Meizu 16X to arrive with 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, confirms Meizu CEO

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Aug 31, 2018

The Meizu 16X upper mid-range smartphone is expected to go official in September. Some of the specifications of the smartphone have been already declared by none other than Meizu CEO Jack Wong in the recent weeks. Yesterday, China’s TENAA regulatory body had leaked the images of the alleged Meizu 16X smartphone. Wong has now again shared fresh information on the key specs of the Meizu 16X.

As it can be seen in the above image, Wong has confirmed that the Meizu 16X will be featuring 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS-based MCP storage. He added that because of the strong support from the vendors, the company has increased the configuration of the smartphone without increasing the price. A smartphone featuring 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB storage is expected to carry an expensive pricing, but since Meizu has managed to control the cost, the 128 GB + 8 GB Meizu 16X edition is likely to arrive with an attractive price tag.

Wong has previously stated that the Meizu 16X will be fueled by Snapdragon 710. Also, it will be borrowing some key features from the Meizu 16th smartphone such as Super AMOLED display, in-display fingerprint scanner and 12-megapixel + 20-megapixel dual camera. The Meizu 16 is packed with a 3,010mAh battery, but the 16X is expected to arrive with a larger battery.

As mentioned above, the Meizu 16X smartphone seems to have appeared on TENAA. In terms of appearance, the Meizu 16X boasts identical symmetrical design as the Meizu 16th smartphone. The front side of the phone is very clear in the above, but it seems to resemble the Meizu 16. At the backside, it features a vertical dual camera setup followed by a ring flash. It is speculated that there will be another variant of the Meizu 16X that will feature 64 GB of storage and 6 GB of RAM.

The exact launch date of the Meizu 16X is yet to be declared. The handset is expected to be priced between 2,000 Yuan (~$292) and 2,500 Yuan (~$366).

(via)

Get Discounts On Minimalist Watches From Top Brands On GearBest

By

Vinay Patel

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Aug 31, 2018

Consumers these days are spoilt for choice when it comes to their fitness. While the market is brimming with all sorts of smart wearables that can monitor the wearer’s health and track multiple activities including heart rate, these devices don’t come cheap.

Obtaining a high-end smart wearable can be much harder for a fitness-conscious buyer who’s on a tight budget. In order to overcome this key stumbling block, GearBest, in collaboration with popular brands like Lenovo, Huawei and Zeblaze are offering a wide selection of minimalist watches at a considerably lowered price.

The promotion sale has been split into multiple categories in a bid to simplify the search process. Here’s a brief glimpse of what the promo has to offer.

First off, there’s a 38% off on the Lenovo Watch 9 Wristband, which would normally set you back $37.19. Thanks to the aforesaid discount, you can now buy the Lenovo-branded smart wearable at a dropped price of just $22.99.
Alternatively, you can go for the Huawei Band 2 Pro Smart Bracelet if you’re willing to shell out just $45.99. This is a noteworthy 31% reduction in the device’s original asking price of $65.93.

The promo will come to an end in 3 days. It is worth noting that the Flash Sale price will only be valid for the remaining 404 pieces.

The first section dubbed, ‘Very Best of Lenovo’ gives fans of the Beijing-based tech company something to cheer about in the form of noteworthy discounts. Lenovo devotees can avail discounts on the Cardio-Plus HX03W Smartband, Lenovo Watch 9 Wristband, Lenovo HX06 Smart Bracelet and Lenovo HW01 Smart Wristband, just to name a few.

AMAZFIT aficionados haven’t been ignored either. The next category called Enjoy AMAZFIT features heavily discounted smartwatches from Huami’s popular sub-brand that makes fashionable activity trackers.
You can get 20% off on Xiaomi Amazfit Smartwatch 2 English Version, 10% off on Xiaomi AMAZFIT Cor IPS Smartband and 14% off on the Xiaomi Huami AMAZFIT Bip Lite Version Smart Watch. This segment also includes the Xiaomi AMAZFIT Heart Rate Smartwatch, but it doesn’t carry a discount.

But if you’ve restlessly been waiting to get your hands on a Huawei-branded smart wearable, you might want to take a gander at the next category called ‘Huawei Perfection’. In this section, you can buy the Huawei Honor Band 3 Smartband, the Honor A2 Smart Bracelet and the Band 2 Pro GPS Sports Smart Bracelet at a lowered price.

The Huawei B3 0.91 inches Sports Smart Bracelet is also included in this category; however, it doesn’t carry a discounted price tag. If you’re interested in getting your hands on the B3 smart bracelet, you’d need to shell out $79.23.

Deemed as one of China’s biggest smartwatch company, NO.1 Smartwatch has a reputation for manufacturing a wide selection of feature-laden wearables. Bearing that in mind, GearBest is doling out big discounts on select wearable devices from the popular brand.

In the division, you can obtain the F18 GPS Sports Smartwatch, the F6 Smartwatch, the S9 Heart Rate Smartwatch and a slew of other well-received smartwatches from NO.1 Smartwatch. Note that the discount has been applied only to select smartwatches, while the other devices in the category are available bearing their retail price.

As far as Zeblaze smartwatches are concerned, you can get a 19% off on the VIBE 3 Smart Watch, 8% off on the Crystal 2 Smart Bracelet and 12% off on the VIBE 3 HR 1.22 inch Sports Smart Watch. The Zeblaze VIBE LITE Smart Watch is also available in this section carrying its original $49.99 price tag.

You can follow this link to check out more recommendation and avail the discount before the promo ends.

Get Big Discounts On Top-Branded Smartwatches

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 NFC variant teased in a new video, launch seems imminent

By

Jeet

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Aug 31, 2018

Xiaomi has posted a video on its Weibo account which showcases the Mi Band 3 NFC version. This video teaser from the company hints that the device could soon be available in the market for purchase. The company had earlier revealed that the Mi Band 3 NFC variant will be available from September but no specific date has been announced yet.

The NFC variant of the Xiaomi’s new third-generation activity tracker comes with support for contactless payments using Mi Pay. It also supports City Bus Card payments that work for over 167 cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Suzhou, Hefei, Xi’an, and Jilin among others.

The Mi Band 3 comes with a 0.78-inch OLED capacitive touchscreen. The company says that the display is designed with an aim to offer a better experience for viewing / rejecting calls and messages. It has been redesigned to ensure that the tracker doesn’t fall off from the strap, which a lot of users complained about for its predecessor.

Along with the addition of viewing messages and call view/ reject feature, the Mi Band 3 can also provide weather forecast as well as an alarm clock, which can be turned off from the touchscreen. Other features include heart rate monitor, daily steps count and sedentary reminder as a part of the health management functions.

Further, the Mi Band 3 comes with water and dust resistance, and is completely waterproof for up to 50 meters, ensuring that it works perfectly even when the user is swimming. One of the crucial thing for a wearable device is the battery life and Xiaomi seems to have taken care of the battery department. The newly launched Mi Band 3 comes with an improved battery, which the company claims can last for up to 20 days on a single charge.

The NFC variant of the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is priced at 199 Yuan, which roughly converts to $31 but its availability is not yet known. On the other hand, the standard edition of the Mi Band 3, priced at 169 Yuan (approximately $26) is now available in China through open sales. Xiaomi had announced that it managed to sell 1 million units of the fitness tracker within just 17 days of its launch.

Xiaomi Mi 5 MIUI 10 stable version released

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Aug 31, 2018

After releasing the MIUI 10 stable edition for Xiaomi Mi 6, Mi MIX 2S, Mi 8 SE, Redmi Note 5 (Pro) and Mi Note 3, Xiaomi has now released the stable version of the MIUI 10 update for Xiaomi Mi 5. The version of the MIUI update that is now available for Xiaomi Mi 5 users is MIUI V10.0.1.0.OAACNFH. It weighs 634 MB.

The upgrade brings a new system UI designed for compressive full screen smartphones with notched screens and 18:9 aspect ratio displays. The MIUI 10 also includes visual upgrades for non-full screen smartphones.

Xiaomi had introduced the MIUI 10 during the company’s 8^th anniversary event that was held at the end of May. Apart from the new system UI, the MIUI includes natural and pleasant sound system instead of boring and monotonous ringtones. The new ROM is integrated with AI at the core level. The MIUI 10 also includes an improved Recent Apps menu and it includes Smart Home Manger to easily control smart home devices.

Now that the rollout of the stable version of the MIUI 10 has begun, many other Xiaomi phones are expected to get upgraded to it in September. Following smartphones are expected to receive MIUI 10 update in the coming month: Mi 5s Plus, Mi 5s, Mi 4, Mi 3, Mi Note 2, Mi MIX 2, MIX, Mi Max 3, Mi Max 2, Mi Max, Mi 6X, Mi 5X, Redmi Note 5 (India), Redmi Note 5A, Redmi Note 5A Prime, Redmi Note 4, Redmi Note 4X, Redmi Note 4 (TW) and Redmi Note 3, Redmi 6 Pro, Redmi 6, Redmi 6A, Redmi 5 Plus, Redmi 5, Redmi 5A, Redmi 4, Redmi 4A, Redmi 3S, Redmi Y2, Redmi Y1 Lite, Redmi Y1 and Mi Pad 4.

(via)

Buy Teclast F7 Notebook For Just $276.36 On AliExpress; Win Free Gift [Details Inside]

By

Vinay Patel

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Aug 31, 2018

The Teclast F7 laptop continues to garner popularity even almost a year after hitting the store shelves. The laptop’s success can be attributed to its high-end specs and compact form factor that makes it easily portable.

It boasts an impressive array of features and looks equally good. In fact, the lightweight laptop bears a striking resemblance to a MacBook Air but thankfully, it doesn’t cost as much as one.

Keeping in line with this, the Teclast F7 notebook would normally set you back $329, which isn’t really that expensive considering that sports a big 14.0-inch FHD IPS display with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. But if you’re on a tight budget and aren’t willing to spend a lot of money on a laptop, we got good news for you.

Taking its demand into consideration, Teclast has made the F7 notebook available to the cost-conscious buyers at a dropped price on AliExpress. There’s a 16% off on the coveted laptop’s original asking price and as a result, you can now buy it at a reduced price of just $276.36.

Apart from the aforesaid discount, buyers will get a laptop bag without spending an extra dime.
An absolute bargain at this price, the Teclast F7 notebook packs a powerful Intel Apollo Lake N3450 processor along with an Intel HD Graphics 500 GPU, under the hood. The laptop comes with 6GB of DDR3 RAM and offers 128G SSD of hard disk memory.

Moreover, the F7 runs on Microsoft Windows 10 OS and is backed by a 7.6V / 4900mAh, Li-ion polymer battery. Thanks to a decent battery life, the F7 can take care of most of your office needs.

It houses a single 2-megapixel camera which is placed on the front. It also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, DC jack, 2x USB 3.0 Host and Micro HDMI slot in terms of connectivity.
Regrettably, this feature-laden laptop will be up for grabs at a discounted price only for 2 days. It is also worth noting that only the top 100 customers who purchase the laptop from August 28th to August 31st will have a chance to win an F7 bag.

You can follow this link to check out the full specification and avail the discount.

Get 16% Off On Teclast F7 Notebook

Leaked presentation slide gifts us the Vivo X23 specs

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 31, 2018

The Vivo X23 is expected to be launched on September 6 and ahead of that date, we have seen several leaks concerning the model. The latest leak is the screenshot of what is said to be a presentation slide with the specs of the X23 on display.

According to the leak, the Vivo X23 will sport a 6.41-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2340x1080pixels. The screen will utilise a 19.5:9 aspect ratio and will have a 91.2% screen ratio. On the driving seat is a Snapdragon 670 processor paired with 8GB of RAM. The device will come with 128GB of internal storage. It also promises to deliver 4G+ connectivity and will have a 32-bit Hifi DAC: AK4377A from AKM.

The leaked also covers the camera configuration of the X23 and it is given as a 12 MP camera on the front while the rear aspect packs a 12 MP Sony IMX363 sensor and a 13 MP secondary sensor. Furthermore, the Vivo X23 features a 3,400 mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging. The device runs Android 8.1 Oreo-based Funtouch OS 4.5.

(via)

ILIFE To Unveil New Generation Of Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaners At IFA 2018

By

Vinay Patel

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Aug 31, 2018

IFA gives manufacturers and traders of consumer electronics and home appliances the world’s biggest platform to come together and show off their new products and unique technologies. Each year, the coveted exhibition draws the attention of renowned manufacturers and exhibitors from all over the world, and this year will be no different.

IFA 2018 is expected to sweep hundreds of thousands of spectators that arrive at the scene off their feet. While the event is already in full swing over in Berlin, there’s a lot more to look forward to.

ILIFE is attending the IFA exhibition. The leading robot vacuum cleaner manufacturer has a reputation for making robot vacuums, smart robotic vacuums, and the automatic vacuum cleaner that help numerous families worldwide to keep their living environment clean and tidy.

Keeping in line with that, ILIFE is expected to unveil an impressive array of products during the IFA exhibition, which kicked off on August 31st at Berlin ExpoCenter City and will come to an end on September 5th. With numerous products being exported to over 30 countries and regions, ILIFE is one of the first development, production, and sales of intelligent cleaning robot company.

Moreover, the world’s leading robot vacuum cleaner manufacturer has been awarded more than 500 patents for its technology. Geared with AI, the company launched a wide selection of visual navigation technology products, which garnered huge popularity among users worldwide.

ILIFE V5s Pro, vacuuming & mopping 2 in 1 robot vacuum cleaner won the Water Tank Structure Innovation Award in the “2017 IFA Product Technical Innovation Award” category last year. While it remains to be seen what the company has to offer this year, the variety of smart new devices it is expected to announce during the event will be worth the wait.

The impressive product lines and experts from ILIFE will be waiting for you at Hall 7.1C Stanf 111 at IFA. Watch this space for more details.

BlackBerry KEY2 LE pre-order goes live in the UK and Netherlands few hours after launch!

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 31, 2018

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE was officially released a couple of hours ago but two different retailers in UK and Netherlands have already placed the device on preorder for those who have been patiently waiting for it to come. The UK retailer Unlocked-Mobiles has placed the KEY2 LE Black 32GB model on pre-order for £349 and has also indicated that the device would ship on September 10. While in the Netherlands, the retailer Belsimpel has also placed the device for pre-order with a price tag of €429 and is expected to ship in two weeks time.

The Blackberry KEY2 LE is coming out as a trimmed down version of the KEY2 which made its entrance a few months back. The KEY2 LE is powered by a Snapdragon 636 processor which is actually a great mid-range processor. The processor is paired with 4GB of RAM while there are two versions with 32GB and 64GB of storage respectively. The KEY2 LE also packs dual rear cameras but it is a 13MP+5MP combo and not 12MP + 12MP like the Key2. The front-facing camera has not been changed, so you get an 8MP selfie snapper. The phone has Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, a USB Type-C port and an audio jack for connectivity. It has a smaller 3,000mAh battery that TCL claims should last up to 22 hours on a single charge. It also runs Android 8.1 Oreo and will get updated to Android Pie but there is no timeframe yet.

The smartphone is expected to be launched in the U.S for $449 in the US while in Canada it will cost CAD 579. The rest of Europe will be able to buy the KEY2 LE for €429.

(via)

Its official: Apple’s 2018 iPhones will debut on September 12

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 31, 2018

Apple has consistently kept its tradition of releasing its flagship iPhone models in September each year. The launch event is generally held on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Indeed, this year’s own will not be different as the company has finally revealed the launch date for the 2018 iPhone models. Just as speculated, the Apple iPhone launch for this year will take place on September 12 which is a Wednesday. The event will hold at the Steve Jobs Theater inside Apple park in Cupertino, California and will commence at 10 a.m. PDT.

The new iPhones will be coming exactly one year after the release of the 2017 models of which the iPhone X commemorative flagship emerge, taking the smartphone industry by storm. This year, Apple is expected to release up to three iPhones on that day. The models likely include a 5.8-inch iPhone and a flagship 6.5-inch model said to be within the dimensions of the current iPhone 8 Plus. The tech giant is also expected to announce a new cheaper 6.1-inch LCD iPhone although there is a rumour that it has been postponed till October.

Apart from smartphones, Apple is also expected to showcase two new models of the iPad Pro tablet. There are rumours that the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, as well as its 12.9-inch counterpart, will get a redesign. Both models are said to come with thinner bezels, Face ID as well as more streamlined bodies. In addition, the company is also expected to launch the fourth generation Apple Watch on that day.

(via)

Nokia 6.1 Plus sold out in three minutes on Flipkart during its first India sales

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 30, 2018

The Nokia 6.1 Plus smartphone was scheduled to go on sale in India yesterday at 12 pm local time via Flipkart and Nokia online store. Indeed, the new Nokia 6.1 Plus went on its first sale and it was a hot one. The device was sold out in less than 3 minutes on Flipkart as the phone was out of stock by 12.03pm.

The exact number of unit sold wasn’t disclosed by Flipkart but the online retailer revealed that it sold 15 units of the phones each second while the sale lasted. That indicates that roughly 27,000 units of the 6.1 Plus were sold on Flipkart alone. There is no data concerning the units sold on Nokia’s website.

The Nokia 6.1 Plus will go on sale again on September 6 at 12 noon local time and we expect the sales to be another hot one. The Nokia 6.1 Plus has enjoyed huge patronage in markets it has been released. That is as a result of its impressive hardware and design coupled with an affordable price tag of Rs 15,999 ($226). The device features a 5.8-inch Full HD+ display with a 19:9 aspect ratio and 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It is fuelled by a Snapdragon 636 processor which is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage which can be expanded by an SD card up to 400GB. In the photography department, the smartphone sports a dual 16-megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture and a 5-megapixel camera with f/2.4 aperture on the rear and 16-megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture on the front for selfies. Under the hood is a 3,060mAh battery which supports fast charging. The device comes in Blue and White colors.

(source)

Sony unveils a new Noise-cancelling wireless headphone and portable smart speaker

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 30, 2018

Sony today held its IFA 2018 keynote event where it unveiled a couple of products including the flagship Xperia XZ3. The Japanese company also showcased a new speaker as well as wireless headphone among others. The Sony XB501G speaker is a miniaturised version of Sony’s powerful Extra Bass speakers which are big speakers dotted with lots of LED lights and flashing strobes. The Sony XB501G speaker brings the same level of beauty but with a smaller size as it is roughly the size of a soccer ball, thus allowing for easy carriage. The speaker isn’t just a device for lighting up your party with good music but is also a smart speaker. It also comes with Google Assistant built inside and thus, is a Google Home with better sound quality and some attractive strobe lights. In addition, the smart speaker features an option to sync up for paired mono audio.

The Sony XB501G speaker is indeed built for outdoors as it is splash and dust proof, with an IP65 rating. There is also a built-in handle which makes it easy to carry around. The speaker offers 16 hours of battery life, plus the signature colourful lights and strobes. There’s even a USB-C port for charging the speaker! As for the price, the Sony XB501G adopts a $299.99 price tag and will be available in October.

Sony WH-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphone

Sony also took the wraps off a new and improved edition of its premium 1000X series noise-cancelling headphones. The new Sony WH-1000XM3 headphone is the third in the series and it brings significant improvements in the aspect of sound and comfort. Surprisingly, the headphone still retains the $349 price tag of its predecessor. However, the price of the WH-1000XM2 has since been reduced.

The new headphone has at its heart, a new “HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1” which is responsible for the improvements in the audio output. Sony touts the new processor to be four times more powerful than its predecessor, which allows it to better cancel out difficult sounds like street noise and human voices. The QN1 processor also helps sound quality, as Sony says it is capable of processing sounds at 32 bits and separate power between the DAC and amplifier.

In terms of design, the headphone cans are a little slimmer and thus, lighter. The ear and handband cushions aren’t affected instead, they are thicker. Sony also ditched the Micro USB port for a better USB-C port which brings fast charging. A 10-minute charge will give you 5 hours of wireless playback. The noise-cancelling headphone also comes with a 3.5mm audio jack in addition to Bluetooth connectivity. The battery can last up to 30 hours when using noise cancelling and Bluetooth but it can still be used via the 3.5mm cable in a situation where the battery runs out. The headphone also comes with direct access to Google Assistant. The details of its availability are not known presently.

Xiaomi’s President posts image of the Mi MIX 3, launching in October

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Aug 30, 2018

Today, Honor partially revealed the Magic 2 at IFA Berlin and it has a completely bezel-less design like the Vivo NEX and the OPPO Find X. Xiaomi isn’t at IFA but its President, Lin Bin, decided to take away focus from the Honor Magic 2 by posting a picture of the upcoming Mi MIX 3.

The Mi MIX 3 has shown in the image has a full-screen display with no notch and chin. This means the front-facing camera, sensors, and speaker have a new home. You guessed it right – behind the display!

Xiaomi has decided to join OPPO and Honor on the “slider train” for its upcoming flagship. However, its own design is a bit different. Unlike the Find X that only has a small section of the back half sliding out, the whole of the back half of the Mi MIX 3 slides upwards. This means the Mi MIX 3 has two longitudinal halves.

With this sort of design, the slide mechanism isn’t motorized but manual. It also means the Mi MIX 3 will likely not be waterproof, though it may be splash-proof as long as it isn’t opened.

Launching in October. #Xiaomi pic.twitter.com/itIRI6CzEN

— Donovan Sung (@donovansung) August 30, 2018

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BlackBerry KEY2 LE: A cheaper and less powerful KEY2, starts at $399

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Aug 30, 2018

The BlackBerry KEY2 is a nice phone with its upper mid-range specs and physical keyboard but it sells for the price of a flagship. So TCL decided to release a cheaper version with less powerful specs and named it the BlackBerry KEY2 LE. It unveiled it at IFA today.

BlackBerry KEY2 LE Design

The Blackberry KEY2 LE comes with the same 4.5-inch screen as the KEY2 and even retains the 1620 x 1080 resolution. So if you compare both devices, sharpness and overall screen quality should be the same.

Below the screen is a full QWERTY keyboard with a space bar that doubles as a fingerprint scanner. Do note that the KEY2 LE’s keyboard doesn’t function as a trackpad. It has a textured back but the pattern is different. However, it has a polycarbonate frame instead of a metal frame like the KEY2. Early reviews say even with the polycarbonate build, the KEY 2 LE feels well-made.

BlackBerry KEY2 LE Specs

The KEY2 LE has a Snapdragon 636 processor which is actually a great mid-range processor. There is 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of storage. It comes with dual rear cameras but it is a 13MP+5MP combo and not 12MP + 12MP like the KEY2. The front-facing camera has not been changed, so you get an 8MP selfie snapper.

The phone has Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, a USB Type-C port and an audio jack for connectivity. It has a smaller 3,000mAh battery that TCL claims should last up to 22 hours on a single charge. It also runs Android 8.1 Oreo and will get updated to Android Pie but there is no timeframe yet.

The KEY2 LE may come with less-powerful specs but it doesn’t skimp on any of BlackBerry’s apps and security features such as the DTEK security manager, Privacy Shade tool, redactor Blackberry Hub, BBM, and BlackBerry Locker etc.

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Honor takes on the OPPO Find X with the Magic 2

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Aug 30, 2018

The Honor Magic was released by Huawei’s sub-brand back in 2016. News of a successor has been making rounds for more than a year but nothing concrete has surfaced until today. The Honor Magic 2 is indeed coming and Honor confirmed it at its IFA event today. What’s more exciting is, we even got to see a prototype and learn some of its specs.

The Honor Magic 2 will come with a FullView display. This display sports no notches and reduced bezels. It’s just screen and nothing more which gives it a design similar to that of the OPPO Find X and the Vivo NEX. So where is the front camera? It slides out just like the Find X’.

Yes, the Magic 2 will also have a slide-out camera(s) (we are not sure if the rear cameras also slide out as there is no image of the back of the device). However, the Magic 2 doesn’t have a motorized slider like the Find X. The prototype Honor’s CEO was holding during the event was manually operated.

While the specs are still kept a secret, Honor did confirm the Magic 2 will come with the yet-to-be-announced Kirin 980 chipset. This is good news as the Honor Magic launched with a Kirin 950 even though the Kirin 960 was already available.

[envira-gallery id=”208944″]

Apart from sporting Huawei’s latest chipset, the Magic 2 will also support 40W fast charge which Honor has dubbed Magic Charge. Magic Charge is said to be safe as it has 15-layers of safety protection.

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Skagen Falster 2 is a sleek smartwatch with Wear OS, NFC, GPS, and heart rate monitor

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 30, 2018

Danish watchmaker Skagen on Wednesday introduced its latest smartwatch which is known as the Falster 2. The new smartwatch is coming barely six months after the Danish-inspired, hyper-minimalist watch brand unveiled the first Falster smartwatch at CES 2018.

The Skagen Falster 2 comes with some improvements over its predecessor, mainly in its build and some new features. It still uses a minimalistic design and has a magnetic steel mesh strap. The gadget also comes with two programmable plungers which give access to the most used apps as well as Wear OS button. The device now features a swim-proof body and on the software end, swim tracking has been included among the host of fitness tracking the smartwatch offers. The Falster 2 also has a built-in GPS which makes it capable of tracking walks, runs and bike ride better. The smartwatch also packs a heart rate monitor on board to be used with the latest Google Fit.

In addition, the Falster 2 comes with NFC, something that is missing from the previous model. With this, the smartwatch supports Google Pay for contactless payment while on the go. It runs on the Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset and may likely pack the same 300mAh battery.

The Skagen Falster 2 will have a $275 price tags and will be available on September 12 in different colors and configurations including a silicone strap, a leather one, and a new magnetic mesh strap that seems much more convenient than the buckle type.

ZTE Axon 9 Pro launched: packs a Water resistant body, Snapdragon 845 and 4000mAh battery

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Aug 30, 2018

Still fresh out of the turbulence caused by the U.S sanctions barring the company from getting key components from U.S companies, ZTE has rebounded well on the smartphone scene to unveil a new flagship smartphone. Dubbed Axon 9 Pro, the new model comes with a powerful specs lineup as well as a top of the art design. We take a look at the specifications and design of the flagship model.

ZTE Axon 9 Pro Specifications

The Axon 9 Pro ticks most of the boxes for the perfect smartphone design, well, except you are not a fan of the notch design. The device packs an expansive display with a notch similar to that of the iPhone X which we have to thank for this seemingly ravaging virus. It may have been preferable if the company had gone with the water drop notch as seen on the OPPO R17 but that isn’t the case. The notch on the Axon 9 Pro is as wide as the iPhone X’s and it houses some key components of the smartphone. The device packs a 6.21-inch FullHD+ AMOLED display sporting a resolution of 2,248 x 1,080 display. The display also comes with a feature which ZTE calls “Axon Vision” and this is basically a compendium of different features for the FHD+ display. The Axon 9 Pro also packs a glass back and the body is IP 68 level water and dust resistant. As a result of the water-resistant build, there is no 3.5mm audio jack onboard.

The Axon 9 Pro is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 processor paired with 6GB of RAM while there is 128GB of storage on the device. Sadly, the storage isn’t expandable so, you have to make do with cloud storage or use a PC if the storage is running low. The device also comes with a new feature which is called “motion video optimization” capable of boosting video content to 60fps by inserting extra frames into content with a lower frame rate. In addition, there is HDR10 support and an RGB sensor for automatically adjusting the colour temperature based on the environment.

For photography, the Axon 9 Pro utilises dual cameras at the rear which comprise a 12MP f/1.75 main camera sensor with 1.4-micron individual pixel size and optical image stabilization and a 20MP secondary sensor. The secondary sensor isn’t a telephoto lens but a super wide-angle (130 degrees) lens. At the front, the model packs a 20MP sensor for selfies and which can be used to unlock the smartphone (Face Unlock). The cameras are said to bring AI photo and video enhancements with features such as facial recognition. Keeping the lights on is a generous 4,000mAh battery which ZTE claims can deliver up to 24 hours battery power in just 1 hour. The Axon 9 Pro gets its interface from the Android 8.1 Oreo OS with an overlay of ZTE’s own custom skin. the company hinted that Android Pie is in the works.

Axon 9 Pro Pricing and Availability

ZTE Axon 9 Pro comes with a rather steep price tag of 649 euros (~$757) and will launch in Germany by the end of September. The device will also be launched in China and Russia at later dates before anywhere else.

(source)

Xiaomi brings MIUI-Inspired Poco Launcher on Play Store for all Android devices

By

Michele Ingelido

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Aug 30, 2018

The new gaming-centric affordable flagship Xiaomi Poco F1 was launched about a week ago as the cheapest device with the Snapdragon 845 chipset. Unlike other Xiaomi phones this handset, which is also the first one from the new Xiaomi’s sub-brand is equipped with a customized version of the MIUI promising fast performance and interesting features to improve usability. Now, after the huge success achieved by the handset in just a few days, the Chinese giant has decided to make Poco Launcher available for every Android device by launching it on the Play Store.

The app is still not official and it is currently in a phase of limited availability, so do not be surprised if you can not download it from Google Play. But in case it is not available for you, then you can get it through APK file by downloading it on third-party platforms such as APK Mirror. Given that it is not a definitive version, you may encounter bugs or issues related to the stability of the app. For the rest, you will get exactly the same user interface as the new Xiaomi Poco F1, as well as its additional features.

Thanks to Poco Launcher, you can group app by colors, set it in alphabetical order, change the icons thanks to the support for Android icon packs or even hide app icons. The new Poco Launcher promises fast and smooth performance, with fast UI animation and a cleaner look. Among the features, there are also some MIUI-exclusive features such as the quick app drawer. If you want to make your device similar to Xiaomi phones, this is the best official Xiaomi app for you. If you want to check all the other features and customizations of Poco Launcher, click on the source link below to view the app on Google Play.

(source, via)

Honor Play affordable gaming smartphone launched for the global markets, priced at €329

By

Jeet

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Aug 30, 2018

A few months ago, Huawei’s sub-brand Honor had launched its gaming-centric smartphone Honor Play. Later, the phone was launched in a few countries in Asia. Today, at IFA 2018 in Berlin, the company launched the Honor Play for the global markets.

The Honor Play comes with a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display featuring a notch and 2340 x 1080 pixels screen resolution. The display has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 85 percent NTSC color gamut and offers 89 percent screen-to-body ratio.

Under the hood, it is powered by the company’s own Kirin 970 octa-core processor which comes with a dedicated NPU for artificial intelligence and Mali-G72 MP12 graphics processor.

The phone comes in two variants — one with 4GB RAM while the other packs 6GB RAM. However, the company has only launched the 4GB RAM model globally, which packs 64GB internal storage. There’s also a microSD card slot, enabling users to further expand the storage capacity up to 256GB.

Coming to the optics, on the back panel, there’s a dual-camera setup for photography, consisting of a 16-megapixel f/2.2 primary sensor paired with a 2-megapixel f/2.4 secondary depth sensor with support for AI shooting and AR gestures. On the front side, the device comes equipped with a 16-megapixel f/2.0 sensor for taking selfies and video calling.

There’s a fingerprint sensor on the back panel. The Face Unlock feature on the phone uses 3D facial recognition with artificial intelligence that the company claims helps in adapting to different lightings and minute facial changes for accuracy.

Being a gaming-centric smartphone, it comes with the company’s GPU Turbo technology enhances GPU performance significantly by increasing graphics processing efficiency by up to 60 percent and decreases power consumption by 30 percent. The device comes with 4D gaming experience, powered by the same GPU Turbo technology. It can detect a number of gaming scenes including shots, explosions, and quakes.

It also comes with a game suite mode that locks the navigation keys. The phone also reportedly features a special film on its screen to reduce reflection and improve gaming experience under the light. It runs on Android Oreo operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own EMUI 8.2 custom interface on top.

Connectivity options on the device include 4G VoLTE, GPS, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 3.5 mm headphone jack, and USB Type-C. There’s also in-game network optimization which promises a seamless shift from Wi-Fi to mobile data for uninterrupted gameplay. The phone is fuelled by a 3,750mAh battery with fast charging support.

The Honor Play comes in Midnight Black, Navy Blue, and Ultra Violet colors for 329 Euros (roughly $380). The company has also launched Player Edition Black and Player Edition Red, priced at 349 Euros. It will be available for purchase in Europe from 30th August but the company has not revealed its availability in the US.

Check out our review of Honor Play here.

Asus ZenBook S packs the latest 8th-gen Intel Core chips and offers up to 20 hours usage

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 30, 2018

ASUS has launched its latest Zenbook S model at the ongoing IFA 2018 tech exhibition in Berlin, Germany. The new ASUS Zenbook S comes with the model number UX391UA and it comes with several upgrades over the previous models. The new Zenbook S 2018 will be available in two variants, both packing the latest eighth generation of Intel “Whiskey Lake” processors that was unveiled earlier this week. Another aspect where the new ZenBook S dazzles is in the battery aspect. The model promises up to 20 hours of use on a single charge.

The new Zenbook S comes with an all-metal unibody with a Deep Dive Blue colour finish and diamond-cut Rose Gold highlight on the edges. There is also a Burgundy Red colour variant as well. The Notebook PC is ultra-thin and lightweight, weighing just 2.31 pounds and 0.50 inches thick. It’s based on an all-metal unibody finished with a Deep Dive Blue color and diamond-cut Rose Gold edge highlights (Asus has a Burgundy Red version too). The company says this two-tone finish is based on a two-phase anodizing process “normally reserved for jewellery or luxury timepieces.”

The new Zenbook S models feature a 13.3-inch touchscreen display screen with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels on the higher model and a 1,920 x 1,080 pixels resolution on the lower model. The version with 1080p resolution also come in an anti-glare non-touch display version. According to ASUS, “For outstanding ergonomics, ZenBook S incorporates the new ErgoLift hinge mechanism, an innovative design that raises and tilts the keyboard by 5.5 degrees — the optimum angle for comfortable typing.” The hinge has a maximum opening angle of 145 degrees which is wider than most laptops too, so users have more freedom to choose the best screen angle. The ErgoLift mechanism doesn’t affect the sleek profile of the Zenbook S as it is completely hidden when the laptop is closed.

The higher variant of the Zenfone S is powered by Intel’s new Core i7-8565U chip which replaces the Core i7-8550U released in August 2017. The chip is a Quad-core chip with a base speed of 1.8GHz, a maximum speed of 4.5GHz, and a power draw of 15 watts. On the other hand, the lower Zenbook variant packs a Core i5-8265U which replaces the Core i5-8250U that was also released last year. The chip is also a Quad-core chip with a base speed of 1.6GHz, a maximum speed of 3.9GHz, and a power draw of 15 watts. They’re all backed by Intel’s integrated graphics and either 8GB or 16GB of LPDDR3 system memory clocked at 2,133MHz. In terms of the storage, the new ZenBook S is available in 512GB or 1TB on a PCI Express 3.0 x4 SSD, or 256GB on a PCI Express 3.0 x2 SSD. In addition, the laptop comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one USB-C port at 5Gbps, and one audio combo jack. For wireless connectivity, there is Bluetooth 5.0 and Wireless AC onboard.

Despite its sleek, thin body, the Zenbook S is built to be tough as it meets the MIL-STD 810G standard for toughness. The laptop is also touted to feature an “uprated” cooling design which ensures it can run at 41 degrees cooler than the previous ZenBook S generation. Details of its pricing and release date are yet to be disclosed.

Yu Ace entry-level smartphone launched in India, pricing starts at Rs. 5,990 ($85)

By

Jeet

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Aug 30, 2018

As it promised, Yu Televentures, the sub-brand of India’s smartphone manufacturer Micromax, has launched its latest smartphone — Yu Ace. The entry-level smartphone, which starts at a price of Rs. 5,999 (approximately $85), will be available for purchase from 6th September, exclusively via Flipkart.

The Yu Ace features a 5.45-inch HD+ display with 1440 x 720 pixels screen resolution, 18: 9 aspect ratio, and 2.5D curved glass. Under the hood, the device is powered by MediaTek‘s MTK6739 quad-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz, coupled with 2GB/3GB RAM.

There’s 16GB of onboard storage which can be expanded with a microSD card. For the photography, there’s a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera that too has an LED flash. The phone also offers a software-based face unlock feature, in addition to the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Connectivity options on the device include Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 LE, and GPS. Running on the older Android 8.0 Oreo operating system out-of-the-box, the phone is powered by a big 4,000mAh battery which should easily last through the whole day.

The Yu Ace will be available in three color options — Charcoal Grey, Elektric Blue, and Rose Gold. The 2GB RAM variant is priced at Rs. 5,999 (approximately $85), while the 3GB RAM model costs Rs. 6,999, which roughly converts to $99. As said, it’ll go on sale in India exclusively through Flipkart from 6th September but the 3GB RAM model will be available by the end of September.