Xiaomi Mi LED TV models get price cut in India

Get 9% Off On Tronsmart Element T6 25W Portable Bluetooth Speaker

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Jan 1, 2019

Last month, Asus launched its Zenfone Max Pro M2 smartphone, which is the successor of the company’s popular budget device Zenfone Max Pro M1.

The phone went on sale in India last month itself but was available for purchase through a flash sale model. However, after conducting just one flash sale, the company has now announced that the Zenfone Max Pro M2 will now be available on open sale through Flipkart.

It comes in two color options — Blue and Titanium. The 3GB RAM model is priced at Rs. 12,999 (approximately $180), 4GB RAM model costs Rs. 14,999 ($209) while the 6GB RAM model is priced at Rs. 16,999 (approx. $237).

The Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 comes with a curved 3D glass rear and a metallic frame, measuring 157.8 x 75.5 x 8.5mm. It features a 6.26-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD+ screen resolution of 2280 x 1080 pixels and 19:9 aspect ratio. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6 on top.

Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 octa-core chipset. It comes in three variants — 3GB/4GB/6GB RAM and 32GB/64GB internal storage along with a microSD card slot for storage expansion. There’s also a rear-facing fingerprint sensor for added protection.

As for the camera, the device comes with a vertically-stacked dual camera setup, featuring a primary sensor of 12-megapixel Sony IMX486 with f/1.8 aperture. It is accompanied by 5-megapixel depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture. On the front side, there’s a 13-megapixel selfie camera with an LED flash that supports Face Unlock.

Connectivity options on the device include Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, micro-USB 2.0, and 3.5mm audio jack. It runs stock Android 8.1 Oreo out-of-the-box and is powered by a 5,000mAh battery which unfortunately lacks support for fast charging.

The Zenfone Max Pro M2 recently received a firmware update that comes with better camera effect optimization along with updated audio performance, and an upgraded fingerprint sensor performance that makes it more accurate and fast. It also has improved the display edge and updated the Google security patch from October to November.

Buy Top-Branded Bluetooth Speakers For Considerably Lowered Prices On GeekBuying [Coupons Inside]

By

Vinay Patel

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Jan 1, 2019

Looking for cost-effective earphones that boast an impressive array of features? You have come to the right place.
We have compiled a list of top-branded earphones that have gone up for sale carrying dropped prices on GeekBuying. Aside from that, we will show how you can save a considerable amount of extra money without breaking a sweat.

Awei T5 TWS Bluetooth 5.0 Earbuds

You can use this truly wireless Bluetooth earbuds either as two unilateral earbuds or in pairs. The storage box comes in handy for charging the earbuds and can only be used as an emergency power bank for the phone.

While the Awei T5 would normally set you back a pretty penny on online as well as offline stores, you can now buy it for just $34.99 on GeekBuying. This is a significant 10 percent drop in the device’s original selling price of $38.99.
On top of that, you can apply coupon code GIZ_AWEIT5 for an extra discount at checkout. The aforesaid coupon helps you save $5 more by reducing the earbuds’ retail price to just $29.99. You can visit this link to avail the discount before the promo ends.

Huawei Honor FlyPods TWS Earbuds

The FlyPods can be connected to the smartphone through Bluetooth 5.0, and after first pairing, it can be used as a handsfree earphone. When you flip open the earbuds, there’s a pop-up that appears on your phone screen showing all sorts of details including the current battery level of the earbuds and a request to pair.

The Honor FlyPods TWS earbuds normally carry a steep price tag, but you can now get your hands on these coveted TWS earbuds for a dropped price of just $189.99 on GeekBuying. This is a 19 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price of $233.99.

Aside from taking full advantage of this discount, you can use coupon code GIZ_FLYPODS and get an extra $20 off at the time of checking out.

In other words, you can bring the already reduced retail price of the Honor FlyPods down to just $169.99 with the help of the coupon, which is likely to expire soon. You can visit this link to grab the discount before the promo wraps up!

i10 TWS Bluetooth Binaural Earbuds

The i10 is an irresistible in-ear earbud that works with an iPhone, iPod and a slew of other mobile phones, making it a great choice for both work and sports. The device can wirelessly connect and deliver a music time of 4 hours, standby time of 80 hours and talk time of 4 hours.

Much to the delight of cost-conscious music lovers who aren’t willing to spend a lot of money on top-branded earbuds, the i10 has now gone up for sale carrying a considerably lowered price tag of $39.99 on GeekBuying.

If this 9 percent drop in the device’s retail price of $43.99 doesn’t impress you much, you can use coupon code GIZ_NEQQVQIL to get an extra discount.

The above-mentioned coupons reduce the earbuds’ already lowered selling price further down to just $32.03. The above-mentioned coupon helps you save an extra $7.96. If you are interested in grabbing this discount, all you need to do is to follow this link before the promo ends.

Joyroom JR T02 TWS Bluetooth Earbuds

Backed by a robust 350mAh battery, the Joyroom JR Bluetooth earbuds can deliver 5 hours of uninterrupted talk time. It adopts an eye-catching mobile charging box design that enables charging and storage in one frame.
Despite being loaded with exceptional features, the Joyroom JR T02 Bluetooth earbuds are not overpriced. While they normally sell for $26.99, you can now get your hands on these feature-laden earbuds for a dropped price of just $19.99 on GeekBuying.

Aside from that, you can use coupon code GIZ_YXLFJGOA and get an extra $4.01 before you click the ‘Place Your Order’ button. The coupon helps you reduce the original asking price of the Joyroom JR T02 down to only $19.98. You can follow this link to get the discount before the promo ends in three days.

Buy Tronsmart Element T6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker And Element Mega 40W Bluetooth Speaker For Lowered Prices On GeekBuying [Coupons]

By

Vinay Patel

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Jan 1, 2019

Music lovers who fancy listening to their favorite music outdoors usually spend a lot of money on headphones or earphones and end up buying a small pair of speakers that they can carry in their laptop bags.

If you are in the market for a cost-effective Bluetooth speaker, it might interest you to know that Tronsmart has teamed up with GeekBuying to offer its select Bluetooth speakers for unbeatable prices. On top of that, we will show how you can save a considerable amount of extra money at checkout.

Tronsmart Element T6 25W Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Capable of delivering an impressive 15 hours of play time on a single charge on a 60% volume, the Element T6 is an irresistible Bluetooth speaker. Its powerful bass offers a room-filling experience.

While you’d normally expect a Bluetooth speaker offering comparable features to carry a steep price tag, the Tronsmart Element T6 can now be yours for a dropped price of just $49.99 on GeekBuying. This is a 9 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price of $54.99.
Moreover, you can use coupon code GIZ_KDAYYEQW and get an extra $8 off before placing your order. In other words, you can reduce the original asking price of the Tronsmart Element T6 to just $41.99 simply by applying the aforesaid coupon at the time of checking out.

You can visit this link to grab the discount, which will be valid for the camouflage color version of the Bluetooth speaker for a limited period of time. Alternatively, you can choose from black, red color versions that come with and without carrying case.

Tronsmart Element Mega 40W Bluetooth Speaker

Designed to jazz up your audio experience by delivering powerful and compelling sound on-the-go, the Tronsmart Element Mega is touted as Luis Suárez’s top choice. It features a fully integrated touch panel along with a unique slide-to-control volume mechanism.

The Tronsmart Element Mega features 28 core high-fidelity large subwoofer horn that is capable of producing an output up to 40W. While this Tronsmart branded Bluetooth speaker usually sells for $75.99, you can now buy it for a dropped price of just $43.99 on GeekBuying.

As if that weren’t enough, you can even extend this 42 percent discount by using coupon code GIZ_FSRVODVH during the checkout process. The aforesaid coupon helps you get an extra $12 off by bringing the already lowered selling price of the Tronsmart Element Mega further down to just $43.99 before you click the ‘Place Your Order’ button.

If this unmissable discount on the Tronsmart Element Mega 40W Bluetooth speaker has stirred your interest, you can head straight to this link to grab it without wasting time. Note that the promo is slated to come to an end in three days.

Get 42% Off On Tronsmart Element Mega 40W Bluetooth Speaker

Buy OnePlus 6T And Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus 4G Phablets For Unbeatable Prices On GearBest

By

Vinay Patel

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Jan 1, 2019

Newfangled mobile devices like smartphones and phablets do a lot more than just helping to stay in touch with family and friends regardless of which part of the world you’re in.
While there’s no dearth of high-end smartphones, phablets and other mobile devices in the market today, you usually end up spending a lot of money on these devices. In a bid to make top-notch phones and phablets available to cost-conscious buyers, GearBest is offering noteworthy discounts on select phablets from OnePlus and Xiaomi.

OnePlus 6T 4G Phablet

The long-awaited OnePlus 6 successor dubbed, the OnePlus 6T was launched last year in November. Following in the footsteps of its well-received predecessor, the 6T garnered huge popularity among OnePlus fans and those who fancy using a big-screen mobile device for watching their favorite videos.

On the downside, this OnePlus branded phablet didn’t come cheap. In fact, the OnePlus 6T would normally set you back a pretty penny on both online and offline stores.
Much to the delight of those who have restlessly been waiting to get their hands on the coveted phablet without spending a lot of money, OnePlus is now offering the international version of the OnePlus 6T for a considerably lowered price just $569.99 on GearBest.

This is a significant 16 percent discount on the phablet’s original asking price of $677.36. You can follow this link to grab this discount, which will be valid for the mirror black color version of the phablet for a limited period of time.

Get 16% Off On OnePlus 6T 4G Phablet

Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus 4G Phablet

Xiaomi took the wraps off the hotly-anticipated Mi Pad 4 Plus phablet in August 2018. As expected, the feature-laden phablet became an instant hit among tech buffs and Xiaomi aficionados.

Taking its huge popularity into consideration, the Chinese electronics giant is now offering the Mi Pad 4 Plus phablet for an unbeatable price on GearBest. While the phablet usually carries a relatively steep price tag, you can now buy it for only $299.99 on GearBest.

This is a significant 20 percent drop in the device’s original selling price of $376.24. An absolute bargain at this price, the Mi Pad 4 Plus sports an extra large 10.1-inch FHD display with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
It packs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor along with a competent Adreno 512 GPU, under the hood. The device ships with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and offers a hearty 64GB of onboard storage for you to save your photos, videos, and other multimedia content.

Regrettably, the discount will only be valid for the remaining 242 pieces of the black color version of the phablet. You can head straight to this link to avail the discount before the promo ends in just three days.

Get 20% Off On Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus 4G Phablet

Fresh Moto G7 case renders provide a better look at the device

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Dec 31, 2018

One of the most-awaited mid-range models of 2019 is perhaps the Motorola Moto G7. The device looks all set to hit the market, considering all the numbers of leaks that have been outed in recent times. The latest leak is the series of renders of the device in a transparent case, making it possible to see the upcoming Moto G7 from all angles.

From the transparent case, we were able to get a better look at the dual camera setup and the fingerprint scanner positioned at the rear. Also, the screen features a teardrop notch on the front with buttons and ports on the sides.
The Moto G7 is equipped with a speaker grille, a power button, a volume rocker on the right side, a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom. In contrast to its predecessors, the Moto G7 has it speaker at the bottom.

Lenovo-owned Motorola is expected to release a total of 4 Moto G7 smartphone variant which includes the Moto G7, Moto G7 Plus with a teardrop notch, Moto G7 Play and lastly the Moto G7 Power with the regular wide notch. Both the Moto G7 and G7 Plus are most likely to have similar specs but they vary slightly with a larger screen and battery, which is likely in favour of the Plus device. The Moto G7 Power and the Moto G7 Play, are also expected to be equipped with mammoth batteries, with the power capacity expected to have a large 5000mAh packed inside, providing enough juice for the essential running of the device.

The Moto G7 is expected to be launched officially in Brazil around February before the commencement of the mobile world congress (MWC).

Xiaomi Mi Laser Projector Lite to launch on crowdfunding January 2

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Dec 31, 2018

Around June 2017, Xiaomi stunned the industry when it released the Mi Laser Projector with several outstanding features but with an affordable price tag when compared to other Laser Projectors in the same category. Perhaps, the success of the Mi Laser Projector may have prompted the company to launch a new Lite version which is billed to debut on January 2 via its crowdfunding platform.

Xiaomi recently released several posters which tease the impending launch and contained some details of the Mi Laser Projector Lite. The photograph of the Lite version is very much distinct from the Full version. It has a narrow and taller frame and comes with a colour scheme that is no longer deep black. The side is white, while the front is a lighter gray, giving it a more appealing look.

The specific specifications of the Mi Laser Projector Lite are not clear at the moment, but since it is a “Lite version”, the configuration must be much lower, of course, the price will be far cheaper and affordable. However, we can pick out some of the key specifications from the posters. One of such is an OSRAM P1W/A lamp bead with brightness up to 800 ANSI. The projector will also support HDR10 high dynamic range video decoding and Texas Instruments TRP square pixels Architectural plan. The device will also have a 1080p LED light source projection.

In addition, the Mi Laser Projector Lite will pack two 2 inches 10W dual speakers with dual passive film audio. The device also comes with Dolby audio and DTS sound effects. It also comes pre-installed with MIUI TV operating system which is the same with that of Xiaomi TV models. Of course, that means it comes with voice control support. The Laser projector Lite can project images on screen sizes ranging from 80 inches to 120 inches.

Xiaomi Mi Laser Projector Lite will launch on crowdfunding at 14.30 on January 2 and will have a 2,199 yuan crowdfunding price which is cost-effective.

AT&T’s Power Drum, a portable wireless charger and power bank gets FCC and WPC approval.

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Dec 31, 2018

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has just given a regulatory approval to an upcoming battery powered bank and wireless charger that goes by the name AT&T power drum. The wireless power bank device can charge an Apple watch (it has a built in magnetic charging module for Apple watch) and an Apple iPhone (or any Qi-compatible handle) simultaneously. However, the AT&T’s Qi-compatible Power Drum will not function with the series 4 Apple watch, but will work with all other variants of the wearable timepiece.

The Qi charger will charge at 10W but at a limited power output of 7.5W for iPhone devices and the Apple watch timepiece will charge the rate of 5W. More so, as a powerbank, the power drum comes with 3,000mAh battery capacity which is very low compared to the 10,000-20,000mAh powerbanks that are available in the market today. Despite the low capacity, you will be glad to have that extra battery that can still save the day.

The power drum comes with a micro USB port for charging it, which implies that you need to carry an extra cord around with you. Other features include, a LED charge indicator, Nightstand mode which allows the Apple watch to be used in alarm mode while charging, also a softpad providing a stable surface for the device.

There is no any record yet concerning when this product will be officially launched, and according to one of the sources, it seems that the product will be sold at an equivalent of $99.99.

(via)

Sony Xperia XZ4 screen protection leaks, reaffirming a tall display

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Dec 31, 2018

It has been quite a while since we heard any news about the Sony Xperia XZ4. The phone has been rumored earlier this month to feature an extremely tall display with a cinematic screen ratio of 21:9. Here are some leaked CAD (Computer Aided Diagram) renders of the upcoming Sony Xperia XZ4 flagship alongside its screen protector. This leak is again lending credence to earlier rumours of a tall display.

The panel fits closely to the ratios as seen in the renders featuring an extremely thin bezel, without a notch, and cut out for the earpiece, including proximity sensor. It’s also equipped with a tiny hole in the left end of the screen, presumably for the LED notification light. From a glance at the second photo, it fits perfectly for the screen of the Sony Xperia XZ4. We are hoping the picture is the real device because anyone might have produced the panel, just by mere looking at the 3D image.

The same source gave pictures of the protective case as well. This case reveals a vertical triple camera set up that is equipped with several buttons and port. On the right side of the device is the volume button, the fingerprint scanner and the power button are positioned next to each other alongside the camera shutter. Beneath the device a speaker can be seen, a USB-C and a port for the mic connection. There is no 3.5mm audio jack, but that not a news anymore.

Chinese man who traded his kidney for an iPhone 4 seven years ago becomes permanently disabled

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Dec 31, 2018

We often joke about selling off a kidney to get Apple’s latest iPhones. That is supposed to reflect the high price tags iPhones come with but it may shock you to know that some naive teenagers actually trade-off a kidney to buy Apple’s iPhones and other products. This alarming practice is quite common in China where black market organ transplant is a thriving trade. One case that shook the tech industry was that of Xiao Wang who was a 17-year-old student back in 2011. The teenager craved for an iPhone 4 which at that time was the latest Apple phone and a status symbol at his school.

In order to get the iPhone 4 he so craved for, Wang sold one of his kidneys for the equivalent of $3,200 USD. This was more than enough for him to get the iPhone 4 for himself. Unfortunately, that is a decision that would change the course of Wang’s life forever. Since it is an underground hospital that the operation was carried out, several standard operating procedures were not adhered to. Sadly, the operating room was not sanitized properly and so, Wang soon developed an infection in the remaining kidney that made him deathly ill. And that is when Xiao’s parents discovered what their son had done. While the Wang family didn’t have the financial resources to buy the iPhone 4 that Xiao so coveted, things got worse when the family had to cover the cost of dialysis treatment.

Xiao Wang is now 24 and story has it that he will need to continue with dialysis for the rest of his life. No doubt, his lifespan will be shortened and he won’t be able to live a normal life for the period he’ll be alive. This is a sad one and we wish him all the best. Perhaps, a fundraiser can be started to assist him to get better medical care. However, it is good to bring this out because this is just one of several cases of trading an organ for gadget stories we have come across. There’s absolutely no gain in attempting to trade an organ for a smartphone or anything whatsoever.

Realme 2, Realme 2 Pro and Realme C1 get ColorOS 5.2 update

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Dec 31, 2018

To round off the year, Realme has released the ColorOS 5.2 update for the rest of its phones. The update was already released for the Realme 1 over a month ago. Now it has started rolling out to the Realme 2, Realme 2 Pro and the Realme C1.

The update is a staged rollout and will not arrive on all devices immediately. However, if you are unwilling to wait for the OTA, Realme has provided links to download it manually.

The update brings new features and also December’s security patch among others. Below is the changelog for the Realme 2 and Realme C1:

System

Single swipe notification dismiss – Now you can swipe from left to right to dismiss the notification.
Headset icon in the status bar – A headset icon in the status bar will be shown when you plug in the headset.
Smart Bar for faster multitasking – You can add apps you use often into “Smart Bar” for faster app launching and multitasking.
Added reboot function – You can swipe up to reboot in the shutdown interface.
Optimized reminders when Developer Options, Accessibility Mode and Device Manager on – Flashing bar, on-going notification and text at the upper right corner for “Developer Options”, “Accessibility” and “Device & Privacy” have been deleted.
Improved frequency for touch screen.

Google Assistant

Long press power button for 0.5s to launch Google Assistant.

Security

Android Security Patch Level: December 5, 2018.

You can download the update here and read about how to install it here.

The update is also rolling out to the Realme 2 Pro. Owners of this phone will get a redesigned set of icons, a screen battery optimization mode, and support for slow-motion video recording.

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FCC reveals Galaxy M10 will have a 6.0-inch screen

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Dec 31, 2018

Samsung has a trio of Galaxy M devices launching soon. They are the Galaxy M10, M20, and M30. The Galaxy M10 was seen on Geekbench last month which revealed its processor along with some other details. Now, it has been seen at the FCC and there are now more details about the device.

We already know that the Galaxy M10 will be powered by an Exynos 7870 processor and will have 3GB of RAM. Now FCC documents have revealed the phone’s display measures 153.2 millimeters which translates into 6.03 inches. Adding the bezels, the phone measures 165.5 millimeters/6.5-inches.

[envira-gallery id=”229999″]

The phone’s battery has model number EBA750ABN which according to the tech blog, Nashville Chatter, is the same model number of the Galaxy A8s’ battery. Since the batteries have the same model number the Galaxy M10 is expected to have a 3,400mAh battery capacity. The phone will also have support for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2.

Continue

Samsung Galaxy A50 key specs appear; Likely to debut after Galaxy S10, S10 Plus

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Dec 31, 2018

Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy A8s with punch hole display inn China. The handset is expected to debut in wider markets in January 2019. The South Korean company is also rumored to unleash the budget-friendly Galaxy M series of smartphones soon. Also, it is speculated to announce the Galaxy S10 series on Feb. 20 ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 that is scheduled to begin on Feb. 25. The company is also preparing new Galaxy A series smartphones named Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50. The latter was recently spotted on Geekbench. Now some more details on its specifications have been leaked.

Fresh information reveals that the Galaxy A50 will be equipped with a 24-megapixel front-facing camera. For security, the Galaxy A50 will be featuring an in-display fingerprint scanner. However, it won’t be featuring advanced and accurate ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner that is expected to be available on the upcoming Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ handsets. Instead, it may feature an optical in-screen fingerprint reader. The handset is draw power from a 4,000mAh battery.

Read More: Samsung could launch its Smart Sports Shoes at CES 2019

A previous report had revealed that the upcoming Galaxy A50 has a model number of SM-A505. It could be an upper mid-range phone since it is rumored to arrive in 64 GB and 128 GB storage models. The report had also revealed that the Galaxy A50 will be available in colors like black, white, silver, blue and pink.

The Galaxy A50 had recently appeared on Geekbench to reveal that it will be the first handset to be fueled by the Exynos 9610 smartphone. The handset is preloaded with Android 9 Pie OS. The variant of the Galaxy A50 that appeared on the benchmarking platform features 4 GB of RAM. Hence, it appears that the 64 GB model of the phone will feature 4 GB of RAM whereas its 128 GB edition may come with 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM.

There is no information available on the launch date of the Galaxy A50. However, it is not being speculated that the company may announce in Q2 2019 after the launch of the Galaxy S10 and S10+.

Nokia 9 PureView promo video reveals camera features and key specs

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Dec 31, 2018

Earlier today, leakster extraordinaire Evan Blass had shared a press render to reveal the front and rear designs of the Nokia 9 PureView. Now, a leaked promo of the smartphone has surfaced courtesy of My Smart Price. Apart from the showcasing the handset from all angles, the video has revealed its key camera features. Through another leak, the display size of the smartphone has been confirmed.

When it comes to design, the appearance of the Nokia 9 PureView is not very different from the Nokia 8 Sirocco. The major change on the Nokia 9 PureView is the removal of the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and inclusion of penta-lens camera setup. Like other Nokia phones, the Nokia 9 PureView will be an Android One smartphone that will deliver stock Android experience.

Previous leaks have revealed that the Nokia TA-1094 belongs to the Nokia 9 PureView. The newly spotted leaked video of the phone reveals that TA-1087 model number also belongs to it. Coming to penta-lens setup, the video reveals that all five sensors can work simultaneously. It can capture images with 10x more light compared to traditional smartphones. Apart from shooting photos with rich details, the Nokia 9 PureView will let users to refocus on the captured images taken within Google Photos.

Read More:Nokia 9 PureView may launch in January last week

The Nokia 9 PureView is equipped with a 5.99-inch PureDisplay with support for HDR10. It seems to support an aspect ratio of 18:9. It also features an in-display fingerprint sensor. The smartphone will be preloaded with Android 9 Pie OS. It will be packed with various Google provided features such as Google Photos, Google Lens and Google Assistant. It will be the first Nokia phone to arrive with support for Qi wireless charging. The handset will be fueled by Snapdragon 845 chipset and 6 GB of RAM. It will be arriving with an inbuilt storage of 128 GB.

The release date of the Nokia 9 PureView is still under the wraps. A recent report has revealed that the smartphone will be announced by the end of January 2019.

LG announces Android Pie update roadmap, G7 ThinQ gets it first

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Dec 31, 2018

LG is terrible when it comes to releasing timely updates. None of its flagships released this year is running a stable version of Android Pie yet and that will be so for months to come. The Korean manufacturer has revealed its update schedule for Android Pie and there isn’t much to be excited about if we are being honest.

LG says the first device to get a stable Android Pie update is the LG G7 ThinQ and the update will arrive in Q1 of 2019. The update will most definitely start rolling out first in its home country, so expect a further delay if you reside somewhere else.

Own the LG V40 ThinQ? LG didn’t reveal when you’ll get Android Pie but they did say that it and the LG G6 will get performance updates that will fix some issues and bring new features.

The LG V30 and LG G7 ThinQ will also get performance updates this month which will also come with security patches.

LG devices run a custom-version of Android called LG UX. However, this year, it released its first Android One phone, the LG G7 One which runs stock Android. It is no coincidence that it has gotten updated to Android Pie.

Nevertheless, LG isn’t the only manufacturer with a customized version of Android, so it isn’t an excuse for its lackadaisical attitude when it comes to updates. Brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Samsung have already started rolling out Android Pie to their devices.

Timely updates are important for users and forms part of their purchase decision. LG needs to fix up in this aspect if it takes its customers seriously.

(Source, Via)

Realme will expand its offline presence to 150 cities in India in 2019

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Dec 31, 2018

Realme, which started off as an online-exclusive sub-brand of Oppo, split up from its parent company to operate as an independent brand. The company, which started in India, is now present in around six countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Phillippines.

Initially, the company sold its smartphones exclusively through online platforms, but last month, it entered into the offline market via a partnership with Reliance Digital. Now, the company has said that it plans to expand its offline presence to 150 cities in 2019.

Although the company has clarified that the expansion will take place in a phase-by-phase manner. Realme also says that it will expand the offline presence to 20,000 outlets in the country through the year. The company says its offline retailers will be known as REAL Partners.

In a press statement, Madhav Sheth, Chief Executive Officer of Realme India said:

Realme as a young brand is committed to delivering the best consumer experience to our customers. Strengthening our commitment, we are expanding our footprints to meet the rapidly growing customer demands. With the new offline store, we are extending our sales channels reaching out to our offline customers in every region. This is the extension of our sales strategy and the ultimate target of ‘Realme for Every Indian.

The company will first start its offline presence in ten cities across the country in January 2019. Later, Realme plans to add 50 cities every quarter. The retail outlets will have all the models that the smartphone brand has launched so far.

However, the company has not yet confirmed the names of cities where it will start the offline expansion, though these will likely be metro cities. So far, Realme has relied on online partnerships with marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart to drive sales of its products, which includes Realme 1, 2, 2 Pro, C1, and the latest Realme U1.

With the Reliance Digital partnership, Realme smartphones were available for purchase at more than 130 cities across more than 1,300 Reliance Digital and My Jio stores.

Meanwhile, Realme is reportedly working on another entry-level smartphone named Realme A1 which will be priced under Rs. 10,000 ($143) and will get launched in early 2019.

Samsung could launch its Smart Sports Shoes at CES 2019

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Dec 31, 2018

Samsung, which has been working with fitness sensors for wearable products since past couple of years, now finally appears to be ready to launch its first such product — Smart Sports Shoes. If the reports are to be believed, then the South Korean giant is all set to launch its smart sports shoes at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show 2019 in Las Vegas.

The shoes come with built-in sensors to that are possibly targeted towards elite athletes, helping them stay on top of their game. Earlier this year, in August, Samsung C & T Corporation had applied for two design patents at the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which were assigned on December 27, 2018.

The images associated with the patent shows a sneaker with a sensor on the back. The patented shoes are made of leather and synthetic material. In Model A, the smart sports shoe can be switched on and off by pulling the tab while in Model B, users have to open a plastic flap to activate the smart functions.

Salted Venture, which is a spin-off of Samsung Creative Lab, has also announced Iofit Smart Shoes a couple of years ago at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016. These smart shoes can be connected to a smartphone and were specially designed for golfers.

While the patent description doesn’t reveal much information, it’s likely that these running smart shoes will work in combination with an app, with which the user can easily determine his/her fitness goals. There’s also a possibility that the Samsung smart sports shoes are powered by Artificial Intelligence so that in the long run, the coaching could increasingly be tailored to the user’s personal circumstances.

There’s no information available regarding the pricing or availability of these smart shoes. However, looking at the development, which seems to be in an advanced stage, we are expecting the smart shoes to be available soon than later.

Meanwhile, the company is set to launch its upcoming flagship smartphones — Galaxy S10 series in February next year. As per the reports, the launch of Galaxy S10 could take place on 20th February, a week before MWC 2019 in Barcelona.

(Source)

Vivo NEX Dual Display with Snapdragon 710 and 8GB RAM seen on TENAA

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Dec 31, 2018

The Vivo NEX Dual Display launched this month as Vivo‘s first dual-display device and also its first 10GB RAM device. It appears the flagship will also have a less powerful variant based on two new TENAA listings.

The Vivo V1820A and Vivo V1820T appeared on TENAA’s database a few days ago. Their model numbers are different from that of the Vivo NEX Dual Display (V1821A and V1821T) but that isn’t the only difference. Apparently, they are models of a less powerful variant of the Vivo NEX Dual Display. The specs are the same for V1820A and Vivo V1820T, so we will list them as one device.

The new variant has two displays too – a 5.49-inch OLED screen with a 1080 x 1920 resolution and a 6.39 AMOLED screen with a 1080 x 2340 resolution. Instead of the Snapdragon 845 processor, there is a 2.2GHz octa-core chipset we believe is the Snapdragon 710 Mobile Platform and it is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of non-expandable storage.

Unlike the Vivo NEX Dual Display which has a 12MP + 2MP + TOF triple camera setup, this variant has a 12MP + 13MP + 2MP triple camera setup. It also has an in-display fingerprint scanner, runs Android 9 Pie and packs a 3425mAh battery.

The Vivo V1820 weighs 200.19 grams and measures 157.19 x 75.3 x 8.09 millimeters. When it launches, it will be available in only gold. Unfortunately, TENAA didn’t provide images along with the listings.

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Fitbit Charge 3 with OLED display and heart rate sensor launched in India for Rs. 13,990 ($200)

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Dec 31, 2018

Back in August this year, Fitbit announced the Fitbit Charge 3 fitness tracker in India, which is the successor of the Charge 2. Now the company has finally launched the device in the Indian market for Rs. 13,990 which roughly converts to $200. It will be available for purchase from 1st January through Reliance Digital, Croma, Helios and other major retailers, both offline and online.

The Fitbit Charge 3 will be available in Black color with a graphite aluminum case or Blue Gray color with a rose gold aluminum case. Accessories for the fitness band, including bands in different materials, colors, and finishes, cost between Rs. 2,990 ($43) to Rs 4,490 ($645).

The company also announced that it will soon launch Fitbit Charge 3 Special Edition in the Indian market, which comes with an NFC chip that’s missing from the regular model.

The Fitbit Charge 3 comes with an aluminum body and is lighter than the Charge 2. It features a 40 percent larger OLED display, which is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Further, the display is now touch-enabled. It also comes with Connected GPT, continues heart rate monitoring, multi-sport tracking, sleep tracking, among others.

One of the major change in the usage of the fitness band is that with Charge 3, Fitbit has introduced goal-based exercise modes. This allows users to set a specific calorie burned, duration or distance goal for more than 15 exercise modes including swimming, running, yoga, among others.

It has got a heart rate sensor that helps users to accurately track their heartbeats, monitor sleep cycles, and understand users’ sleeping patterns. It also offers features like alarms, timer, weather, calendar, and smartphone notification alerts with quick reply option.

As for the battery life, the company claims the Fitbit Charge 3’s battery can easily last up to 7 days on a single charge. For compatibility, the fitness band can be paired with both iOS devices as well as Android devices.

Xiaomi CEO explains why he’s not using Mi MIX 3

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Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Dec 31, 2018

At present, Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 is ranking on the sixth position in the list of best rated camera smartphones by DxOMark. It is ranking higher than the Huawei P20 and Google Pixel 3 in the list. Still, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun can be seen using his Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S on Weibo. When he was asked why he was not using Mi MIX 3, he replied that he is still testing the Mi MIX 2S.

On Weibo, Jun shared a post that Dec. 29 was the last working day of the company. He thanked employees for working harder even on the last day of the year. One Weibo user questioned Jun on why he wasn’t using the Mi MIX 3. He responded that the company is upgrading the camera experience on the Mi MIX 2S and he is assisting with the tests. Jun also said that the year “2019 is definitely worth looking forward!”

In October, Xiaomi had launched the Mi MIX 3 flagship phone that came with Night Mode camera feature for capturing rich photos in dim-light conditions. The same feature was brought to Mi MIX 2S handset through an update in November along with slow-motion video shooting.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S features a pair of 12-megapixel sensors that includes a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens. The dual cameras carry support for 2x optical along with optical image stabilization. The primary Sony IMX363 lens offers a large pixel size of 1.4micron pixels for better photography experience in darker conditions. There is a noise reduction mechanism that helps in improving the image quality.

Read More: Xiaomi releases short video to review its year 2018

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S was launched in March this year as the company’s first Snapdragon 845 chipset powered smartphone in China. The handset comes with up to 8 GB of RAM and an inbuilt storage of 256 GB. There is a microSD card slot for more storage. The Mi MIX 2S is fitted with a 5.99-inch display that supports full HD+ resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels and a tall aspect ratio of 18:9.

The 3,400mAh battery of the phone carries support for fast charging and wireless charging. It has a front-facing camera of 5-megapixel. The handset has been treated with Android 9 Pie OS flavored MIUI 10 update.