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Get Up to a Whopping 80% Off on Laptops and Office Supplies on Banggood

Touted as a personal computer that can easily sit in a person’s lap, a laptop is lighter, smaller, and thinner as compared to a regular desktop PC. A great choice for mobile uses, top-end laptops boasts an array of impressive capabilities that outperform desktops.

Chuwi AeroBook

On the downside, these portable alternatives to desktop computers and smartphones aren’t easy on the pocketbook. A feature-laden laptop would normally set you back a pretty penny, but Banggod is bent on changing that.

The Chinese online store known for offering the best bang for your buck has launched the Big Sale For Laptop & Office in a bid to make top-branded laptops available to the cost-conscious buyers. As part of this recently kicked-off promo, Banggood will be doling out a whopping 80 percent off on laptops and a slew of other popular products.

The promotion page is crammed with high-end electronic items that have carefully been added to specific categories to simplify the search process. More importantly, you can grab noteworthy discounts on the aforesaid items that normally cost a bomb.

The Star Product section features the Wemax One Pro Laser Projector, an Adjustable Rotating Lift Chair, a Mini Desktop PC, and a Xiaomi RedmiBook laptop. Each product has been assigned a coupon code that you can use to save money at checkout.

For instance, the Xiaomi RedmiBook Laptop usually retails for $1,099.99, but it is currently available for a lowered price of only $1,023.99, under the Star Product category. You can extend this 7 percent discount by applying coupon code BGBA003 to bring the already reduced retail price further down to just $599.99.

RedmiBook 14

The next category called Hot Sale with various electronic items that normally carry steep price tags, but are currently up for grabs bearing reduced prices. Aside from carrying heavily discounted price stickers, select items have been assigned coupon codes that help you save a considerable amount of money during the checkout process.

Likewise, the New Arrival section is brimming with well-received products that cost-conscious buyers normally refrain by buying due to the steep price tags they carry. Much to the relief of those living on a tight budget, these items are now available for considerably lowered prices.

For example, the 2019 Xiaomi Laptop Pro gaming notebook with 8G RAM+256G SSD usually retails for $1,299.99, but you can now buy it for just $1,177.59. Aside from taking advantage of this 9 percent discount, you can get free shipping if your cart value exceeds $19.99.

You can avail up to a whopping 80 percent off on a wide range of products under the next section dubbed, Up to 80% Off. The section features interesting items such as a 13-inch Men Felt Laptop Sleeve Notebook Bag, a 12 Inch LCD Update Multifunction Writing Tablet, a UNIC P1 Plus WIFI Wireless Pocket DLP Mini Projector and more.

The concluding category called the Cannes Exclusive Coupon is also teeming with equally striking products that you can get your hands on without emptying your pocket. To check out the discounts available on all the products and use the coupons before they expire, visit the promotion page by clicking here.

Xiaomi could kill the POCO brand says IDC Analyst

Xiaomi’s POCO brand garnered a very strong fan following ever since the launch of its first phone, the Pocophone F1, back in August 2018. However, we haven’t really heard much about POCO in the past few months and there have been rumors floating around that Xiaomi could kill off this brand. Now, an IDC analyst reveals that scrapping the POCO lineup could be in the cards after the release of the affordable Redmi K series in India.

Xiaomi Pocophone F1
POCO’s first model F1 was a hit in India

POCO had established a very unique segment in the smartphone industry. The POCO F1 featured the flagship Snapdragon 845 processor at a never before seen sub-$300 segment. However, this year, Redmi seems to be keen to take over this market segment with the launch of the new Redmi K20 series. Given that the K series also focuses on bringing the latest Snapdragon flagship processor to the affordable market, it could be said that the new lineup replaces POCO in its market segment.

“Poco was launched to give high-end chosen few specs at mid-range prices, with clear compromises on design language. It was launched as an upgrade option for large Xiaomi base without breaking bank required to buy a flagship phone. It saw a mixed response really,” said Navkendar Singh, research director at IDC India to The Economic Times.

“But now, with this aggressive pricing of K series by Xiaomi with its absolute flagship specs, hardware, and design, the reason for the existence of Poco as a brand is in doubt,” he added.

Jai Mani, head of POCO, recently quit the company. This further adds fuel to this speculation. However, Xiaomi continues to deny this and a recent reply from the Xiaomi spokesperson said: “nothing changes because of an executive leaving and work will go on as planned”.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi crowdfunds a wireless floor cleaner that sweeps, mops and vacuums

Honor 9X Pro price, specifications leaked through China Telecom listing

The Honor 9X and Honor 9X Pro smartphones will be made official today at 2:30 PM (local time) in China. Ahead of the launch, a listing Honor 9X Pro at China Telecom’s store has been spotted by ITHome. The listing has revealed the pricing and entire specifications of the smartphone.

Honor 9X Pro Price and Release Date

According to the Tianyi store listing of China Telecom, the Honor 9X Pro that has a model number of HLK-AL00 will be available in two models in China such as 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. The listing reveals that the latter will be priced at 2,999 Yuan. The publication did not reveal the pricing of the 128 GB storage model of the Honor 9X Pro.

It will be available in colors like Magic Night Black, Phantom Blue and Phantom Violet. The listing says that the Honor 9X Pro will be releasing in the Chinese market on July 25. The images of the phone available on the listing shows the marvelous X-shaped pattern on its Phantom Blue color edition.

Honor 9X Pro Specifications

The Honor 9X Pro has a 6.59-inch IPS LCD display with a notch-less design. It carries support for full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The Kirin 810 chipset will be fueling the smartphone. It will be running on EMUI 9.1.1 based Android 9 Pie OS. The Honor 9X Pro features a 4,000mAh battery that carries support for fast charging through USB-C.

For snapping selfies, the Honor 9X Pro will provide users with a pop-up selfie camera of 16-megapixel. The listing states that the Honor 9X Pro will feature 48-megapixel + 16-megapixel + 2-megapixel triple camera system on its rear. The other features of the smartphone include microSD card slot, 3.5mm audio jack and side-mounted fingerprint reader. The handset measures 163.1 x 77.2 x 8.8mm and it weighs 206 grams.

Apart from launching the Honor 9X series of smartphones today, Honor is also expected to announce Honor Band 5, Honor MagicBook Pro and Honor TV through the same unveil event.

UP NEXT: Honor 9X new features revealed by the company ahead of its launch tomorrow

Apple is said to be close to buying Intel’s Modem Business for $1 billion

Apple is said to be in the advanced stages of making a deal with Intel for its modem business,  the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. This report comes a couple of months after Qualcomm and Apple announced a truce to ensure steady supply of its modems for the upcoming iPhones.

Apple iPhone Xs
Last year’s iPhone use Intel’s modems

The deal is said to cover Intel’s portfolio of patents and staff in its modem business valued at $1 billion. An official announcement is expected sometime in the next week when the deal could be finalized. Buying off Intel’s modem business would be crucial for the iPhone maker as it would speed up plans for its inhouse modem development. The company has been looking to setup a similar department to its inhouse chip development team for its modem business. This would ensure it’s capable of developing and using inhouse modem chips for future iPhone models. The company has already hired engineers and executives, some of whom are from Intel for this purpose.

Editor’s Pick: ASUS ROG Phone 2 arrives with a 120Hz display, Snapdragon 855+, and a massive 6000mAh battery

Getting access to Intel’s talent and patents in the modem business would give a solid boost to its inhouse modem development plans. This is particularly important in the next couple of years where 5G will become an important cellular network technology for smartphones.

Intel 5G modem
The Intel XMM 8160 5G modem
(Source: Intel Corporation)

As for Intel, this would be a very good opportunity to shed off a loss-making business unit. After Apple and Qualcomm made a deal back in April, Intel was quick to announce its departure from the modem business for smartphones. This wasn’t surprising given Apple was the semiconductor giant’s biggest customer and it didn’t make sense to continue running the business without the iPhone maker. To recall, Intel was the sole third-party modem provider for last year’s iPhone models.

If this deal goes through, expect an official announcement from both the companies in the coming weeks.

UP NEXT: Apple Watch saves UK man’s life by promptly detecting low heart rate

(Source)

Nokia 6.2 specifications and price leaked ahead of rumored August launch

Leaked information that had surfaced yesterday had claimed that HMD Global will be holding a big unveil event in August to announce Nokia 6.2 and Nokia 7.2 smartphones. Unfortunately, the leak did not reveal any information on the specifications of these smartphones. Citing information from MobilesReview, Chinese publication ITHome revealed key details has shared key information on the specifications of the Nokia 6.2 smartphone.

HMD Global’s Nokia 6 lineup of midrange phones have good reception from the audience. The Nokia 6 was unveiled at the beginning of year 2017. It was replaced by Nokia 6.1 at the start of 2018. Hence, Nokia fans have been eagerly waiting for the arrival of the Nokia 6.2 since the beginning of this year. Fresh details indicate that the Nokia 6.2 will go official along with Nokia 7.2 in August. It is speculated that the Finnish firm will hold an unveil event in China to launch both smartphones.

Alleged-Nokia-6.2
Alleged Nokia 6.2

Nokia 6.2 Specifications (Rumored)

In April, HMD Global had launched the Nokia X71 as its first smartphone with punch-hole display design. The Nokia 6.2 is said to be a smaller edition of the Nokia X71 with a similar design. It is speculated that the Nokia 6.2 will come equipped with a full HD+ resolution supporting 6-inch AMOLED display with a punch-hole for the front-facing camera. The Snapdragon 660 could be present under the hood of the Nokia 6.2 smartphone. The SoC could be supported by up to 6 GB of RAM.

The Nokia 6.2 may sport a vertical triple camera setup with ZEISS lenses. It may include a primary lens of 20-megapixel, an ultrawide shooter of 8-megapixel and a depth sensor of 5-megapixel. The configuration of the front camera of the smartphone is not available yet.

The Nokia 6.2 could be equipped with a 3,300mAh battery. The smartphone will boot to Android 9 Pie OS. It goes without saying that it will be an Android One smartphone. It will come with an internal storage of 64 GB.

Nokia 6.2 Price (Rumored)

In China, the 4 GB RAM base model of the Nokia 6.2 may carry a price tag of 1,199 Yuan (~$174). The higher model with 6 GB of RAM may cost 1,499 Yuan (~$217). There is no information available on the color variants of the smartphone.

UP NEXT: Nokia 7.2 case renders matches leaked Nokia TA-1198

Vivo S1 August 7 launch date for India confirmed

In the previous week, Vivo India had released the first teaser of the company’s upcoming S-series smartphone for India. Through a video commercial, the company has confirmed that its forthcoming S-series phone will be called Vivo S1. The company has also confirmed to the media that it will be holding a launch event on Aug. 7 to announce the Vivo S1 smartphone.

Vivo S1 August 7 launch date

The above shown “block the date” poster only confirms that Vivo India will launch its first S-series smartphone in India on Aug. 7. A new television commercial that is now available on the YouTube channel of Vivo India confirms that the company will be launching the Vivo S1 smartphone with 32-megapixel selfie camera and stylish design in the country. The TV ad features Bollywood celebrity Sara Ali Khan.

The TV ad also reveals that the Vivo S1 will be arriving in two colors. The first one is gradient color that offers a mix of white, blue and pink. It could be called Sky Blue. The other color variant of the Vivo S1 that has a darker appeal features an impressive diamond-cut design. It could be called Dark Blue.

Rumors surrounding the Indian launch of the Vivo S1 have revealed that its base model featuring 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage will be priced at Rs. 17,990. The pricing of the rumored higher edition with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage is not known yet. Vivo India is speculated to begin the pre-orders of the Vivo S1 in early August and its first sale may take place on Aug. 15.

Vivo S1 Specifications

The Vivo S1 houses a waterdrop notch enabled AMOLED display of 6.39 inches. It produces full HD+ resolution and is equipped with an in-display fingerprint scanner. The MediaTek Helio P65 octa-core processor is at the helm of the device. The smartphone is backed by a 4,500mAh battery that carries support for 18W dual-engine fast charging.

VIvo S1 Sky BLue
VIvo S1 Sky BLue

The Android 9 Pie OS on the Vivo S1 is customized with company’s FunTouch OS 9 UI. Apart from the selfie snapper of 32-megapixel, the smartphone is fitted with a 16-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel triple camera setup on its rear. The specifications of the Vivo S1 smartphone are known because it has already debuted in Indonesia recently.

UP NEXT: Vivo Z5 official renders released ahead of July 31 launch

ASUS Zenfone 6 gets another camera-focused update

ASUS has released another update for the Zenfone 6 and the release note says the focus is on making the camera experience better.

ASUS ZenFone 6

The Zenfone 6 has dual rear cameras that rotate thanks to an electrical motor. One of the few tricks of the Flip Camera, as ASUS has termed the rear camera design, is that you can rotate the cameras to any angle between when it is in its default position and when it completes the 180° movement and is facing you. The new update improves stability when you rotate the camera. Below is the full change-log:

  • Improved Camera Rotation Stability.
  • Add Mobile Manager & Cleanup Launcher Shortcut.
  • EIS Optimized for video recording.
  • Optimized supernight mode texture and noise reducing.
  • Removed the evening color cast in supernight mode.
  • Fixed the flip mechanism on panorama mode.
  • General system & app stability improved.
  • Increased touch sound on/off toggle.
  • Optimized power consumption.
  • Optimized Translation Strings.
  • Rearranged the position of “Retract camera” to 1st page at quick settings.
  • Improved Call Quality.

The update doesn’t mention a security patch, so if you were expecting that, you will be disappointed.

The update changes the version number to 16.1220.1906.167. ASUS says the update is rolling out in batches based on serial numbers, so it may take a while before the OTA reaches everyone.

(Source, Via: 1, 2)

 

UP NEXT: Huawei M6 tablet powered by Kirin 980 SoC gets Ark Compiler update

Zhiyun Crane M2 Launched with multi-device support, compact build and priced at $274

When it comes to handheld gimbals, Chinese manufacturer Zhiyun has carved a niche for itself. The company has a wide array of handheld gimbals under its arsenal. In its bid to make things more affordable and simpler, the company has launched a compact, multi-device compatible handheld gimbal dubbed Zhiyun Crane M2.Zhiyun Crane M2

The Zhiyun Crane M2 comes with a smaller size than most of its competitors. The device weighs just 1.1 lbs (500g) and has a dimension of 267 x 69 x 138mm. Despite the compact size, the gimbal can carry compact cameras, light mirrorless cameras, mobile phones, and action cameras with a maximum payload of 1.58 lbs (720 g).Zhiyun Crane M2

To use the gimbal with the different gadgets would require a dedicated accessory for each device. The gimbal has a new quick-release plate which makes it much easier to remove the camera from the stabilizer and remount it again.Zhiyun Crane M2

It also comes with enhanced camera control via Wi-fi and Bluetooth as well as new stabilizing modes. There is a bright OLED display which avails users of the gimbal mode, Bluetooth and Wi-fi status, battery level and other important parameters. Also worthy of note is that the gadget comes with up to 7 hours of battery life.

The device is now available for pre-order for just $269.

 

UP NEXT: OnePlus hints all the OnePlus 7 Pro’s cameras will get Nightscape mode soon

(source)

Asus ROG Phone 2 vs Xiaomi Black Shark 2 vs Red Magic 3: Specs Comparison

The newly-announced ROG Phone II by Asus is already defined as the best gaming phone so far. The presence of the best Qualcomm’s chipset out there and its incredibly advanced gaming-centric features left no doubts. But when it comes to mobile devices, it is not all about specifications and neither about performances. There is also value for money, just to make an example. That is the reason why we think it is worth comparing the so-called “best gaming phone ever” with the other recent gaming phones from its concurrence. And in case you do not know, the latest gaming smartphones with a gaming-centric design released before the ROG Phone II are Xiaomi Black Shark 2 and Nubia Red Magic 3. Here we will show you the differences between these handsets as well as their strong and weak points.

 

Asus ROG Phone 2 vs Xiaomi Black Shark 2 vs Nubia Red Magic 3

Nubia Red Magic 3 Asus ROG Phone II Xiaomi Black Shark 2
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT N/D 171 x 77.6 x 9.5 mm, 240 grams 163.6 x 75 x 8.8 mm, 205 grams
DISPLAY 6.65 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 330 ppi, Super AMOLED 6.59 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD), 391 ppi, AMOLED 6.39 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 403 ppi, AMOLED
PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, octa-core 2.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, octa-core 2.96 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, octa-core 2.8 GHz
MEMORY  6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB
SOFTWARE Android 9 Pie, Nubia Red Magic OS Android 9 Pie, ROG UI Android 9 Pie
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ad, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
CAMERA 48 MP f/1.8
16 MP front camera
Dual 48 + 13 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4
24 MP f/2.2 front camera
Dual 48 + 12 MP f/1.8 and f/2.2
20 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY 5000 mAh, Fast Charging 27W 6000 mAh, Fast Charging 30W with Quick Charge 4+ 4000 mAh, Fast Charging 27W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES RGB strip, additional rear and side keys, pins for accessories, cooling fan, Dual SIM slot Dual SIM slot, Air Triggers, reverse charging, support to external accessories Dual SIM slot

Design

All these phones come with a very original and gaming-centric design, so which one you should choose is up to your tastes. I prefer the Asus ROG Phone II due to its better materials (rear glass and aluminum frame) and its Air Triggers that means essentially pressure-sensitive rear keys with haptic feedback. Nubia Red Magic 3 offers rear physical keys as well and with its RGB strip, it even shows very attractive design. But both Red Magic 3 and Xiaomi Black Shark have a full metal unibody design instead of glass + metal body.

 

Display

The 120 Hz refresh ratio, the incredibly high color accuracy with 108 percent DCI-P3 coverage and HDR10 standard, as well as 240 Hz touch sensing technology, would make me choose the Asus ROG Phone II again when it comes to the display. There is no challenge: it has a superior panel under every point of view. And the phone is even equipped with stereo speakers and four microphones so that you can have the best gaming experience even in multiplayer sessions. Xiaomi Black Shark 2 and Nubia Red Magic 3 have a similar color accuracy but they differ when it comes to refresh ratio: while Xiaomi Black Shark 2 has a 60 Hz refresh ratio and 240 Hz touch sensing, Red Magic 3 has a standard touch sensing but 90 Hz refresh ratio. In my opinion, a higher refresh rate is more important than higher-touch sensing, so I prefer the Red Magic 3.

 

Specs & Software

While both Xiaomi Black Shark 2 and Nubia Red Magic 3 are powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset, Asus ROG Phone 2 boasts the Snapdragon 855 Plus: an overclocked variant with better GPU performance. The Snapdragon 855+ promises a 15 percent increase for GPU speed and it has a higher 2.96 GHz compared to 2.84 GHz of the vanilla Snapdragon 855. Further, Asus ROG Phone 2 has 512 GB of internal storage in its higher-end version, while the most expensive configuration of the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 and the Nubia Red Magic 3 have a 256 GB storage. With the Asus ROG Phone 2 you can even switch between a stock Android user interface and the customized, gaming-centric ROG UI. So it wins even when it comes to the software.

 

Camera

Despite according to the specs on the paper, it is very close to Xiaomi Black Shark 2, we believe that Asus ROG Phone 2 will be the winner even when it comes to the rear department. Thanks to the laser autofocus system, focusing should be better. And the secondary ultrawide sensor will be more useful than the telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom found on the Xiaomi Black Shark 2. Nubia Red Magic 3 has just a single camera and it is all but a camera phone. Even the selfie camera seems better on the Asus ROG Phone 2 with its high 24 MP resolution.

 

Battery

Coming to the battery, it is again a victory for the Asus ROG Phone 2 which is the last-gen flagship with the biggest battery out there: 6000 mAh. This battery guarantees 7 hours of PUBG non-stop playing and it even supports reverse charging.

 

Price

In my opinion, there is not any aspect in which Asus ROG Phone 2 loses this comparison. It is a clear winner, except when it comes to price. We still do not know how much it will cost, but it is unlikely that it will be priced below €1000/$1120. Xiaomi Black Shark 2 and Nubia Red Magic 3 have €450/$505 and €500/$560 price tags respectively and I think the latter offers a higher value for money.

 

Asus ROG Phone 2 vs Xiaomi Black Shark 2 vs Nubia Red Magic 3: PROs and CONS

Nubia Red Magic 3

PROs

  • Great hardware + cooling system
  • Rear and side physical keys
  • Pins for accessories
  • Bigger battery with fast charging
  • 90 Hz display
  • Affordable

CONS

  • Single rear camera

 

Xiaomi Black Shark 2

PROs

  • Affordable price
  • Good cameras
  • Stereo speakers
  • Big battery with fast charging

CONS

  • Nothing particular

 

Asus ROG Phone II

PROs

  • Best display
  • Biggest battery
  • Air Triggers
  • Reverse charging
  • Best performance

CONS

  • Expensive

 

Nubia’s Snapdragon 855+ phone rumored to launch as Red Magic 3S

Today, ASUS announced the ROG Phone 2 – the first smartphone powered by the new Snapdragon 855+ processor. It has been reported it won’t go on sale until September but we will confirm after the launch in China tomorrow. Nubia also teased that it will launch a Snapdragon 855+ smartphone. The teaser poster even has “Red Magic 3” written on it but new info has surfaced, revealing the official name of the device.

According to a tweet by Sudhanshu Ambhore (Sudhanshu1414), Nubia’s Snapdragon 855+ smartphone will launch as the Red Magic 3S. This makes for a good name and even seems better than adding the “Plus” suffix if the only thing that will be changing will be the processor. Devices with “Plus” in their names usually denote that it is a bigger version of the standard variant.

The info is unconfirmed, so we advise you to take it with a pinch of salt. However, it doesn’t sound far-fetched. We also can’t confirm if Nubia won’t be changing anything else from the standard variant. We presume the Red Magic 3S may also get a special color variant unavailable for the standard edition.

Nubia is yet to announce a release date. We hope it is near and we hope when it launches, we don’t have to wait until September before it is available for purchase.

(Source)

 

UP NEXT: Black Shark 2 Pro powered by Snapdragon 855+ visits Geekbench

Apple Watch saves UK man’s life by promptly detecting low heart rate

Earlier this year, the Apple Watch was in the spotlight for a good reason. The fall detector feature was said to have saved a man’s life when he fell hard while in the bathroom and became unconscious. Here is yet another interesting story of how the features-packed Apple  Watch came to the rescue of a man. This time around, the heart rate monitor did the job.

Paul Hutton and the lifesaving Apple Watch

The story goes that 48-year-old Paul Hutton, a technology writer in England received a warning that his heart rate is too low, thus prompting him to visit the ER. Usually, the most common feature is the ability to detect when a heart rate is too high. But two years ago, Apple included the ability to scan and detect low heart rates which save the man’s life. While at rest, the normal heart rate is between 60bpm and 100bpm. However, Paul’s smartwatch alerted him that his heart rate was dropping to 40bpm at rest. At the hospital, the doctor’s removed caffeine from his diet but that didn’t have any effect as the watch continued detecting a low heart rate.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi Mi A3 review: Is it a downgrade?

When that didn’t work, Hutton was referred to a specialist who diagnosed him with ventricular bigeminy. This is an irregular heartbeat that comes after a regular heartbeat and prevents blood from being pumped out effectively. A cardiac ablation surgery was performed on him. In clear terms, it is a procedure that burns small areas of the heart in order to destroy the tissue in the muscular organ that is causing the problem. Hutton has since recovered from the surgery, for which he was sedated but fully awake.

Yet again, the Apple Watch has proven that the difference between life and death could be the smartwatch. Apart from heart rate, the latest Apple Watch Series 4 also comes with an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor that checks for abnormal heart rhythms like Atrial fibrillation (AFib). This can lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure and other issues. This feature has also been adopted by other smartwatch makers like Samsung, Huami etc. The Amazfit Verge 2 has an ECG version while the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is tipped to launch with the feature.

 

UP NEXT: Honor teases the Honor Magicbook Pro in promo image

(source)

OnePlus hints all the OnePlus 7 Pro’s cameras will get Nightscape mode soon

OnePlus first showcased the Nightscape mode on the OnePlus 6Tlast year. The feature got some improvement on the OnePlus 7 Pro. Nightscape is OnePlus’ implementation of night mode features for the phone’s camera. It makes use of machine learning engine to improve the photos taken in the dark by identifying scenes and delivering more lifelike and sharp images.oneplus 7 pro

Night mode is, no doubt, one of the most important camera feature around today.  It combines multiple images and other processing techniques to deliver better low-light shots. On the OnePlus 7 Pro, Nightscape mode is only available on the main 48MP rear camera out of the triple rear camera setup. However, that may soon change as a OnePlus executive has reportedly hinted that the Nightscape feature will be available with the other camera sensors in the future.

EDITOR’S PICK: Throwback Tech Thursday: Nexus One, Google’s First Pure Android Phone Revisited

GSMArena quotes Zake Zhang, OnePlus image product manager to have disclosed that “We are working on bringing the Nightscape feature to the other cameras in a future update.” This is laudable since some rival brands like Huawei’s telephoto and ultra-wide cameras can use night mode from any of the cameras. However, the pictures captured from the other sensors may not be as clear as the one captured by the main camera due to the main camera’s superior low-light prowess.

We can’t say if the update will allow users to use the Nightscape mode with the selfie camera. The Google Pixel models have night mode enabled for the selfie camera as well as the rear cameras.

 

UP NEXT: Vivo Z5 official renders released ahead of July 31 launch

(source)

Thailand’s NBTC certifies the Lenovo K10, may launch alongside Lenovo K10 Note

The Lenovo K series is a confusing lineup. Last year, Lenovo announced the Lenovo K5 series bearing in mind that it already launched a K5 series back in 2016. Last year’s Lenovo K5 Note even sells as the Lenovo K9 Note in markets like India. However, things should smoothen out regarding the naming when it launches the Lenovo K10 series this year since there isn’t a previous device with the same name.

The Lenovo K10 may be launching soon as the device has been certified by Thailand’s network certification agency – the NBTC. The phone’s certificate has surfaced online and it reveals some details.

Lenovo K10

The model number of the device is stated as XT2025-3 but the certificate also says it will arrive as the Lenovo K10. The document also reveals the phone was manufactured in the USA by Motorola Mobility. The model number shows this is a Motorola device and one that is familiar though yet to launch.

Early this month, a Motorola device with model number XT2025-1 was certified by the FCC. The model number is a variant of the Lenovo K10’s above. There are speculations that the FCC device may launch as the Moto E6. If that is true, then the Moto E6 = Lenovo K10. If it isn’t the Moto E6, we are still pretty sure the Lenovo K10 is related to whatever Motorola device it launches as.

Motorola XT2025-1

The FCC listing says the phone has 2GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of storage. It also has a 3000mAh battery and supports 10W charging. Another variant of the phone with model number XT2025-2 was also certified by the EEC early this month.

The Lenovo K10 may launch soon in Thailand but it most likely won’t arrive alone. Last month, DealnTech, reported that the Lenovo K10 Note was also certified by Thailand’s NBTC and Singapore’s IMDA. Unlike the Lenovo K10, the K10 Note is a more familiar device. This is because it has the same model number as the device currently being sold as the Lenovo Z6 Youth.

The Z6 Youth is a Snapdragon 710-powered phone with a 6.3-inch FHD+ display, up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has a 16MP + 8MP + 5MP triple camera setup, a 16MP selfie camera which resides above the notched display, a fingerprint scanner, NFC, and a 4050mAh battery with support for 15W fast charge technology.

If you reside outside China and want to get the Z6 Youth, then expect it to arrive as the Lenovo K6 Note soon.

(Sources: 1, 2, 3)

 

UP NEXT: Lenovo Z6 Pro DxOMark rating shows camera scores lower than most flagships

Elephone Soldier 2K display rugged phone gets $30 discount for 1 week on Gearbest (video)

The rugged smartphone market is very competitive and every new entry should have something special to succeed. About a year ago, Elephone did just that by presenting the Elephone Soldier that would become the first rugged smartphone with a 2K display. Now, Soldier is on offer starting today until July 29th. During that period you can get it for $30 off on Gearbest at just $189.99. This is a really good price since it’s the same price as it was during the presale period last year.

The Elephone Soldier comes with a couple of spectacular features. For starters, it prides itself as the first IP68 waterproof rugged phone with a 2K display. Apart from that, the device comes with a bug, 5000mAh battery that is necessary to feed the 2K display and deliver up to 20 days of standby time. Other include the 10-core Helio X25 SoC coupled with 4GB/64GB and 4GB/128GB memory configuration. Also, there is a 21MP Sony camera, physical compass, and an SOS button. If you are interested, you can grab it on Gearbest until July 29th.

More than a smartphone manufacturer: UMIDIGI X will launch on August 5th along with the new true wireless Upods

Following the hot-selling A5 Pro, last week information surfaced talking about the next big thing from the Chinese manufacturer, UMIDIGI X. The device was supposed to be “coming soon” and indeed, the new budget king UMIDIGI X will be unveiled on August 5th. According to previous leaks as well as the new leaked render, the UMIDIGI X will indeed sport an in-screen fingerprint reader as well as a triple rear camera with 48MP main sensor. Also, the event poster suggests that on August 5th, the company will also launch its new true wireless earphones, Upods.

UMIDIGI X

As you can see in the photo, the UMIDIGI X features a clean back cover with cool flame hue and that’s a result of the fingerprint reader being moved under the display. As for the main camera, it is an AI triple camera setup that includes a 48MP ultra clarity sensor and an ultrawide-angle lens. On the front, the phone sports a small waterdrop notch that contributes to the high screen/body ratio. Also, information talk about a slim body despite the 4150mAh battery inside it that supports 18W fast charging and the NFC chip.

UMIDIGI X

As for the new headset that will be presented together with the X, all we know right now is that it will be called Upods. The design is similar to Sony’s latest true wireless noise cancelling earbuds Sony WF-1000XM3. Judging from the fact that UMIDIGI X is expected to be the most affordable smartphone with in-screen fingerprint reader and 48MP AI triple camera, the true wireless earphones Upods should also come with a great price tag.

UMIDIGI X

Both UMIDIGI X and true wireless earphones Upods will go official on August 5th and we expect more specs and price to be revealed in the coming days. Lastly, if you want to be among the first to get the UMIDIGI X, the company is giving you a chance to win its future smartphone here.

Realme X gets July’s security patch and optimizations in new update

The Realme X launched in India last week and will go on sale on Wednesday, July 24. Over in China where it first launched, Realme is rolling out an update that brings the latest security patch as well as some optimizations and bug fixes.

Realme X Mater Edition - White Garlic
Realme X Mater Edition – White Garlic

The update brings July’s security patch, enhances system stability, and optimizes system performance. There is also a new VoLTE HD call icon, an optimized deep sleep mode to increase battery life, and an optimization of Google’s services framework.

The 48MP camera mode has also gotten a form of adjustment and there are fixes for Dolby Sound effects in special game scenes and issues with King of Glory and PUBG.

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The update is rolling out gradually but should hit more devices in the next few days.

The Realme X has a 6.53-inch FHD+ notch-less AMOLED screen. There is a Snapdragon 710 processor powering it paired with 4GB/6GB/8GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of storage. It has a 48MP + 5MP dual rear camera setup and a 16MP motorized pop-up selfie camera. Other features are a 3765mAh battery with 20W fast-charging support, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, an audio jack, and Android Pie pre-installed.

(Source)

 

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OPPO files patent for a foldable smartwatch; LetsGoDigital creates stunning 3D renders

Foldable smartphones are just starting to gain momentum even though none is yet to go commercial. However, we have seen several of them like Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, Huawei Mate X, Xiaomi’s and a few others. While we await the full rollout of foldable phones commercially, OPPO is already attempting to create a storm with a foldable smartwatch. The BBK subsidiary recently filed for a patent with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) late last year. The patent entitled ‘Wearable electronic device’ was published in September 2018 and describes a smartwatch with a flexible screen.OPPO foldable smartwatch

As can be seen from the sketch, the patented Oppo smartwatch has a regular watch strap and a rectangular-shaped screen. A special feature of this smartwatch is that the display module is foldable so that the user has a larger screen area within no time if desired. The design will suit both those who prefer wearing their watch on the left or right hand. When worn on the right hand, the foldable screen extends into the wrist while the left hand extends into the back of the palm. Such a design will ensure the screen will get some base support and won’t be hanging in the air.OPPO foldable smartwatch

The smartwatch has two modes; a folded and unfolded mode. When unfolded, the screen area is increased by up to 200%, giving you up to three times more screen space. The user interface also changes depending on the mobile device being used. In the folded position the extra display part is stored in the watch case, under the main screen. The watch case has a recessed groove from which the screen can slide out. The folding process is fully automatic.

There is no information if OPPO has actually got a foldable smartwatch in development. The company has not yet released a foldable phone. So, we don’t see a foldable smartwatch coming out any time soon.

 

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(source)

Oukitel Y4800 presale is on! Grab the 48MP, 6GB RAM beast at just $199.99!

The date for the first global presale of Oukitel Y4800 has arrived and gives you the chance to get the most cost-effective 48MP phone in its category. The promotion will go on until July 29th and until that date you can get the Y4800 for just $199.99, 20% off it’s retail price. The promotion is held in cooperation with Banggood and it brings surprising gifts.

Oukitel Y4800

The most important feature of the Y4800 is the AI camera. The rear camera hosts a Samsung 48MP AI camera and 5MP secondary camera for flagship shooting experience. When in 48MP mode, photo details are crisp allowing for cropping without loss of details. The selfie camera also comes with a Samsung (16MP) sensor with wide-angle support for group selfies. What’s more, the Y4800 offers night mode, face beauty mode, slow motion mode, panorama mode, time-lapse mode, 48MP mode and group sefie mode, satisfying your needs in every condition.

Oukitel Y4800

Besides the camera that is the killer feature of the device, there’s also a big, 6.3″ FHD+ waterdrop display and the narrow bezels and small bottom chin result in a 90% screen-to-body ratio. The heart of Y4800 is MediaTek’s Helio P70 8-core SoC accompanied by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The P70 has 12% increased performance compared to previous P-series chips. The 6GB of RAM is all you need for optimum multitasking while the  128GB of storage allows you to store up to 31,000 photos or 13,000 songs. And if you want more, you can add extra 256GB using the dedicated microSD slot. Lastly, the 4000mAh battery assures that you’ll get at least 1 day of heavy use and combined with the Helio P70, lasts longer than phones with the same capacity and Snapdragon 675 chipset.

Oukitel Y4800

During the promotion, Oukitel Y4800 will cost $199.99 for the first 99 units daily until July 29th. If you place your order on Banggood, you’ll also receive a Xiaomi finger ring holder and silicone case as gifts. At the same time, there is a snap up on the Y4800. The first order paid at 4 PM (GMT+8) each day during promotion, will get a free Xiaomi Mi Band 4 as gift. Note that you can also invite your family or friends to order the Y4800. Once he/she orders, send their order number to Banggood customer service. The first 20 inviters will also get the Mi Band 4 for free. If you are interested, go ahead and visit the promotion page.

Xiaomi crowdfunds the Qin Multi-parent AI Assistant: 4G, Android Pie, USB-C, 499 yuan ($72)

Xiaomi launched the Qin phone brand into the limelight last year with the release of the Qin1 feature phone on the Youpin crowdfunding platform. The QIN1 isn’t just a feature phone but comes with features such as 4G connectivity, AI, WiFi and several others. A worthy upgrade has just been added to the Youpin platform for crowdfunding dubbed Qin Multi-parent AI Assistant. This time around it is a smartphone with several innovative features, including artificial intelligence (AI), 4G, Android Pie Android Go edition, USB-C port and more.Qin Multi-parent AI Assistant

The QIN multi-parent AI assistant is equipped with a 5.05-inch full-screen display with an aspect ratio of 22.5:9. The phone has a thickness of 8.6mm and weighs 150g. The body is made of polycarbonate material. For photography, the phone features a single 5-megapixel camera at the rear but there is no front camera.Qin Multi-parent AI Assistant

The smartphone has all the physical buttons on the right side. Here you get the power button, volume rockers, and a dedicated AI button. The uses a USB Type-C interface and packs a 2100mAh battery. The features-packed AI smart assistant also supports infrared remote control function and supports control of 12 categories and more than 100 brand infrared devices, such as air conditioners, TVs, set-top boxes and other daily home appliances.Qin Multi-parent AI Assistant

The multi-parent AI assistant also has support for just 6 apps such as WeChat, Alipay, Taobao, and supports translation. In addition, the device has a dual version, which can be switched with one click. The “Student Edition” incorporates rich audio content resources, which are created by Xinhua Dictionary, Himalayan, Douban Reading, NetEase, and Baiyu. Pure interface, interesting learning tools, open vision, and easy way for children to know. The phone runs Android 9.0 Pie Android Go version and comes with 32GB of storage.

The device is available for crowdfunding for just 499 yuan (~$72) and comes in four attractive colours; red, black, blue and pink. It is expected to start shipping on August 31.

 

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(source)Qin Multi-parent AI AssistantQin Multi-parent AI Assistant

ASUS ROG Phone 2 arrives with a 120Hz display, Snapdragon 855+, and a massive 6000mAh battery

The ASUS ROG Phone 2 is official and for now, it might as well be the king of gaming smartphones. The ROG Phone 2 comes with a lot of mouth-watering features that should make your gaming experience enjoyable. There is an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, so expect animations to be buttery smooth. It also has the new Snapdragon 855+ processor, making it the first phone in the world to be powered by the new chipset. And to crown it, there is a massive 6000mAh battery under the hood.

ROG Phone 2 featured
Image source: GSMArena

Coming to the design, the ROG Phone 2 has undergone some subtle changes. There is a single vent on the rear now and the fingerprint scanner is now under the display. You also have dual rear cameras, the same 48MP + 13MP ultra-wide angle combo as you have on the Zenfone 6/ASUS 6Z. There is a 13MP front-facing camera too.

The ROG Phone 2 not only has the fastest Qualcomm mobile processor but it pairs it with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. This is UFS 3.0, so expect apps to open and load faster. There are stereo front-facing speakers with DTS:X Ultra which ASUS says are 2.5x louder than last year’s own.

The device still has the side mount connector from the first-gen and ASUS has new accessories to go with it. There is the second-gen AeroActive Cooler 2 fan which is quieter and more efficient at keeping the phone cool. There is also the Twin View Dock 2 which has a 2nd 120Hz display, a cooling fan, and a 5000mAh battery. The dock has been reported to be lighter and has a better weight distribution.

ASUS also announced the Kunai Gamepad which can be attached to each side of the phone in handheld mode or attached together to form a gamepad if you have the phone docked. You can also use the Kunai Gamepad with the Twin View Dock 2.

Below is the full specification sheet of the ASUS ROG Phone 2:

  • 6.59-inch 2340 x 1080 AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass 6 Protection, 120Hz refresh rate (adjustable to 60Hz and 90Hz too), 10-bit HDR, 240Hz touch response time and 49ms touch latency.
  • Snapdragon 855+ processor
  • 12GB of RAM
  • up to 512GB of UFS 3.0 storage
  • 48MP Sony IMX586 f/1.79 + 13MP dual rear cameras
  • 24MP front-facing camera
  • In-display fingerprint scanner
  • Dual SIM, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, USB 3.0 Type-C, FM Radio, Audio jack
  • 6000mAh battery (up to 7 hours for PUBG at 60Hz)
  • HyperCharge fast charging (30W), support for Quick Charge 4+ and USB Power Delivery
  • Android 9 Pie with ZenUI or ROG UI when you switch to gaming mode

ASUS has not yet revealed the price of the ROG Phone 2 but The Verge says ASUS informed them to expect a similar price tag to the original which had a starting price of $899.

The Chinese version launched tomorrow and will have a glossy back instead of matte finish like the global version.

(Sources: 1, 2)

 

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