Mi Mix 4 may launch this year as Xiaomi exec takes back statement!

By

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Oct 2, 2019

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.

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.

Oppo Reno gets Android 10 public beta update early

By

Airyl Jaszly

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Oct 2, 2019

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.

(Via)

WhatsApp brings self destructing messages to beta versions

By

Airyl Jaszly

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Oct 2, 2019

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.

(Source)

Samsung reportedly shutting down its last production plant in China this month

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Oct 2, 2019

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_ — 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.

(source)

Lenovo Legion Y7000P Flame Red Special Edition launching on October 8

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Oct 2, 2019

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.

(via)

World’s First 5G tablet could launch soon

By

Sahil

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Oct 2, 2019

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:

Display: 10.5 inch Super AMOLED, 257 PPI
Chipset: Snapdragon 855, Octa Core CPU, Adreno 640 GPU, 7 nm
Battery: 7,040 mAh, 15 W fast charging
Front Camera: 13 MP + 5 MP
Rear Camera: 8 MP
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.

(via)

Gionee silently launches four super-affordable power banks

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Oct 2, 2019

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 power bank is priced at INR 599 (~$8) on Flipkart.

Gionee 10000mAh Power Bank (PB10KD)

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.

It is available on Flipkart for INR 599 (~$8) too.

Gionee 20000mAh Power Bank (PB20KD)

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 Gionee 20000mAh Power Bank is available for purchase for INR 1099 (~$15) on Flipkart.

Gionee 10000mAh Power Bank (PB10K1S)

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).

The Gionee 10000mAh Power Bank (PB10K1S) is on Flipkart for INR 699 (~$10).

Watch Ulefone Armor 3W/3WT go through a battery performance test

By

Dimitris Economou

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Oct 2, 2019

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 3WT at $279.99 on Aliexpress. For more details, visit the company’s official website.

Buy VORKE Notebook 15 Laptop for a Lowered Price from GeekBuying [Coupons]

By

Vinay Patel

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Oct 2, 2019

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.

VORKE Notebook 15 Laptop [Intel Core i5-8250U]

VORKE Notebook 15 Laptop Intel (Intel Core i7-4500U)

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.

VORKE Notebook 15 Laptop [Intel Core i7-4500U]

Xiaomi launches a Mini Head Massager priced at 199 yuan ($28)

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Oct 2, 2019

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.

Micromax iOne Note specifications revealed ahead of its launch

By

Jeet

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Oct 2, 2019

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.

LG Tone+ Free wireless earbuds launched in South Korea

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Oct 2, 2019

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.

(Source)

Garmin MARQ Commander smartwatch launched

By

Sahil

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Oct 2, 2019

The market is laden with tons of fitness watches, however, most of them have near-identical hardware and features. Therefore, the success of any new entrant is largely influenced by the way it is marketed and build quality. Earlier this week, Garmin launched the MARQ Commander smartwatch. Except for a couple of uniques additions, the newly launched watch offers similar features as the company’s existing lineup.

Nevertheless, it is made out of premium materials and its stealthy design makes it look like a spy gadget from science fiction movies.

The Garmin MARQ Commander sports a 1.2-inch touch screen display that has a resolution of 240 x 240 px. Its body is made out of Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coated titanium while the display is protected with domed sapphire crystal. The watch is offered with two different strap options which include nylon and silicone. Both the options have a Jacquard weave design and can fits wrists with a circumference of 135-213 mm.

While the Garmin website does not reveal the exact battery capacity, it is claimed to provide a backup of 12 days with connectivity features like GPS turned off. Naturally, the backup will drop down drastically when these features are put into play.

The Garmin MARQ Commander also has a water resistance rating of 10 ATM which falls in line with its rugged persona. The smartwatch has 32 GB of built-in memory that can be used to store music tracks and offline maps.

The smartwatch packs a whole host of sensors that include GPS, compass, barometer, accelerometer and thermometer. In addition to the navigation, date and time feature, it also has fitness tracking capabilities which include a step tracker, calories burnt meter and distance travelled. It is compatible with both Android and iOS, and the recorded stats can be synced to the user’s smartphone to review at a later point.

Taking its ‘stealthy’ tagline a step further, it features an actual kill switch for clearing the user memory and a stealth mode that disables wireless connections and stops GPS storing and sharing.

The Garmin MARQ Commander carries a hefty price tag of $ 1,950 that definitely makes it stand out of the bunch.

Infinix Hot S5 specs and images leak reveal punch-hole display

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Oct 2, 2019

Even though it is premature to talk about the Infinix Hot S5 as the Infinix S4 recently went on sale, the smartphone appeared on the Google Play Console revealing a few features. The Hot S5 could go on sale early next year if Infinix sticks to their current launch cycles. But the leaks hint at an earlier launch, probably towards the last quarter of 2019. We cannot say for certain!

Infinix Hot S5 Specifications and Features

According to the Google Play Console listing, the Hot S5 features a punch-hole display with the camera on the left side of the display, similar to the Vivo Z1 Pro. It is likely to be the same 32-megapixel unit found on the predecessor Infinix Hot S4. The smartphone is likely to feature an HD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, 320 PPI pixel density and an aspect ratio of 20:9.

The Hot S5 could come with a quad-camera setup at the rear. Even though the details are scarce, there are rumors of a single 48-megapixel lens. It draws power from a MediaTek Helio P22 chipset with 4GB of RAM, and runs on Android 9.0 Pie out-of-the-box. The Hot S5 is likely to borrow the 5,000 mAh battery form the Hot 8. In terms of aesthetics, the device has a sizeable chin on the bottom while the power and volume rockers are present on the right edge.

Editor’s Pick: Xiaomi sells over 1.5 million devices during festive sales in first few hours on Amazon, Flipkart and Mi.com

The Infinix Hot S5 seems to be equipped with a polycarbonate body with a glossy color gradient. The smartphone will compete with the Realme 3i and the Redmi 8A. Despite revealing a few basic specifications, the listing leaves a lot to the imagination. Additional details regarding storage, display size, price and availability should be announced within the next couple of weeks.

In related news, the last smartphone from Infinix in India was the Infinix Hot 8. The device flaunts a 6.52-inch HD+ display with a punch-hole selfie camera. The device is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P22 SoC with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of native storage. The smartphone features a 13-megapixel primary camera with a 2-megapixel secondary sensor and an LED flash module. It features an 8-megapixel lens on the front. The device has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. It is powered by a 5,000 mAh battery and runs on the Android 9.0 Pie-based XOS 5.0.

(via)

Xiaomi’s RedmiBook 14 may launch in Europe soon as it gets EEC certification

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 2, 2019

Although the Redmi brand is a separate brand now, we really can’t completely extricate it from Xiaomi which is the parent company. Xiaomi seems to be gearing up for the launch of the affordable RedmiBook 14 laptop in Europe. We say so because the RedmiBook has just gotten certified by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC).

Redmi Book (Laptop) certified by EEC; To launch soon in Europe. pic.twitter.com/RHcqGL8JrA

— Sudhanshu Ambhore (@Sudhanshu1414) October 1, 2019

The certification page was revealed by emerging tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore on Twitter. In detail, the official website of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) has listed among its certified devices the new RedmiBook under a license number KZ000000223.

The website didn’t reveal any detail of the laptop but it sure confirms that Xiaomi might be finalizing plans for the launch of the RedmiBook 14 in Europe and that could also mean the global market. This should be cheering news for those who might be interested to get the laptop but don’t want to take the risk and heavy price involved in shipping from China.

Xiaomi’s Redmi launched its first notebook PC dubbed RedmiBook 14 on May 28. At the time, the notebook was announced with Intel Core i5 and Core i7. The RedmiBook14 later got an Intel Core i3 version that is priced at 3,199 yuan (~$465).

As a reminder, theRedmiBook features a 14-inch full HD screen, which explains the number 14 attached to the moniker. The display comes with narrow 5.75mm bezels and a solid 81.2% screen to body ratio. The screen equally comes with an anti-glare matte coating to ensure good display visibility in the daytime. The notebook PC is relatively lightweight at 1.5Kgs and comes with a 19mm full-sized keyboard. Unlike the new MacBooks, the RedmiBook boasts a number of ports like HDMI, 2 x USB 3.0, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB 2.0 port. The notebook comes with an efficient cooling system and boasts a long 10 hours of battery life. It supports ultra-low power standby as well as Xiaomi’s Smart Unlock 2.0, wherein you can unlock the RedmiBook 14 in just 1.2 seconds with your Mi Band 3 or the latest Band 4. Other features include DTS surround sound and genuine Microsoft Office Home and Student editions.

Microsoft Wireless Charger gets certified at FCC; raises questions

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Oct 2, 2019

Microsoft’s New York event begins in less than 6 hours. The event will be an avenue for the Redmond-based company to show us what it has been working on for the past 12 months. While we already know some of the products that will be unveiled, there are others we don’t know yet and it appears one of them will support wireless charging seeing as a Microsoft Wireless Charger has just been certified by the FCC.

The wireless charger has the model number 1915 and a power supply rating of 5Vdc, 200mA. It has a maximum power output of 300mW and has an NFC FPC loop antenna. The description also mentions it has a USB to type-C cable and measures 162.9 x 17 x 9.9 mm.

WinCentral reports that the charger runs in three modes: Charging with 10% load, Charging with 50% load, and Charging with full load. They also reported that the wireless charger isn’t designed for the Surface Pen as it supports Notebook charging.

We don’t know which of Microsoft’s new notebooks will actually support wireless charging but we have a feeling it may be the dual-screen Surface device it is set to unveil later today that supports it. We tried checking the Wireless Power Consortium site but didn’t find any Microsoft device on their database.

(Source)

Google could launch Pixel Buds 2 along with the Pixel 4 series on October 15

By

Jeet

-

Oct 2, 2019

In the year 2017, along with the Pixel 2 series smartphones, Google had also launched its Pixel Buds wireless earphones, for a price of $159. Now, it seems that the company is all set to introduce its second-generation Pixel Buds.

As per the report, the Google Pixel Buds 2 are expected to get launched on 15th October at the Made by Google 2019 event. The event has already been confirmed by the company where it is expected to launch the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL flagship smartphones as well as Pixelbook 2, Nest Mini, among others.

However, nothing much is known about the upcoming Pixel Buds 2 wireless earphones. It remains a mystery whether the next-gen wireless earphones from Google will have a cable running between them like the original model or if they will be fully wireless, similar to the Apple AirPods. Our bet is on the fully wireless design, given that most manufacturers are now launching TWS earphones and not the wired ones.

We also expect the earphones to come with support for Google Assistant, similar to the original model, allowing users to play and control music, get directions or make a phone call — all through simple voice commands.

The Pixel Buds, which were launched a couple of years ago, were priced at $159 and offered in three color options — Just Black, Clearly White and Kinda Blue. While details about the upcoming Pixel Buds 2 is not yet known, we expect the them to be priced similarly. To know for sure, we’ll have to wait a couple of weeks for the event to take place.

(Via)

Sony is developing a 3D holographic display that will be compatible with PlayStation

By

Sahil

-

Oct 2, 2019

In the year 2017, Sony applied for a patent for a ‘holographic display screen’ at USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) which has now been granted. As the name suggests, the patent refers to a display that can project 3D lifelike objects.

Surprisingly, users of Sony’s holographic display don’t need to wear any 3D glasses which is unlike most other 3D solutions that are currently available. Not only can such glasses restrict the movement of the user, but they might even feel uncomfortable when used for longer periods of time.

To project 3D images, Sony’s display from the patent uses a light emitter and numerous micro mirrors that can tilt or change direction rapidly. The light source can be modulated electonically which creates different images for the left and right eye thus the desired 3D effect is achieved.

Besides, the display is equipped with hardware that can track the user’s eye and facial movement. It can also determine the number of users looking at it. Additional components including camera and light sensor are used to calculate the distance between the viewer and the screen.

Different illustrations suggest that the sensors can be placed at different locations. For example, they can be concealed under the bezels or even under the display itself. Therefore, Sony can create a completely bezel-less display which will provide for an immersive experience.

In addition to projecting 3D holographic content, it could also function as a conventional screen that displays 2D content. Even though it is not confirmed, one user might be able to watch the content in 2D while another watches it in 3D.

Noteworthy, the display will be compatible with Sony’s PlayStation console which will open up a whole new world of possibilities for both gamers and game developers. Not only that, but the patent also talks about Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s Switch. Hence, the display might not be limited to just Sony’s gaming console.

As of now, it is not confirmed whether Sony plans to make this display commercially available. In case the company does plan to launch such a display, it is expected to carry a steep price tag. Another noteworthy feature of the display is the fact that it is modular in nature and multiple displays can be connected together to form an ever-larger display.

Taking into consideration, the patent was filed two years ago Sony could actually have a finalised product ready by now. Besides, the company has many years of experience in this field. In the year 2009, it showcased a prototype of a 360-degree holographic display whose video is shared below.

(via)

Although nothing has been set in stone, we believe Sony will bring out this technology that too sooner rather than later.

Banggood 2019 Brand Sale Offers Great Discounts, Big Coupons and a Chance to Win $100 Bonuses Deal

By

Vinay Patel

-

Oct 2, 2019

It looks like brand-conscious buyers are in for a treat. Given that top-branded products aren’t easy on the pocketbook, we usually refrain from buying products from our favorite brands.

Much to the relief of those on a tight budget, Banggood has launched the Banggood 2019 Brand Sale, doling out great discounts on a wide range of top-branded products that usually carry steep price tags. In addition to discounts, Banggood users stand a chance of unlocking $100 Bonuses Deal. We will talk about it in just a bit.

The activity page is teeming with amazing products from popular manufacturers, and it could take quite some time for you to find exactly what you are looking for. To expedite and facilitate the search process, all products have carefully been added to specific categories.

The Brand Selected Products section features well-received products from OnePlus, Sonoff, Xiaomi, BlitzWolf, and other leading brands. More importantly, each product has been assigned a dedicated coupon that you can use to save money at checkout.

For instance, the OnePlus 7 (8GB RAM+256GB ROM) smartphone usually retails for $999.99, but thanks to a 28 percent off, you can buy it for a lowered price of $719.79 from the activity page. You can apply coupon code BGBOOP78 and bring the already lowered retail price of the phone down to just $439.99.

Supported by partner brands, the next section called Brand Special Offer is simply unmissable. The category features four amazing products that you can now buy without burning a hole in your pocket.

Living up to its reputation for offering the best bang for your buck, Banggood is giving its loyal users a chance to win $100 Bonuses Deal. To participate, you need to orderly follow specific pages that lead to other Banggood promotions.

The promo page also features the Super Official Store section, which comprises official online stores for brands like Xiaomi, BlitzWolf, Eachine, and Digoo. There are dedicated coupons that allow you to get discounts on items available under the brand section.

You can get 18% Off Brand Coupon for Xiaomi-branded products, 15% Off New User Coupon for BlitzWolf, and 9% Off Brand Coupon for Eachine. The Digoo section gives you a chance to win $126 Bonuses.

Xiaomi’s Mi Band 4 is already a hit in China

Among a slew of other amazing products, you can buy Xiaomi’s recently unveiled Mi band 4 smartwatch for a lowered price of $63.99 under the Special Offer Store category. Note that the device usually retails for $99.99 without this 36 percent off.

You can get significant discounts on miscellaneous items placed under the Category Hot Trend List section. You can get all sorts of accessories and parts from leading brands such as FrSky, JRC, GEEKCREIT, DONIU, and more.

The concluding section on the promotion page is called Brand New Product and gives you a chance to save a considerable amount of money on various items that usually don’t come cheap.

For example, the BlitzWolf BW-ES3 3.5mm In-ear Earphone, which would normally set you back $8.53 can now be yours for a lowered price of just $4.99. On top of that, you can get free shipping on orders over $19.99.

You can click here to take full advantage of these offers that are currently available on the activity page.

Banggood 2019 Brand Sale

Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro with 108MP camera may debut on October 24

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Oct 2, 2019

In July, Xiaomi introduced its CC9 series of smartphones such as Mi CC9e, Mi CC9 and Mi CC9 Meitu Custom Edition. Fresh information shared by a tipster from China claims that the company is working may announce a new CC9 phone on Oct. 24. The handset could be dubbed as Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro and it is expected to come equipped with a 108-megapixel camera.

The tipster has further added that the alleged Mi CC9 Pro could be fueled by Snapdragon 730G mobile platform. There is no other information available on the specifications of the Mi CC9 Pro.

Being a Pro version of the Mi CC9, the handset may sport an identical design. Also, the smartphone may borrow many of its specs from the Mi CC9. Hence, it is likely to arrive with a waterdrop notch display couple with in-screen fingerprint reader. Probably, it could be running on the latest MIUI 11 based Android 9 Pie OS. Since the rumored Mi CC9 Pro smartphone is expected to debut on Oct. 24, more information on it is expected to surface in the coming days.

Editor’s Pick: No other Mi MIX smartphone launching this year, confirms Xiaomi executive

Xiaomi Mi CC9 Price Cut

Meanwhile, Xiaomi is now offering the Mi CC9 with a discount of 100 Yuan between Oct. 1 and Oct. 7. The 6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage is now priced at 1,699 Yuan (~$239) whereas the 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage variant costs 1,899 Yuan (~$265) after the discount. The Mi CC9 smartphone is rebranded as Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite in markets out of China like Spain.

The Xiaomi Mi CC9 has a 6.39-inch S-AMOLED display with waterdrop notch. It offers full HD+ resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The smrtphone offers a screen-to-body ratio of 91 percent. The front and rear sides of the Mi CC9 is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 panels. The Snapdragon 710 chipset is present under the hood of the device. The Sony IMX586 48-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel triple camera system and a 32-megapixel selfie camera is available on the device for photography. The 4,030mAh battery of the Mi CC9 supports 18W rapid charging. It offers users with NFC, USB-C and 3.5mm audio jack among other connectivity features.

(source)

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