Nokia 6 (2018) Hands-On Photos Reveal Its Solid Design

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Jan 14, 2018

The newly announced Sony Xperia XA2, Xperia XA2 Ultra, and Xperia L2 have been officially made available to purchase both in the U.S. and UK. This means that we know the prices for each phone, at least in these countries. The standard XA2 costs $349.99 in the U.S. and £299 in the United Kingdom. The XA2 Ultra costs even more: $449.99 in the U.S. and £379 in the UK.

Sony Xperia L2 has been made available for pre-orders with a price tag of $249.99 dollars in the U.S. and £199 in the UK. The prices for the UK include VAT. The prices of Sony Xperia XA2, Xperia XA2 Ultra, and Xperia L2 are not so affordable, but they are a nice upgrade over their predecessors. In the U.S. the handsets will officially go on sale starting from February 16, while in the UK they will be available to purchase from the end of January through Clove UK.

Sony Xperia XA2 and XA2 Ultra are the first phones from the XA series to sport a Qualcomm SoC: the Snapdragon 630. They also have very powerful 23 MP cameras on the rear, while XA Ultra has a dual selfie camera. Sony Xperia L2 is the entry-level model and its strong points are the camera department and the battery life.

Xiaomi Mi6 Gets Android Oreo Global Beta ROM

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Jan 14, 2018

Xiaomi has released the first beta version of Android Oreo for the flagship Xiaomi Mi6. We are talking about the Global Beta ROM in the version 8.1.11: in case you don’t know, it is the beta version of the international ROM with Google services installed. If you have the MIUI 9 Global Stable ROM and want to taste the latest version of the operating system on your Xiaomi device, you will have to switch to another ROM first.

To upgrade your handset to its first beta of Android Oreo from the Global Stable ROM, you have to upgrade it to the MIUI 9 Global Beta ROM v7.12.14 based on Android Nougat. Only then you will be able to install the Android Oreo beta successfully. Once you updated to v7.12.14, you will receive an OTA notification which will automatically update your device. If you are not an expert and you do not know how to flash a ROM, follow the link at the end of the article and you will head to a detailed guide for your Xiaomi Mi6.

We recommend you to backup all your important data before proceeding with the update, as you will lose everything. Note that the beta version of Android Oreo for the Xiaomi Mi6 might be unstable and it might also contain some issues. For example, a problem with localization has already been reported. So, do not take the Global Beta as a ROM for daily use. If you want to take the risk, click the link below and follow the guide which also contains the download links of the firmware. According to the first reports by some users, the firmware has been installed successfully after they followed the guide. At this moment, we do not have any info about the roll out of the Global Stable version.

(Source)

Samsung Galaxy On7 Prime 2018 Hits GFXBench, Launch Set For January 17 In India

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Jan 14, 2018

Samsung is unarguably the king of the mobile phone industry. The Korean giant dominates the flagship segment but still intends to keep its presence very much visible in the mid-range category. That explains why we have seen a flurry of Samsung’s mid-range models lately. The tech giant is set to add another midrange smartphone to its collection and it is the Samsung Galaxy On7 Prime 2018. Latest reports indicate that the Galaxy On7 will be launched in India on January 17. Samsung has reportedly sent out media invites for the launch event in Gurugram for the device that has been revealed to be an Amazon exclusive.

In a related development, the Galaxy On7 Prime 2018 has been spotted on benchmarking outfit – GFXBench’s database. The listing shows the graphics capabilities of the Galaxy On7 Prime 2018 and it isn’t too impressive. The listing also shows the specifications of the device, which is more or less a reminder considering that the Galaxy On7 Prime 2018 is already listed on Amazon India with the specs in tow.

The Samsung Galaxy On7 Prime 2018 features a 5.5-inch touchscreen display with an FHD resolution of 1920 x 1080p. We’ll still have to wait some more to see Samsung bring the Galaxy S8 style of full-screen design to its mid-range segment. The device will be powered by a 1.5GHz octa-core Exynos 7870 14nm processor which it launched in 2016. The device is listed with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage but there will be a higher variant with 4GB of RAM and 64Gb of internal storage. The device also packs a microSD card slot, allowing users to further expand the storage capacity up to 256GB. On the camera end, the Galaxy On7 Prime 2018 is listed with a 12MP rear camera with f/1.9 aperture and LED flash while at the front it also features a similar 12MP f/1.9 sensor but without an LED flash. The device runs on Android 7.1 Nougat OS which would be modified with Samsung’s own UI.

(source 1, 2)

Meizu M6S Official Teaser Contains On-Screen Fingerprint Icon; In-Display Fingerprint Tech?

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Jan 14, 2018

Meizu has commenced the release of daily countdown teasers for the M6S, also called mBlu S6, which is expected to be launched on January 17. The company has already released two teasers and the first could be of interest as it seems to point at the presence of an on-screen fingerprint sensor. Recall that a leaked video of the Meizu M6S in action had suggested that there may be a new unlock method which seems to be on the screen. This is despite the sighting of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the device.

It is very much unlikely that the Meizu M6S would feature two types of fingerprint sensors, one on the screen and another at the side. There could be another explanation for the teaser. The teaser noted a change in the fingerprint sensor due to the device having a full-screen design. Since the smartphone is a full-screen one, the trademark Meizu mBack home button which doubles as a fingerprint sensor is absent. The picture shows a fingerprint icon on the screen of the device and that is what sends the impression that there could be an on-screen fingerprint sensor. However, the way the hand grips the smartphone may also be indicative of the side-mounted fingerprint sensor while the fingerprint icon on the screen may just be there to give a clue that the teaser is referring to the fingerprint sensor. We already know Vivo is the first to use the in-display fingerprint technology from Synaptics on its smartphone but there hasn’t been any word on Meizu using a similar technology.

As a reminder, Meizu M6S or mBlu S6 is expected to feature an expansive 5.7-inch 18:9 display with an HD= resolution of 1440 x 720p. The back features the U-shaped antenna band design while at the rear is the mBlu logo, which confirms that the S6 will be the first mBlu branded smartphone to be released by the company. The volume rocker buttons are located on the left side of the device while at the right side, you’ll find a power button and side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The M6S will be fired up by an Hexa-core Exynos 7872 (4 x A53 + 2 x A73) chip which is also one of the teasers released by Meizu on its Blue Charm account. The graphic is powered by a Mali-G71 GPU while the processor is paired with a 3GB RAM and there is 32GB of storage. In addition, there is a 3000mAh battery with 9V / 2A 18W fast charging support. See the full teaser poster below.

Huawei’s CEO Reveals Its Next Flagships Could Bring a DSLR-like Camera Experience

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Jan 13, 2018

Sometime around July 2016 when Huawei was promoting its P9 flagship, the company shared a photo on its Google+ page which was purportedly captured by the P9’s dual rear shutters. The photo was indeed stunning, with crisp clear details downright impressive for a smartphone camera. Unfortunately, it turned out the shot wasn’t taken by a smartphone camera but was actually from the all-powerful Canon EOS 5D Mark III shutter. The DSLR camera was worth $4500 back then. Well, it seems Huawei took that embarrassing incident as a challenge to develop a smartphone camera with DSLR-like quality as the company has hinted that they are working on it.

Huawei’s CEO Yu Chengdong (Richard Yu) made this known in an interview with Android Authority at the just concluded CES 2018. The CEO hinted during the interview that camera tech and AI integration were the next big battlegrounds and opportunities for all smartphone manufacturers. He specifically stated that the innovative company wants to bring DSLR like focal lengths and zoom to the mobile ecosystem. Of course, Huawei has made tremendous progress with AI integration, launching its latest Kirin 970 chip and EMUI 8.0 ROM with AI capabilities.

Huawei won’t be the first to launch a smartphone with a camera with DSLR-like experience, though. That has already been seen on Panasonic’s CM1 and Nokia’s Lumia 1020 but in modern times, we can’t say if the feature will become a trend. We’ll wait to see how that plays out. The feature could be on the next Huawei P20 flagship which is expected to be launched soon.

LG G7 Render Points At Ultra-Thin Bezels & Dual Selfie Shooters

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Jan 13, 2018

LG was recently reported to be tinkering with the possibility of rebranding its G series lineup and this could see the dream of a flagship G7 dashed this year. Well, in that case, it would come with another name. That may not be the case, anyway, and even if it was, it hasn’t stopped renders of the G7 from popping online. We just spotted one and it promises a topnotch design is coming on the next LG flagship.

The render purported to be that of the G7 reveals tinier bezels than found on the G6. The bezels are so tiny that we found it difficult making out the bottom bezel. The top bezel which is distinct also shows a tiny setup, much thinner than the G6’s and just enough to accommodate the front cameras and speakers. The side bezels are also almost non-existence. This gives the G7 a higher screen-to-body ratio. By the way, the render suggests the G7 will land with dual cameras at the front. The two cameras are located on the left side of the earpiece, while on the right are placed the proximity sensor and LED indicator. Of course, we expect a similar dual camera setup at the rear as well. There are two buttons on the left side which are likely the volume rockers and the power button may stay at the back.

According to a recent report, LG G7 is expected to be announced in March and would be on sale in April at the earliest. The flagship is expected to feature a similar FullVision 18:9 OLED display that is present on the LG V30 flagship. A Snapdragon 845 chipset will power the device, paired with 6 GB of RAM. It will also feature an IP68 certified chassis and is also tipped to pack an iris scanner for locking up certain apps.

(via)

Huawei Patents Reveal Smartwatch Bezels Will Be Touch Sensitive

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Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 13, 2018

Smartwatches are mainly controlled in four ways – by rotating the bezel, rotating and or pushing the crown, via physical buttons on the side, and also touching the screen. Some smartwatches even employ a combination of two or more of the above. Patents have revealed that Huawei plans to add a new method – a touch-sensitive bezel.

The patents for the new mode of controlling smartwatches have been approved by the World intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). Images from the patent show how the bezel is supposed to work.

First, the bezel is divided into 8 sectors. Each of these sectors can perform a single function or be combined with another sector for a different function.

For example, swiping the top right sector clockwisely or anti-clockwisely, swipes down and up respectively. Swiping the sectors at the bottom swipes the screen left/right. You can also zoom in and out by swiping a combination of the bottom left and top right sectors in opposite directions.

The patent also reveals that the bezels will support force touch gestures, clicks, and screw gestures. There will also be buttons built into the straps.

It has been revealed that the technology can be applied to various materials such as steel, plastic, aluminium, and ceramic for the bezel; and rubber or leather for the straps.

Last year at MWC, the Huawei Watch 2 was announced but it received poor to lukewarm reviews as it lacked most of the features people liked in the first gen Huawei Watch.

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Sharp Aquos S3 Real Pictures Leaked Via Taiwan’s NCC

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Jan 13, 2018

Foxconn-owned Sharp was one of the OEMs who caught up with the full-screen, bezel-less smartphone trend which became the trend in the second half of last year. The company released the Aquos S2 smartphone with a bezel-less design, and the device was also the world’s first Snapdragon 630-powered smartphone. The Aquos S2 is about getting a successor, and that is the Sharp Aquos S3. If you think the Aquos S2’s design was fantastic, wait until you see that of the soon-to-be-released Aquos S3 whose pictures just leaked.

You might have seen some grainy photos of the S3 or the pictures accompanying its TENAA listing which are not too superb. We serve you clear images of the Sharp Aquos S3 which appeared on Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC) website. The photos show how the design of the device looks like when viewed from the front and rear aspects. The front tends to look similar to that of the Aquos S2, except that the notch at the top is more extensive, as it accommodates not just the selfie camera, but also the receiver speaker and one other sensor whose function is unknown. At the rear, the Aquos S3 keeps up also with the dual camera design found on its predecessor. The cameras have a slight bump and is aligned vertically with the LED flash at the bottom. What differentiates the Aquos S2’s rear design from the upcoming model is the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Aquos S3.

Sharp has already revealed the Aquos S3 would be launched on January 16 and specs wise, the device is expected to sport a 5.99-inch display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080 display. the device will be powered by a 2.2GHz octa-core processor which may be the Snapdragon 660 and backed by up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It will also come with a 3100mAh battery.

Get Of Up To 70% Discount On Xiamo Products On GeekBuying

Save Up To 70% On An Array Of Xiaomi-Branded Items On GeekBuying

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Vinay Patel

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Jan 13, 2018

Looks like Xiaomi fans are in for a treat. As part of its New Year Big Sale promo, GeekBuying is offering massive discounts on a myriad of Xiaomi-branded items.

Top Offers

This category of GeekBuying’s New Year Big Sale features three smartphones. The Mi 5X is up for grabs at a discounted price of $195.99, which is a massive 60% reduction in the phone’s original selling price of $488.99.

Similarly, the 3GB RAM/32GB ROM, black color version of the Redmi 5 Plus smartphone is available for just $159.99, thanks to a considerable 38% discount on the handset’s original selling price of $259.99. It’s worth noting that the available discount is based on the specification and color option you choose.

For instance, the 3GB RAM/32GB ROM rose gold version carries a 31% discount, which brings its original asking price of $259.99 down to $179.99. You can go for 3GB RAM/32GB ROM, gold and blue color versions as well, which are available at reduced price of $179.99 on GeekBuying.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is also gracing this category with its presence. You can buy the smartphone by shelling out just $119.99. This 43% discount on Redmi Note 5A is valid for a limited period of time.

Xiaomi Flagship Phones

You can also buy some highly coveted Xiaomi flagship phones without burning a massive hole in your pocket. This section of the promo comprises Xiaomi Mi Note 3, the Mi Mix 2, Mi Max 2, Mi A1, and Mi6 5 smartphones at a heavily-discounted price. You save up to $100 on Mi Mix 2.

Mid-range Smartphone

Mid-range smartphones are more popular than the budget smartphones as they offer an array of awe-inspiring features despite bearing an affordable price tag. The Chinese handset maker has come out with a slew of some well-received mid-range smartphones in the past, and few of them are featured in this category.

First off, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is available at a slashed price of just $95.99 on GeekBuying. Similarly, the site is offering a considerable discount on the original asking price of the Redmi Note 5A Prime, Redmi 5A Global Version, Redmi 5 and a slew of other mid-range Smartphones.

Smart Gadgets Center

In addition to smartphones, GeekBuying’s New Year Sale promo also comprises a slew of other equally-popular Xiaomi branded devices such as the Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner, which has a 50% discount. Other items that are available at a decreased price include Mijia Smart Night Light, Piston Fresh Edition Earphone, and Mi Notebook Pro just to name a few.

GeekBuying New Year Big Sale promo kicked off on Thursday, January 11 and is slated to end on January 19 so head straight to this link and save up to 70% on select Xiaomi-branded electronic items before the promo ends.

Google Acquires Redux, A UK-Based Startup That Turns Smartphone Screen Into Speaker

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Jeet

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Jan 13, 2018

Google has quietly acquired a UK-based company named Redux which has developed a technology that uses vibrations to turn surfaces of phones or tablets into speakers or provide haptic feedback.

While it is not clear when the acquisition took place, some reports indicate that the acquisition happened in August last year. According to the regulatory filings in December 2017, all the stock held by investors and employees was transferred to Google in early September.

The financial details related to the acquisition remains undisclosed. Founded in 2013, Redux, which focused on markets including computing, mobile, automotive and industrial controls, had raised $5 million funding in March last year from Arie Capital.

According to the company, its technology eliminates the need for small speakers in mobile phones, which frees up space for batteries or other components. Further, the company claims that it had been granted 178 patents and over 50 pending patents.

Redux’s website has been taken down. A cached version of the website reveals that the firm was working on “panel audio” which turns a screen into a speaker. The company was also working on a so-called haptic feedback.

While it is unclear why Google acquired Redux, there are lots of potential uses of Redux’s technology for Alphabet — the parent company of Google. The company has recently started selling its own smartphones, and the engineering talent from Redux could help the company develop devices with better sound.

Redux’s technology could also be used create haptic feedback — which allows users to carry out different tasks on current smartphones by applying different pressure to the screen.

(Via)

Buy Xiaomi Mi A1 And Redmi 4A Smartphones At Heavily-Discounted Price On LightInTheBox

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Vinay Patel

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Jan 13, 2018

LightInTheBox is currently offering massive discounts on a couple of Xiaomi-branded smartphones as part of its super deal promo. Let’s take a gander at the concessionary price the Beijing-based online retail company has to offer and check out more details about the two handsets.

Xiaomi Redmi 4A

LightInTheBox is selling the well-received Xiaomi Redmi 4A at a heavily-discounted price of $85.49. This is a considerable reduction in the phone’s original selling price of $201.71.

You can choose from three color options including blushing pink, gold and gray. While blushing pink and gold color versions are up for grabs bearing $85.49 price tags, you need to shell out an additional $1.9 to buy the gray color version of the Redmi 4A smartphone, which hikes its price up to $87.39.

In terms of specification, The Redmi 4A comes with a 5-inch display with a screen resolution of 1280×720 pixels. Under the hood, it packs Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of ROM.

On the photography front, the Redmi 4A offers a 5MP front shooter for selfies and a 13MP rear-mounted camera. The 4G smartphone is backed by a robust 3120mAh battery.

Click here to buy Xiaomi Redmi 4A smartphone and take advantage of the promo before it comes to an end.

Xiaomi Mi A1

Alternatively, you can choose from golden or black color versions of Xiaomi Mi A1 smartphone, which comes with 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal memory, by shelling out just $180.67. This is a hefty 37% reduction in the handset’s original asking price of $286.78.

While the golden-tinted Mi A1 is currently up for grabs on LightInTheBox for only $179.04, the black version carries a slightly higher price — $180.67, to be precise — since you pay an additional $1.63 for this version of the smartphone.

The Mi A1 sports a 5.5-inch display with a screen resolution of 1920X1080 pixels at 403PPI (Pixels Per Inch). It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, which is paired with Adreno 506 GPU.

You can head straight to this link and buy Xiaomi Mi A1 before the promo ends. It’s worth noting that only 92 pieces were remaining at the time of writing.

Buy Xiaomi Redmi 4A For Just $85.49 On LightInTheBox

Buy Xiaomi Mi A1 For Just $179.04 On LightInTheBox

Buy The Rugged ioutdoor T2 Walkie Talkie Phone For Only $29.99 On Banggood

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Vinay Patel

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Jan 13, 2018

ioutdoor T2 walkie-talkie waterproof phone is ideal for serious outdoor enthusiasts. The device can prove useful for people who are making an emergency preparedness kit and even come in handy as radios for the entire family.

As part of its latest promo, Banggood will be offering a massive 50% discount on ioutdoor T2’s original asking price of $59.99 starting Monday, January 15. You will be able to get your hands on this rugged phone by shelling out just $29.99.

This ioutdoor-branded walkie-talkie is backed by a massive 4500mAh battery and can cover 5km intercom distance. Moreover, the device is IP68 water and dust resistance and features strong flashlight that reaches 30m illuminate distance.

Apart from that, ioutdoor T2’s high signal intensity ensures your phone’s calling fluency even when you’re in a weak signal area. It comes with a portable charger. You can head straight to this link and take advantage of the promo before it comes to an end on Friday, January 19.

Buy ioutdoor T2 Walkie Talkie Phone For Just $29.99 On Banggood

New U.S Proposed Bill Seeks To Ban Huawei & ZTE’s Telecoms Services in The US

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Jan 12, 2018

Huawei has always eyed an opportunity to gain a stronghold in the U.S but that move have always proved futile. A ray of light recently popped up in the dark in form of an agreement with U.S carrier AT&T to release Huawei smartphones in the U.S. But that hope was severely dashed when AT&T pulled out of the deal at the 11th hour, just when Huawei was about launching its latest Mate 10 flagships in the U.S via CES 2018.

Huawei may have been dealt another blow, alongside fellow Chinese tech OEM ZTE as a report carried by TechCrunch claims that a bill has been proposed in the U.S Congress which seeks to ban all U.S agencies with contractors or service providers that use any equipment from either company for security reasons. Texas-based Republican house member Michael Conaway who is also leading the investigation into Russia’s alleged interference in the U.S election sponsored the bill and it originated on January 9. Although the bill targets telecommunication equipment manufactured by both Huawei and ZTE, it could have a ripple effect on their smartphone business.

Huawei presently is the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world and the world’s largest telecom equipment manufacturer while ZTE is the fifth largest n the world. However, the bill proposes to completely outlaw engaging with third-party entities that use any of the following:

Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).
Telecommunications services provided by such entities or using such equipment.
Telecommunications equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the head of the relevant agency reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country.

The bill makes reference to past admittance by Huawei of complicity in the handling of sensitive information with the Chinese government. Huawei and ZTE are said to be “directly subject to direction by the Chinese Communist Party.” Huawei has repeatedly denied these claims but the duo is yet to release any statement in regards to the proposed bill. The bill itself will have to scale several hurdles before it becomes a law but it may just be wise for Huawei to channel its energy to other markets outside the U.S.

Anker Launches Kettlebell-Shaped Zolo Model Zero Smart Speaker With Google Assistant

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Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 12, 2018

CES 2018 has been a sort of battle ground for the two major smart assistants – Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Last year’s edition was a big win for Amazon but this year, Google played catch-up. One of the newest Google Assistant-powered device announced at the event is the Anker Zolo Model Zero smart speaker (quite a mouthful, right?).

The first thing that strikes you about the Model Zero is its design. Zolo (Anker’s audio brand) has settled for a kettlebell/handbag design. This makes it stand out from other smart speakers in the market which are mainly cylindrical. Anker itself has two speakers with a cylindrical design – the Alexa-powered Zolo Halo and the Zolo Mojo with Google Assistant.

We know you’d want to know if its lack of a cylindrical design does affect its audio reproduction. Anker says its radial design “creates the optimal angle for the high-end drivers to deliver superior sound performance”. It is said to actually have five speakers in total.

The cut-out in the Model Zero not only serves as a handle for carrying the speaker around, but its inside is home to the volume control buttons and LED lights. The rest of the buttons are on the side. There are also LED lights in front that light up when Assistant is activated.

The Zolo Model Zero is a mixture of aluminium and fabric. It comes in three color configurations – black and silver, black and bronze, and white and gold.

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Xiaomi Launches 59 Yuan (~$9) Digital Thermometer Hygrometer With E-Ink Display

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Jan 12, 2018

Xiaomi isn’t just your ordinary mobile phone OEM but is intent on becoming a brand with products which cuts across several categories including smart home gadgets. The tech giant has launched a new product, this time around it is a digital thermometer hygrometer with an ultra-cheap price tag of 59 Yuan (~$9).

The Xiaomi Digital Thermometer Hygrometer measures both the temperature and humidity of the room and the parameters are displayed on a screen. The device features an e-ink display which ensures it conserves battery power. It has a dimension of 64.5 x 64.5 x 9.7mm and is manufactured using environmentally friendly PC / ABS + PMMA material which does not contain harmful substances. The e-ink display uses a 3D curved display screen, with beautiful curves on all fours and well-chamfered edges. Apart from showing the temperature and humidity, the Xiaomi Digital Thermometer Hygrometer also comes with 6 kinds of notifications which shows the state of the room using facial expressions on the display.

The Xiaomi Digital Thermometer Hygrometer features built-in Swiss high-precision digital sensors with temperature measurement accuracy of 0.3 ℃, humidity measurement accuracy of 3% RH. There is also the option of viewing the temperature reading in Celsius or Fahrenheit. There is also a CR2032 button battery crammed inside and it is reputed as capable of lasting up to one year. There three ways to mount the Digital Thermometer hygrometer; there is a vertical base or the use of wall stickers. It can also be mounted using soft magnets. The device is suitable for the baby room, bedroom, desk, flower room, kitchen, bathroom and other locations within the apartment.

MediaTek Announces AI-Driven Chipsets For Media And Smart Home Devices

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Jeet

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Jan 12, 2018

At Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, MediaTek announced a bunch of new chipsets which are driven by artificial intelligence that supports smart home devices. The company also showcased its current AI solutions for voice assistants, TVs and autonomous cars.

For the devices in the home entertainment sector, MediaTek is launching MT8695 — a system-on-chip for 4K dongles. Along with that, the company has also introduced an AI-friendly system-on-module called the MT8516 for an integrated smart display solution.

The MediaTek MT8695 SoC is claimed to the industry’s first 12nm SoC, built especially for media streaming dongles for supporting 4K content. It will allow users of 4K displays access to the affordable and convenient solution for streaming content.

The ultra-low power usage chipset supports 4K media at up to 60 frames per second, along with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It is able to support the finest 4K content in a dongle-like device, similar to Google’s Chromecast or Amazon’s Fire TV Stick.

While other new chips from the company focus on artificial intelligence, this particular chipset isn’t focusing much on AI. The company is emphasising more on streaming rich media smoothly with the most conservative resource usage possible. However, it supports onboard AI with voice capabilities.

The more AI-focused chipset from the company is MT8516, having most of its resources offered with native AI, bringing more AI-based capabilities to any device it’s put in. According to the company, the new MT8516 chipset will give device designers and manufacturers an easier route to enabling the AI-based voice capabilities of form factors such as alarm clocks, fire alarms and other home appliances.

MediaTek also introduced its smart display solution based on MT8176 and MT8173. Both the chipsets support AI vision capabilities, for both home entertainment and surveillance systems.

HTC 10 Updates to Android 8.0 Oreo in the U.S.

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Jan 12, 2018

After apologizing for the delay of the Android 8.0 Oreo update for HTC U11 in Europe, HTC 10 has started to receive the update to the latest version of the OS in the U.S. The company had promised to bring Android 8.0 Oreo on this flagship in 2017, and the promise has been kept. The update carries the number of version 3.16.617.2 and it is actually coming to the unlocked units in the U.S.

We still do not have any info about when the carriers-branded U.S. units and the European units will update to Android Oreo, but it shouldn’t take much time. The RUU file of the update can already be download at this link, but the company alerts that if you have an unlocked bootloader on your HTC 10 you may risk of damaging your handset by flashing this update.

The update to Android Oreo brings many new features, as well as the security patch released by Google in the month of December. Among the most important features brought on the HTC 10, there are new background limits, notification channel, a feature to snooze notification, autofill APIs, adaptive icons and the picture in picture mode to reduce apps as small floating windows on the display.

(Via)

ZTE Axon M Will Have A Successor: The Company Will Release Another Foldable Smartphone

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Jan 12, 2018

ZTE Axon M is a unique and revolutionary product: it is the first and only phone which has a dual display and can be folded to transform it from a smartphone to a sort of tablet. But even though it is a very innovative device, the public feedback hasn’t been entirely positive. Despite this, the company has declared, through its marketing VP Jeff Yee, that it will keep experimenting with foldable phones, and this means that the Axon M will likely have a successor.

The company is working to innovate the series even more, so you can expect to see a foldable smartphone which, unlike ZTE Axon M, has a bezel-less display. You can also expect a real foldable display instead of two separate displays which merge with each other. The next foldable phone will obviously be a flagship, so it will not be sold with a low price tag. The Axon M has been launched in the U.S. with a price of about $730 and it is available through AT&T. Soon the handset will launch in China too, and we hope that it will obtain more success in the home country of the company.

The device is composed of two displays with a size of 5.2 inches which can form a 6.75-inch screen if you unfold the phone. Under the hood, ZTE Axon M sports a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC with a max frequency of 2.35 GHz: it is not the best one from Qualcomm, but it is the best one launched in 2016. It is possible to run two different apps on each screen, so, besides the comfort of having a smartphone which can turn into a tablet, this is also a great productivity phone.

Do you like this concept or you prefer the traditional smartphones?

[yop_poll id=”7″]

(Via)

Amazfit Cor Band Officially Up For Grabs In China For 299 yuan ($46)

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