Author: Anubhav Sharma

  • Intel And Qualcomm Will Offer 5G Modems For Computers

    Intel And Qualcomm Will Offer 5G Modems For Computers

    Consumers believe that 5G technology will initially be limited to just smartphones, which may not be the case. A lot of companies speculate that 5G support will be available almost immediately on desktops and laptops with M.2 sockets. At MWC 2019, companies like Intel and Qualcomm were found showing off their 5G modems that will render high speed internet connectivity to traditional computing devices including laptops and desktops.

    Noteworthy, the 5G modules are not intended to be Plug and Play devices, instead, they are dependant on the external 5G antennae for network reception. This means that without a 5G supported machine, the modules are of absolutely no use. The modules will be used by Laptop and desktop manufacturers, which include companies like HP, Lenovo and Dell. All these brands have implemented LTE versions of similar connectivity modules in the past, so it is likely that the aforementioned companies will be the first to unveil laptops and desktops with 5G modules.

    Qualcomm and Intel Modems: Bands And Availability

    During MWC 2019, Qualcomm announced the X55 modem for 5G support across devices. The module is expected to be compatible with both mmWave 5G and Sub-6GHz 5G bands. mmWave 5G technology makes use of ultra high frequency radio signals, which are used to transfer data across devices. This is done within the 24 to the 90Ghz range, so a lot of bandwidth is wasted where it could be used to boost 5G speeds. Instead, the Sub-6GHz band operates between 1 and 6 GHz, which encompasses mostly all the data. It is less operational than mmWave in the long run, but it is certainly more functional.

    Also Read: Is Artificial Intelligence Digging Its Roots Deeper Into Our Reality?

    The Intel 5G modules will be manufactured by Fibocom and will use the XMM8160 modem. Just like Qualcomm’s module, it will support both 5G bands. Reportedly both the Qualcomm and Intel modules are 30 wide. Therefore, they cannot be used with standard M.2 ports. Consequently, companies need to incorporate compatible sockets on their machines to accommodate previously mentioned modules. The 5G modules will be first seen in laptops and desktops in the year 2020. 

  • Huawei Teases Nova 4e With 32MP Selfie Camera

    Huawei Teases Nova 4e With 32MP Selfie Camera

    After the success of its previous releases, Huawei is all set to launch a new variant of the Nova 4 smartphone in China. Named the Nova 4e, the smartphone will feature a water drop notch instead of the punch hole present on the Nova 4. This indicates that the device is a more affordable variant of the Huawei Nova 4, with slightly lower specifications and limited features.

    Expected Specifications

    The Chinese smartphone manufacturer posted a video clip which clearly states that the upcoming Nova 4e will have a 32MP selfie shooter. The specifications of the device are not clear yet, but the device is expected to have a similar sized screen to the Huawei Nova 4, which has a 6.4 inch LCD display with a resolution of 2310 x 1080 px and a pixel density of 398 ppi. The Nova 4e may run on the company’s own 10 nm Kirin 970 chipset, which is also found in the Huawei P20 Pro. The SoC comprises of an Octa-core Cortex CPU and the Mali-G72 MP12 GPU. 

    Huawei Nova 4

    The Huawei Nova 4e is expected to feature a triple rear camera setup similar to the one found in the Nova 4, which consists of a 20 MP (f/1.8) primary sensor combined with a 16 MP (f/2.2) wide angle sensor and a 2 MP (f/2.4) depth sensor. The camera will support standard features like LED flash, HDR and panorama mode, and will supposedly be able to capture 4K videos at 30 fps. As mentioned before, the device will sport a 32 MP front camera for clicking selfies. In regard to memory, the device may launch with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. Just like the Nova 4, the Huawei Nova 4e may have a rear mounted fingerprint sensor and a USB Type-C port.

    Features And Availability
    Huawei Nova 4

    Also Read: Realme 3 With 3D Gradient Unibody Launched

    The Huawei Nova 4e is expected to be powered by a 3,750 mAh battery with fast charging support, like its elder sibling, the Nova 4. It is likely to run on Android 9.0 based EMUI out of the box. As of now, there is no official news of the Nova 4e launching in India as even the Nova 4 hasn’t made its way to the Indian markets yet. An official statement from the company is much awaited for the same.

  • Is Artificial Intelligence Digging Its Roots Deeper Into Our Reality?

    Is Artificial Intelligence Digging Its Roots Deeper Into Our Reality?

    Computers will overtake humans with AI within the next 100 years. When that happens, we need to make sure the computers have goals aligned with ours – Stephen Hawking

    It’s impossible to exist in this world without admitting to the fact that Artificial Intelligence is slowly taking over the world. One machine at a time, byte streams are making their way to the cores, learning how they function, predicting future events (and accurately at that), and providing solutions that may seem unorthodox, but are eventually for the better. And instead of veering clear of this, we live in a misconception that we are enslaving Artificial intelligence for our needs. A better look suggests otherwise-AI is steadily breaking free of constraints and taking a road that has a “Dead End” signboard staring at us straight in the face.

    How Is AI Affecting Humanity?

    We are enabling AI enabled machines to make decisions on our behalf all the time. It is customizing our music playlists as per our taste because we are too lazy to do so. Applications are available which can scrutinize your resumes and documents, suggesting necessary changes which are actually for the better. Machine learning algorithms browse through the pictures on your phone, looking for patterns that help them to filter out your best images. And all this happens in a matter of seconds. We gape with surprise at such instances of technology. We are impressed because our lives are becoming easier. Little do people realize that an algorithm which can shuffle through thousands of pictures to pick a perfect image can do much more if it’s given the necessary amount of time. 

    Setting The Necessary Constraints

    The question that arises in such a case is very simple. Where does this stop? Where do we set the limits for the applications of Artificial Intelligence? Should we do it as per our convenience or should we have larger interests in view? Elon Musk, CEO and Founder of SpaceX, Tesla and the recently unveiled project- ‘Hyperloop’ addresses the exponential growth of machine learning algorithms in our lives. “Unless you have direct exposure to groups like Deepmind, you have no idea how fast is AI developing”. Deepmind is the world leader in artificial intelligence research and its application for positive impact. Elon also mentions that the risk of something seriously dangerous happening is increasing every second, with AI revealing its dark side before 10 years from now.

    The Areas At Grave Risk

    Artificial IntelligenceMentioned below are some of the major risks that accompany fully autonomous systems.

    • Social Manipulation: WhichFaceIsReal is a website which asks users to differentiate between real faces and AI generated faces. Almost all the users get more than half the answers wrong, which is a clear indication of the fact that AI is very, very capable of meddling around with your minds. The next stranger you see on social media may have a computer generated image. How would that make you feel?
    • Autonomous Weaponry: Weapons that identify targets and shoot them down are not even a science fiction gimmick anymore. Lethal Autonomous Weapons or LAWs do exist, and are as dangerous as you might think they are. On the surface, such weapons may seem like the perfect substitutes to human soldiers. No risk equals better and more efficient results. But what if an enemy or a hacker gets through the security system that protects such a weapon? Needless to say, the results to such an incident can be nothing short of catastrophic.
    • Misunderstanding Commands: Misalignment of goals and instructions between the human and the machine may sound like something petty, but in reality, it can be fatal. Say its 2030. Take an example of a businessman who’s late for a meeting. He instructs his self-driving car to get him to the venue as soon as possible. The goal is clear to the machine. It may accomplish what the person wanted. But in doing so, it may have ignored other factors which may have proven lethal to someone else on the road. Artificial intelligence is not half as considerate as you thought it was.
    • Monitoring Your Activities: If you use any device implementing Machine learning, it will identify your day-to-day patterns and suggest you routines that you may tend to follow, simply because you were the one who implemented the algorithms in the first place. Without realizing, Artificial Intelligence has modified you, a human, to follow its instructions.

    There is no doubt regarding the fact that machine learning is necessary in order to explore a lot of areas unknown to mankind. Space exploration, fusion theories, advanced healthcare, DNA syndromes are just some of the areas in which Artificial Intelligence can prove its worth. Another quote from the late Stephen Hawking reads

    AI is likely to be either the best or the worst thing to happen to humanity

    Also Read: Tesla Will Unveil The Model Y SUV On March 14

    It’s entirely up to us, the human race how it makes use of this amazing invention. Will we rule the algorithms or let the algorithms rule us?

     

  • Meizu’s New Smartphone Will Have A 48 MP Sony Sensor & Snapdragon 855

    Meizu’s New Smartphone Will Have A 48 MP Sony Sensor & Snapdragon 855

    Meizu founder and former CEO confirmed that the company’s upcoming flagship smartphone will sport a 48 MP Sony Sensor. With a host of other features, the Chinese company will go head-on against similarly priced smartphones like the OnePlus 6T. The device may prove to be a worthy contender for its rivals in the same segment.

    Expected Specifications

    Expected to be called the Meizu 16s, the smartphone has been teased multiple times in the past. The detailed specifications of the device are not out in the open yet, but the device is rumoured to run on the Snapdragon 855 chipset. If the 16s is launched before the ‘speculated’ OnePlus 7, it will be the first smartphone in India to feature the Snapdragon 855, as the Samsung S10 and the S10+ Indian models ship with the Exynos 9820 SoC. Also, the Meizu 16s will supposedly have 8 GB of RAM, and will run on Meizu’s custom Flyme OS based on Android 9 (Pie).

    Meizu’s CEO stated that the smartphone will get a 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 sensor for the primary camera. The same sensor is also present in Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 Pro, which was launched on February 28. The camera will support OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), although it’s still not confirmed if the smartphone will have a dual camera setup or not. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer claims that the Miezu 16s can be charged to 50% battery in just 30 minutes.

    The company teased the device with an edge-to-edge display with very thin bezels. The handset itself is 8.2 mm thick, Meizu states. The 16s will not feature a notch, instead, the camera and the earpiece will be housed in the slim forehead of the device. The smartphone will also feature an in-display fingerprint scanner to help it go up against the OnePlus 6T.

    Expected Price And Availability

    Also Read: Realme 3 With 3D Gradient Unibody Launched

    Meizu hasn’t confirmed a launch date for the device. The 16s is expected to be priced around Rs. 40,000, which may it give it an edge over similarly priced devices since it will be kitted with the latest hardware in the market at the time.

     

  • 5 Latest Movie Trailers You Should Not Miss

    5 Latest Movie Trailers You Should Not Miss

    The movie hype is on an all time high, with some great movies releasing in the upcoming months. The first few months of 2019 gave way to some amazing trailers for movies like the Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home. Movie critics are calling 2019 a huge year for movie releases, simply because a lot of big titles are on the line. Given below is a list of the top five recent trailers, which will leave movie fanatics wanting for more.

    1. Detective Pikachu

    Pokemon fans will know what it’s like to witness a live action Pokemon movie, and that too, a movie with the majority of attention directed at the all time favourite character, Pikachu. The trailer was faced with mixed reviews, where some people disliked the fact that the ‘cute’ voice of the Pokemon was replaced with a human’s voice. But when most of those fans realized that the “human” is none other than the beloved actor Ryan Reynolds, all griefs were put to rest. Warner Brothers just dropped the second trailer for the movie, showing a “caffeine addicted” Pikachu and Justice Smith as Tim. To fans amazement, the trailer also features the legendary Pokemon, Mewtwo in all its glory.

    The movie is scheduled for release on May 10, 2019.

    2. Dark Phoenix

    The last X-Men movie came out in 2016, titled X-Men Apocalypse. The climax of the movie showed Sophie Turner unleash her full potential, and eventually put a stop to the impending apocalypse. Dark Phoenix will  reveal the (obvious) dark side of the most powerful mutant in the team. The trailer shows all the X-Men grouping together to save their own teammate. The movie features James McAvoy, Sophie Turner, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain (who’s playing the negative side).

    Dark Phoenix will hit the theatres on June 7, 2019.

    3. Hellboy (2019)

    The Hellboy franchise saw Ron Perlman playing the “good demon” and fans were instantly hooked to the series. After the release of Hellboy: The Golden Army in 2008, Lionsgate Movies announced the Hellboy reboot trailer on December 19, 2018. The follow up trailer was released on February 28, 2019 and promises much more than the previous movies – quirky jokes, monsters fighting monsters and huge swords. It can’t get better than this.

    Hellboy is releasing on April 12, 2019

    4. Spider-Man: Far From Home

    A lot of fans were disheartened when they saw (SPOILER!) Peter Parker crumble away to dust in the wake of the Avengers: Infinity war. However, when they saw their favourite character come back to life in the new Spider-Man: Far From Home teaser Trailer, the hype was back on the track. And the fact that Tom Holland will get to play Spiderman in another movie is an indication that (SPOILER – 2) the dead Avengers will eventually be resurrected in the upcoming Avengers movie.

    Watch Spiderman: Far From Home swing to theatres on July 5, 2019.

    5. Frozen 2

    Also Read: Twitch VS Youtube: Which Platform Should You Start Streaming On?

    Disney’s Frozen was an animated musical-fantasy movie, and it earned over $1.27 billion in box office revenue post release. Walt Disney Animation Studios dropped the trailer for the sequel to Frozen on February 13, 2019, and the new teaser trailer is exactly opposite to Frozen 1 so far. It’s dark, broody and all the things that a Disney movie shouldn’t be, but it manages to pull it off equally magnificently. Not a lot was revealed in the trailer, but it was every bit as “intriguing” as a teaser could be. With some amazing music scores similar to “Let it Go”, the movie may provide a dark turn to events from the first movie.

    Frozen 2 will debut in Theatres on November 22, 2019.

     

  • OnePlus 7 Leaks Show Pop-Up Selfie Camera, Triple Rear Camera

    OnePlus 7 Leaks Show Pop-Up Selfie Camera, Triple Rear Camera

    Treading on the success path of the OnePlus 6 and 6T, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer is expected to launch the OnePlus 7 in the second quarter of 2019. The device will supposedly launch beside a 5G OnePlus smartphone, the likes of which were unveiled at the MWC 2019. Fresh leaks suggest that the OnePlus 7 will sport a pop-up selfie camera, similar to the one present in Vivo Nex (which was released last year).

    Leaks: Camera & Display

    As per the leaks, the OnePlus 7 features a bezel-less 6.5 inch display, which can be an Optic AMOLED panel similar to the one in OnePlus 6T. The screen tapers towards the edges, with no visible notch or ‘punch hole’. As mentioned before, a motorized selfie camera pops up from an enclosure on top of the smartphone. The specifications of the selfie shooter, however, are not available as of now.

    The leaked renders also show a triple rear camera setup. The three sensors are aligned vertically, with the LED flash placed just below the cameras. The predecessor of the OnePlus 7 had a dual camera module, which was housed in a 16 MP+20 MP configuration. It is possible that the third camera sensor being introduced in the OnePlus 7 is a ToF (Time of flight) sensor, which is seen on smartphones from both Oppo and Vivo.

    Leaks: Design

    The left edge of the smartphone has the volume rockers, whereas the right side accommodates the power button and the alert slider. No rear fingerprint sensor was spotted in the leaks, so this may hint towards the fact that the OnePlus 7 may support a similar in display fingerprint scanner to the OnePlus 6T. Furthermore, no 3.5 mm headphone jack is spotted in the images, but there is nothing surprising about that since the previous iteration lacked the same. A standard USB Type C port is present on the device, right next to the speaker and the microphone.

    Also Read: Realme 3, Realme 3 Pro Will Launch On March 4, All We Know

    The OnePlus 7 was previously leaked on March 1, which led to the reveal of the smartphone’s front panel. The next ‘flagship killer’ is expected to have top-of-the-line specifications. Since the 5G prototype at the MWC 2019 featured the Snapdragon 855, the same chipset is presumed to be seen in the OnePlus 7. A launch date for the device is still pending, but as mentioned before, OnePlus has a six-month refresh cycle for releasing new smartphones. Hence, the device may be slated to launch in Q2 of this year.

  • Twitch VS Youtube: Which Platform Should You Start Streaming On?

    Twitch VS Youtube: Which Platform Should You Start Streaming On?

    Streaming is defined as “playing continuously as sound or moving images are sent in a flow directly from the Internet to a computer” as per the Cambridge Dictionary. In simpler terms, broadcasting your activities from your computer (or from your real life) across the internet so that viewers can interact with you in real time refers to as streaming. Over the past few years, streaming has seen a massive boost in terms of broadcasters and viewer base, thanks to some amazing platforms.

    The first platform that comes to our mind when we talk about ‘game streaming’ is undoubtedly Twitch. Launched in 2011, a lot of factors contributed to its success. It had over 100 million unique monthly users by the year 2018. Out of those, 15 million were daily users. The fact that it encourages streamers and broadcasters to stream live, raw content without any sugar-coating was welcomed by viewers. And on top of that, the growing interest in ESports really helped fuel the platform, pushing it to the spot where it is today.

    Youtube Gaming is fairly new. Launched in 2015, the platform was intended to break off from the mainstream Youtube ‘video uploading’ scenario and provide an environment where gamers can stream for specifically ‘game-oriented’ audiences. Given the mammoth viewer base of Youtube, the new platform gained popularity quickly, and after almost 3 and a half years later, its emerging as a strong contender to Twitch.

    The questions that make their way into this scenario are very clear. If you’re a new streamer, which platform should you opt for? What are the pros of streaming on Twitch or Youtube? What are the cons of the same? See how both the streaming platforms line up against each other.

    Content Discovery

    If a new viewer heads over to Twitch, a multitude of channels greet him/her. Viewers usually find channels by browsing the games they are interested in. Now, upon reverse engineering this, its clear that if you are playing that specific game, a viewer MAY find you amongst a list of other streamers. And if you are a fairly new streamer, there’s a fair chance that the new visitors won’t even pay attention to your stream. This is because Twitch sorts the channels in descending order, depending on the number of viewers per stream. Established streamers benefit a lot from this, on the other hand, new streamers rarely get any attention.

    A lot of Twitch users pointed out a serious flaw in the website: There are no thumbnails for live streams. Twitch picks out random screen captures from your stream and displays them as thumbnails to the viewers. There is literally nothing to set you apart from other channels, bringing forward the serious problem of not getting noticed in the crowd. 

    Youtube Gaming faces these issues too, but its algorithm helps new streamers get noticed by new viewers. For instance, if you make regular videos, stream regularly and have even a small number of subscribers, your chances of getting new viewers and subscribers are increased. Also, content creators can use standard videos to attract a viewer base. If a user has a couple of videos that have good statistics, he/she can use that video as the highlighted channel video to make that good ‘first impression’ on the new audience. Furthermore, Youtube allows the creation and upload of custom thumbnails, and even though they lead to clickbaits in some cases, its a better way to convey information regarding your stream rather than hoping that more random people join.

    Rules And Guidelines

    Since Twitch is primarily focused on gaming, they are expected to have strict guidelines because of the audience age range. A lot of streamers (and popular streamers at that) have been banned in the past for petty reasons. You could get banned if someone sends in an inappropriate donation. You could get your channel temporarily suspended if you say something that doesn’t comply with the guidelines.

    On the other hand, YouTube lays down almost similar guidelines, but it isn’t as strict as Twitch when it comes to implementing them. Youtube content creators are allowed three copyright strikes on their channel before your channel disappears off YouTube. Demonetization of videos is also possible, if any non-compliant action takes place on the stream.

    Earnings

    Twitch has a very detailed and distinct monetary system. For every $5 the subscriber pays, 50 percent is claimed by Twitter. So, the streamer ends up getting $2.50 per subscriber. Donations account for the major chunk of the daily income. Streamers get a 100 percent of the donation money, and big streamers can earn insane amounts of money in a day just from donations. Viewers can also donate using Bits, which are Twitch’s built in donation system. Twitter takes a 29% cut per bit. And there are classic advertisements, which might not pay as much but are a steady source of income.

    YouTube follows a comparitively simpler structure, where viewers can donate using Super Chats. YouTube charges 30 percent of the total super chat donation amount. Also, YouTube has sponsors where Twitch has subscribers. Again, YouTube takes a cut of 30% from each sponsor. Monetized YouTube channels earn a lot from advertisements too.

    Also Read: Whatsapp To Introduce Dark Mode, Advanced Search In Updates Soon

    In the end, it’s all about audience and preference. If the majority of your audience loves a specific platform, you may have to stick to that. Or you could just stream as per your preference and let your audience decide the rest. Streamers like Shroud and Ninja are making it big on Twitch, with more than 150,000 users watching them stream daily. It’s a long road, but it may be worth it in the end.

  • Whatsapp To Introduce Dark Mode, Advanced Search In Updates Soon

    Whatsapp To Introduce Dark Mode, Advanced Search In Updates Soon

    Whatsapp has been focused on releasing new updates to improve the user experience. The Facebook-owned application was reportedly testing out the ‘group invitation’ feature on the Testflight server last month. The ‘group invitation’ feature lets the user filter out the contacts who can add them to a group chat, enabling them to stay in control of their privacy. This feature was first spotted in Whatsapp Beta update 2.19.55.

    Advanced Search

    Reports state that Whatsapp is aiming towards further improving the chat search feature. The company calls the feature ‘Advanced Search’, and Whatsapp aims to implement it in the upcoming updates. Instead of just searching for text messages and chats, the new feature allows the user to search through multiple types of messages. It is basically an evolution of the basic Search feature, with added integration. Users can search between Photos, GIFs, Videos, Documents, Links and Audio files that they have exchanged with a contact in their device. For instance, if the user taps on a video, the app will show all the messages that contain that video. In addition to this, the feature also displays the user’s Search History which can be deleted as easily. Furthermore, the search results are shown with a neat preview, so each result doesn’t have to be opened in order to check its specifics.

    Dark Mode And Other Features

    The messaging app is also expected to introduce the much awaited ‘dark mode’. This mode has already been spotted in the beta version of the application, and will probably be available in the next official update. Whatsapp has been on a roll so far, releasing functional features like Touch ID and Face ID to unlock the app, replying privately to group chats and using 3D touch to check Whatsapp statuses on the iOS applications. The company is also expected to bring features like auto-playing consecutive voice messages and viewing videos directly from the notification tray.

    WhatsAppAlso Read: Google To Replace ‘Voice Match Unlock’ With Assistant Lock Screen Access

    Although sources say that slots for the iOS Beta program are full, users can still check the availability for new Whatsapp beta slots by signing up for the same. The American company may officially roll out the updates soon for both iOS and Android, as the testing of the features is in full swing right now.

  • Realme 3, Realme 3 Pro Will Launch On March 4, All We Know

    Realme 3, Realme 3 Pro Will Launch On March 4, All We Know

    Rumours have been around for a long time regarding the Realme 2’s successor, the Realme 3. As per the company’s latest tweet, the rumours will be converted to reality as the Shenzhen-based smartphone manufacturer is planning to release two new smartphones in India on March 4. The devices in context are the much-awaited Realme 3 and the Realme 3 Pro. The smartphones will target the low to mid-budget segment of the market and will go up against the recently launched Redmi Note 7 & Redmi Note 7 Pro.

    The First Teaser Video

    The teaser video was released by Realme’s official Twitter account on February 27, which hinted at the launch of the upcoming smartphone. Furthermore, the number ‘3’ can be clearly seen in the video in the form of a lightning bolt. Take a look below

    One of the key aspects of the teaser video is the highlighted ‘Pro‘ text in the phrase ‘Be Proactive’, which indicates that the company will also launch the Realme 3 Pro at the event. Both the devices are successors to the Realme 2 and the Realme 2 Pro respectively, which were released last year in India and were warmly welcomed by the Indian consumers. Realme CEO took a jab at the recently released Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and 7 Pro in another tweet.

     

    The Second Teaser Video

    Keeping the game going, Realme posted a second teaser video on February 1, reminding its fans regarding the launch date of the devices. Moreover, the second teaser video shows off the dual rear camera setup of the device and the number ‘3’ being formed out of water, hinting at the fact that the Realme 3 and/or Realme 3 Pro might be water resistant.

    Expected Specifications

    Regarding the features, the Realme 3 Pro will sport a waterdrop notch display. The smartphones will be kitted with the MediaTek Helio P70 chipset. Leaks suggest that it will sport a rear mounted fingerprint sensor on top of a diamond-cut back panel design. The new Realme smartphones may run ColorOS 6, which is a custom skin based on the latest Android 9 Pie.

    Also Read: GoPro Launches HERO 7 Black Limited Edition In India

    As far as pricing is concerned, the Realme 3 and Realme 3 Pro are expected to be priced in the sub-20k segment. The correct price and specifications of both the smartphones will be publicised when the company officially launches them. The devices are set to launch on the 4th of March in an event which will be held in New Delhi, India.

  • Google To Replace ‘Voice Match Unlock’ With Assistant Lock Screen Access

    Google To Replace ‘Voice Match Unlock’ With Assistant Lock Screen Access

    Previously, Android devices could be unlocked with a matching ‘Hey Google’ voice sample from the user. Google removed this feature when it launched the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL with the updated Google Assistant so that users could not use their voice as a password to unlock the device. At the CES 2019, the American Multinational company announced that this new behaviour will roll out to all Android devices, and the update seems to already be on its way.

    About The Update

    Instead of the traditional voice unlock, Voice match recognition will now provide a whole new Assistant interface on the lock screen, which will display personal results tailored to the user. Upon saying the ‘Hey Google’ or ‘Ok Google’ phrase, the Assistant will show/read out emails, dictate the tasks for the day, display reminders and shopping lists. The user will have to enter his/her PIN, password or use the fingerprint scanner in order to unlock the smartphone and access the rest of the options.

    Security Flaws

    In the past, the user could directly go to the unlocked home screen by saying a command like “Ok Google, what’s the weather?”. This was a security flaw as anyone with the user’s voice sample could unlock the device. Google itself warned users against using Voice Match, which was less secure than other authentication options.

    Update Release

    As per sources, the new updated Voice match will be a standard feature across all Google devices, including smart speakers and smart displays. The update has already been spotted in Google app 9.27 on the Moto Z and Pixel 3 XL. The company is also rolling out a server-side update for the same. To check if the feature has been updated or not, the user can check in Google Assistant Settings>Assistant tab > Assistant devices list >Lock Screen Personal results. The last option ‘Personal results’ is the replacement of the ‘Unlock with Voice Match’ option.

    Also Read: Samsung Launches Galaxy A10 With Infinity-V Display

    Even devices with Google app version 9.31 have yet to get rid of the Voice unlock feature. Users may see the new Google Assistant update on their devices in the forthcoming weeks.

  • Bombay High Court Asks Spotify To Deposit A Sum Of 6.5 Crore

    Bombay High Court Asks Spotify To Deposit A Sum Of 6.5 Crore

    Spotify, the world’s most popular music streaming service was launched in India on February 26. Just before its launch date, the Bombay High Court directed the Swedish music streaming company to deposit a sum of Rs. 6.5 crore, after an infringement suit was filed by Warner/Chappell. breach

    About The Suit

    Along with the suit, Warner/Chappell Music also filed a motion seeking an interim injunction to prevent Spotify from including its songs in the application without a valid license. Spotify claimed that it could offer the songs in the app in conformance with its request for receiving a statutory license under Section 31 D of the Indian Copyright Act.

    Two rights fall under section 31 D, the right to communicate works to the public, and the right to reproduce the said works. It was argued by Warner/Chappell’s counsel that Section 31 D would only be applicable to broadcasting organizations, which means that Spotify will only be allowed to communicate the works, not reproduce them. So far, the application by Spotify hasn’t met its approval, so no statutory license has been granted to the company. 

    Conclusion

    Shortly after filing the Section 31 D application, Spotify had decided to give up a sum of 528,000 Euro to one of Warner/Chappell’s partners. There is no explanation of how Spotify arrived at this conclusion, but Warner Chappell refused this sum of money. The American Music publishing company then prompted Justice SJ Kathawalla to ask the Swedish music streaming service to deposit a lump sum of Rs. 6.5 crore with the Court. At the same time, the High Court also directed Warner/Chappell to return the 528,000 Euro back to Spotify.

    Also Read: Samsung Launches Galaxy A10 With Infinity-V Display

    As of now, Spotify has been directed to keep a record of the inclusion of Warner/Chappell’s music and all forms of revenues. This is the exact reason why the Swedish music streaming service was allowed to launch in India. The hearing for further decisions will take place on March 25.

     

  • Twitter Is Indeed Working On A ‘Hide Tweet’ Feature

    Twitter Is Indeed Working On A ‘Hide Tweet’ Feature

    Speculations around Twitter’s updates previously indicated that the social media service is developing features to improve user experience. Twitter has now confirmed that it is working on a new ‘Hide Tweets’ feature, which will help users to hide replies on their respective tweets. This will provide users with more control of their conversations, Twitter says. 

    About The Feature

    The option was first spotted in Twitter’s code and can be accessed from the list of moderation options by clicking on the ‘Share’ button, from what has been spotted so far. As per reports, the Share button has been given an overhaul as well. The ‘Hide Tweet’ button will act as a better alternative to muting or blocking the user.

    Similarly, an option to ‘View Hidden Tweets’ was also spotted, which indicates that the feature will work in a similar manner to Facebook’s ‘View Edit History’ option. The ‘View Hidden Tweets’ button will allow users to ‘unhide’ the tweets that were hidden in the first place by the Original Poster. This feature will ensure that the chain of information is not entirely broken by the introduction of such a feature.

    The Cons

    Concerns arose on Twitter regarding the fact that this option will lead to users hiding obnoxious tweets. For instance, a user might get a different idea while reading a tweet if some of the replies are missing/hidden. People also said that controversial politicians can just hide tweets that they find outrageous or unacceptable. Unless a user actually clicks on the ‘View Hidden Tweets’ button, he/she might miss out on critical parts of the conversation.

    The Pros

    The positive aspects of integrating such an update are intended towards putting the user in control of his tweets. In a ‘toxic social media era’ where hate provoking comments can be found on almost every post, moderating the replies could impact user growth for the better purpose. It could also encourage people to debate or argue in a more ‘docile’ manner knowing that their tweets can be hidden any time.

    Also Read: Twitter May Soon Add “Quick Peek” Feature On iOS And Android

    Twitter Senior PM said that the ‘Tweet transparency’ feature will lead to a  healthier Twitter community, where users can actually call out situations where hiding tweets become necessary. Twitter plans to test out this feature publicly in the coming months. The feature may roll out with some pending updates such as a ‘clarifying feature’, which allows users to explain the context of their old tweets.

  • GoPro Launches HERO 7 Black Limited Edition In India

    GoPro Launches HERO 7 Black Limited Edition In India

    GoPro launched the HERO 7 Range of action cameras in September 2018. The lineup included the HERO 7 Black, HERO 7 Silver, and HERO 7 White. The company has now released a Limited Edition Dusk White variant for GoPro HERO 7 Black, which supports 8x Slo-mo video, Timewarp video and several other features.

    Features

    The GoPro HERO 7 Black has a 2 Inch (480 x 320 px) touch panel that can be used to access different available shooting options on the device. It sports a 12MP sensor that can shoot 4K videos at 60 fps (frames per second). The camera also features 8x Slo-Mo feature, which captures super slow 1080p videos at 240 fps. The American company claims that it delivers gimbal-like camera stabilization without the gimbal, leading to extremely stable HyperSmooth videos.

    In terms of other features, the HERO 7 Black limited edition brings TimeWarp video shooting to the table. TimeWarp ensures that the camera captures a smooth and stabilized time lapse video, even if the person is moving through or around the scene. GoPro also provides the ‘SuperPhoto’ feature in the limited edition, which tones the camera images with HDR, local tone mapping and noise reduction. According to the company, the SuperPhoto feature can work in any form of lighting.

    GoPro action cameras are known to be tough and rugged for extra durability, and the HERO 7 Black follows on the same line. GoPro claims that the Hero 7 Black is ‘tough as nails’, and can shoot in water depths of up to 10m. In addition, the camera supports a total of 16 voice commands, which allows the users to click pictures hands free, or tag their videos on social media. Speaking of social media, GoPro HERO 7 Black Limited Edition supports live streaming to Facebook via Facebook Live and Youtube. Other features include Face/Smile detection, GPS and 3.5mm audio mic input. The camera is bundled with a 1220 mAh battery, mounting equipment and a USB Type-C cable in the packaging.

    Availability And Price

    Also Read: Xiaomi Launches 32 Inch Mi LED TV 4A Pro In India

    The GoPro HERO 7 Black (Dusk White Limited Edition) can be pre-ordered via Amazon for Rs. 35,500. For a limited period, users will get a free GoPro Shorty mini extension pole/tripod worth Rs. 3,900 when they pre-order the camera.

     

     

  • Xiaomi Launches 32 Inch Mi LED TV 4A Pro In India

    Xiaomi Launches 32 Inch Mi LED TV 4A Pro In India

    Xiaomi launched its new 32 inch smart LED TV in India, which is the Mi LED TV 4A Pro. It was announced at the Redmi Note 7 launch event held in New Delhi on February 28. Xiaomi claims that it is India’s smartest Android TV so far, and that it brings exciting features to the table. The company also launched the Redmi Note 7, Redmi Note 7 Pro and the Mi Bluetooth Wireless Earphones at the event.

    Features

    The Mi LED TV sports an Ultra-bright HD ready display, which promises vivid colours and enhanced brightness. The display is paired with 20W (10W x 2) stereo speakers with dts-HD support, which deliver a powerful sound experience. The LED TV has thin bezels giving it an elegant appearance. It also has inbuilt PatchWall to personalize content by curating shows and movies for the user. 

    Xiaomi claims that the Mi LED TV 4A has more than 7,00,000+ hours of content available. All this content is available across streaming services like Hotstar, Voot, TVF and Sony LIV, which are preloaded on the Mi LED TV. It also features inbuilt Play Store Chromecast and the Google Voice Assistant for hands free operation. The TV runs on PatchWall and Android TV OS.

    The Smart TV has a powerful 64-bit Quad Core processor to minimize system lag. Furthermore, Mi LED TV has 1GB RAM and 8GB of inbuilt storage. Multiple connectivity options such as HDMI, USB 2.0, AV and a 3.5 mm audio jack are available on the television. Wireless connectivity support includes Bluetooth v4.2 and Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz). 

    Also Read: Xiaomi Launches Redmi Note 7 In India

    The MI LED TV 4A Pro 32 is priced at Rs. 12,999 and will be available for purchase from March 7, 12 pm onwards via the Mi Online Store.

     

  • Xiaomi Launches Mi Wireless Earphones In India

    Xiaomi Launches Mi Wireless Earphones In India

    Xiaomi took the Indian smartphone market by storm today when it launched the feature-laden Redmi Note 7 and  Note 7 Pro at highly aggressive prices. In addition to the praiseworthy smartphones, the company has also launched two more products, Mi Sports Bluetooth Earphones and Mi LED TV 4A Pro. 

    Mi Sports Bluetooth Earphones Design

    Xiaomi has released some quality earphones in the past, including the Mi Earphones and Mi Earphones Basic. The Mi Sports Bluetooth Earphones are the first ever wireless earphones that the company has launched in India. They sport a minimalistic design along with a ton of other features. Weighing in at 13.6 grams, the earphones are light and should be easy to carry around. They have a sleek reflective finish and the company claims to use reverse spray technology to make the earphones stand out. The earphones also sport an adjustable ear hook which can be rotated at a 360 degree angle as per user comfort.

    Connectivity And Features

    Regarding connectivity, the Mi Sports Earphones has Bluetooth v4.1 integration that offers a range of upto 10 meters. The earphones feature copper wired speakers and PET (poly(ethylene terephthalate)) diaphragm for higher quality audio and low distortion. Users can use the 3-button setup present on the earphones to carry out a number of actions. For instance, users can adjust the volume, skip tracks, play/pause songs, answer/reject calls and enable three way calling using the multifunctional control remote. Present on the same module is the MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) silicone microphone which helps improve the sound clarity for calls.

    Battery And Protection

    In terms of battery, the Mi Sports Bluetooth Earphones Basic can endure up to 9 hours of continuous usage before the 120 mAh battery runs out of juice. Apart from this, the earphones also have a standby time of 260 hours. The earphones can be charged via the microUSB 2.0 cable that is included in the package along with extra silicone buds for different ear sizes. Furthermore, the earphones are IPX4 sweat and splash proof to safeguard them against rain and accidental liquid splashes. 

    Also Read: Redmi Note 7 Pro Launched In India

    The Mi Sports Bluetooth Earphones are available in two colour options, Black and White. They are currently available for pre-order at a discounted price of Rs 1,499 from Mi.com. The deliveries of pre-ordered units will commence on the 20th of March.

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