. As part of the year’s most-awaited shopping event, the Chinese e-tailer is offering a wide range of amazing products at the best prices.

To check these products bearing up to 70 percent off and make the most out of the Cyber Monday Sale, make sure you check out the promotion page right away. The activity page is brimming with all sorts of high-end electronic items ranging from smartphones, laptops, notebooks, laser projectors, robot vacuum cleaners, etc.

GeekBuying Cyber Monday

Today, we would be checking out the discount GeekBuying is currently offering on the FIIDO Q1 Folding Electric Moped Bike. Aside from shedding light on the discount, we will also show how you can save a considerable amount of more money at the time of checking out.

The FIIDO Q1 is an irresistible e-bike that would normally set you back a pretty penny, but GeekBuying is offering it for a lowered price of just $699.99. This is a noteworthy 14 percent reduction in the electronic bike’s original asking price of $812.29.

In addition to getting this discount, you can use coupon code GKB281S and save $100 more. In other words, you can reduce the original asking price of the FIIDO Q1 to just $599.99 simply by applying the aforesaid coupon during the checkout process.

Touted as a Parent-Child electric bike, the FIIDO Q1 Folding Electric Moped Bike is made using professional-quality electric components. It has a foldable front, which is complement with a u-shaped swallow handle.

Furthermore, the FIIDO Q1 features an additional front child seat cushion design for safer and more comfortable riding experience. You can lock the e-bike using a remote control, which uses a CR2032 model battery and works even at a distance of 30m.

Made using high-strength aluminum alloy, the FIIDO Q1 is extremely lightweight and can be carried from one place to another without any sort of difficulty since it weighs in at only 18kg. It is powered by a brushless and toothed motor and features double disc brakes on front, as well as back.

To know more about the FIIDO Q1 Folding Electric Moped Bike, follow this link. Don’t forget to use the 2% OFF New User Coupon is this is your first order with GeekBuying.

FIIDO Q1 Folding Electric Moped Bike

Canayls CEO: Chinese companies will become world leaders in five major technology fields

By

Airyl Jaszly

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Dec 5, 2019

In an interview in Beijing earlier today, Canalys CEO Steve Brazier predicted that within the next three years, Chinese companies will become world leaders in five major technology fields, and he points towards the current trade disputes between China and the United States as the cause as the disputes have stimulated local innovation.

The executive identified AI, smart cities, 5G, exascale computing and microfinance as the key areas moving forward. According to Steve, some Chinese companies have already taken the initiative and can be considered as leaders in these fields, while “most Westerners underestimate China’s advanced level in many technological fields.”

China’s innovation has accelerated, and the market will feel the full impact of this within 3 to 4 years. Steve also pointed out that while the international trade disputes are becoming worse by the day, he feels that business leaders and companies need to be more flexible in order to excel in the future. “Flexibility and the ability to respond to change are now becoming the number one business need.”

Canalys predicts that the number of connected devices (covering everything from smartphones to cameras to robots) will almost double from 16.7 billion in 2018 to 32.3 billion in 2023.These devices will generate large amounts of data, and Brazier says that the data needs to be managed, stored, and backed up with disaster recovery procedures.

(Source)

Huawei Nova 6 5G vs Honor V30 Pro 5G vs Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

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Dec 5, 2019

Today Huawei announced the new Nova 6 series composed of three variants: Nova 6, 6SE and 6 5G. After releasing the Huawei Nova 6 5G, the Chinese giant became the company with the highest number of 5G-enabled devices alongside Samsung. Just a few days ago the company even launched the Honor V30 Pro which carries 5G connectivity through an integrated modem. Another 5G device you can currently find in the same range is the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G. Are you wondering which Huawei 5G affordable flagship is the best or if you should opt for another brand such as Xiaomi? This comparison will clear your ideas.

Huawei Nova 6 5G vs Huawei Honor V30 Pro 5G vs Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G

	Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G	Huawei Nova 6 5G	Huawei Honor V30 Pro
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	157.2 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm, 196 g	162.7 x 75.8 x 9 mm, 212 grams	162.7 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm, 206 g
DISPLAY	6.39 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), Super AMOLED	6.57 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), LTPS IPS LCD	6.57 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), IPS LCD
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+, octa-core 2.96 GHz	Huawei Hisilicon Kirin 990, octa-core 2.86 GHz	Huawei Hisilicon Kirin 990, octa-core 2.86 GHz
MEMORY	8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB	8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB	8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB
SOFTWARE	Android 9 Pie, MIUI	Android 10, EMUI 10	Android 10, Magic UI
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
CAMERA	Triple 48 + 12 + 16 MP, f/1.8, f/2.2 and f/2.2	Triple 48 + 8 + 8 MP, f/1.8, f/2.4 and f/2.4 Dual 32 + 8 MP f/2.0 and f/2.2 front camera	Triple 40 + 8 + 12 MP, f/1.6, f/2.4 and f/2.2 Dual 32 + 8 MP f/2.0 and f/2.2 front camera
BATTERY	4000 mAh, fast charging 40W with Quick Charge 4+, fast wireless charging 30W	4200 mAh, fast charging 40W	4100 mAh, fast charging 40W and fast wireless charging 27W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Dual SIM slot, reverse wireless charging, 5G (optional)	Dual SIM slot, 5G	Dual SIM slot, reverse wireless charging

Design

In my opinion, Huawei Nova 6 5G offers the most stunning design. Thanks to the punch-hole display, Huawei got rid of the notch and made a full bezel-less device without interruptions. Honor V30 Pro adopts the same solution, but it is slightly thicker and it has a rectangle-shaped camera module on the back which I do not like (and maybe a lot of other people as well). On the other hand, Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G offers a more compact body and an amazing build quality thanks to a 7000 series aluminum frame and a Gorilla Glass 6 back. Which one would you pick?

Display

While Huawei Nova 6 5G and Honor V30 Pro both come with an awesome punch-hole design, their display quality is not the best you would expect from a flagship smartphone. Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G is a definitely better option. It has a smaller display, but it offers a richer image quality thanks to DCI P3 coverage and HDR10 technology. Further, it is a Super AMOLED display, while Huawei Nova 6 5G and Honor V30 Pro are equipped with IPS panels. On the paper, the display of the Huawei Nova 6 5G is superior to the Honor V30 Pro. But in this case, you only get a marginal difference.

Hardware/Software

When it comes to the hardware, it is worth making a distinction between performance and 5G performance, given that 5G is the key feature of these handsets. If we talk about performance such as speed and smoothness, Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G is superior since it is equipped with a better Snapdragon 855+ SoC. There is even a better memory configuration with up to 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal storage. But the chipset does not come bundled with an integrated 5G modem and it uses an independent 5G modem. The Kirin 990 found on the Huawei nova 6 5G and Honor V30 Pro has an integrated 5G modem offering better connectivity and less energy consumption.

Camera

If you care about having an amazing camera phone, then you should not choose the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G. Instead, go for the Honor V30 Pro without thinking twice. It has better rear cameras including a 40 MP main sensor, OIS, 3x optical zoom and a higher resolution for the ultrawide lens (compared to the Huawei Nova 6 5G). Huawei Nova 6 5G and Honor V30 Pro have the same dual front camera department. According to DxOMark, Huawei Nova 6 5G is actually the best selfie phone.

Battery

Similar battery capacities, but not identical. Huawei Nova 6 5G has a bigger 4200 mAh but it is not said that it will last more: we’ll have to test it in order to give you a definitive thought. A definitely more important thing: Huawei Nova 6 5G does not support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, while Honor V30 Pro and Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G do.

Price

Huawei Nova 6 5G and Honor V30 Pro debuted in China with prices starting from €486/$540 and €500/$555 respectively. Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G starts from €469/$520. At the end of the day, I would recommend the Honor V30 Pro due to its better camera department, integrated 5G modem, and amazing selfie cameras. It is more convincing than Huawei Nova 6 5G, despite it has a slightly worse display. But Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G wins when it comes to display quality and performance.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G official teardown reveals the smartphone’s internals

Huawei Nova 6 5G vs Huawei Honor V30 Pro 5G vs Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G: PRO and CONS

Huawei Nova 6 5G

PROS

Amazing front cameras
Great design
Big battery
Very fast charging

CONS

IPS display
No micro SD

Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G

PROS

5G
Compact design
Fast wireless charging
Reverse wireless charging

CONS

No micro SD

Huawei Honor V30 Pro

PROS

Best rear cameras
5G
Very fast charging
Wireless charging
Reverse wireless charging

CONS

IPS display
No micro SD

HMD Global’s Nokia 2.3 arrives with a trendy design for €109

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Dec 5, 2019

HMD Global jas just announced a new smartphone today in Egypt. While most folks were anticipating the launch of the Nokia 8.2, the event was actually for the launch of the Nokia 2.3. HMD Global’s new phone is an entry-level device with a beautiful design and a battery life that should last up to 2 days.

[envira-gallery id=”293587″]

Nokia 2.3 Design

The Nokia 2.3 might as well be one of the best-designed entry-level smartphones released this year. While it has a waterdrop notch like a lot of phones released this year, it is actually the back that scores points for beauty.

The back is a polymer shell with a 3D nano-textured design that looks really good, and we bet, even feels better when held. HMD Global rounds off the design with a diecast metal chassis for the frame.

The phone comes in Cyan Green, Cyan, and Charcoal. While you won’t go wrong with any of the color variants you choose, we are particularly fond of the Cyan Green.

Like other Nokia phones released recently such as the Nokia 4.2, the Nokia 2.3 has a dedicated Google Assistant Button.

Nokia 2.3 Specifications

The Nokia 2.3 has a 6.2-inch in-cell display with an HD+ resolution, a waterdrop notch, and a 19:9 aspect ratio.

There is an Helio A22 quad-core processor inside the phone along with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. A MicroSD card slot allows for up to an additional 512GB of storage.

The Nokia 2.3 has dual rear cameras – a 13MP f/2.2 camera and a 2MP depth-sensing camera. There is a Night Mode and a feature called Recommended Shot that takes 15 photos before and 15 photos after you press the shutter button and presents you with the best. It is able to do this using AI.

There is a 5MP f/2.4 camera and it supports Face Unlock. The phone packs a 4000mAh battery but supports only 5V 1A charging via a MicroUSB port. It also has an audio jack, Bluetooth 5.0, and an FM radio.

HMD Global says the phone is ready for Android 10 and beyond and promises 2 years of software upgrades and 3 years of security updates. It actually ships with Android 9 Pie.

The Nokia 2.3 weighs 183 grams ad measures 157.69 x 75.41 x 8.68 millimeters.

Price and Availability

The phone is priced at €109 and will be available for purchase right away. Buyers will be able to choose between a Single SIM and a Dual SIM model.

Huawei Watch GT 2 lands in India; starts at INR 14,990 (~$210) with free gifts

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Dec 5, 2019

After selling 1 million units in just 45 days, Huawei is gunning for the next million units and is on the way with the launch of the Watch GT 2 in India.

Available in 42mm and 46mm versions, the larger Huawei Watch GT 2 has a 1.39-inch 454 x 454 AMOLED touchscreen display, 32MB RAM and a 455mAh battery. The smaller one has a 1.2-inch 390 x 390 AMOLED touchscreen display, 16MB RAM and 215mAh battery.

The watch is powered by the Kirin A1 chip and boasts a 2-week battery life (on the 46mm version). Huawei says it is able to achieve this impressive battery life as a result of the dual-chip design and power-saving algorithms 2.0. The 42mm version has 1-week battery life.

The Huawei Watch GT 2 has GPS and GLONASS with a precise positioning system. It also has real-time heart rate monitoring, and with Huawei TruSeen 3.5, it is more efficient and accurate. The watch will also monitor your heart rate, SWOLF (swim-golf), distance, and speed while you are swimming. It will also measure your heart rate, calories burnt, and duration of your workout while using an elliptical bike, a rower, or during free training.

The watch also provides the user with professional data such as recovery time, training intensity, and aerobic and anaerobic exercise effect. The Watch GT 2 has a workout guide and comes with more than 10 running courses with voice guidance for beginners and frequent runners alike.

The Huawei Watch GT 2 offers more than fitness features. It supports Bluetooth calling, music playback, and will notify you for alarms, SMS, Emails, and notifications from apps. It also has a Find My Phone feature.

The watch starts at INR 14,990 (~$210) for the 42mm Sport Edition. It then goes up to INR 15,990 (~$224) for the 46mm Sport Edition. The 46mm Classic and Elite Edition will sell for INR 17,990 (~$252) and INR 21,990 (~$309) respectively.

The first sale of the Watch GT 2 will begin at midnight on 19th December up until 31st December. Those who buy within this period will get a free Huawei Mini Speaker that is worth INR 2999 (~$42). You can also pre-order the watch between December 12 and December 18 and get a free pair of Huawei’s Freelace Bluetooth Earphones (read our review) that sell for INR 6,999 (~$98). We are not sure if pre-ordering means you get both the earphones and the speaker but the earbuds are worth much more and have great reviews, so you are better off pre-ordering.

The watch will be sold on Amazon, Flipkart, and Croma. A fluorine rubber strap will ship with any model that has a leather or metal strap.

Huawei is also organizing a walkathon to raise awareness for breast cancer among women. The event is on December 7 and will begin at 7 AM. Location is the OPD Lawn at Fortis Hospital Gurugram.

Qualcomm Adreno GPU updates will now arrive via Play Store

By

Airyl Jaszly

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Dec 5, 2019

The Snapdragon 865 chipset is now official, and it comes with a slew of upgrades in key areas. The chipset features ARM’s latest Cortex-A77 cores, delivering a 20% boost in performance from last year, and the Adreno 650 GPU has more cores that result in a massive 25% uptick.

There’s one curious new addition that caught our eye though. Qualcomm will start delivering GPU updates to OEMs, who will then update phones through the Play Store, similar to what NVIDIA and AMD do on PCs. This is a in stark contrast to the old update system, where manufacturers would issue the update via monthly hotfixes, if at all.

qualcomm-snapdragon-865-5g-mobile-platform-hero-image-800x450 — Qualcomm Snapdragon 865

What benefits would updating your GPU more frequently have? Likely, you’d see more patches to rectify issues like game crashes, optimization for performance on new titles, and potentially support for new features. On top of that, we’d probably also see general performance updates keeping devices fast over longer periods of time.

Qualcomm wouldn’t commit to any exact update schedule or planned upgrades to the Adreno 650 on the Snapdragon 865—which for now is the only GPU that will get these updates—but hopefully the company is able to provide such updates to all of its GPUs moving forward.

So, how is this possible, and why now? Well, it currently seems like updating GPU drivers in Play Store is thanks to Google’s Project Mainline in Android 10. Project Mainline allows users to gain security patches and updated Android system components via the Play Store. For now, this is a step in the right direction, and hopefully we’ll see more mid-tier Adreno chipsets get updates like this in the future.

(Source)

Honor V30 first sale ends in just 3 seconds with 100,000 units sold!

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 5, 2019

Honor‘s latest 5G smartphone the Honor V30 and V30 Pro went on sale for the first time today. The tech giant has released the sales report of the first flash sale and as expected, it is sensational. According to the company, all available units of the Honor V30 series was sold out in just 3 seconds!

This time around we get to know that a total of 100,000 units of both the V30 and V30 Pro were made available across all platforms such as Vmall, JD.com, Suning and other major retailers. Still, it is an amazing feat that all units were sold out in just 3 seconds. Unfortunately, the phones are yet to be launched for the global market. Even if that is done, the lack of Google Services will be the major challenge Huawei will face in trying to market the phone.

As a reminder, the Honor V30 Pro is the topmost version and it bears the same design as the V30. The two models only differ in a few aspects including their memory configurations. The V30 is available in 6GB RAM and 8GB RAM with just 128GB storage option. While the V30 Pro comes in 8GB of RAM and 128GB and 256GB storage options. The V30 Pro equally has a slightly smaller 4100mAhbattery with 40W wired fast charging support and wireless charging support. Wireless charging is lacking on the V30 even though it packs a slightly larger 4200mAh battery.

Both models feature a 6.57-inch LCD display with Full HD+ resolution. They are both powered by a Kirin 990 chipset with a Balong 5000 modem onboard the V30 Pro bringing 5G support. The phones have their fingerprint scanners located at the side and it doubles as the power button.

The Honor V30 starts at 3,299 Yuan ($470) for the 6GB+128 GB variant while the V30 Pro costs 3,899 yuan ($555) for the 8GB+128GB version. The phone comes in Blue, Pearl White and Black color options.

(via)

Redmi Xiao AI Play Smart Speaker will support 54 IoT platforms

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Dec 5, 2019

The Redmi Xiao AI Play will launch on December 10 as Redmi’s first smart speaker. A teaser poster was released two days ago giving us a hint at the speaker’s design and streaming feature. Two more teasers have been released with one highlighting its smart home feature.

The Redmi Xiao AI Play will be able to control smart home devices by voice. As seen in the poster, owners will be able to control Xiaomi smart home products such as lamps, air conditioners, air purifiers, and smart TVs.

The speaker will not only be able to control Xiaomi products but also products from 54 other IoT platforms including Phillips light bulbs and smart door locks thanks to its built-in latest generation Bluetooth mesh gateway.

Another teaser revealed the smart speaker has a 1.75-inch speaker unit, a U-shaped duct for a better bass experience, and a 350cc large sound cavity.

We still haven’t seen any live photos of the Redmi speaker yet but we hope it surfaces before the launch.

Huawei sues the U.S. government again, this time over FCC restrictions

By

Joel Joseph

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Dec 5, 2019

Huawei has sued the U.S. government over the recent FCC restrictions that further curbs what little business the company has left in the U.S. The lawsuit challenges a decision taken by the FCC that prohibits rural carriers in the country from using federal subsidies to purchase Huawei equipment.

This is the second such lawsuit from Huawei in the U.S. after it first challenged the ban on the sale of its products to federal agencies back in March. The latest lawsuit was filed in New Orleans against the FCC after it branded the company as a ‘national security threat’ and restricted the sale of Huawei equipment to rural U.S. carriers by blocking access to the Universal Service Fund (USF) for purchases from both Huawei and ZTE.

Huawei’s business with rural U.S. carriers is minimal in comparison to its massive 105 billion revenue posted in 2018. However, it says that such decisions create a stigma around the company which will affect its ability to grow its business globally. Branding a multinational company like Huawei as a national security threat would indeed affect its reputation around the world.

For example, prime minister Boris Johnson recently said that the UK could block Huawei from investing in its 5G networks. Even Japanese carriers have excluded Huawei from 5G deployment. But the company has already signed 50 5G contracts with carriers around the world. So, it’s very important that Huawei protects its reputation on a global scale.

Huawei argues that the U.S. ban doesn’t provide any proof to support its claims of “backdoor access” or “national security threat”. Also, given how competitors like Nokia and Ericsson make a lot of their telecommunications equipment in China, the claim of China-made gear threatening U.S. security also applies to Huawei’s competitors.

“Both FCC chairman Ajit Pai and other FCC commissioners failed to present any evidence to prove their claim that Huawei constitutes a security threat, and ignored the facts and objections raised by Huawei and rural carriers after the FCC first made the proposal in March 2018,” said Huawei’s Chief Legal Officer Song Liuping at a press conference in Shenzhen that was live-streamed.

Huawei-MateBook-D — The new Matebook lineup comes with Windows 10 after Microsoft received a license to trade with Huawei

This lawsuit comes at a time when some companies like Microsoft were granted a special license to trade with Huawei. It remains to be seen whether this move from Huawei will have any effect on future license approvals from the U.S. commerce department.

Test shows how tough is the display of Ulefone Armor 7 (video)

By

Dimitris Economou

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Dec 5, 2019

The latest rugged flagship from Ulefone -Armor 7- sports all the useful protective features that Ulefone adopts in its rugged phones like IP68/IP69K certifications and more. But what happens when the glass panel on the front hits the ground? According to the company, the glass features 7H hardness and to prove it, the company released a new video on YouTube to demonstrate the durability of the display.

As you can see in the video, the Chinese manufacturer put the display in a series of hard tests. They even used a drill and a block of concrete and the screen passed all the tortures without even the slightest sign of damage. It seems that when the company refers to the superior durability of its rugged phones, there’s no exaggeration.

Besides being a rugged smartphone, Armor 7 is also a solid performer. It comes with a 6.3″ FHD+ waterdrop screen, a triple rear camera (48MP+16MP+8MP) and 16MP selfie shooter, 8GB/128GB configuration, Qi 10W wireless charging, fingerprint and face unlock, global network bands, and NFC with Google Pay. Also, there is a quadruple navigation system with GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo support. The device is available on Banggood at a special price of $369.99. To see the rest of the Ulefone lineup, visit their official website.

Pablo Escobar Fold 1 launched as the cheapest foldable phone at $349

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 5, 2019

Who would have thought the name Pablo Escobar would be trending for any reason, talk less of a good one? Almost 26 years after the death of the notorious drug lord, a smartphone dubbed Pablo Escobar Fold 1 has been launched. The device comes as a surprise as we never saw it coming. Not only is the smartphone promoted as having a durable design, but the device is also unarguably the cheapest foldable phone that we’ll be seeing for a long time to come. It has a starting price of $349.

Apart from being the cheapest and one of the first foldable smartphones around, the Escobar Fold 1 is equally one of the cheapest Snapdragon 855 phones. Yes, for that amount, you get a snapdragon 855 chipset onboard and wait for it, 8GB of RAM as well as a massive 512GB expandable storage.

The Escobar Fold 1 packs a 7.8-inch flexible AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1444 that folds outwards in half. For photography, the foldable flagship features a 16MP f/1.8 primary camera and a 20MP secondary shooter. The device is carrier unlocked, works across all networks around the globe, and includes free worldwide shipping.

We must point out that the smartphone looks very much like the Royole Flexpai, fuelling speculations that the device is a rebranded Flexpai. The specifications of both foldable phones also match. However, the outer shell has a gold lining with a fancy Escobar Inc logo engraved across the back.

The Fold 1 is presently available to pre-ordered from Escobar Inc’s website but for that outrageously cheap amount, you may need to tread with caution on this one.

Huawei Nova 6 5G Hands-on pictures in review: Stunning beauty & 5G!

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 5, 2019

Huawei officially announced the Nova 6 series comprising the Nova 6 5G, Nova 6 4G and Nova 6 SE earlier today. The models utilise the punch-hole selfie camera design that Huawei is gaining a growing reputation for using on its display, albeit on LCD panels. While the Nova 6 SE has a single punch-hole, the Nova 6 comes with a wider selfie punch-hole design which houses two sensors. We take a look at the Nova 6 design as captured in these hands-on pictures.

The front design has as its most prominent feature the dual selfie camera located at the top left corner of the display. The two sensors consist of a 32MP Sony IMX616 f/2.2 Autofocus camera paired with an 8MP 105° f/2.2 FF camera so you can take wide-angle selfies. The selfie camera is said to come with EIS, a portrait mode and a Super Night Scene mode. Huawei says it is the first phone to support 4K 30fps HD video recording with the selfie camera. Also, the selfie shooters are ranked by DxOMark as having the best selfie cameras.

The device utilises a 6.57-inch display with an FHD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels certified by TUV Rheinland. The bezels around the display are as thin as they can be making this one hell of an immersive screen.

The rear panel is made of glass and is curved on all angle which gives it not just some aesthetic value but makes the phone comfy to handle. The glass is coated using a dual-film dual-plating process with 14 nano-level coatings.

Still, on the rear panel, the Nova 6 5G packs a triple camera setup stacked vertically at the back. The camera setup consists of a 40MP RYYB Sony sensor with an f/1.7 aperture and a 1.2µm pixel size which allows for more light and an ISO of up to 204800. There is also an 8MP f/2.4 120° ultrawide angle camera and an 8MP f/2.4 telephoto camera with 30x ultra-long zoom, AF, and OIS. The phone has EIS and can record 4K HD videos.

The Nova6 also packs a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that doubles as the power button. The scanner/power button is located at the right side of the display alongside the volume rockers. The Kirin 990-powered flagship model also comes with a USB-C port which would deliver super-fast charging to the 4200mAh battery that is on-board the 5G version.

Check out some more pictures from below. You can as well read about more details of the Nova 6 series from our launch article.

Redmi K30 4G version confirmed; a cheaper alternative to the 5G version

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Dec 5, 2019

The Redmi K30 5G is one of the most anticipated smartphones this month. Redmi has officially confirmed quite a number of the device’s specifications such as its screen size, battery capacity and the processor that will power it. Today, Lu Weibing took to Weibo to confirm that there will be a 4G version of the phone too.

According to the post, he said while 5G is just beginning to roll out, 5G charges by network operators are also quite expensive and not everyone can afford it. Based on that, there will also be a 4G version of the Redmi K30.

This is not new information as the specs of the 4G variant leaked last week. Nevertheless, an official confirmation is welcome.

The Redmi K30 4G is expected to come with a Snapdragon 730G processor. Its display will also be a 6.66-inch LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1080 x 2400 resolution. The leaked live photos showed that it will have 64GB of storage and run MIUI 11 out of the box.

A leak revealed the phone will have a 64MP main camera along with an 8MP telephoto camera, a 13MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP sensor. It also said it will pack a 4500mAh battery with support for 27W fast charging. The 5G version has the same battery capacity but with 30W fast charging that Redmi says can charge the phone from empty to full in 1 hour.

The Redmi K30 4G is also rumored to have 20MP + 2MP dual front-facing cameras, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, NFC, IR blaster, and an audio jack. Its starting price is put at ¥1999 (~$285).

Nokia 9 PureView Android 10 Stable Update begins to roll out

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Dec 5, 2019

HMD Global has begun releasing Android 10 for its Nokia devices. Of the three devices scheduled to get the update in Q4 2019, the Nokia 8.1 was the first. Now it is the turn of the Nokia 9 PureView.

The official twitter account for Nokia Mobile has announced that Android 10 is now rolling out to the Nokia 9 PureView.

#Nokia9PureView owners, listen up! 🎉
The latest Android 10 update has made its way to your phones. Tap into an upgraded experience and access the latest features today. Make sure that your phone has Security Patch installed to upgrade your phone to Android 10 🙌 pic.twitter.com/FBWookt6y6

— Nokia Mobile (@NokiaMobile) December 5, 2019

The update brings Smart Reply, new gesture navigation, dark mode, more controls over privacy and location data, and family link settings under Digital Wellbeing.

With the Nokia 9 PureView out of the way, the Nokia 7.1 is now next in line to get the update this quarter.

The Nokia 9 PureView was launched in February. It has a Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage with no support for expansion. The display is a 5.99-inch P-OLED panel with a 1440 x 2880 resolution.

The phone’s selling point is its 6 rear cameras – five of which are 12MP sensors (2 are RGB and the remaining are Monochrome sensors). The 6th camera is a TOF 3D camera. It also has a 20MP selfie camera.

The Nokia 9 PureView has an in-display fingerprint scanner, a 3320mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging and 10W wireless charging. When the phone launched, it ran Android 9 pie out of the box.

Nokia is set to announce a new phone today in Egypt today but it most likely won’t be a flagship phone.

Nokia 55-inch Smart TV with 4K UHD Screen and JBL Audio Launched In India

By

Sean

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Dec 5, 2019

Back in early November, we reported that Flipkart and Nokia were working on Nokia-branded Smart TVs. Today in India, the first of the Smart TVs called the Nokia 55-inch Ultra HD (4K) LED Smart Android TV with Sound by JBL was launched.

This Smart TV is not a product made by HMD Global who has a license to manufacture Nokia-branded smartphones but is the result of another licensing-agreement between Flipkart and Nokia for the former to make Smart TVs with the Nokia brand name. So this is actually a Flipkart product. The retail giant handles the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of the TV.

Specifications

Nokia’s new Smart TV arrives with a 55-inch 4K UHD display. Being a smart TV, it runs the Android 9.0 Operating System for its UI. In terms of audio, the Smart TV is equipped with JBL’s (a known audio electronics based company) audio technology to deliver superior sound quality and packs 24 Watt speakers. The audio quality is one of the main selling points of the TV as it also features Dolby Audio enhancements for a better overall audio experience.

The smart TV is powered by a quad-core processor paired with 2.25GB of RAM. For storage, Nokia’s Smart TV is equipped with 16GB of internal storage. Additionally, the device offers a bunch of different ports for connectivity which includes HDMI and two USB ports(2.0 and 3.0). It is also equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi.

Availability

Nokia’s Smart TV will be available on Flipkart for the price of 41,999 INR (roughly 4,139 CNY or 588 USD). The smart TV will begin sale on 10th December 2019 through the e-retailer. On purchase, the device will be bundled with a stand as well as a wall mount, a Bluetooth remote and support from Google Assistant for voice input controls. Flipkart is also offering a 10 percent discount on prepaid transactions as well as a Complete TV Protection coverage which includes a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects and accidental damages at just Rs. 999 (roughy 98 CNY or 14 USD).

Call of Duty: Mobile achieves 170 Million Downloads in just 2 months

By

Sean

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Dec 5, 2019

Call of Duty: Mobile from Activision and Tencent has achieved a massive 172 million downloads in just two months. The known game publisher partnered with Chinese gaming studio to bring the popular first-person shooter title to smartphones which has since become extremely successful.

According to a new report, Activision has generated 87 million dollars from player spending after its latest mobile title garners 172 million downloads. After its initial launch, the game picked up about 146 million downloads within the first month while November saw just over 21 million downloads.

Call of Duty: Mobile has proven to be successful in the United States where 28.5 million or 16.6 percent of all downloads have taken place. India arrives second with 17.5 million installs or 10.2 percent and Brazil third with 12 million installs or 7 percent of total downloads. The majority of the downloads took place via Google’s Play Store app which garnered up to 89 million downloads accounting for 52 percent of all installs. On the other hand, iOS version saw 83 million downloads or 48 percent of the total share

Alongside the growing number of downloads, Call of Duty: Mobile generated most of its revenue in the first month in October 2019. It grossed over 55 million US dollars compared to 31 million US dollars in November 2019. So far, the US has accounted for the largest share of the revenue with players spending 36 million dollars (or 42 percent of the total player bases’ expenditure). Meanwhile, Japanese players were the second-highest spenders in the game with 11 million dollars or 13.2 percent of total player expenditure while Great Britain arrived third with 2.6 million dollars or just 3 percent in total share.

Regardless of declining spending in the game, Call of Duty: Mobile is ranked in the top 25 grossing titles in its key markets. The online multiplayer mobile game is free to play and offers fresh content with every new update, similar to PUBG Mobile. It is yet another example of a popular PC/Console game finding success in the mobile gaming market.

(Via)

Huawei Nova 6 SE debuts with an iPhone 11-like Quad camera design, punch-hole selfie

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 5, 2019

Huawei today held a launch event in China where a number of products were released including the Nova 6 5G as well as a 4G version, a smart Weighing scale and the Huawei Band 4 Pro. The company also sprang a surprise by unveiling the Nova 6 SE, a smartphone that falls on the mid-range segment but with an impressive design. Huawei Nova 6 SE has as its most outstanding feature a rear camera design that looks like that of Apple’s latest iPhone 11.

The Huawei Nova 6 SE utilises a single punch-hole display design unlike the Nova 6 with a wider cut-out that houses two selfie cameras. The punch-hole is situated at the top left corner of the display and does a great job in ensuring the device has an extremely reduced bezel at the top. The bezel at the chin is also at its barest minimum as well as the side bezels.

At the back, the camera design is the most prominent feature. The Nova 6 SE packs a quad camera setup. What makes it stand out is that the cameras are sitting on a square-shaped module which looks very similar to what Apple did on the iPhone 11 series. Apple may have been the first to utilise such design style but it is safe to speculate that Huawei had the iPhone 11 in mind when choosing the design. The Nova 6 SE utilises four rear camera arranged symmetrically on the module while the LED flash is just under the module. The main camera is a 48MP sensor with AI/beauty features. The front punch-hole houses a 16MP camera for selfies.

The Huawei Nova 6 SE is equipped with a 6.4-inch full-screen LCD display and is powered by an Hisilicon Kirin 810 chipset. The device comes in 8GB RAM and 128GB storage option. It packs a decent 4200mAh battery under the hood with support for 40W super-fast charging. The device doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor at the rear instead, it utilises a side-mounted sensor located at the left edge of the display.

The Nova 6 SE is available in three colors: magic night black, cherry snow clear sky, and Qijing Forest. As for the pricing and availability, the Nova6 SE is priced at 2199 yuan ($311). Pre-sale is billed to commence at 10:08 AM on December 18 while it will officially on sale on December 25.

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