ZTE has announced a new streaming box powered by Android TV at the ongoing Mobile World Congress tech show. The device also supports Wi-Fi 6.

The ZTE ZXV10 B8655V6-H has a square design with sharp corners and an LED in front that lights up when the device is on. The addition of Wi-Fi 6 allows for faster speeds with low-latency and less interference.

The set top box also supports 4K UHD output and runs Android TV, however, details are limited, so we do not know what version it is. We also do not know if it will be updated to Google TV.

With respect to specs, ZTE says that the streaming box is powered by a quad core Cortex-A55 processor. There is no info on the RAM and storage available. However, the device supports AV1 codec.

There is no info yet on the price and availability but we can expect the device to be sold by companies offering IPTV and OTT services.

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A revolutionary remote health monitoring service, called YouCare has just been launched at the ongoing Mobile World Conference (MWC) 2021 holding in Barcelona, Spain. YouCare is based on a new technology that enables excellent health monitoring using a t-shirt with sensors embedded and data transmission via the 5G network. The t-shirt is a washable and reusable textile material and looks like a regular t-shirt.

The YouCare project is conceptualized to develop textile devices that can be used for health monitoring without the use of invasive and uncomfortable metal materials. The t-shirt was wholly developed in Italy, according to the developers, can detect several vital bio-markers in the body and transmit them seamlessly using the 5G network infrastructure provided by Chinese network infrastructure provider ZTE.

At the launch of the project today in Barcelona, ZTE stressed its joy at being part of the team that has produced the revolutionary health service monitoring project. The company underscored again, the tremendous opportunities that could be harnessed using the 5G network. ZTE further reiterated its continued support for the innovative work by the Italian team. The company also says it will initiate the YouCare 5G test soon.

YouCare works by detecting bio-vital health parameters using imperceptible polymeric sensors embedded on the shirt. A miniaturized control records the data, which is then converted to digital format. This data is then sent to a bidirectional platform, which then transmits the data to a smartphone or smartwatch. The data could also be transmitted to a remote unit for analysis.

Several vital health parameters can be detected by the YouCare t-shart. These bio-vital parameters include respiratory act analysis, electrocardiogram, sweat, and muscle activity that could help to identify various health conditions using the textile sensors. The data generated is then sent through 5G infrastructure enabled by ZTE to dedicated centers or individual users. The project could dramatically expand access to healthcare to a wide array of persons and remote monitoring can be really helpful in assisting those with chronic ailments to get a prompt attention on the go. Several stakeholders like the International Red Cross, are excited at the prospects of the project.

The pursuit of textile monitoring technology could hold the key to several innovative breakthroughs like telemedicine, sports, work, and so on. When this technology is then combined with the super-fast 5G network, the opportunities could be very huge. For one thing, unlike the smart wearable devices whose area of contact with the body is only the wrist, the new t-shirt offers a wider surface area for data acquisition.

RELATED:

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(source)

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MediaTek has a pretty successful lineup of 5G chipsets under its Dimensity lineup. The Dimensity 1200 is the top-end offering for the Taiwanese company and now it will become visibly different from each other, thanks to the new Dimensity 5G Open Resource Architecture launched by the company.

At the virtual event of the Mobile World Congress, MediaTek announced this new platform which provides brands with more flexibility to customize key 5G mobile device features to address different market segments.

It gives smartphone brands closer-to-metal access to customize features for cameras, displays, graphics, artificial intelligence (AI) processing units (APUs), sensors, and connectivity sub-systems within the Dimensity 1200 chipset.

Usually, the phone makers go through the firmware offered by the chipset provider, and sometimes they don’t even finetune that. Also, MediaTek chipsets are often used by lower-cost manufacturers with smaller development teams, which means that the companies are more likely to just take MediaTek’s default firmware.

The Taiwanese company has said that the devices powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 5G Open Resource Architecture customized chipsets will hit the global market in July 2021.

Recently, MediaTek became the number-one global chipset provider by volume, thanks to its demand for low-end phones. Leading the segment in the presence of Qualcomm, Samsung, and Huawei is a tough job and with the launch of this new initiative, the company is showing that it is ready for the high-end segment.

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Lenovo has announced three new tablets that cover the high-end and mid-range categories. The tablets are the YOGA Tab 13, the YOGA Tab 11, and the Tab P11 Plus.

YOGA Tab 13 and YOGA Tab 11

The YOGA Tab 13 is the same tablet that launched in China as the YOGA Pad Pro last month. Lenovo has modified the name for the international market and launches it alongside a smaller version called the YOGA Tab 11. Both have a bracket that doubles as a kickstand and a hanger.

The YOGA Tab 13 is powered by the Snapdragon 870 processor and has 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The display is a 13-inch LTPS panel with Dolby Vision and a 60Hz refresh rate. There are quad JBL speakers, Dolby Atmos, and three microphones.

The YOGA Tab 13 has support for HDMI input, allowing it to double as an external display for your other devices. This feature is not available on the smaller YOGA Tab 11 which also drops the Snapdragon 870 for MediaTek’s Helio G90T processor.

The YOGA Tab 11 has an 11-inch TDDI LCD screen with a 60Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision. There is 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 256GB or 128GB of storage. It also has quad JBL speakers and Dolby Atmos.

The YOGA Tab 13 has a 10000mAh battery capacity and supports 30W fast charging while the YOGA Tab 11 has a 7500mAh battery and supports 20W fast charging. Both run Android 11 out of the box and come with Google Entertainment Space and Google Kids Space.

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The YOGA Tab 13 is priced at €799 and will go on sale in Europe this month while it will be available in the US in July for $680. The YOGA Tab 11 is priced at €349 and will be available in Europe next month while it will sell for $320 in the US and will be available in August. It is also the only one of the two that is available in Wi-Fi and LTE variants. Both tablets support the Lenovo Precision Pen 2.

Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

The Tab P11 Plus joins its already announced siblings – the Tab P11 and the Tab P11 Pro. The new tablet is powered by MediaTek’s Helio G90T processor and will be available in three configurations with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.

The 11-inch IPS LCD display has a 2000 x 1600 resolution and draws power from a 7500mAh battery that supports 20W fast charging. While positioned as an entertainment tablet with its quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, there is an optional productivity pack that adds a keyboard with a trackpad so you can use it to get some work done.

The Tab P11 Plus also runs Android 11 and has Google Kids Space and Google Entertainment Space loaded on it. The tablet will be available in Europe next month for €300 while the US will get it for $260 in August.

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Qualcomm has taken the wraps off the Snapdragon 888 Plus processor. The new chipset was announced today at Mobile World Congress (MWC 2021) and is the manufacturer’s most powerful mobile platform yet.

The Snapdragon 888 Plus arrives as an upgraded version of the Snapdragon 888 announced about seven months ago, and which has powered flagships launched in the first half of the year. The new chipset is expected to power the flagships scheduled for H2 2021.

Qualcomm says the new 5nm chipset boasts improvements in processing and AI when compared to its predecessor.

Snapdragon 888 Plus specifications

The prime core of the Kryo 680 CPU is now clocked at 3GHz (the exact speed measured is actually 2.995GHz). That is a boost when compared to the 2.84GHz prime core clock speed of the Snapdragon 888.

The Hexagon 780 AI Engine has also received a 20% improvement in performance. The chip now delivers up to 32TOPS, an upgrade from the 26 TOPS of its predecessor.

These are the two key differences between the new chipset and the Snapdragon 888.

Snapdragon 888 Plus 5G Key Specs

• Kryo 680 CPU – up to 3.0GHz with Arm Cortex-X1 technology
• Hexagon 780
• Adreno 660 GPU
• Spectra 580 ISP
• Snapdragon X60 5G Modem (Downlink up to 7.5Gbps)
• FastConnect 6900
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Quick Charge 5

Qualcomm says we will see the Snapdragon 888 Plus in phones launching in the second half of the year. It has confirmed that some of these phones will be launched by ASUS’ ROG brand, Honor, Motorola, Vivo, and Xiaomi.

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Among the products launched by TCL today is the MOVETIME Family Wach 2. It arrives as the successor to the MOVETIME Family Watch for older citizens that was announced last year. However, this new version is for kids.

The MOVETIME Family Watch 2 has a bigger 1.54-inch screen, though TCL doesn’t say if it is AMOLED like its predecessor’s. It is surrounded by thick bezels and housed in a chunky frame. The smartwatch has a dual-tone pink and rose gold finish with a touch of purple for the button on the side and one of the free loops. The buckle is made of metal and has a silver finish.

TCL says it has developed a dedicated Kids UI for the smartwatch. The camera is also better and the battery capacity has been increased by 40%. There is a nano-SIM card slot for 4G connectivity. Parents will be able to call their kids on the watch either via voice or video. They can also send text messages to the watch.

Safety is one of the key features the smartwatch offers and TCL provides that with real-time geolocation that shows where the child is at all times. It also logs a full location history. Parents can create a safe zone geofence, and when the child leaves this area, they get an alert on their phones. There is also a one-touch SOS button so that kids can reach an emergency contact as fast as possible.

TCL will begin selling the MOVETIME Family Watch 2 in August across Europe for €149. There is no info about availability in other regions.

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The TCL 20 5G launched back in January as TCL’s most affordable 5G smartphone with a price tag of under €299. Now TCL is planning to announce an even more affordable smartphone this year along with its first 5G tablet.

The info was revealed by Stefan Streit, the Chief Marketing Officer of TCL Communication, in the global product announcement video for MWC 2021. TCL says its mission is to bring 5G to everyone and one of the ways to do so is by getting a 5G smartphone into the hands of users.

Apart from being its most affordable smartphone yet, the phone will also feature its NXTVISION display technology and have a high-performance refresh rate. A promotional clip of the phone shows it has a waterdrop notch, a headphone jack at the top, triple rear cameras, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, and a USB-C port. The phone is shown rocking a dark blue matte paint job. It appears the phone will launch under the TCL 20 series as shown at the end of the clip.

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The TCL 5G smartphone is not the only 5G device to look forward to. TCL has also announced that it will launch a 5G tablet too. Very little was revealed about this product but we can expect it to launch under its TabMax series.

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TCL has marked its entrance into the smart glasses space with the launch of the NXTWEAR. The pair of smart glasses which was unveiled during an early MWC 2021 announcement doesn’t have an AI assistant built-in nor is it mixed reality glasses like the Microsoft HoloLens. So how does it work?

The TCL NXTWEAR G works by connecting to your phone or computer or tablet and serving as a display. Think of it as a PlayStation VR headset that connects to your devices. It doesn’t have a built-in battery, so your phone or PC is what powers it.

Each lens of the NXTWEAR G has an FHD Micro OLED panel from Sony and provides an experience similar to watching a 140-inch screen from 4 meters away. TCL says the display follows your motion, allowing you to move freely. There are also stereo speakers integrated into the glasses.

It has a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 47° field of view, and a 60Hz refresh rate. It also has an accelerometer, a gyroscope, compass, and P sensor. The smart glasses work with any smartphone, 2-in-1 notebook, and a computer with a DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

The NXTWEAR G weighs 100 grams and the integrated USB-C cable adds an extra 30 grams. There is no price tag yet but when it ships it will include 3 nose pads, a lens frame for corrective lenses, a cleaning cloth, and a carrying case.

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Ahead of MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2021, Lenovo has announced a plethora of new products. Here in this article, let’s have a look at the company’s latest ThinkVision-branded monitors and webcam. These devices are called ThinkVision T24m-20 Monitor, ThinkVision M15 Mobile Monitor, and ThinkVision MC50 Monitor Webcam.

Lenovo ThinkVision T24m-20 Monitor

The Lenovo ThinkVision T24m-20 Monitor flaunts a 23.8-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 93 PPI, 16.7 million colors, and a 60Hz refresh rate. The WLED-backlit screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio, 1000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 72% NTSC color gamut, 250 nits brightness (typical). The display has an anti-glare coating and a 178° viewing angle.

On the connectivity front, the monitor comes with the following ports.

• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C  (DP1.2 Alt Mode)
• 1 x HDMI 1.4
• 1 X DP1.2
• 1 x DP Out
• 1 X Audio Out (3.5mm Jack)
• 2 x USB 3.2 Gen Type-A
• Ethernet

Last but not least, this TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort-certified monitor supports tilting, swiveling, pivoting, Kensington lock slot, and VESA mount.

The Lenovo ThinkVision T24m-20 Monitor starts at €299 and will be available from Q3 2021.

Lenovo ThinkVision M15 Mobile Monitor

As the name suggests, the Lenovo ThinkVision M15 Mobile Monitor is a portable monitor. However, it does no run on a built-in battery. Instead, it relies on the laptop’s battery. It comes with 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (DP1.2 Alt Mode) ports. One of the two ports can be used for accessories when the other is connected to the notebook.

Talking about specs, the monitor features a 15.6-inch WLED-backlit IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 141 PPI, 16.7 million colors, and a 60Hz refresh rate. The display has a 1000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 3M:1 dynamic contrast ratio (typical), 45% NTSC color gamut, 16:9 aspect ratio.

Other features of this screen include 250 nits brightness (typical), up to 6ms response time, anti-glare coating, Kensington lock slot, cable management, tilt support, and VESA mount capability. Lastly, it is also certified for TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light and TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free.

The price of the Lenovo ThinkVision M15 Mobile Monitor starts from €229. It will also hit the stores in Q3 2021.

Lenovo ThinkVision MC50 Monitor Webcam

Lenovo advertises the ThinkVision MC50 Monitor Webcam as a perfect accessory for the new ThinkVision T24m-20 Monitor. This plug-and-play adjustable (tilt, swivel) webcam uses a 1m USB cable to connect with any monitor.

The product uses a 1/2.9 inches RGB sensor with 1080p resolution, fixed-focus, and 90° FOV (field of view). The sensor supports  4x digital zoom and can be covered with a built-in shutter when not in use.

Last but not least, it also has 2 x built-in microphones, which can pick up voice from 2m away and also supports noise cancellation.

The Lenovo ThinkVision MC50 Monitor Webcam is the cheapest of all three products discussed here. It starts from €99 and will be also available in Q3 2021.

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Quite a number of manufacturers have pulled out of a physical attendance of this year’s edition of Mobile World Congress (MWC), and among them is Samsung. While it won’t be holding an in-person event or exhibiting any of its products, there will be a virtual event whose launch date has now been revealed.

The Samsung Galaxy MWC virtual event is scheduled for June 28. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube and on the official MWC website beginning at 7:15 PM CET (22:45 IST/6:15 PM GMT).

According to a translation of the press release on its Korean website, Samsung will introduce “the ever-expanding Galaxy device ecosystem”. It will also unveil its vision for the future of smartwatches.

While there are reports we won’t get a product launch on that day, there is a possibility that Samsung will give us a glimpse of its new products ahead of its Galaxy Unpacked event in August.

Samsung’s product lineup for the second half of the year includes the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch Active 4, and the Galaxy Buds 2.

The poster above shows silhouettes of a watch, a phone (the Galaxy S21 Ultra), a tablet, a notebook or foldable, and the Samsung Knox security platform. So we expect its announcements to revolve around these product categories.

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While Samsung and Google recently announced the merger of Tizen and Wear OS version, the companies did not reveal details for the launch of a new wearable that features this updated OS. But, the former might unveil its Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch at the MWC 2021 event on June 28.

According to IceUniverse on Twitter, the South Korean tech giant will be launching its Galaxy Watch 4 at the Mobile World Congress event later this month. The conference is set to be an in person physical event, although, Samsung has withdrawn from this and will host a virtual conference, which mentioned a “Galaxy Ecosystem/New Watch Experience/Mobile Security.” This event is scheduled to go live on Monday, June 28.

As per the tipster, the company will unveil the latest wearable, which features a number of new technologies. This includes the new merged Tizen and Wear OS version, along with a 5nm processor, 2D glass, narrowed bezels for its display, and improved frame texture that is rumored to be a titanium alloy for the smartwatch. The new WearOS will integrate the features of the Tizen OS, which could be dubbed as the “TizenWear OS.”

Galaxy Active 4：
1. TizenWear OS
2. New 5nm processor
3. 2D glass (not 2.5D)
4. Bezel narrowed
5. Excellent frame texture, suspected to be titanium alloy

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) May 19, 2021

Interestingly, Samsung is skipping the 2.5D glass panel with this model but will offer a narrower bezel. Furthermore, previous reports had hinted at two variants, with one of them sporting an aluminum chassis. It is currently unknown which 5nm chipset will be used in this device, but could offer various benefits liked faster performance with improvement in battery life as well. So stay tuned for more updates regarding this matter, as we will be covering the MWC 2021 event.

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Samsung is gearing up for the launch of new smartphones and smartwatches later this year. With MWC 2021 coming up later this month, we can expect to hear more about these products, especially regarding the new wearables that will run on a brand new version of Wear OS.

For those unaware, the South Korean tech giant is gearing up for its conference at MWC 2021 event in Barcelona on 28th June 2021. On the MWC website, the company has mentioned that it will be “reimagining smartwatches, creating new opportunities for both developers and consumers,” as per a SamMobile report. Previously, we had reported on Samsung and Google merging the Wear OS and Tizen OS to offer a more streamlined experience to the users.

So, we might expect to hear more about this new OS that will be featured in the upcoming Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Active version. These smartwatches will be the latest wearable from the company and could feature Super AMOLED displays along with a 5nm Exynos chipset. Although, the brand might likely reveal additional information at the Mobile World Congress later this month.

Google and Samsung had also claimed that merging the two wearable operating systems will bring various improvements to the Wear platform. This includes 30 percent faster app launch times among other benefits like improved stock apps, and more watch faces. During the MWC 2021 event, the company might also reveal more detail regarding its plans for its Galaxy ecosystem, apart from just teasing upcoming products. So stay tuned for more updates.

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South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics officially announced its withdrawal from the 2021 Mobile World Congress (MWC 2021) scheduled to hold in June in Barcelona, Spain. Citing safety concerns for its employees, the company says it will instead focus on a virtual presence for the duration of the event, slated from June 28 to July 1, 2021.

In a statement released to the public, Samsung stated that the health and safety of its employees, partners, and customers is the topmost priority of the company.

The Mobile World Congress is making a return after it was skipped in 2020 due to the pandemic. Some projections say up to 50,000 persons are expected to grace the event this year. However, that may be an over-optimistic assessment of the projected intakes. This year’s MWC has been hit with withdrawals from most industry leaders as companies continue to enforce protocols that would guarantee the safety of their employees.

Stringent restrictions are still in force in Spain, which was heavily hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the parent association (GSMA) got some waivers from Spanish authorities for some exemptions for participants of MWC 2021. The program organizers also require attendees to show a negative test result before entry into Spain. In addition, new tests are conducted once every three days.

Samsung will focus on showcasing its product virtually during MWC 2021. The company hopes to leverage the MWC platform to introduce its array of cutting-edge and innovative products to the global audience virtually.

Lenovo has also reportedly disclosed that it won’t be attending the tech show in person. The Verge quotes a Lenovo spokesperson to have hinted that the company will attend virtually instead of in person. The company also indicated that it had informed the GSM Association, which organizes the event, about its plans.

Samsung and Lenovo have now joined Google, Ericsson, Sony, and Nokia, who had all ruled out a physical presence in the Barcelona conference.

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(source 1, 2)

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Last year, the Mobile World Congress was canceled due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic and it appears that the tech conference will face similar issues this time as well with brands pulling out of the event.

Ericsson, one of the leading telecom equipment makers, has confirmed pulling out of the MWC 2021 and that move seems to have encouraged others to follow the suit. Now, Nokia has also confirmed not attending this year’s Mobile World Congress, becoming the second major telecom vendor to do so.

In a statement related to this development, the company said that “after careful consideration, Nokia has decided not to have a physical presence at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2021. The health of our employees, customers and partners is of paramount importance to us. Given the international nature of the event and with the global vaccine rollout still in its early phases, we have made the considered decision to instead participate in only the virtual event.”

Apart from Ericsson and Nokia, other companies like Sony Mobile and Oracle have confirmed they won’t be present at the Mobile World Congress physically. The reasoning remains the same — they don’t want to put their employees and visitors at risk.

Last year, after many companies pulled out of the Mobile World Congress, GSMA officially cancelled the event. This time, there has not been any such communication so far and it’s unlikely that the MWC will get cancelled.

Recently, GSMA organized the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai in late February, which was an in-person event with several virtual panels and addresses. As per the estimates, around 17,000 people attended the event, without any positive COVID-19 diagnoses.

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Last month, Xiaomi announced a True Wireless charging technology called  Mi Air Charge Technology. Now, OPPO has joined the bandwagon with its Wireless Air Charging tech. It has also announced a new partnership with Automakers and chipmakers.

OPPO showcased how the Wireless Air Charge Technology works on devices via a demo video. In the video, you can see the device used is the OPPO X 2021 rollable smartphone. Just like Xiaomi, OPPO tech seems to be true wireless charging as the device continues to charge even after lifting it from the charging mat a few centimeters above.

At the MWC Shanghai Booth Number N2-E40, it explained that the Wireless Air Charging tech can go up to 7.5W of charging power. As for the distance, OPPO says that a user can take the device up to 10cm distance from the charging mat to continue charging.

Compared to Xiaomi, whose tech sends millimeter waves via a Tower inside a room, this seems a bit lesser in range. Anyway, OPPO adds that it is using magnetic resonance as a  solution for ubiquitous problems of wireless charging.

Apart from this, OPPO has also announced a Global partnership with Automakers and chipmakers to expand the VOOC Flash charging technology arena. Through the project ‘The Flas Initiative’, it is going to license companies to use its charging tech on their products.

Partners like Volkswagen, Anker, and NXP Semiconductors are pioneers in the fields of automobiles, portable charging, and chip manufacturing. OPPO says that these companies will work with technical designs developed by OPPO and implement them on their products.

In case you don’t know, OPPO has around 2,950 flash charging patents worldwide among which 1,400 are already granted. Talking about Anker, it is known for power banks, chargers, and vacuum cleaners. So we can expect VOOC to land on these products.

As for Volkswagen and NXP Semiconductors, the partnership will allow them to incorporate the charging tech on their Cars(made in China) and PCBs respectively.

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Earlier today (23rd February 2021), ZTE showcased its second generation of under display camera technology in the MWC Shanghai 2021 event. This is successor the company’s first under display camera technology and arrive with various improvements.

For those unaware, the Mobile World Congress is a major event where various tech giants arrive to showcase their new and innovative technology. At the moment, various companies have announced their breakthroughs in fields like 5G, artificial intelligence, smart home, smart travel, and other innovations. ZTE also held a conference in the event, and unveiled its second generation of under display camera screen technology. The first device to feature the new type of display was the Axon 20 5G, which launched last year.

Since then, the company has made improvements to the new display technology, with one of the primary upgrades being pixel density on the camera region. While the first iteration arrived with a 200ppi pixel density, the second generation display panel features 400ppi pixel density. In other words, the screen will be able to display sharper and clearer images. Furthermore, the company also aimed at delivering a more consistent display performance on the main screen.

Another notable improvements is on the refresh rate of the panel, as the new screen features a 120Hz refresh rate. This is higher than the 90hz seen on the first generation under display camera technology from ZTE. During the event, the company also demonstrated the world’s first under screen 3D structured light technology. This will enable 3D face recognition and live detection, which is better than the various existing 2D solutions. Meaning, it is currently one of the most strongest and safest biometric technology that can also be used for 3D modeling, augmented reality, and other applications as well.

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Earlier today (18th February 2021), Oppo officially announced that it would be unveiling a new interactive charging technology on 23rd February 2021, during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai 2021 event.

In a recent Weibo post, a Chinese microblogging website, the smartphone manufacturer announced that it would be revealing new technology within its charging tech ecosystem. For those unaware, the Chinese tech giant is a major figure in charging technology in the smartphone industry. The company has been teasing the arrival of new the new form of charging. Now, it has officially announced that it would be on the MWC stage in Shanghai on February 23.

Notably, Oppo has been been pushing fast charging technology for years, with its signature 65W fast charging technology being found in its smartphone from various price points as well. Unfortunately, it is currently unknown what the company means by the ‘interactive’ term in its upcoming fast charging solution. In other words, we will have to wait for the official announcement that will arrive next week. So stay tuned, as we will be covering the event and the notable announcement as well, during the MWC Shanghai 2021 event.

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HMD Global unveiled the Nokia 1.3 entry-level smartphone in March last year. The device was reportedly planned to launch at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 tech exhibition. However, its launch was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Finnish firm is expected to unleash new phones across different price points at the upcoming MWC 2021 event. One of the devices that may go official soon could be the Nokia 1.4 entry-level phone. Reliable tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore has teamed up with My Smart Price to bring the full specifications of the Nokia 1.4 handset.

Nokia 1.4 specifications (Rumored)

The Nokia 1.4 is expected to arrive with a 6.5-inch LCD screen that produces an HD+ resolution. The device will be powered by an unspecified 1.3GHz quad-core processor and a 4,000mAh battery.

The smartphone will boot to Android 10 (probably, Go edition). It will ship with 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of native storage. For photography, it will have a 5-megapixel front camera and an LED flash assisted 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual camera setup on its rear.

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The Nokia 1.4 will be a dual SIM (4G + 2G) phone that will come equipped with other features such as an ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer, a microSD card slot, a fingerprint scanner, 4G LTE, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, microUSB 2.0, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The handset will measure 166.42 x 76.72 x 8.7mm. There is no word on the appearance of the Nokia 1.4 smartphone.

In comparison, the Nokia 1.3 came with a smaller screen of 5.71 inches, a single rear camera, a smaller battery, and it lacked a fingerprint scanner.

Nokia 1.4 pricing (Rumored)

The Nokia 1.4 is expected to cost under 100 euros (~$121) at launch. It is likely to arrive in Blue and Grey color editions.

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The 2020 edition of Mobile World Congress, shortly referred to as MWC, was canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers, GSMA even refunded the amount for attendees and companies. Moving forward, it recently rescheduled the MWC Barcelona event to June 2021 for better interests. Now, the organization announces that MWC Shanghai 2021 will return as a physical event.

GSMA(formerly: GSM Association) in a press release(via PR Newswire) announced the details of the in-person event. For starters, MWC 2021 Shanghai, China, will take place between  February 23-25 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). The theme for MWC 2021 is Connected Impact. Besides, people who attend the 2021 edition will witness 5G, AI, IoT, smart home, and many such breakthrough technologies.

Some of the exhibiting companies at the event include China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, CICT, Ericsson, H3C, Huawei, Nokia Shanghai Bell, and ZTE. Out of the entire list of keynote and sessions speakers, some notable keynote speakers include:

• Ken Hu, Rotating Chairman, Huawei
• Yang Yuanqing, Chairman & CEO, Lenovo
• Xu Ziyang, CEO, ZTE
• Yang Jie, Chairman, China Mobile
• Ke Ruiwen, Chairman, China Telecom

In addition to in-person events, MWC also says it will allow an online international audience from around the globe. The virtual experience will cover content, networking, and exhibition of the event.

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That said, the event has four types of passes- Online Pass, Full Exhibition Pass, 5G Smartphone Conference Card, VIP Meeting Card. You can take a look at their pricing below:

• Online Pass- 390 RMB($59.64)
• Full Exhibition Pass- 690 RMB($105.5)
• 5G Smartphone Conference Pass- 6,200 RMB($948)
• VIP Pass- 6,300 RMB($963.39)*

*This is a discounted price. Original price is 9,000 RMB($1376)

In case you didn’t know, MWC is an annual trade show. It showcases new concepts and technologies from smartphones, networking companies, etc., every year. Coming back, as per the official press release, MWC 2019 witnessed about 500 exhibitors and 65,000 attendees from around the world.

However, it is hard to expect such an audience next year given the pandemic is easing out very slowly. Nevertheless, if you are interested in visiting the event, you can book the passes here-> MWC Shanghai 2021 Pass.

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Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona is known to take place in the first quarter of the year, but that changes next year as the GSMA has announced new dates for its events.

The new dates announced by the GSMA in a press release informed us that MWC Shanghai, which used to take place in June, will now hold in February, while MWC Barcelona moves to June. The Barcelona event was originally scheduled for the first week of March 2021. Below are the exact dates for the events in 2021:

• MWC Shanghai: February 23 – February 25
• MWC Barcelona: June 28 – July 1

*MWC Los Angeles remains unchanged with this year’s edition set to take place between October 28 to October 30.

The GSMA says the decision to move the Barcelona event to June is so as to deal with external circumstances related to COVID-19. The decision was also taken after planning and consultation with all key stakeholders. The Director-General of the GSMA, Mats Granryd, has said that “the health and safety of exhibitors, attendees, staff and the people of Barcelona are of paramount importance”.

MWC Barcelona is one of the biggest tech events in the world. The tech show is a platform for exhibitors to show off new technologies. A lot of phone manufacturers also use the platform to announce new products. It remains to be seen if these products will still be unveiled in the first quarter of the year at individual events or if they will be delayed so that they can be announced at MWC Barcelona.

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