Xiaomi has put up another product on its crowdfunding platform — Yunmi Travel Electric Cup, which is basically a combination of kettle and thermos. It is made up of 304 stainless steel material and has 400ml capacity and is up for crowdfunding for a price fo 99 Yuan, which roughly converts to $14.
It follows Xiaomi’s white colored minimal design language and weighs at around 500 grams, making it easier to carry around when travelling. The company says that it does not occupy much space in the bag or suitcase and can be stuffed into a backpack as well, making it an idea choice when travelling.
There’s a power cord hidden at the bottom of the device which is a clever move as it cannot be spotted easily, making is look clean and sleek with that minimal design. It is made up of SUS304 stainless steel which the company claims meets the requirements of GB4806 food contact grade.
Thanks to the stainless steel material, you don’t have to worry about rust and anti-fouling as well as the there’s no plastic odor. The company has used hollow design between the cup body and the inner liner to provide insulation and anti-scalding.
As per Xiaomi, the device can keep the water warm for over 3 hours after it has been unplugged from the power source. The device comes with a single high-sensitivity touch switch. When the button is clicked once, it will boil the water for about 6-8 minutes and when it’s pressed twice, it will turn on the “insulation” and keep the heating at a constant 50-degree C. It can keep the constant temperature for about 12 hours.
As we mentioned, this new Yunmi Travel Electric Cup is priced at 99 Yuan (~$14) and is currently up for crowdfunding. At the time of writing this, it has already reached 218 percent of its initial funding goal, with 13 days still remaining before the campaign closes.
The highlight of today’s Microsoft New York event was the announcement of the Surface Neo – a dual-screen laptop with 360° hinges that allows you to use it in various forms.
Surface Neo
While we already had an idea about a dual-screen device from Microsoft, the company went ahead to shock us with yet another dual-screen device but this time around, a “phone” called the Surface Duo.
The Surface Neo and the Surface Duo look alike but the latter is much smaller. However, their internals is different. The biggest difference other than their sizes obviously is that the Neo runs a specially-designed version of Windows 10 called Windows 10X while the Duo runs Android.
Yes, Microsoft is working with Google on the Duo and when it arrives next year (holidays), it will mark Microsoft’s re-entry into the mobile phone business.
Surface Neo
The Surface Neo is still in development but what we saw today shows that Microsoft has gone a long way. The push till next year will allow the company to work with developers that will create programs and apps that will be able to take advantage of the device’s dual-screen.
Microsoft did show us some features and tricks. Like we mentioned above, the Surface Neo runs Windows 10X which is a stripped-down version of Windows 10 but unlike Microsoft’s previous attempts at a lite-version of its operating system, Windows 10X can run legacy programs and not just Windows apps. So all your favorite software should work on Neo but we are not sure all will be able to take advantage of its dual-screen.
Some of the features that got demoed include one called “Spanning” which will allow you to drag an already opened app from one screen to another and have it fill up both screens. Spanning was really smooth even on this prototype. No lags, no jitters.
Surface Neo also has a magnetic keyboard that attaches to the back of the device. In laptop mode, you can decide to use this keyboard or the on-screen one. If you opt for the former, which is smaller than the screen, the remaining visible display at the top becomes what is called a WonderBar. You can call this Microsoft’s version of the MacBook’s TouchBar but significantly bigger. The WonderBar can hold multiple apps including holding a minimized window of Netflix or a YouTube video or displaying gifs/emojis for a chat app. Microsoft says it is working with Netflix and Spotify to make better use of the area.
If you decide to let the gap be at the bottom, the software automatically recognizes the shift of the keyboard and turns the bottom gap into a trackpad. Since the trackpad on a lot of PCs now is made of glass, then you should get used to it pretty easily though there will be no clicking.
There are multiple ways you can use Surface Neo some of which are new such as a reading mode in which you hold it like a book with each screen showing a separate page of the book you are reading. You can also stand it vertically while using a connected keyboard, mimicking using dual monitors. You can also decide to use just one screen with the other folded backward, and with the new Surface Slim Pen, you can take down notes.
The Surface Neo has two 9-inch displays, is powered by Intel’s Lakefield processor, and will arrive in time for next year’s holidays.
Surface Duo
The Surface Duo has two 5.6-inch displays connected by 360° hinges allowing it to transform into an 8.3-inch tablet when opened. It runs Android and if you remember, Google already developed Android to work with dual-screen devices. You can run two apps on each of the screens for true multi-tasking. You can also have one display act as a virtual controller for games or a virtual keyboard for typing.
There is a Snapdragon 855 processor inside but we doubt this will be the SoC powering it when it launches by the end of 2020.
There are no cameras on the back just like the Duo and there is no mention of a camera(s) above the displays. We also do not think the final product will have a camera on the back since this is a dual-display device and the front-facing cameras can double as the rear cameras when folded backward.
We are pretty excited about the Surface Duo and Surface Neo and can’t wait for them to arrive.
This year it is very hard for other smartphone manufacturers to beat Xiaomi in the affordable segment. The Chinese giant released a lot of affordable mid-rangers and entry-level phones which are currently among the best sellers of 2019. The latest cheap phone launched is Redmi 8A and it belongs from the most affordable Xiaomi line-up if we exclude the Redmi Go. Its value for money is huge thanks to its great camera, big battery, and high performance, that is why it is a very hot device and it is hard to find a rival. After comparing it with Realme C2 and Honor 8A, here is another comparison with entry-level smartphones from the concurrence: the new Samsung Galaxy M10s and Realme 3i.
Xiaomi Redmi 8A vs Samsung Galaxy M10s vs Oppo Realme 3i
Xiaomi Redmi 8A
Samsung Galaxy M10s
Oppo Realme 3i
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
156.5 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm, 188 grams
158.4 x 74.7 x 7.8 mm, 169 grams
156.1 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm, 175 grams
DISPLAY
6.2 inches, 720 x 1520p (HD+), 271 ppi, IPS LCD
6.4 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 268 ppi, Super AMOLED
Dual 13 + 5 MP f/1.9 and f/2.2
8 MP f/2.0 front camera
Dual 13 + 2 MP f/1.8
13 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY
5000 mAh
4000 mAh
4230 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Dual SIM slot
Dual SIM slot
Dual SIM slot
Design
Redmi 8A adopts a brand new ergonomic design with gradient colors and a stripe in the middle of the rear cover which reminds of Oppo Reno smartphones. It is definitely too elegant and it almost does not look like an entry-level phone. It does not have a fingerprint scanner and it relies on face unlock, but this solution makes the rear side cleaner and even more elegant. Realme 3i is another beautiful phone with its diamond-like rear pattern which is available in gradient hues as well. Samsung Galaxy M10s has a traditional plastic body with a single color, so it offers nothing special in terms of design.
Display
Samsung Galaxy M10s wins the display comparison as it is the only to sport a Super AMOLED panel, despite its resolution is only HD+. Besides providing better colors thanks to the AMOLED technology, Samsung Galaxy M10s also offers a wider 6.4-inch panel which is more comfortable for advanced users. Both Realme 3i and Redmi 8A have an IPS panel with the same diagonal and the same HD+ resolution, as well as a waterdrop notch.
Specs & Software
The presence of the Helio P60 chipset and a higher-end memory configuration makes the Realme 3i more powerful and smoother than Samsung Galaxy M10s and Redmi 8A. It is the only to sport up to 4 GB of RAM and up to 64 GB of internal storage. The silver medal goes to Redmi 8A because it has a Snapdragon 439 chipset which delivers better and more stable performance than the Exynos chipset found on the Galaxy M10s. But you should not notice big differences between their performance, while Realme 3i is definitely superior with all the usage patterns. Samsung Galaxy M10s, Redmi 8A, and Realme 3i are all shipped with Android 9 Pie out of the box, customized by the custom user interfaces One UI, MIUI, and Color OS, respectively.
Camera
If we consider both the rear and the front camera departments, Realme 3i offers a more complete and improved camera experience. Its dual rear camera with bright focal aperture and an additional depth sensor is more suitable for most of the scenarios, while the higher resolution of the front camera allows capturing more detailed selfies. But photo quality is not everything: Samsung Galaxy M10s has an ultrawide sensor which is considered much more useful than depth sensors. So if you need it, go for the Galaxy M10s as the photo quality does not differ so much.
Battery
With its mammoth 5000 mAh battery, Redmi 8A is able to deliver three days of battery life with moderate usage, and it is the longest-lasting phone not only in this comparison since it lasts more than most of the smartphones out there. It even supports a nice fast charging technology with a max power of 18W, so it does not take a lot of hours to fully charge it despite its huge capacity.
Price
Realme 3i is available at about €100/$110 in India, Samsung Galaxy M10s starts from about €110/$120, and Redmi 8A costs €100/$110 in its base variant with 2 GB of RAM. Despite Redmi 8A rocks a way bigger battery, Realme 3i is a more convincing device due to its higher performance, good cameras, fingerprint reader and more. Even Samsung Galaxy M10s is a very nice device, especially for its ultrawide sensor and its AMOLED display, but overall I would personally choose the Realme 3i for the above-mentioned specifications.
Google has finally released the stable build of Android 10 after 6 beta updates earlier this year. The search giant has started rolling the final version of Android 10 to Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. The new update will gradually roll out on other devices later this year as Google is “working with a number of partners to launch or upgrade devices to Android 10.” However, OnePlus has started rolling Android 10 based OxygenOS Beta for OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro devices.
There are many new features that are present in the Android 10 stable build including new Full-Gesture navigation, “Focus Mode”, efficient notification control, better family integrity, and the new system-wode dark theme support. Google aims to bring “greater protection, transparency, and control over your data” with Android 10. It is built for the people of all abilities.
Android 10 will ease the smartphone use and will bring control over the data shared among third-party apps. In today’s write-up, we have compiled a list of the most anticipated Android 10 features.
List of Best Android 10 Features
This year’s release carries some features which are primarily based on the user feedback. The several demand-based features are part of the latest and greatest Android 10.
Dark Mode
After numerous requests from Android users, Google has finally introduced system-wide Dark Mode support for Android devices. Google is working since last year to make Dark Mode compatible across its several apps. Every major App developer is paying heed to the demand by rolling out support for Dark Mode in their respective apps. However, Google is still working to bring Dark Theme mode compatibility on its app.
It is a boon for Android users, especially the owners of OLED display devices. The dark color schema has a significant impact on battery life for OLED smartphones. Unfortunately, Google missed on the option to automatically toggle Dark Mode at sunset in Android.
Do you miss some iPhone-like navigational gestures on the Android ecosystem? Well, now the users can use new gestures to efficiently browse the Android device. The new navigational gestures are fully optimized for edge-to-edge displays.
A user can quickly switch between apps by swiping left on an element present at the bottom. Swiping left to right on the same bottom area allows the users to go back and forth between apps. Similarly, a small swipe up gesture on the home screen can bring forth the App drawer. We are listening to some best gestures on Android 10:
Home Screen + Swipe Up = App Drawer
Swipe From Right or Left Edge = To Go Back
Swipe across the bottom = Switch Apps
Swipe diagonally from bottom corners = Google Assistant
Swipe Down = Notifications
Swipe from Bottom = To go home
The new gestures are more fluidic and intuitive than any other Android version.
Smart Reply from Notification
Advancing the reply from the notification feature, Google added a smart reply feature for quickly replying to the message. Google introduced the ability to display suggested replies using TextClassifier API. The Android 10 is capable to generate the suggestions automatically.
Live Captions
Android 10 has brought Live Caption feature while playing videos, podcasts, and audio messages. The Live Caption feature is compatible with every inbuilt and third-party app. Moreover, it can show captions of the stuff you record on your smartphone. It is an effective feature based on Artifical Intelligence.
Parental Controls – Family Link
Advanced parental controls integrated with Digital Wellbeing settings app is part of Android 10. The parents can easily set up their child’s phone and can limit the on-screen time, track phone usage and set a bedtime for automatic phones shut down. It is a boon for the parents whose children are prone to excessive smartphone usage.
Security Updates via Google Play
Since a couple of years, Google regularly rolls security updates every month. However, these upgrades reach Pixel and other high-end devices but they fail to roll on the majority of the mid-range and low-budget devices. Google has added a new provision to roll out security updates straight from Google Play. In Android 10, manufacturers can easily roll out critical security updates via Google Play. The manufacturer’s need not to release full system updates for security patches, they can now simply rollout the important security enhancements via Play Store.
Focus Mode
Like the Zen Mode, it allows users to concentrate on other activities but with added customization features. It temporarily turns off specific distracting apps for some time. However, the feature is not fully stable and there might be some bugs on different phones. Google is aiming to launch stable Focus mode feature somewhere by the end of this year.
New Emojis
Android 10 has added a large collection of new gender-inclusive designs. The users can easily enjoy the new emojis after upgrading to Android 10.
Improved WiFi Performance and low-latency modes
Get ready to enjoy real-time games with low-latency on Android 10. It is tweaked to minimize the latency between networks. The support for high-performance mode and low latency mode is extended via WiFi lock API.
Call Quality Improvements
The Android 10 will considerably improve the call quality as it has gained the ability to collect information about the quality of ongoing IMS calls.
Enhanced Camera Capabilities
Android 10 has added several enhancements including monochrome camera support. Using the new Android version, the device cameras can save depth data of the image in a separate file for better image post-processing. Other improvements include support for HEIC – High-Efficiency Image File Format and improved multi-camera support.
Improved Security
The new build also carries various security enhancements.
Improved Biometric
A lot of improvements have been made to the biometric authentication capability. There are some modalities that have been added to the Biometric unlock to make it secure and robust.
TLS 1.3 Support
Like never before, TLS 1.3 official support is rolled out along with Android 10. TLS 1.3 is improved security protocol over the TLS 1.2 with performance benefits and enhanced security. It is 40% faster than the predecessor in establishing a secure connection.
Other enhancements include the ability to run embedded DEX code directly from APK tp prevent attack via locally tempered code.
Android 10 is a full package to enhance device performance, security, efficiency, and accessibility.
Realme Europe has started teasing on the features of the upcoming Realme X2 Pro flagship phone. The smartphone is expected to go official at some point in this month. The features of the smartphone that the company has confirmed so far suggests that it will be a premium flagship device. Hence, it may not carry a cheap price tag. Apart from Snapdragon 855+ chipset and 90Hz fresh rate display, the Realme X2 Pro is now confirmed to come with 65W world’s fastest charging technology.
The OPPO Reno Ace flagship phone that will be announced in China will be the first phone to feature the 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 charging technology that was made official last month. With 65W charging, a 4,000mAh battery can reach 100 percent in just 30 minutes. The same technology will be available with the Realme X2 Pro.
The smartphone will be powered by Snapdragon 855+ mobile platform that works at 2.96GHz. Currently, it is the most powerful chipset for smartphones. The 90Hz refresh rate display will offer fluid viewing experience while scrolling through apps, images or webpages. It also brings sleeker gaming experience. The handset is expected offer a tall aspect ratio of 20:9. It remains to be seen whether the Realme X2 Pro features a notch-less display or a screen with waterdrop notch. It is very likely to come equipped with an in-display fingerprint reader.
The Realme X2 Pro is also blessed with 64-megpaixel quad cameras system which is better the quad cameras of the Realme X2 smartphone. The main 64-megapixel sensor of the Realme X2 Pro will be coupled with 115-degree ultrawide lens that has capabilities to shoot macro shots, a telephoto lens and a depth sensor. The X2 Pro will offer users with 20x hybrid zoom support. On the connectivity front, the smartphone will only come with 4G support and it will also feature NFC.
Even though the company claims that Realme X2 Pro will be the first phone in its price segment to come with SD855+ and 90Hz display, it may carry an expensive as it comes with some advanced features such as enhanced 64-megapixel quad cameras and 65W fast charging. It appears to be a better smartphone than the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro and a worthy rival for OnePlus 7T that has a starting price of Rs. 37,999 (~$533) in India. Wang Wei Derek who is the Product Director of Realme China had hinted that the Realme X2 Pro could be priced around 4,000 Yuan (~$559).
It’s been hard for Windows devices to break free of the Intel grasp, but Microsoft‘s giving it another shot with the new 13-inch Surface Pro X, a new tablet running Windows on an ARM-based Microsoft-custom version of a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, the SQ1. Next to the also just released Surface Pro 7, you could argue that this is the true new flagship.
The Surface Pro X offers key features of the Surface Pro 7 alongside other extras that make it one of the most interesting 2-in-1s to come to the market in 2019. Design-wise, the Surface Pro X is the thinnest of the newly announced Surface range at 5.3mm and weighs only 762g, which is impressive when you consider some of the advanced features on offer.
The screen has been expanded from a 12-inch panel on the old Surface Pro to a 13-inch display, which the company says offers the thinnest bezels on any 2-in-1 laptop. It boasts a resolution of 2880×1920 resolution, giving it 267ppi. There’s a new Surface Slim Pen nestled in the keyboard, and there’s even wireless charging onboard. The big kicker is that the Surface Pro X features two USB-C ports over the Surface Pro 7’s single port.
The big new thing however has to be the aforementioned Surface SQ1 processor. Co-designed by Microsoft and Qualcomm, it’s a 7W chipset – compared to 2W of most ARM processors – and offers 2 teraflops of power. Microsoft claims that the Surface Pro X provides 3x more power per watt than the Surface Pro 6.
Alongside the SQ1 is an AI accelerator that brings impressive levels of computational power to the hybrid. While it’s hard to say exactly what it’ll be used for, Microsoft gave the example of being able to correct eye contact during video calls. It’s a rather impressive feat, especially considering that it uses 50x less power than a standard GPU.
The biggest question remains whether the SQ1 will be able to offer comparable power to a traditional x86 processor, though. The answer to that question is what will eventually determine how well the Surface Pro X does on the market. Excitingly, the device is already available for preorder today, with a launch date of November 5 for the price of $999.
Today at its special hardware event, Microsoft unveiled the new Surface Pro 7. The new Surface Pro finally brings USB-C to the convertible laptop category of Microsoft hardware, which will be a welcome addition for fans who’ve been waiting for the company to adopt this now-prevalent connection technology.
Like its predecessors, the Surface Pro 7 consists of a 12-inch tablet with a folding kickstand for adjustable viewing angles. There’s also a detachable keyboard cover accessory, and a Surface Pen stylus that allows for writing, drawing, note-taking and more. This new product is also the only one to have what can be called a full-sized Surface Pen. The Pen can also be used to update cell data in real time, and can even erase it with a gesture.
Buyers will have the option of tenth-generation Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 chips that boast of far better power and performance than its predecessors. Storage-wise, you’ll get the pick of a 128GB SSD or a larger 1TB SSD, as well as the choice of 4GB, 8GB or 16GB RAM. Up front, you’ll be staring into a 12.3-inch, 2736x1824p 267ppi PixelSense display with a 3:2 ratio, much like the Surface Pro 6.
The Surface Pro 7 is available for pre-order in the near future, with prices starting at $749 and delivery commencing on October 22nd. But it’s clear that much of the Surface Pro’s thunder has been stolen by the ARM-running Surface Pro X, which the company has announced on the same day.
Microsoft had an event today in New York where it announced a bunch of new products. First on the list is the Surface Laptop 3.
The Surface Laptop 3 brings a number of new features including a new 15” size that is powered by a “Ryzen Surface Edition” processor and not an Intel processor like the 13” version.
The changes are not only on the inside but also on the outside. There is a USB Type-C port now which can be used for charging in addition to Microsoft’s proprietary Surface Connector. Oh! The display port is gone. Talking about charging, the Surface Laptop 3 supports fast charging (confirmed for the Surface Connector), allowing you to charge the PC to up to 80% in 1 hour!
The trackpad is also 20% larger than that of its predecessor and the whole computer has been designed in such a way to make it easy for users to replace components such as storage. Another design change is the availability of two finishes – Alcantara and Aluminum.
Surface Laptop 3 13”
13” 3:2 display
10th-Gen Intel processor – with Core i5 or Core i7 configurations
Up to 16GB of RAM
Up to 512GB of storage
Starts at $999
Surface Laptop 3 15”
15” Display
AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition
Up to 16GB of RAM
Up to 512GB of storage
Starts at $1199
Both versions are available for pre-order starting today and will be available for purchase on October 22.
Xiaomi has been quite frisky with the naming pattern for the Mi Mix series right after the first-gen Mix smartphone. The company launched the Mi Mix 2 and when we expected a Mix 3, the company took the wraps off the Mi Mix 2s and did also launch the Mix 3 a couple of months later. This year, attention was focused on getting the Mi Mix 4 but the Chinese innovative company added a twist by announcing the Mix Alpha with an entirely new design outlook.
Xiaomi Mi MIX 4 teaser
To complete the twist, Xiaomi China’s brand promotion manager, Edward Bishop was reported to have disclosed that there won’t be a Mix 4 this year. Well, that was the message his statement on Weibo a few days back was interpreted to mean. However, the Xiaomi exec has released a fresh statement, three days after, to clarify that he never confirmed there won’t be a Mi Mix 4 this year. He was quick to add that he isn’t also confirming if there is a Mi Mix 4 smartphone coming this year.
This again opens up a ray of hope of a more affordable Mix series smartphone coming this year. When we talk of affordability, it is relative to the Mi Mix Alpha’s staggering above $2k price tag. Earlier on, popular leakster Ice Universe had hinted that there will be a Mix 4 soon, as the 108MP sensor won’t be for the Mix Alpha alone. The Mix Alpha’s price means it won’t be within the grasp of most Xiaomi fans. Well, except you are willing to trade off some of your body organs to be able to afford the concept phone. Alternatively, we may have to wait a few more years when a Mix Alpha 3 or higher must have been released in order to get the current Mix Alpha at a lower price.
But then, with this news, Xiaomi may still have a huge surprise in store for us. We’ll be on the lookout for more details.
A week ago, Oppo opened the initial trials for Android 10 beta version on the standard Oppo Reno handset in China. Tagging along ColorOS 6 beta, the update also introduced features like dark mode, focus mode, two-sided gestures, and so on. Initially, the update was scheduled for the end of October, so it’s a bit earlier than expected.
Now today, the update is rolling out as a public beta version to the Oppo Reno in China. The ColorOS 6 beta update has software version PCAM00_11_W.02_Beta and, as expected, brings lots of Android 10 goodies into the mix. This includes things like an improved visual core, the already mentioned system-wide dark mode and new themes.
For some reason, the Reno 10x Zoom variant isn’t getting this update for now. For those of you who don’t remember, the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom was scheduled to get the update at the same time, but it seems it’s gotten the shaft. We can still probably expect it to stick to the planned schedule, so it’ll hopefully be here by the end of October.
WhatsApp might soon offer a feature that lets you post a message that vanishes after a while. Messages that self-destruct, of course, have been staple fare in espionage, but this is a logical extension of the platform’s current option of deleting a message within a time limit. The downside is that it’s apparently not all that subtle.
In a chat, it still appears as a notification, with a note informing the other chat members that “This message was deleted”. Now it looks like the app is testing a self-destruct feature that would allow you to set a timer for messages in a specific chat and they will disappear after an allotted amount of time.
As far as the implementation of the feature is concerned, the disappearing messages feature is available only in the group chats as of now. Users can tap on Disappearing Messages option in the Group Settings to enable this feature. There are currently two countdown options — 5 seconds and 1 hour – to users. There is no time frame in between.
Disappearing messages could be useful to anyone who needs to send a sensitive piece of information that they don’t want to be permanently available. We’ve previously seen the feature used by the messaging app Telegram, which lets you send self-destructing messages using the app’s Secret Chats feature.
We’re still not sure when exactly WhatsApp plans to roll out this feature, or even if they’ll push it out at all. Separately, the blog site also confirmed that WhatsApp is working to bring dark mode to its iOS based app. It’s about time these features arrived on the WhatsApp client and we hope it’ll be pushed out soon.
A new report from South Korea indicates that Samsung will be shutting down its last smartphone manufacturing plant in China at the end of the month. The plant located in the Guangdong province of China first started producing phones on December 1992. It is presently the only functional Samsung production plant in China and around June this year, the company scaled down production at the plant with reports of workers getting laid off.
Samsung Galaxy A9s and Galaxy A6s
The steady rise to prominence of local phone manufacturers in China signalled the decline of Samsung phones in what was one of its strongholds. Samsung controlled more than 20% share of the market in the hay days but as Chinese brands continue to surge in growth, the Korean company continued to lose market share. The local OEMs like OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi and others were able to gain ground against the global market leader by offering premium models at affordable prices. Samsung’s market share in China was below 1% as at the end of 2018.
In recent times, Samsung has made efforts to reclaim its lost glory in the Chinese market and other markets like India where Chinese OEMs have grabbed a chunk of the market share for her hands. The company recently shifted its focus to the midrange segment with the Galaxy A series and other premium but affordable models. The Korean tech giant is also exploiting the use of ODM to manufacture its phones for the local market in a bid to cut the cost of production and thus bring down the retail price. The Galaxy A6s and A9s were the first devices to be manufactured by an ODM.
Samsung still continues production of smartphones in its plants in Thailand and Vietnam, though. However, it remains to be seen if there would be any chance of a return to China in the future. Time will tell.
Chinese tech giant Lenovo has hinted at the launch of a new variant of the Lenovo Legion Y7000P laptop. The new variant comes in a special Flame Red paint job which will join the black, white and red variants already released. The white variant was released recently, with the Y-shaped logo emitting blue light. The Lenovo Legion Y7000P Flame Red special edition will be released on October 8.
The Flame Red paint job is the distinguishing feature between this upcoming variant and the existing model. The Flame Red edition will pack an Intel Core i7 SoC paired with 16GB of RAM. The device comes with up to 1TB of solid-state storage. The laptop will come in two graphic card variant. One with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660Ti priced at 9099 yuan (~$1272) while there will be another model with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 priced at 9699 yuan (~$1356).
Lenovo first unveiled the Legion Y9000K, Y7000P, and Y7000 at CES 2019before they were released in China. The 15-inch laptops are also equipped with the new generation of NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards and buyers get to chose between the RTX and GTX. Zhang Hua, vice president of Lenovo Group and general manager of consumer business in Lenovo China disclosed that the Lenovo Legion notebook has three unique features namely; Dual-Direct GFX dual-mode enhanced display, TSI frost blade cooling system, and Fn+Q one-button beast mode. The TSI frost blade cooling system has a heat pipe with a diameter of up to 8mm. This has led to an increase in the heat transfer area by 78% and a reduction in the irregular fan cover noise by 10%.
The Beast mode is activated using the Fn+Q button. The Beast mode, when activated let the fan spin at full-speed in order to quickly dissipate heat from the system. This leads to stabilization of the hardware temperature, ensuring the stability of the game operation. Beast mode also turns off power consumption limits, increases CPU power and clock speed, gains more computing performance, and increases game speed. Furthermore, the laptops feature a full-size keyboard with a white backlight.
While Samsung has already launched a number of 5G compatible smartphones(1, 2, 3), it is yet to unveil a tablet that supports the next generation of mobile telecommunication. However, the statement might not stay true for long as the previously launched Galaxy Tab S6 is about to get a 5G variant, suggests Bluetooth SIG certification.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G Bluetooth SIG listing
The said listing was last updated on the 19th of September and it clearly mentions two variants of the high-end tablet, one with a 5G suffix and one without. For readers who are unaware, it is mandatory for device manufacturers to get their upcoming products certified with regulators like Bluetooth SIG to be able to sell them in certain markets.
Besides, OEMs usually tend to delay such certifications as much as possible to keep the devices hidden from the general public. Therefore, we believe the launch of the Galaxy Tab S6 5G is about to happen and will most likely to take place before the year 2019 ends. Noteworthy, the tablet is expected to first launch in its country of origin which is South Korea as it currently has the highest penetration of 5G network.
Unfortunately, the listing does not reveal any features of the upcoming tablet from Samsung. However, as observed with the 5G variants fo the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10, the 5G variant of the Galaxy Tab S6 is assumed to have on par or better specifications than the original device.
For reference, the specs of the Galaxy Tab S6 are as follows:
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, GPS, USB Type C port
RAM + ROM: 6 GB + 128 GB, 8 GB + 256 GB
Based upon our insights, no other OEM is gearing for the launch of 5G compatible tablet, henceforth, the Galaxy Tab S6 5G will be crowned the world’s first 5G tablet.
In order to obtain precise details about it price, specs and availability, we will have to wait until its official launch which as previously mentioned is expected to happen soon.
Gionee is back in business and its return shows it intends to take things seriously going forward. It launched the Gionee F9 Plus smartphone and G Buddy Smart “Life” Watch in India last month and at the launch event, it was revealed that more products such as power banks and headphones will launch later. The company has now silently announced four power banks with various designs and capacities
Gionee 10000mAh Power Bank (PB10K1)
The PB10K1 has a 10000mAh lithium-polymer battery. Housed in an ergonomically-designed white case with black dots lining the lower half and a silver top, it sure looks different from a lot of the power banks out there.
The power bank has two output ports with one charging at 5V 1A and the other charging at 5V 2.4A. The MicroUSB input port has a 5V 2A rating. There are four LEDs to indicate battery level and there is an LED torch that will definitely come in handy. Gionee says it has multi-level intelligent protective circuitry and short-circuit protection.
The PB10KD also has a 10,000mAh lithium-polymer battery capacity but ditches the sleek design of the PB10K1. The battery is enclosed in a black casing with a 3D textured finish that should provide a firm grip.
There are a total of four ports on the power bank – 2 full-sized output ports, 1 MicroUSB input, and 1 USB Type-C port that serves as both input and output.
Output port 1 has a 5V 1A rating, output port 2 has a 5V 2.4A rating, the Type-C input port has a 5V 3A (15W) rating, and the MicroUSB port has a 5V 2A rating. There are four LEDs for battery level indication as well as a power button.
The Gionee 20000mAh Power Bank has the same design as the PB10KD above but its battery capacity is double. It also has the same number of ports as its smaller sibling with the same power ratings.
The G Buddy PB10K1S has a slim but different design to the G Buddy PB10K1. It also has a 10000mAh battery capacity but unlike the other power banks which have LEDs to indicate their battery level, this one has an LED display that shows the battery level in percentage.
Even with its significantly slimmer body, Gionee has managed to fit in four ports – 2x full-sized output ports (5V 1A and 5V 2.4A), 1x USB Type-C (5V 3A) input/output port, and 1x MicroUSB input port (5V 2A).
Global presale of the new rugged duo Ulefone Armor 3W and Armor 3WT is in full swing and according to comments on tech sites, users are curious about the battery life of the two devices. Ulefone claims to have equipped both models with a massive 10300mAh battery and today, they released a video demonstrating the battery endurance. Let’s check it out.
As you can see, after 2 hours of heavy use that included a half-hour use in each different actions like phone calls, music playback, movie playback, and online gaming, only 8% of the battery capacity was consumed. According to this data, we can safely assume that you can use the phone for 25 hours continuously before it runs out of battery! Just as a comparison, most phones -including expensive flagships- would last for 5-6 hours tops. With an average user using his smartphone for about 5 hours daily, Armor 3W/3WT can go on for 5 days on a single charge. The power-efficient Helio P70 helps in achieving these incredible numbers that are very helpful for those going on trips outdoors where no power outlet is available.
Besides the big battery, the phones come with a 5.7″ FHD+ 18:9 display as well as a Sony 21MP main camera and an 8MP selfie shooter. Also, there’s 6GB/64GB memory configuration, face and fingerprint unlock NFC with Google Pay support, and Android 9 Pie. The Armor 3WT has exactly the same specs with walkie-talkie function added. Of course, both feature IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810G certifications.
Ulefone Armor 3W is currently on sale at just $239.99 and the Armor 3WTat $279.99 on Aliexpress. For more details, visit the company’s official website.
A laptop can be described as a personal computer that is more portable as compared to their desktop equivalents.
You can effortlessly take this portable personal computer with you wherever you go, making it a great for students, business people and those who need to do office work while traveling.
If you have been searching for a high-end laptop that doesn’t cost a bomb, we got good news for you. GeekBuying is giving you a chance to get your tech greedy hands on two variants of the VORKE Notebook 15 laptop. In addition to getting this discount, you can save more money at checkout. We will talk about that in just a bit.
VORKE Notebook 15 Laptop (Intel Core i5-8250U)
Powered by Intel Core i5-8250U processor, this VORKE Notebook 15 Laptop variant would normally set you back a pretty penny on both online, as well as offline stores. Much to the relief of those a tight budget, GeekBuying is offering it for a lowered price of $479.99.
Furthermore, you can extend this 22 percent discount with the help of coupon code 3SGX5JJH. The coupon helps you save $14 more by reducing the original asking price of the laptop to just 465.99.
To get this discount and take full advantage of the coupon, all you need to do is to follow this link without wasting time.
There’s a 22 percent off on another model of the VORKE Notebook that packs Intel Core i7-4500U processor under the hood. The aforesaid model usually carries a steep $513.99 price tag, but can now be yours for a lowered price of just $399.99 from GeekBuying.
As if that weren’t enough, you can grab an extra $20 off by applying coupon code 3SGX9JZN at the time of checking out. In other words, you can bring the already reduced asking price of the VORKE Notebook further down to just $379.99 simply by applying the aforesaid coupon.
You can follow this link to grab the discount and use the coupon before it expires. Note that the promo is slated to end shortly.
The VORKE Notebook 15 laptop offers the following features:
15.6-inches screen with 1920×1080 pixels resolution
Intel HD Graphics 4400 GPU
8GB DDR3 + 256GB SSD
Windows 10 OS
1.3MP front camera
Dual-band 2.4G/5G WiFi
19mm full metal body
1.78 kg weight
44Whr battery
You can check out the full specification by visit the promotion page on GeekBuying.
Xiaomi has launched a new Mini head massager priced at 199 yuan ($28). The company has got several massagers on its catalogue like the Jeeback neck massager and even a massage chair. But this should be one of a few head massagers that the company is launching.
One soothing way to get relief after a stressful day is to massage your scalp with your hands. This can also be done with a head massager and it boosts the blood circulation in your scalp and increases hair growth. Apart from that, head massagers help relieve tensed muscles, reduce headaches, and provide deep relaxation.
The Mini head massager comes with 4-wheel rotatory massage brush heads and can be used under wet and dry conditions. It also comes with several speed adjustments. The massager grabs the head just like the fingers, mimicking actions carried out with the fingers such as opening, closing, pushing, pulling, smashing, and grasping in succession. This ensures a single manipulation isn’t repeated for too long, thus promoting blood circulation to the head, and relieve brain fatigue.
In addition, the massager comes with four selectable modes and has buttons for adjustment. The body is equipped with IPX6 waterproof function. The brushes use soft rubber contacts which combines flexibility and elasticity. The massage per unit area is more evenly distributed and there is no irritation in contact with the scalp. Each massage cycle lasts for 10 minutes after which it automatically shuts down. One full charge can last for 6 massage cycles before it needs to be charged again.
The design of head massager includes a detachable charging base. This is to prevent damage to the USB interface when the body needs to be cleaned. The head is equipped with a black LED screen which shows the current massage speed.
Indian smartphone manufacturer Micromax, which has not been active in the market, is gearing up to launch a new device in its home country. The upcoming smartphone, dubbed Micromax iOne Note, has been teased by the company.
Along with teasing the device, the company has also listed some of the key specifications of the upcoming smartphone. While Micromax has not yet announced the launch date for the iOne Note, the teasers hint that the launch is imminent.
The image of the smartphone shared by the company for the teasers reveal that there’s a sizeable chin at the bottom beneath the display. As for the rear camera setup, the sensors are placed vertically in the top-left corner.
The listing reveals that the Micromax iOne Note will feature a waterdrop notch on top of the display for housing the front-facing camera while on the back side, the device will sport a dual-camera setup. It will feature a 6.088-inch HD+ display offering 1520 x 720 pixels screen resolution.
Under the hood, the device will come powered by a 3,950mAh battery but it’s not yet known if there’s support for any type of fast charging technology. It will pack 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage along with a microSD card slot for expandable storage support of up to 64GB.
The dual-camera setup on the back consists of a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel secondary sensor with support for features like Multi-Shot and Night Mode. On the front side, it will be equipped with a 5-megapixel snapper. It will be running Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box.
The smartphone could be the upgraded variant of the iOne that was launched in India earlier this year. As said, the company has not yet revealed the launch date but given that the company has almost shared everything related to the smartphone except for the pricing and availability, the official launch should take place in a few days.
Virtually every smartphone manufacturer now makes phone accessories such as cases, power banks, and headphones. With the audio jack disappearing from a lot more phones, manufacturers are also launching wireless headphones and wireless earbuds. LG has announced its first pair of wireless earbuds in its home country and it is called the Tone+ Free.
The LG Tone + Free boasts fast charging, built-in Gooogle Assistant, and advanced tuning technology. Available in black and white with a matching circular case, the earbuds have a semi-open design and have a secure fit. LG says it has designed the earbuds to be comfortable even when worn for long hours.
The earbuds have two microphones – a voice microphone and a noise-canceling microphone. Both work together to provide clear calls. The LG Tone+ Free has an IPX4 rating making it suitable for exercising. You also don’t have to worry if it rains.
Each earbud has touch controls for playback and calling up the Google Assistant. To call up the assistant, you have to press and hold before giving your command.
The LG Tone+ Free is priced at KRW 25,999 (~$22). LG is already taking pre-orders and will end on October 14. The Black version will be available for purchase starting October 28 while the white version will be available in November.
We don’t know if LG will launch it outside its home country but seeing as it won’t go on sale until the end of the month, it may take a while before it arrives in Europe and North America. We have a feeling it may be delayed till next year and announced alongside the LG G9 ThinQ.
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