[Updated: Price Leaks Too] Xiaomi Redmi S2 Hands-On Video Hints Device May Be Heading To Europe First and Then Vietnam

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Apr 28, 2018

Last week, a new Xiaomi smartphone was certified by China’s TENAA. The device notably features a design which looks very similar to the recently unveiled Mi 6X but obviously, the specs didn’t align. Turns out the model is the Xiaomi Redmi S2 and while Xiaomi is yet to officially introduce the model, we have spotted some live pictures of the smartphone. The live photos were uploaded by a Czech Republic-based blog but the author failed to mention the actual source of the device. However, the pictures seem to have been taken from someone who had the opportunity to handle the real machine.

The design of the Redmi S2 is not in anyway different from the Mi 6X. The device is expected to feature a similar 5.99-inch display with the 18:9 aspect ratio. However, the display resolution will be an HD+ (1440 x 720pixels) resolution. The device also seems to retain the ultra-thin build of the Mi 6X but we can’t tell from all of the pictures if the 3.5mm audio jack will also be missing on this model. Also visible is the U-shaped antenna design at the back and the dual camera setup stacked vertically. There is also a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Specs wise, the Redmi S2 will feature a Snapdragon 625 chipset clocked at 2.0Ghz. The device will also come in 2GB RAM, 3GB RAM and 4GB RAM variants as well as 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage options. Keeping the lights on is a 3000mAh battery. This model will likely not come with fast charge support. The rear cameras are said to be a 12MP + 5MP combo while for selfies, the device will feature a 16MP sensor. Providing the interface will be the Android 8.1 Oreo-based MIUI 9.5. Finally, the Redmi S2 will be available in several color variants, including Pink which is the colour of the model on display.

Photos: The Red Xiaomi Mi 6X Is A Sexy Beast

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Habeeb Onawole

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Apr 28, 2018

Xiaomi announced the brand new Mi 6X on Wednesday, April 25. Unlike the Mi 5X, a red variant of the Mi 6X is available right from the launch day. The Mi 5X didn’t get a red variant until a few months after it was announced.

There are four other colors – black, blue, pink, and gold; and they are all stunning. However, only the red and black variants have black front bezels.

We have been able to get our hands on live photos of the red variant courtesy of ITHome and have decided to share them with you. We have also included some official promotional images from Xiaomi.

The pictures show that all color variants will come in the same retail box and with white accessories (USB-C cable and charger).

The phone does look very thin and it is sad that the audio jack had to go. The dual rear cameras have a slight bump. We don’t know if the glass covering the lens is scratch resistant, so we advise getting a case that has a bulge for the camera cut-out.

I am fawning over this red variant and it sure will make it to my list of favorite red phones for 2018.

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The Xiaomi Mi 6X has a 5.99” FHD+ display, a Snapdragon 660 AIE processor, up to 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It has dual rear cameras in a 20MP + 12MP configuration and another 20MP sensor sitting above the display.

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Xiaomi Mi TV Now Rank As Second-Largest China TV Brand, 550K Units Shipped In March

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Apr 28, 2018

Xiaomi has revealed that a data from AVC has shown that the company’s domestic TV shipments exceeded 550,000 units in March 2018 alone. This record shipment placed the Mi TV brand as the second-largest TV manufacturer in China. Xiaomi launched its first Mi TV product in September 2013 and since then we have seen several models including the cheap Mi TV 4A which had a 32-inch version selling for less than $100 at some point.

In February 2018, the Mi TV shipments globally reportedly ranked among the top 10 in the global market. Xioamiranked as number 10 and this could be tied to its recent exploit in India where it introduced its TV models for the first time. Xiaomi TV models have also seen tremendous patronage on online retail platforms such as GearBest and others. So it is no wonder the Chinese tech giant now ranks as number 10 in a list having Samsung as the market leader, LG in second place, TCL, Hisense, Sony, Philips, Skyworth, Sharp, Panasonic, and Xiaomi in that order.

The current crop of Mi TVs falls under the Mi TV 4 models. Xiaomi Mi TV 4 series include the Mi TV 4, Mi TV 4A, Mi TV 4C and recently, a Mi TV 4S was launched. All the models are available in various screen sizes and come with features that make them a great buy. Xiaomi even launched a new Mi TV Speaker that is very much compatible with the Mi TV range.

BlackBerry Athena Photos Surfaces On TENAA

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Habeeb Onawole

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Apr 28, 2018

A few weeks ago, renders of an upcoming Blackberry phone codenamed Athena surfaced online. The device has now made its way to China’s TENAA office.

Sadly, what we have today are more photos and not specifications. Hopefully, the specifications should come up soon.

The BlackBerry Athena photos are of a black variant just like the renders. The chances of seeing this phone come in multiple colors are actually very slim. The most we may get is a black variant with silver/gold accents.

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The Blackberry Athena is expected to launch as a successor to the BlackBerry KEYone and may arrive as the BlackBerry KEYtwo or BlackBerry KEYone (2018).

The keyboard has been redesigned and above it is a larger display. All physical buttons – volume rocker, power button, and convenience key – are now on the right. On the rear are dual cameras arranged horizontally and positioned at the top left corner. Beside the sensors is a LED flash and a few millimeters below is the BlackBerry logo.

According to the TENAA listing, the device is made by Huizhou TCL Mobile Communications Co. Ltd and its model number is BBF100-4.

With its arrival on TENAA, we presume the device may launch soon, probably before the end of next month.

(Source, Via)

Preoder Chuwi Hi 9 Air 4G Tablet PC For $235.99 On GearBest; Presale Ends May 30

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Preorder Chuwi Hi 9 Air 4G Tablet PC On GearBest Check More Deals and Promotions From Other Shops

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Apr 28, 2018

Chuwi made its long-awaited Hi9 Air Android 4G tablet PC available to the public in March this year. Much to the delight of the Shenzhen-based tech firm, the Hi9 Air was able to sweep tech buffs off their feet with its unparalleled performance and a broad range of features.

You can now preorder the coveted tablet PC on GearBest by shelling out $235.99. The pre-sale kicked off on Friday, April 27 and is slated to run until May 30. The only color option up for grab is black.

Despite the lack of color choices, the Hi9 Air is crammed with jaw-dropping specs and features. First off, the tablet PC boasts a massive 10.1 inches IPS touch display with a screen resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

Under the hood, it packs a powerful MediaTek Helio X20 (MT6797) processor and uses an ARM Mali-T880 780MHz GPU to deliver better and faster gaming and viewing experience as compared to its predecessor. Furthermore, it offers 4GB of RAM and 64GB expandable ROM (up to 128GB via microSD card slot).

On the photography front, the Hi9 Air tablet PC houses a 5-megapixel camera on the back. Up front, there’s a 2-megapixel camera for selfies and face-to-face chat.

The device runs Android 8.0 Oreo operating system and draws its juices from a robust 8000mAh non-removable lithium-polymer battery. Moreover, it features g-sensor and powerful dual speakers.

You can head straight to this link in order to check out the full specification and preorder the Chuwi Hi 9 Air 4G tablet PC before May 30.

OnePlus 5T and OnePlus 5 Get Double-Tap To Lock in Latest Beta Update

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Apr 28, 2018

Double-Tap to Wake is a pretty useful feature found on some phones and it is surprising it hasn’t become a default feature for Android.

The opposite of double-tap to wake is Double-Tap to Lock and even fewer devices with the first feature have the second. OnePlus phones have Double-Tap to Wake but the gesture doesn’t work for locking the phone until now.

In the latest beta update released for the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T, one of the new features included is Double Tap to Lock. Once you get the update, you can activate it under phone settings and a double-tap on the homescreen should lock your device.

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Buy ALLDOCUBE iPlay 8 Tablet PC For Only $72.99 On GearBest; Promotion Slated To End Soon!

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Get 11% Off On ALLDOCUBE iPlay 8 Tablet PC On GearBest Check More Deals and Promotions From Other Shops

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Apr 28, 2018

ALLDOCUBE iPlay 8 Tablet PC sports a big 7.85-inch 5-point touch screen display that breathes new life into your photos and videos. The device runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system and is backed by a built-in Lithium-Ion 3,500 mAh battery.

If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on this power-packed iPlay 8 tablet PC without burning a hole in your pocket, we have good news for you. GearBest is currently offering a noteworthy 11% off on the device’s retail price.

As a result, you can buy the coveted tablet PC by shelling out just $72.99 on GearBest. It’s worth noting that the discount is valid only for the 1GB RAM/16GB ROM version of the tablet, which is up for grabs in gray color version.The iPlay 8 tablet PC is a bargain under $75, given that it packs a powerful MTK8163 Quad Core 1.3GHz processor, along with an equally-robust ARM Mali-T720 MP2 graphics processing unit, under the hood. Moreover, the available onboard storage can further be expanded up to 128GB.

On the photography front, the ALLDOCUBE iPlay 8 tablet PC sports a 2-megapixel camera on the back. Up front, there’s a 0.3-megapixel camera.

If you’re interested in checking out the full specification and taking advantage of the discount which is likely to end soon, simply follow this link. It’s worth noting that the ALLDOCUBE iPlay 8 tablet PC will go back to its retail price as soon as the promotion ends.

Samsung Galaxy J2 (2018) Launched In India With Front-Facing Flash and Samsung Mall Shopping App

By

Michele Ingelido

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Apr 28, 2018

After launching the internet-less Galaxy J2 Pro for students and old people who want to get rid of distractions, the leader of the global smartphones market has launched a new similar entry-level handset in India: Samsung Galaxy J2 (2018). It is an Android device with low-end specs, but it still offers unique features. It comes with a preinstalled app called Samsung Mall which is focused on shopping. Thanks to this app, you just need to tap on the image of the desired item to see its price on across the most popular e-commerce websites.

It also comes with a front-facing LED flash allowing to shoot selfies in the dark through the 5 MP selfie snapper. Samsung Galaxy J2 (2018) is a compact device measuring 143.8 x 72.3 x 8.4 mm. Its display has a size of 5 inches and it shows images at a qHD resolution, through a Super AMOLED panel. Under the hood, it boasts a quad-core Snapdragon SoC by Qualcomm. Unfortunately, the model of the chipset has not been mentioned, but we believe it is the Snapdragon 425 as it is the most used quad-core entry-level chip by Qualcomm. The chipset is paired with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage.

The camera department is composed of a primary sensor with an 8 MP resolution and the above mentioned front snapper with a 5 MP resolution and its front-facing flash. The battery has a capacity of 2600 mAh while the operating system installed has not been mentioned just like the SoC, but if we consider the OS running on the other entry-level devices released by Samsung it should be Android Nougat. In the Indian market, Samsung Galaxy J2 (2018) has been made available to purchase with a price tag of INR 8,190 (about $123).

Buy H96 Max TV Box For Only $66.99 On LightInTheBox; Lightning Sale To End Soon!

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Get 55% Off On H96 Max TV Box On LightInTheBox Check More Deals and Promotions From Other Shops

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Apr 28, 2018

The H96 Max TV box is now up for grabs for only $66.99 on LightInTheBox. The Beijing-based international online retail company is offering a generous 55% off on the device’s retail price.

It normally sells for $148.48 on LightInTheBox. The promotion will be valid for a limited period of time as part of its Lightning Sale promotion. The H96 Max boasts an array of awe-inspiring features that make it an irresistible TV box.

The H96 Max TV box is powered by an RK3328 Quad-Core 64bit Cortex-A53 processor and it packs a Penta-Core Mali-450 (up to 750Mhz+) graphics processing unit, under the hood. On top of that, it offers 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage.

It runs Android 7.1 Nougat operating system and supports a broad range of audio format including ACC, Midi, M4A, APE, ALAC, OGA, WAV, WMA, MP3, ACC / ACC+, CD, and AC3. On top of that, the H96 Max also supports MOV, ISO, AVI, MPE, M4A, MPEG, and a slew of other video formats.

If you’re interested in checking out the full specification and taking advantage of the Lightning Sale which is slated to end soon, just head straight to this link. There were 98 pieces remaining for Lightning Sale at the time of writing.

Buy Top Xiaomi-Branded Gadgets Under $20 On DD4; Get Discount Coupons, Free Shipping And Lots More

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Get 13% Off On Original Xiaomi Portable Mouse On DD4 Get 37.40% Off On Original Xiaomi Mi Speaker 2 On DD4 Get 20% Off On Original Xiaomi Mi Smart WiFi Socket On DD4 Get 22% Off On Original Xiaomi Pro Amplifier On DD4 Get 5% Off On Xiaomi MiJIA Temperature And Humidity Sensor On DD4 Get 35% Off On Xiaomi Car Charger – Fast Charge Versio On DD4 Get 35% Off On Xiaomi Mi IV Hybrid Earphones On DD4 Check More Deals and Promotions From Other Shops

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Apr 28, 2018

If you’re looking to buy electronics items without emptying your pocket, look no further. DD4 is handing out massive discounts on a broad range of products that come in handy in day to day life. Here’s a brief glimpse of what the Shenzhen-based cross-border e-commerce platform has to offer.

Original Xiaomi Portable Mouse

This compact Xiaomi-branded mouse is ideal for office, home and fit for people who travel a lot. In terms of connectivity, it features Bluetooth 4.0 / 2.4G dual modes and is backed by 2 AAA batteries (not included).
DD4 is currently offering 13% off on the original Xiaomi portable mouse bringing its retail price of $21.99 down to just $19.13. This Carnival Price is valid for the remaining 289 silver-tinted pieces of the portable mouse for 10 days. On top of that, DD4 is even offering free shipping.

You can visit this link to grab the discount before it ends.

Original Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth 4.1 Speaker 2

The highly portable Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth speaker is compatible with a slew of mobile devices such as iPhone, iPod, MP3, MP4, MP5, tablet PC, and other mobile phones. Furthermore, it supports hands-free calls and can wirelessly connect via Bluetooth.

Built with ABS, PC material, the Mi Speaker 2 boasts a transmission distance of 10 meters without any sort of obstacles. Aside from that, it features 2 speakers and a loudspeaker.
If you’re looking to get your hands on this Xiaomi Mi-branded speaker without shelling out a fortune, we have good news for you. DD4 is giving 37.40% off on the remaining 64 and 73 pieces of both black and white color versions of the device, respectively.

As a result, the Original Xiaomi Mi Speaker 2 can be yours if you’re willing to spend just $20.65. It’s worth noting that the device normally sells for $32.99 on DD4.

This Carnival Price will be valid for 11 days and buyers can also get free shipping. Simply follow this link to grab the deal before it ends.

Original Xiaomi Mi Smart WiFi Socket

Ideal for daily use, the Original Xiaomi Mi Smart WiFi Socket comes with mobile phone remote control. In other words, you can switch power supply off even when you’re not at home using a mobile phone that is connected via a network.

The Mi Smart WiFi Socket would normally set you back $9.99 on DD4. But if you’re on a tight budget we’ll tell you exactly how you can get a 20% discount on the device’s retail price.
All you need to do is apply coupon code ‘MiSmart’ at the time of checking out to bring your grand total down to only $7.99. As if that weren’t enough, you even get free shipping. You can head straight to this link in order to avail the deal before it comes to an end.

Original Xiaomi Pro 300M WiFi Amplifier for Mi Router

You can now buy the original Xiaomi 300M WiFi amplifier for a discounted price of just $15.59 on DD4. The device is compatible with numerous routers and it comes with 3 stages that extend your wireless coverage area.

DD4 is giving 22% off on the Xiaomi Pro amplifier for 10 days. This Carnival Price will be valid for 10 days and as soon as the promotion ends, the device will retain its original selling price of $19.99.
If you’re interested in getting your hands on the Original Xiaomi 300M Amplifier at a lowered price and get free shipping, simply visit this link. It’s also worth noting that there were only 51 pieces left at the time of writing.

Xiaomi MiJIA Temperature And Humidity Sensor

You can now buy the Xiaomi MiJIA temperature and humidity sensor for a lowered price of just $15.57 on DD4. While the device normally bears a price tag of $16.39, the site is giving a 5% discount on its retail price.

This Carnival Price is slated to expire after 17 days. Moreover, there were only 59 pieces left. DD4 is giving its buyers an opportunity to avail free shipping as well. If interested, head out to this link and grab the deal before it ends.

Original Xiaomi Car Charger

The fast charge version of the Original Xiaomi car charger is available for a reduced price of just $11.04 on DD4. The full metal car charger features dual USB charging port that can charge 2 devices simultaneously.

This Xiaomi-branded car charger works with a myriad of mobile devices, phones, and tablet PCs by aptly adjusting output current. It is also compatible with phones and tablets manufactured by popular brands including Xiaomi, Apple, Samsung, HTC, Google, and Blackberry.

You can visit this link if you’re interested in taking advantage of the 35% discount offered by DD4. Although the Carnival Price will be valid for 22 days, there were only 97 pieces left.

Xiaomi Mi IV Hybrid Earphones Wired Control Headphone with MIC for Android iOS

Music lovers, rejoice. You can buy the black and rose gold color versions of the Xiaomi Mi IV hybrid earphones for just $16.49 on DD4. The site is offering a noteworthy 25% off on the device’s original asking price of $21.99.

At $16.49, the Xiaomi Mi IV hybrid is quite a bargain, given that it delivers an exquisite sound quality by exceptionally combining moving coil and iron coil. Moreover, it adopts 20 processes to create a metal sound cavity.

Regrettably, there were only 20 pieces of the Xiaomi Mi IV hybrid earphones left. You can follow this link to take advantage of the discount which is scheduled to end in 22 days.

Buy Xiaomi MiJIA Night Light At A Slashed Price Of $9.99 On DD4; Only A Few Pieces Left!

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Get 16.70% Off On Xiaomi MiJIA Night Light On DD4 Check More Deals and Promotions From Other Shops

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Apr 28, 2018

DD4 is offering the Xiaomi MiJIA night light at a slashed price of just $9.99 for a limited period of time. The light boasts a broad range of awe-inspiring features including an impressive 120-degree sensing angle, along with a sensing distance of up to 5-7 meters.

Equipped with the human infrared sensor and photosensitive sensor technology, the Xiaomi night light comes with anti-infrared interference function. In the dark surrounding, the light automatically turns on and light for 15 seconds.

Moreover, the light draws its juices from 3 x AA battery (not included) and consumes relatively low power. In other words, you do not need a socket to switch it on.

The MiJIA IR sensor and photosensitive night light is built using environmental-friendly ABS material. Its dimensions are 8.40 x 8.40 x 3.60 cm / 3.31 x 3.31 x 1.42 inches (L x W x H) and it weighs in at just 0.1410 kg, which makes it easily portable.
DD4 is giving a considerable 16.70% discount on the Xiaomi night light, which normally bears a price tag of $11.99 on the site. The discount is valid for the remaining 116 pieces of the light’s warm white color version.

But if that doesn’t impress you much, DD4 is even offering free shipping. However, it is imperative for you to bear in mind that the aforesaid Carnival Price will be valid only for 12 days.

You can follow this link in order to grab the discount before it comes to an end or the remaining pieces get sold out. The Xiaomi night light will retain its retail price as soon as the promotion wraps up.

Xiaomi Rekindles Its U.S Market With The Mi Electric Scooter & Mi Powerbank Pro

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Apr 28, 2018

Xiaomi, and indeed almost all Chinese manufacturers, eye the U.S market due to its lucrative outlook. Xiaomi had announced and even rolled out some of its products in the U.S market via Amazon. While that partnership is still on, Xiaomi may have come up with a new strategy that would likely increase the level of awareness regarding its products and thus save the company the huge bill that would have been incurred on running series of advertisement.

Xiaomi calls the program its key opinion leader program and it revolves around two products- the Mi Electric Scooter and Mi Power Bank Pro. The tech giant makes the products available to selected YouTubers who then create a video showcasing the features and real-life performance of the products. The gamble was said to have paid off as the campaign resulted in 15 million social media impressions generated by DJ Paris Hilton, Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, and fashion blogger Bryan Boy. Now, the Chinese company has taken it a notch higher, partnering with prominent YouTubers such as Wolfie, Wongfu Productions and Austin Evans to lead a new charge. Both products are included in the video created.

The Mi Electric Scooter was released sometime in 2016 with a portable design which allows it to be folded when transporting it. The Scooter is presently on offer at Amazon for $499 which curiously, is cheaper than what you would find on online retailer GearBest presently. On the other hand, the Mi Powerbank pro is on sale on Amazon for $26.26. This model comes with a USB cable having a Type A connector which can be interchanged with a USB 2.0 connector. We are pretty certain this strategy will rake up more sales for Xiaomi and indeed, create some much-needed awareness about Xiaomi ecosystem products. Check out the videos below.

(via)

Buy Original Xiaomi Power Strip For Only $11.28 On DD4; Get Free Shipping Before The Promotion Ends!

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Get 52% Off On Original Xiaomi Power Strip On DD4 Check More Deals and Promotions From Other Shops

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Apr 28, 2018

The Original Xiaomi Power Strip boasts an array of awe-inspiring features that make it a bargain under $24. The device comes with 3 USB charging ports that let you charge a slew of electronics items including phones, tablets, digital cameras, and even e-books.

But if you’re on a tight budget and aren’t willing to spend that kind of money on a power strip, we have good news for you. DD4 is giving a noteworthy 52% off on the Xiaomi Power Strip, which normally sells for $23.50 on the website.

In other words, the Original Xiaomi Power Strip can now be yours if you’re willing to shell out just $11.28. It’s worth noting that the discount is valid or both black and white color versions of the device for a limited period of time.

The Xiaomi-branded power strip supports 2A quick charging. Moreover, it is equipped with an intelligent charging chip that can automatically regulate current for different devices. It also offers electric leakage protection up to 20uA threshold.

The highly efficient Xiaomi power strip allows users to save more power than the original charger with a power conversion rate of 82%. The internal structure is made using high-quality tin phosphor bronze and along with good elasticity, it offers high-wear resistance, and robust electrical conductivity in a bid to keep security risks at bay.

On the downside, there were only 87 pieces of the black and 89 pieces of the white color versions of the Xiaomi Power Strip left at the time of writing. You can visit this link to avail the Carnival Price before the Xiaomi power strip goes back to its retail price.

In addition to getting the aforesaid discount, you also get free shipping. The Carnival Price will be valid for the remaining black and white-tinted pieces of Xiaomi Power Strip for 12 more days.

ZTE’s Recent Patent Filling is For Yet Another Smartphone With Two Display Notches

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Apr 28, 2018

Chinese smartphone maker ZTE may be battling for survival presently as a result of the ban imposed by the U.S authorities but that won’t make us forget that the company is innovative. Here’s one of its innovations even though some will smirk at it. A recent patent application filed by ZTE for a smartphone having dual display notches have just been uncovered. The patent was actually filed on September 13, 2017, with China’s State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), which is an indication that the Chinese OEM was actually tinkering with the idea of implementing a design with a cut out on the display.

The notch display design is turning out to be a fan favourite as more and more phone makers are in the process of adopting the design style. Samsung recently filed two patents before China’s SIPO and one of them is of a device with a notch design. In this case, the ZTE model design has two notches, one at the top of the display and another at the bottom. The cut-out at the bottom features a home button and is far wider than the one at the top. The notch at the top is just like that of the Essential Phone, only wide enough to accommodate the front camera. This differentiates this new patent from the dual notches-packing ZTE Iceberg patent which had wider notches both at the top and bottom edges of the display.

No back to reality, ZTE may not release the smartphone anytime soon, considering the sanctions imposed on the company by the United States government. If at all ZTE plans to launch this model, it isn’t expected to release it until mid-2019 at the earliest. For now, it is just a patent that might not see the light of day.

Coolpad Cool 2 Launched with Splash-Resistant Body, 18:9 Display, Dual Cameras

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Apr 27, 2018

Coolpad and LeEco had teamed up to give birth to “Cool” brand by launching the Cool 1 smartphone in August 2016. Today, Coolpad has launched the Cool 2 as its successor phone. After launching the Le Pro 3 AI Edition, LeEco has not launched a single smartphone since it has encountered serious financial problems. There is no confirmation on whether LeEco could be involved in the launch of the Cool 2.

Coolpad Cool 2 Specifications and Features

The Coolpad Cool 2 has a sleek appeal since it features a metal unibody chassis that measures 154.7 x 73.3 x 9.0 and weighs around 160 grams. The IPX4 rating makes the phone resistant to water splashes. The rear side of the phone has u-shaped antenna bands running along the top and bottom edges. The fingerprint scanner also resides on the rear shell of the Cool 2. It can unlock the phone in 0.2 seconds.

The Cool 2 is yet another phone to arrive with the new full screen design as it features an 18:9 aspect ratio. It is fitted with a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display that produces HD+ resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels. The screen is tucked under a layer of 2.5D curved glass.

The mid-range Cool 2 is driven by MediaTek MT6750 chipset that includes an octa-core processor that clocks at 1.5 GHz and Mali-T860 graphics. The SoC is supported by 4 GB of RAM. The device offers an inbuilt storage of 64 GB and it also features a microSD card slot for additional storage. It comes preinstalled with Android 7.0 Nougat OS. The Cool 2 receives power from 3,200mAh battery.

The Cool 2 has a vertical dual camera setup that includes a 13-megapixel main sensor that is assisted by 0.3-megapixel secondary sensor. The dual rear cameras can be used to shoot images with bokeh effect. The 8-megapixel front-facing camera can capture beautified selfies through AI. The front camera can be also used for facial recognition. The other features available on the phone include dual-SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, microUSB 2.0 and 3.5mm audio jack. The images of the phone suggest that it will be available in at least two color options of black with white front and blue with black front.

Coolpad did not announce any information on the pricing and availability of the Cool 2 smartphone. As of this writing, the handset is only available in China and there are no details on the other markets that will be receiving it.

What do you think about the specifications and features of the Cool 2? Share us your views by posting your comments below.

Huawei Reportedly Developing Its Own OS In Case Its Gets U.S Ban

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Apr 27, 2018

The recent ban imposed by the U.S authorities on ZTE from using American products and services seems to have opened the eyes of Chinese OEMs to the grave dangers inherent in relying on U.S technology. The ban would not only see ZTE not using Qualcomm chips but may lose its license to use Google’s Android operating system for smartphones.

It was reported recently that Huawei is facing a similar probe relating to possible violation of Iran sanctions. The Chinese smartphone and telecommunications equipment manufacturer has denied any wrongdoing. However, according to several sources, Huawei has commenced developing and perfecting its own mobile OS should the U.S government eventually find the company culpable and wield the sledgehammer. One of the sources disclosed that the Chinese giant started to build its own operating system after the US government commenced an investigation against it and ZTE in 2012.

The mobile phone operating system is dominated by Android OS and Apple’s iOS, with both accounting for 99.9% of the global market, according to an estimate by research firm, Gartner. There have been several attempts to break this duopoly by various tech companies. Microsoft attempted to do this with the Windows Mobile OS but that didn’t fly. Samsung has the Tizen OS which it backs heavily but is actually owned by a consortium of tech companies apart from the Korean giant. In the days of yore, Nokia had the Symbian OS and later MeeGo but all those were later jettisoned.

The Android ecosystem and iOS have to their advantage, a large number of supported apps, without support for cross-platform applications. In other words, Android apps can’t run on Tizen OS unless the user installs an emulator. This is something that has hindered the growth of Samsung-backed Tizen OS. With the millions of apps available to iOS and Android users, it will likely take years before a new OS would fly because Huawei would need to get developers to develop apps that would be compatible with its OS. Moreso, this would affect the patronage of Huawei’s products in the global market. Who wants a smartphone not running on Android OS except Apple fanboys? However, it is always good to break a monopoly. Who knows, we might just be staring at a revolution in the mobile OS market.

Chinese Phone Shipment Slumps To Its Lowest Level Since 2013

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Apr 27, 2018

China is the biggest smartphone market globally and it is no coincidence that majority of the top OEMs globally are Chinese companies. The Chinese smartphone market holds lots of potentials but that doesn’t mean it won’t get saturated. In fact, analysts had long warned that the Chinese market would reach its saturation point soon, considering the rate new models are being introduced into the market by OEMs. That long-anticipated growth crunch may have arrived. A research report by Canalys has shown that shipments by Chinese phone makers dropped by 21 across the industry fell by 21 percent year-on-year in Q1 2018.

The report hints that the total number of phones shipped in China fell short of the 100 million mark in a quarter and this is the first time the market was witnessing such slump since 2013. Out of the top 10 phone vendors in China, eight were hit by annual declines in shipments with Gionee, Meizu and Samsung shrinking to less than half of their respective Q1 2017 numbers. Only two, Xiaomi and Vivo recorded a Year on Year increase in their shipment volumes.

If you are a fan of Xiaomi, it may interest you to note that the company was able to post a positive momentum despite the slump. Xiaomi’s shipments grew by 37% YoY to reach 12 million. The growth was enough for the brand to climb up to the fourth positive, beating Apple to it. However, the revenue doesn’t reflect that as the sales relied heavily on the Redmi models which are not so profitable. Huawei maintains its lead on the market, according to Canalys and is closely followed by BBK-pair OPPO and Vivo.

Interestingly, the top four Chinese smartphone vendors account for a huge 73% of all shipments, which Canalys believes is bad for consumers and smartphone enthusiasts in China. This sort of situation could stifle innovative brands like Meizu, Smartisan, 360 Mobiles, Red Pepper and others out of the market. As for the slump in gross shipment, we don’t believe doomsday is here already but it could be as a result of the low number of phones that were launched by the brands in the first quarter. We expect a rise in shipment in Q2 when a number of models, including flagship models, would be launched.