Xiaomi’s 18W fast charger for the Redmi Note 7 goes out of stock

Buy Teclast F7 Plus Business Laptop

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Feb 12, 2019

While there’s no dearth of laptops from popular as well as lesser known manufacturers in the market today, these devices are likely to burn a hole in your pocket.
Much to the relief of those who aren’t willing to spend a lot of money on a laptop, the Teclast F7 Plus has gone up for sale bearing a reduced price tag on GeeKmaxi.

We’ll divulge more details about the discount available on the Teclast F7 Plus in just a bit. On top of that, we’ll show how you can save a considerable amount of more money during the checkout process.

Teclast F7 Plus Business Laptop

Targetted at the “actionists,” the F7 Plus is a new generation laptop that surprisingly doesn’t cost a bomb. In fact, it would normally set you back 368,99 € on both online as well as offline stores.

In a bid to make the feature-laden laptop available to the cost-conscious buyers, Teclast is now offering the F7 Plus laptop for a dropped price of just 348,99 € on GeeKmaxi.

Aside from taking full advantage of the aforesaid discount, you can use coupon code YQL3MPZT to get an extra 10,00 € off before proceeding to checkout.

In other words, you can bring the already lowered asking price of the Teclast F7 Plus further down to just 338,99 € simply by applying the aforesaid coupon.

An absolute steal at this price, the Teclast F7 Plus sports an easily readable 14.0-inch IPS display with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

It packs Intel’s powerful 8th Generation Gemini Lake processor along with a highly competent 9th Generation UHD graphics for an immersive viewing and casual gaming experience.

Moreover, the Teclast F7 Plus ships with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and offers a hearty 128GB SSD storage capacity so that you can save your favorite multimedia content without worrying about running out of storage space.

The Teclast-branded business laptop houses a 2.0MP front-mounted camera, enabling the user to have a face-to-face video chat with friends and family.

The Teclast F7 Plus runs Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system and is backed by a non-removable 6500mAh battery.

The device features a 3.5mm headphone Jack, four built-in speakers and lots more in a compact 33.10 x 22.00 x 1.49 cm frame. The Teclast F7 Plus weighs in at just 1.5000 kg.

You can head straight to this link in order to avail the discount and check out the full specification. Note that the availability date for the Teclast F7 Plus business laptop is March 10th.

Oppo K1 to go on sale in India today for the first time, costs Rs. 16,990 ($239)

By

Jeet

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Feb 12, 2019

Last week, Oppo launched its first budget K-series smartphone in the Indian market — Oppo K1. The phone, which was first announced in China in October last year, comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner, something that’s rear in the budget segment.

In India, the Oppo K1 is priced at Rs. 16,990 which roughly converts to $239. It will be available for purchase exclusively through online marketplace Flipkart from 12:00 PM. The device will be offered in two colors — Astral Blue and Piano Black and comes, with a few attractive offers.

The smartphone features a metallic frame which is sandwiched between the front and rear glass. The Oppo K1 comes with a 6.4-inch AMOLED display and features a waterdrop notch that helps in delivering a screen-to-body ratio of 91 percent.

The phone’s display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and carries support for Dull HD+ screen resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. As said, the company has also integrated an in-display fingerprint sensor which can authenticate and unlock the device in just 0.41 seconds.

The device is powered by Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 660 octa-core processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM. There’s 64GB of internal storage and you cannot upgrade the storage capacity as the device lacks a microSD card slot.

As for the photography, the handset is equipped with a 25-megapixel selfie camera which is housed in the small notch at the front side. On the back side, the phone features a dual camera setup, consisting of a primary sensor of 16-megapixel with an f/1.7 aperture and a 2-megapixel depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture.

The front-facing camera has been optimized to capture beautified selfie shots whereas the rear-mounted dual cameras come with features like LED flash, HDR, PDAF, portrait mode, and professional mode. The front camera also supports the face unlock feature.

In terms of software, the Oppo K1 is running Android 8.1 Oreo-based ColorOS 5.2. Connectivity options on the device include dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5.0, micro-USB 2.0, USB OTG and 3.5mm headphone slot. The phone is powered by a 3,600mAh battery but lacks fast charging support.

Buy Chuwi Hi12 CWI520 Tablet PC And ALLDOCUBE M5X Phablet For Slashed Prices On GearBest [Coupons Inside]

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Get 15% Off On Chuwi Hi12 CWI520 Tablet PC

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Feb 12, 2019

Touted as one of China’s best online stores for electronic items, GearBest is now offering its users a chance to buy the Chuwi Hi12 CWI520 tablet PC and ALLDOCUBE M5X phablet without emptying their pockets.
We’ll shed more light on the discounts available on the aforesaid devices, and show how you can save a significant amount of money during the checkout process. So without further ado, let’s delve into the details.

Chuwi Hi12 CWI520 Tablet PC

While the market is brimming with top-end tablet PCs that boast an impressive array of features, these devices aren’t easy on the pocketbook.

Chuwi has teamed-up with GearBest to make its well-received Hi12 CWI520 tablet PC available to the cost-conscious buyers.

The Chuwi Hi12 CWI520 tablet PC would normally set you back a pretty penny on both online as well as offline stores, but you can now buy it for a dropped price of just $245.99 on GearBest.
This is a noteworthy 15 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price of $290.27. There’s more for you to cheer about.

By applying coupon code GBNBSFPM06, you can bring the already reduced retail price of the Chuwi Hi12 CWI520 further down to just $239.99.

In other words, you can get an extra $50.28 off on the Chuwi-branded tablet PC simply by applying the aforesaid coupon at checkout.

You can follow this link to check out more details about the Chuwi Hi12 CWI520 tablet PC and avail the discount. With 259 pieces remaining, the promo is slated to end in just one day.

ALLDOCUBE M5X 4G Phablet

The 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM variant of the ALLDOCUBE M5X phablet has gone up for sale carrying a reduced price tag of just $185.99 on GearBest. This is a 19 percent drop in the device’s original asking price of $229.86.

On top of that, you can use coupon code ALDCBM5X and save $6 more before placing your order. As a result, the original selling price of the M5X reduces to just $179.99.

An absolute steal at this price, the M5X sports a mammoth 10.1-inch display with a screen resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

Under the hood, it packs a powerful MTK X27 (MT679) Deca Core processor along with a highly competent MALI T880-MP4 GPU.

You can head straight to this link in order to check out the full specification and take advantage of the discount, which will be valid for the platinum color version of ALLDOCUBE M5X phablet.

It is worth noting that there were only 85 pieces left for this promo at the time of writing. The promo will end in one day.

Get 19% Off On ALLDOCUBE M5X 4G Phablet

Check Out 2019 New Debut Item Deals On GearBest

Buy Teclast F6 Laptop And Teclast T10 Tablet PC At Heavily Discounted Prices On GeekBuying [Coupons Inside]

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Get 9% Off On Teclast F6 Laptop

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Feb 12, 2019

Founded in 1999, Teclast is one of the most popular brands as far as tablet PCs, smart bands, power banks, USB flash, and laptops are concerned.
In collaboration with GeekBuying, the Guangzhou based company has launched a new promotion that features a wide selection of its high-end tablets and laptops at unbeatable prices.

Dubbed as ‘Teclast Laptops Local Warehouse Stock,’ the recently kicked-off promo has been split into two categories including ‘More Deals’ and ‘Other Offers.’

You can find a slew of Teclast-branded tablets, phablets and tablet PCs under the ‘More Deals’ category.

The ‘Other Offers’ section, on the other hand, is brimming with high-end laptops, phablets, and tablets from other popular brands like Xiaomi, Chuwi, VOYO etc.

We’ll shed light on the discounts available on the Teclast F6 laptop and Teclast T10 tablet PC. On top of that, we’ll show how you can save a considerable amount of extra money at checkout.

Teclast F6 Laptop

Teclast made the long-awaited F6 laptop available to the public in September last year. Targetted at “actionists”, this slim and stylish laptop became an instant hit among the brand’s loyal fanbase.

Regrettably, the F6 didn’t quite appeal to cost-conscious buyers, thanks to the $313.99 price tag it carries. But that’s about to change.

In a bid to make its well-received laptop available to those living on a tight budget, Teclast is now doling out a noteworthy 9 percent discount on the 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM variant of the F6 laptop.
In other words, the aforesaid variant of the Teclast F6 laptop can now be yours if you are willing to shell out just $285.99.

On top of that, you can use coupon code IZ_FILOIZMQ to get an extra $30 off. This brings the already reduced retail price of the F6 laptop further down to just $279.99 before you place your order.

You can follow this link to grab the discount, which will be valid for the gray color version of the F6 laptop. Note that the promo will end in just four days.

Teclast T10 Tablet PC

Even nearly two years after hitting the store shelves, the T10 continues to garner huge popularity.

Taking its undying demand into consideration, Teclast is now offering the stylish device for a dropped price of $195.99 on GeekBuying.

This is a noteworthy 39 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price of $320.99. As if that weren’t enough, Teclast is giving you a chance to save more money.
In order to get an extra $68 off, all you need to do is to apply coupon code GIZ_GKB139T at checkout. As a result, the device’s original selling price reduces to just $191.99.

You can follow this link to avail the discount, which will be valid for the 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM variant for only four days.

Get 39% Off On Teclast T10 Tablet PC

Check Out GeekBuying’s Teclast Laptops Local Warehouse Stock Promo

Buy Huawei Honor 10 Lite And OnePlus 6T Smartphones At Lowered Prices On GeekBuying [Coupons Inside]

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Get 12% Off On Huawei Honor 10 Lite Smartphone

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Feb 12, 2019

If you’ve restlessly been waiting to get your hands on a top-branded smartphone without spending a lot of money, you’ve come to the right place.
In collaboration with leading handset manufacturers OnePlus and Huawei Honor, GeekBuying is offering the Honor 10 Lite and OnePlus 6T smartphones at unbelievably lowered prices.

Moreover, GeekBuying users can save a significant amount of extra money during the checkout process. We’ll divulge more details about the process in just a bit.

Huawei Honor 10 Lite

Launched in November last year, the Honor 10 Lite is quite an irresistible smartphone.

Thanks to the mammoth 6.21 inches screen it sports, the phone became an instant hit among those who fancy watching their favorite videos or playing popular games on a big-screen mobile device.

While the phone’s awe-inspiring features and top-end specs completely justify the $337.99 price tag it normally carries, you can now buy it for a dropped price of $295.99 on GeekBuying.
In order to extend this 12 percent discount, all you need to do is to apply coupon code GIZ_KKIDUHXZ before placing your order.

The coupon helps you get an extra $20 off by bringing the original asking price of the Huawei Honor 10 Lite smartphone further down to only $275.99.

You can follow this link to avail the discount, which will be valid for the 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM variant for a limited period of time.

OnePlus 6T

OnePlus launched the long-awaited OnePlus 6 successor dubbed the OnePlus 6T in November last year.

Following in the footsteps of its well-received predecessor, the OnePlus 6T garnered huge popularity among smartphone lovers.

Much to the chagrin of cost-conscious buyers who aren’t willing to spend a lot of money on a smartphone, the OnePlus 6T carries a steep price tag of $812.99.
In a bid to make the coveted handset available to those living on a tight budget, the Chinese mobile phone manufacturer is now offering the OnePlus for a reduced price of $575.99 on GeekBuying.

This is a noteworthy 29 percent reduction in the phone’s original asking price. But there’s more for you to cheer about.

Aside from taking advantage of the aforesaid discount, you can apply coupon code GIZ_ZPOHDINS and save $70 more at the time of checking out.

In other words, you can reduce the retail price of the OnePlus 6T smartphone to just $559.99 simply by applying the above-mentioned coupon.

You can follow this link to grab the discount, which will specifically be valid for the mirror black color version of the phone.

The model comes with 6GB of RAM and offers 128GB of internal storage capacity. Note that the promo is slated to end in just four days.

Get 29% Off On OnePlus 6T smartphone

Check Out The 2019 Spring Festival Sale On GeekBuying

US President will reportedly sign executive order banning US carriers from using China-made networking gear

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Feb 11, 2019

About this time last year, Huawei was at the forefront of China’s bid to beat the US in the race to roll out 5G technology. Who would have thought a year after, the company would be battling to stay in the race to supply carriers 5G hardware? The US thinks Huawei and other Chinese tech companies are security threats and have advised its allies to boycott using 5G infrastructure manufactured by Huawei. That advice from Trump’s US has been positively received by a few countries like Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Some other countries are said to be reviewing their final position about allowing Huawei to supply their country’s 5G hardware.

Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE are already considered as threats to national security by the US Congress since 2012. Huawei was effectively prevented from releasing its smartphones in the US and the government has already banned the US of Huawei’s hardware and smartphones inside US security facilities. In order to further drive home its seriousness, the US government is reportedly planning to sign an executive order that will ban U.S. carriers from using networking equipment from any Chinese manufacturer, according to a report in Politico.

The report says Donald Trump is expected to sign the order next week, just before the commencement of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona. The trade show is expected to hold from February 25th to February 28th. According to an anonymous industry source, “There’s a big push to get it out before MWC.” The source also hinted that the timing is designed to let the wireless world know that the U.S. is putting cybersecurity first. Presently, Huawei is the world’s number one source of networking equipment, and major carriers around the world are already planning to utilise Huawei’s equipment for their next-gen 5G networks. We can’t tell if the US ban will effectively tilt the balance in favour of Trump’s stance or if Huawei still gets to retain much of its 5G contracts. It is unclear how this ban will affect other Chinese tech firms will fare but this definitely doesn’t look good if it turns out to be true.

Nubia teases launch of flexible device at MWC 2019

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Feb 11, 2019

Nearly six months ago, Nubia teased a concept phone with a flexible display in a body similar to a smartband. Called the Nubia α, the device was showcased at IFA 2018. A new teaser from the company teases the official launch of the Nubia α at MWC 2019.

The poster was shared on the official Weibo page and it not only confirms that Nubia will be in attendance but also teases what we might see. The poster has the words “Flex Your Life” which hints at a flexible device and since the Nubia α is the only device we know is associated with the company, it might as well be it launching at the Mobile World Congress in a few weeks.

There is a possibility Nubia is also teasing the marketing name of the device, so rather than the Nubia α, we may see it go by the name Nubia Flex. Nubia will be at booth 1C40 in Hall 1 at the event.

Moto G7 Play vs Honor Play 8A vs Xiaomi Mi Play: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

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Feb 11, 2019

Smartphones that contain the word “Play” in their model name are usually affordable devices that have the quality-price ratio as one of their strongest points. Moto G7 Play was announced a few days ago as the most affordable phone from the G7 series, and it is one of the most interesting last-generation handsets for people with a low budget. Even Xiaomi and Huawei released two low-end “Play” devices: the Xiaomi Mi Play and the Honor Play 8A. Here is a comparison that will help you find out which of these devices actually offers the best value for money.

Motorola Moto G7 Play vs Huawei Honor Play 8A vs Xiaomi Mi Play

	Motorola Moto G7 Play	Huawei Honor Play 8A	Xiaomi Mi Play
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	147.3 x 71.5 x 8 mm, 149 grams	156.28 x 73.5 x 8 mm, 150 grams	147.76 x 71.89 x 7.8 mm, 150 grams
DISPLAY	5.7 inches, 720 x 1512p (HD+), 294 ppi, IPS LCD	6.09 inches, 720 x 1520p (HD+), 290 ppi, IPS LCD	5.84 inches, 1080 x 2280p (HD+), 432 ppi, IPS LCD
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 632, octa-core 1.8 GHz	MediaTek Helio P35, octa-core 2.3 GHz	MediaTek Helio P35, octa-core 2.3 GHz
MEMORY	2 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD dedicated slot	3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD slot	4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD slot
SOFTWARE	Android 9 Pie	Android 9 Pie, EMUI	Android 8.1 Oreo, MIUI
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS
CAMERA	13 MP f/2.2 8 MP f/2.2 front camera	13 MP f/1.8 8 MP f/2.0 front camera	Dual 12 +2 MP 8 MP front camera
BATTERY	3000 mAh, fast charging 10W	3000 mAh	3000 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Dual SIM slot	Hybrid Dual SIM slot	Hybrid Dual SIM slot

Design

Xiaomi put a lot of efforts in the design and build quality of the Mi Play and it is definitely one of the most beautiful devices you can buy with a price tag inferior to $200. It is equipped with a stunning glass back that you can get in reflective and gradient color variants. And it also has a very small dewdrop notch that minimizes the bezels around the display. Moto G7 Play has original but uglier aesthetics than both Xiaomi Mi Play and Honor Play 8A, but it has a more solid build quality and it is splash resistant. Further, it is the only to integrate a fingerprint reader on the back, and its display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.

Display

Among these devices, only Xiaomi Mi Play comes with a Full HD+ display, so it delivers a much higher definition and image clarity. However, you’ll want to know that Honor Play 8A has a significantly bigger display that is preferred by a lot of users. But it is only an HD+ display, so if you are looking for the best sharpness this is not the device for you. Moto G7 Play is even less interesting: not only it comes with the HD+ resolution, but it also has a way bigger notch and an even smaller display than the Xiaomi Mi Play. On the other hand, it is a more compact and lightweight smartphone.

Specs & Software

If we talk about the chipset, all these devices should deliver more or less the same level of performance. The Helio P35 found on the Xiaomi Mi Play and Honor Play 8A is at the same level as the Snapdragon 632 in most of the scenarios. The element making the difference on these handsets is the memory configuration. Indeed, Xiaomi Mi Play has whopping 4 GB of RAM, Honor Play 8A has 3 GB and Moto G7 Play just 2 GB of RAM which represent an important limit for a midrange-class chipset such as the Snapdragon 632. Further, note that Xiaomi Mi Play has 64 GB of internal storage while Moto G7 Play stops at 32 GB. Xiaomi Mi Play and Honor Play 8A have custom user interfaces, while Moto G7 Play has stock Android.

Camera

Unlike its rivals, Xiaomi Mi Play sports a dual camera setup on the back with a depth sensor. But despite the double sensor, Honor Play 8A impressed me more with its rear camera quality. It does not provide a so good bokeh effect, but it captures a lot of detail, even when light conditions are not the best. It also comes with accurate and pretty fast autofocus. If you prefer to have a better front camera, then Moto G7 Play is for you as it comes with a great front snapper and a front-facing LED flash.

Battery

You get exactly the same battery capacity for all of these handsets: 3000 mAh. But we believe Xiaomi Mi Play will not reach the same battery life of its opponents due to its less efficient Full HD+ display. We still did not have a chance to test the Moto G7 Play, but I personally prefer it because it is the only to feature a fast charging technology (10W is not much, but still faster). However, note that fast charging will come only in selected markets and not on all the units.

Price

You can grab a unit of the Honor Play 8A for just €100/$113, Xiaomi Mi Play, that is the winner of this comparison, costs about €170/$191, while Moto G7 Play will cost about €150/$170.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi Play goes on sale in China today, priced at 1,099 Yuan ($160)

Motorola Moto G7 Play vs Huawei Honor Play 8A vs Xiaomi Mi Play: PROs and CONS

Motorola Moto G7 Play

PROs

Compact design
Fast charging
Affordable
Android Pie
Fingerprint reader
Front-facing LED flash

CONS

Less impressive cameras

Xiaomi Mi Play

PROs

Compact and lightweight
Good design
Android Pie
Better hardware

CONS

Average cameras
No fingerprint reader

Honor Play 8A

PROs

Very affordable
Good cameras
Android Pie
Fast charging

CONS

No fingerprint reader

Realme CEO reveals update plans for February, all phones to get Android Pie in H1

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Feb 11, 2019

Updates are an important part of a phone’s life cycle. You want to know that there is software support for your phone after purchasing it that will bring new features and fix issues associated with the device. If you own a Realme smartphone, you should expect an update this month as the CEO has announced new features coming to a number of its devices and when you should expect them.

Guys update plans for Feb:
RM 1: End of Feb
* Bootloader Unlock Function
* Add Reboot Feature
* Security Level: Feb'19
RM 2 / C1: End of Feb
* Security Level: Feb'19
RM 2 Pro: End of Feb
* Fingerprint Shutter
* Security Level: Feb'19
RM U1: End of Feb
* Security Level: Feb'19

— Madhav Sheth (@MadhavSheth1) February 11, 2019

CEO Madhav Sheth revealed in a Tweet this morning that it will be updating its lineup by the end of February. Below are the devices getting updated and the changelog:

Realme 1

Bootloader unlock function.
Reboot feature.
February 2019 security patch.

Realme 2 and Realme C1

February 2019 security patch.

Realme 2 Pro

Fingerprint shutter – this should allow you to use the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner as a shutter button which comes in handy when taking a selfie.
February 2019 security patch.

Realme U1

February 2019 security patch.

Hey, all our Realme smartphones up to date will get ColorOS 6 update in the first half of 2019. Keep an eye on our social media handles as well as our official community for more updates on the same. https://t.co/NHQVnLIK0p

— realme India Support (@realmecareIN) February 11, 2019

Hey, all our Realme smartphones up to date will get Android Pie update in the first half of 2019. Keep an eye on our social media handles as well as our official community for more updates on the same. https://t.co/NHQVnLIK0p

— realme India Support (@realmecareIN) February 11, 2019

In separate tweets, the official Twitter account for Realme India Support confirmed that all their phones will get Android Pie and ColorOS 6 in the first half of 2019.

(Sources: 1, 2, 3)

Alleged Samsung Galaxy S10 Cinnabar Red render brings the heat

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Feb 11, 2019

A few days ago, we saw the very first render of the Canary Yellow Galaxy S10e. There have also been renders of the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus in a variety of colors including green, black, and white. However, today is the first time we are seeing the Galaxy S10 in red – Cinnabar Red to be precise.

The Galaxy S10 Cinnabar Red looks gorgeous but we are not sure how genuine it is since the wallpaper is of an anime character and not the ones we have seen on other renders. Nevertheless, Samsung isn’t new to releasing red phones. The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ got a Burgundy Red color variant a few months after they were announced.

Just like the other color variants, the red Galaxy S10 has a silver frame, so you can’t tell what color it is if the phone is inserted in a case or facing up.

Google Maps AR Navigation feature will reportedly become available soon to selected users

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Feb 11, 2019

During Google I/O conference last year, the tech giant introduced a new Augmented Reality (AR) navigation feature for Google Maps. The feature was one of the biggest announcements which commanded lots of attention at the 2018 keynote event. There are indications that the AR navigation feature will soon be available on Google Maps.

Google recently granted US tabloid, The Wall Street Journal early access to the AR mode feature where it had the opportunity to test the capabilities of the new feature. According to WSJ, the Maps app has a dedicated virtual button that switches on the AR mode. This opens up the camera and starts analysing your surroundings using Street View data. The app then superimposes arrows on to the real world to show where you have to head next. The feature also gets activated if you hold your phone upright for the camera to capture the real world. The feature overlays arrows, landmarks, maps, and possibly even an animated creature to show the way in a camera view that is displaying the actual environment around the users. WSJ also noted that Google Maps repeatedly displays a message that reads, “For your safety, keep your phone down while you walk”. It reportedly also advises users to be alert while walking, as using the feature could be distracting, and lead to accidents.

The feature that has been under testing since it was first announced, will soon be released to a few local guides who are essentially advanced Google Maps users. This doesn’t mean the feature will be available to the public soon as the company indicates that the commercial release will only happen when it is completely satisfied that it’s ready.

Nokia 5.1 Plus to launch in the USA as a B&H exclusive

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Feb 11, 2019

Following the launch of the Nokia 2V and the Nokia 3.1 Plus in the USA, HMD Global is planning to launch yet another phone in the North American company. This time around, it is bringing the Nokia 5.1 Plus and it will be available unlocked.

The Nokia 5.1 Plus first launched in China as the Nokia X5 back in July last year. It later arrived as the Android One Nokia 5.1 Plus in other markets. The phone is already listed on B&H for $199.99 with availability in 7 to 10 business days.

The phone comes in three variants – 3GB RAM + 32GB, 4GB RAM + 64GB, and 6GB RAM + 64GB. Unfortunately, the listing doesn’t state which variant will be available for sale. It doesn’t even list the specs save for revealing it will have dual SIM support and be available in white.

iPad Pro 2018 tops AnTuTu’s list of most powerful iOS devices for January 2019

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Feb 11, 2019

Last week, AnTuTu released its list of the top ten Android devices for the month of January 2019. Today, it has followed it with the top 10 iOS devices.

Unlike the Android list which is filled with phones, the iOS list is a mix of smartphones and tablets. The 11-inch iPad Pro 2018 is even at the top of the list with a total score of 562,279 points. The 12.9-inch model comes next with a score of 553,258 points. Both iPads are powered by the Apple A12X Bionic which has four 2.5GHz Vortex cores and four 1.6GHz Tempest cores.

The first iPhone on the list is the iPhone XS with a score of 361,035 points. It is followed by the iPhone XS Max and the iPhone XR. All three phones have the A12 Bionic chipset under their hoods. Unlike the A12X which has four Vortex cores, the A12 has just two but keeps the same number of Tempest cores. It also has four GPU cores instead of the A12X’s seven.

Snapdragon 712 explained by Qualcomm: It’s about enhanced Gaming performance

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Feb 11, 2019

US fabless chip maker Qualcomm went official with its latest premium mid-range chipset dubbed Snapdragon 712 a couple of days back. The latest iteration of the Snapdragon 700 series is the second after the Snapdragon 710 was released last year. The SD712 uses the same 10nm FinFET process as the Snapdragon 710 and also integrates eight Kryo 360 CPU cores and the Adreno 616 GPU, but has 10% improved performance than the Snapdragon 710.

With just 10% improvement over the Snapdragon 710, one wonders the essence of the chipset as some may not consider it much of an upgrade. However, Qualcomm has now come out to disclose some more details of the Snapdragon 712. Qualcomm says the SDM712 mobile platform not only inherits all the AI intelligence and top features of the previous generation Snapdragon 710 mobile platform, but it also enhances the gaming and other experience through performance. Details of how the enhanced gaming experience is achieved weren’t disclosed but we believe that is tied to the slightly higher 2.3GHz clock frequency which the new chipset achieves over the Snapdragon 710.

An official of Qualcomm is reported to have hinted that compared to the Snapdragon 710, the Snapdragon 712 achieved a 10% performance improvement, not only bringing technical improvements to multimedia and other mobile experiences but also bringing higher efficiency and more economic benefits. The Snapdragon 712 processor is said to be capable of achieving faster processing speed and graphics rendering during gaming, allowing heavy games, multiplayer games and other types of games to run smoothly and respond quickly. At the same time, Qualcomm emphasized that the Adreno 616 GPU is designed to enjoy host-like gaming quality and cinematic movie experience on smartphones, capable of rendering more than 1 billion colors. The audio aspect is also improved to deliver superb sound quality and more immersive gaming experience.

In addition to enhanced game features, the Snapdragon 712 integrates the X15 LTE modem to support multiple enhanced 4G LTE features, as well as support for 4×4 MIMO and Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA). According to the official, the download speed of the Snapdragon 712 is more than twice that of the traditional LTE Advanced. On the camera aspect, the Snapdragon 712 uses the Qualcomm Spectra 250 camera ISP, which supports 10-bit color depth and supports 4K video capture. In addition, static shooting is enhanced; multi-frame noise reduction allows users to take multiple photos at the same time. Finally, the Snapdragon 712 also supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ technology, and the official said that it takes only 15 minutes for the battery to charge from 0% to 50%.

Meizu releases countdown poster for February 14 event, may announce Note 9

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Feb 11, 2019

The Chinese New Year holidays are over and things are expected to pick up pretty fast in the Chinese mobile phone industry. Earlier today, Meizu released a poster to announce that it has an event scheduled for February 14.

The poster which counts down to the event has a silhouette of what appears to be a phone with sound waves emanating from it. There is also some Chinese text which we believe are lyrics from a song written on the poster.

Prior to today’s poster, Meizu shared an image on its Weibo account yesterday that shows the Meizu 16th mobile phone against a background of words related to music awards. There is also a sound wave on the poster. There are speculations both are connected and tease the arrival of Meizu’s AI voice assistant and or its own smart speaker. We believe the silhouette of the phone on the first poster might be hinting at the arrival of the Meizu Note 9.

Apple AirPower and AirPods 2 resembling current AirPods coming this spring

By

Simranpal Singh

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Feb 11, 2019

There are a lot of gossips about the upcoming Apple devices, especially the accessories. As per the new information via MySmartPrice, Apple AirPods 2 will resemble the current AirPods design with improved performance and efficiency. The second-generation Apple AirPods is set to carry various new improvements and is slated for launch later this year. Although currently nothing has been officially confirmed from the Apple side, it is believed to carry Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy standard.

AirPod 2 Specs

As far as the design and other specs are concerned, there are not many jaw-dropping changes. It will look identical to present the Apple AirPods design. There will be significant changes in overall performance and sound quality. The Cupertino giant seems to have worked a lot to bring an impressive bass response to the AirPods 2. It will carry improved coating as like Google Pixel smartphones to resist slipping issues.

Furthermore, there will be some new sensors which will allow users to get health features. Users can measure heart rate with the AirPods 2. Although, there are no constructive details about its battery life. Apple is expected to retail it in two colour options of Black and White at the price of $200.

The launch date is still yet unknown, but we expect it to launch somewhere in Spring.

AirPower Wireless Charging Pad

There are many speculations about the AirPower Wireless Charging Pad. As per our sources, it will launch in Spring alongside the AirPods 2. The new wireless charging pad will be thicker due to the 8-7-7 coil configuration. It is expected to be available for the price of $150 at launch.

Apple is preparing to launch the Wireless Charging Pad very soon as they are even working on the teasers and other telemarketing materials. AirPower Wireless Charging Pad will work with all the latest and old iPhones featuring wireless charging capability.

The Cupertino giant is still doing reasearch on the new wireless charging product. They ought to bring some exclusive feature to it.

Read More: Apple patents future AirPower wireless charging pad with advanced security features

Moreover, Apple is testing new Macs with Face ID for launch very soon.

A lot of launchings are pending this year from Apple. We hope to see some new devices with outstanding tech in the upcoming time from Apple.

Apple iPhone shipments decline in China as Huawei tightens grip in its home market

By

Jeet

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Feb 11, 2019

In the final quarter of 2018, the shipment of Apple’s iPhone have reportedly declined by 20 percent in China, one of the world’s largest market. This is happening at a time when China’s homegrown Huawei is tightening its grip in the market and recently dethroned Apple from the second position in the world’s top selling smartphone brands.

According to a report from IDC, the domestic market contracted 9.7 percent in the quarter, but Apple declined at about twice that pace. The report further attributes the decline of iPhone sales to three major factors — a slowing economy, lengthening replacement times and the iPhone’s hefty price tag.

However, as per the IDC report, the iPhone maker isn’t the worst performing brand as Xiaomi Corp, another China-based company, fared even worse in the final months of last year as its shipments plunged almost 35 percent. As per the IDC report, Apple was was ranked fourth by shipments in the country during the period, behind China’s Huawei, Oppo and Vivo.

The smartphone users of brands like Apple is now contending with a plateauing global market after years of breakneck growth. The main reason for this is believed to be the lack of innovation, which discourages consumers from replacing devices as often as they used to.

The US-based company’s revenue from the iPhone slid 15 percent in the October to December period. To compensate for the loss, Apple is trying to replace phone sales with revenue from services. Apple CEO Tim Cook has seen China as a key part of Apple’s strategy. In the last fiscal year, it generated almost $52 billion in revenue from Greater China, a region that includes Hong Kong.

However, with the country announcing its slowest economic growth since 2009, Apple said its sales fell 27 percent in the holiday quarter. The Chinese slowdown was also the driving factor behind Apple’s first revenue outlook cut in almost two decades.

On the other hand, Huawei, which surpassed Apple to become the world’s No. 2 smartphone brand in 2018, remains the leader in its home market. The company shored up its lead after unit shipments soared 23.3 percent in the December quarter, leading all major brands.

Xiaomi’s 20000mAh, 45W output Mi Powerbank 3 Pro teardown shows the internals

By

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Feb 11, 2019

About a month ago, Xiaomi unveiled the Mi Powerbank 3 Pro which is the third-generation of power bank the Chinese firm is launching. Xiaomi has got quite a number of power banks in the market but the Mi Powerbank 3 Pro takes things to an entirely new level. The stand out feature, apart from its huge 20,000mAh capacity, is the 45W USP PD input and output support it comes with. The powerful output capacity can charge small and like notebooks such as Apple MacBook, Xiaomi Notebook laptop, Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell and HP notebooks. It can also charge mobile phones and tablets as well. In addition, this mobile power supply also supports a small current charging mode, which can charge small power devices such as Bluetooth headsets and smart bands. The Mi Powerbank 3 Pro has now been dismantled, showing how the setup works.

The Xiaomi Mi Powerbank 3 Pro utilises two USB Type-A and one bi-directional USB Type-C, all supporting multiple fast charging protocols. Among them, the USB-C interface supports 45W USB PD input and output. Through the disassembly of the charging head network, it was found that many innovations and breakthroughs were made on the circuit of the Mi Powerbank 3 Pro in order to accommodate the new features. It features Renesas ISL9238, Jiehuaite JW3651 two surge voltage chips which are quite rare in USB PD mobile power. While the ISL9238 is responsible for USB-C port bi-directional charging and discharging, the JW3651 is responsible for USB-A port fast charging output as well as independent power supply architecture to meet the output of different needs.

In addition, the Mi Powerbank 3 Pro internals show it is equipped with TI BQ29200 battery voltage equalization chip for the integration of two string batteries. Three fast-charging protocols such as QC are implemented using three Scorpio FP6601Q. USB PD fast charging is implemented by using ZMi’s own protocol handshake chip. The powerbank uses two 10,000mAh batteries to give a robust 20,000mAh capacity. In order to enhance heat dissipation, the device comes with a large amount of graphite thermal paste inside to reduce the temperature increase of the board.

Overall, the workmanship and materials used for the Mi Powerbank 3 Pro look solid. The middle frame is designed with multiple roll cages, combined with composite materials in order to give it stability, shock resistance, fire protection and others. The fly in the ointment is that although the multi-layer housing has improved the stability of the product, it also increases the size and weight. Check out the dismantling pictures from below. You can also scoop ore details from the source link.