Earlier this year, Xiaomi announced that it had started development of the upcoming version of its custom UI, MIUI 11. While addressing questions asked users, company executives beamed some light on the key features of the anticipated update.
MIUI 11 Updates and Feature
Although system icons on the current MIUI are well illustrated, they have largely remained the same since MIUI 6. The company did introduce some changes with the latest MIUI 10 update, however, they are not very significant. Therefore, in order to tackle the visual fatigue, the company is planning to use new icons and further enhance the user experience reported Xiaomi’s Product Manager, Liu Ming.
Another vital feature that will make its way with the upcoming MIUI 11 is the all new ultimate power saving mode. As the name suggests this will help extend the battery backup of the device once the battery capacity reaches a certain level. The feature when toggled will turn off all non-essential functions on the device and will switch its display into the black and white mode.
Furthermore, the MIUI 11 update will have enhanced Dark Mode support. In simpler words, the support for dark mode will further extend to third party applications including internet browsers. The update is also reported to add support for running applications in small windows which will help in boosting productivity.
The consumer-ready MIUI 11 update is expected to be rolled in the 27th of June this year. A leak from the past suggested that most devices in Xiaomi’s current lineup will be eligible for the update which include the following devices:
Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus is soon expected to launch its upcoming flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 7. The device became the talk of the town soon after the launch of the OnePlus 6T which was announced last year. Leaks in the pasthave claimed that the upcoming handset will have a considerably different design in comparison to its predecessor. A freshly leaked render of the OnePlus 7 in its case supports the preceding claim.
OnePlus 7 Design
According to the leaks, the rear of the OnePlus 7 has triple rear cameras which are disparate to its predecessor that has dual rear cameras. The image reveals that the ridged camera module also accommodates two little speckles which may be laser focusing sensors. The shape of the LED flash on the upcoming smartphone is also different which is circular.
Distinctly, the alleged OnePlus 7 has a pop-up selfie camera which is similar to the one present on the Vivo V15 Pro. The pop-up selfie camera will help OnePlus in further boosting the screen to body ratio of the forthcoming smartphone. Although the particular leak does not reveal the front fascia and features of the OnePlus 7, they were uncovered in another leak from the past.
The OnePlus 7 is alleged to sport a 6.5 inch AMOLED display that accommodates an on display fingerprint sensor. It is claimed to feature the Snapdragon 855 SoC which is manufactured using 7 nm fabrication technology. The smartphone will be powered by a 4,000 mAh battery that will also support 44w super fast Dash charging. Other details about the device will be revealed once the company officially launches it.
OnePlus has not yet announced the launch date of the OnePlus 7. However, going by the company’s previous launch cycles, it is expected to be launched before the Q2 of 2019 ends.
In an event held in Paris, Huawei launched its latest flagship smartphone duo which includes the P30 and the P30 Pro. Leaks from the past suggested that the company will also launch a Lite variant of the smartphone which remained unannounced at the event. Surprisingly, the P30 Lite has been listed on a Filipino e-commerce store which reveals all its details.
Huawei P30 Lite Design and Specifications
The Huawei P30 Lite has a modern design with glass on the front and the back. The smartphone measures 152.9 x 72.7 x 7.4 mm while the information about its weight is currently unavailable. The front of the device accommodates a 6.15 inch display that has a water drop notch up top. The display panel has a resolution on 2312 x 1080 px and a pixel density of 415 ppi.
The P30 Lite is powered by a 3340 mAh battery which supports 18W fast charging. It runs on EMUI 9.0.1 which is built on top of the latest Android 9.0 Pie. Under the hood, the device features the Kirin 710 chipset which consists of an Octa-Core CPU and the Mali G51 GPU. The rear of the device harbours a fingerprint sensor, Huawei branding and the triple camera setup. The triple camera setup on the rear consists of an f/1.8 aperture equipped 32 MP sensor, 8 MP ultra wide sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor.
The P30 Lite also has a 32 MP front facing selfie camera which is placed in the notch on the top of the display. Connectivity options on the device include 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Dual 4G VoLTE, 3.5 mm audio jack and a bottom mounted USB Type-C port. The sensors on the device include gravity sensor, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, gyroscope and a compass.
In terms of memory and storage, the P30 Lite is available with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of inbuilt storage. The device is priced at Piso 16,990 (Rs 22,200). It is available in three colour options which are as follows:
Pearl White
Midnight Black
Peacock Blue
Initial buyers of the device also get a complimentary 10000 mAh power bank, selfie stick and wireless Bluetooth speaker. Although Huawei has not announced its launch date in India, it is soon expected to make its way into the country.
After a long period of anticipation and teasers, Huawei finally launched the P30 and the P30 Pro smartphones at an event in Paris. The newly launched handsets are laden with top tier specifications and have a focus on photography. In addition to the flagship duo, the company has also launched a variety of accessories which include the Huawei FreeBuds, the Huawei FreeLace and the Huawei 12000 SuperCharge power bank.
Huawei FreeBuds
The Huawei FreeBuds are a pair of wireless earphones which draw inspiration from the Apple AirPods. The wireless earbuds are shipped with an elliptically shaped case which is used for both storing and charging them. The earbuds have a touch-sensitive rear which can be used to control various functions. Double tap on the right earbud play/pauses the music while a double tap on the left earbud activates the voice assistant. Double tap on either earbud while an incoming phone call will answer it.
The Huawei FreeBuds offer a playtime of up to 3 hours on a single charge while the charging case can be used to further increase the run time to 10 hours. After the initial Bluetooth setup, the earbuds auto pair to the device as the user opens the charging case. They also have inbuilt IR sensors which detect when an earbud is removed. The wireless earphones are also water resistant that allows them to be used while working out or in sudden drizzling conditions. The Huawei FreeBuds are available in two colours which include Black and White. The earbuds are available at a price € 118 (Rs 9200).
Huawei FreeLace
The Huawei FreeLace is an around-the-neck style set of wireless earbuds like the OnePlus Bullets. Nevertheless, they have a highly distinguishing feature that is a built-in USB Type C port. Notably, the ports stay concealed until the user detaches the right side earpiece from the main unit. The connection port allows them to be charged from a Huawei device or any smartphone that supports reverse charging.
The Huawei FreeLace has magnetic rear ends which when brought closer sticks together and automatically pauses the audio content being played. They also have inline controls which can be used to control the volume or play/pause the media. Huawei claims a battery life of 18 hours with support for fast charging. 5 minutes of fast charge can provide a listening time of up to 4 hours. Like the FreeBuds, the FreeLace is also water resistant due to its IPX5 rating. The neckband style earphones are available at a price of € 99 (Rs 7700).
As the name suggests, the newly launched power bank from Huawei has a 12,000 mAh battery. Noteworthy, it is capable of fast charging smartphones and other USB Type C devices with a maximum power of 40 W. The power bank has a chunky build that measures 135.4 x 69 x 15.5 mm and tips the scale at 227 grams. The top side of the device has 4 LED indicators, power on/off switch, USB Type A connector and a USB Type C connector which can be used for both power in and power out.
With the fast charge output of 40W, Huawei 12000 power bank is also capable of charging laptops. The device can be charged with 40 watts of power which can fully replenish its inbuilt battery in 2 hours and 14 minute or this time extends to 5 hours 25 minutes with a traditional 10w charger. The power bank is priced at € 99 (Rs. 7,700) and will be available for purchase soon.
Chinese smartphone maker, Xiaomi launched its latest flagship smartphone, the Mi 9in the month of February which has been received a warm welcome. A specced down variant of the top tier headphone, the Mi 9x has leaked before its official announcement. The details of the unreleased smartphone were shared by an unidentified Chinese source. Even though the source remains anonymous, the specifications look legit.
Mi 9X aka Millet 9x
Xiaomi Mi9
According to the leak, the Mi 9x sports a 6.4 inch AMOLED display that has a waterdrop notch up top. The display panel of the upcoming smartphone has a Full HD resolution and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Like the elder Mi 9, the unreleased smartphone is also reported to have an in display fingerprint sensor.
Xiaomi Mi9
Under the hood, the Mi 9X will be kitted with the Snapdragon 675 SoC which consists of and Octa-Core CPU and the Adreno 612 GPU. The smartphone has a 32 MP front selfie camera which is destined to be housed inside the notch on top of the display. The device has a triple rear camera setup which consists of a 48 MP Sony IMX586 sensor, 8 MP sensor and 13 MP super wide angle sensor.
Xiaomi Mi9
The Mi 9X is powered by a 3300 mAh battery which supports QC 4.0+ 18W fast charging. It runs on the latest Android 9 Pie which is skinned with MIUI 10. The source did not provide much detail about the looks of the unreleased smartphone. However, it states that the Mi 9X will be around 7.5 mm thick and will have a 2.5d holographic glass panel.
The Mi 9X will have an estimated starting price of CNY 1699 (Rs 17,400) for the base 6 GB RAM + 64 GB variant. Moreover, the company is also expected to launch the smartphone in other storage variants. The source claims that the upcoming device will be released in the month of April. Pleasingly, we won’t have to wait for long as the expected launch month is nearing fast.
Cupertino based tech titan, Apple held an event on the 25th of March where it announced four brand new subscription services. The list of newly announced services includes Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade, Apple Card and Apple News Plus.
Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade is the company’s take on a gaming service which spans across the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Mac computers. The paid subscription will initially provide access to over 100 gaming titles which will sprout further over time. Noteworthy, it even allows the user to play games in offline mode. This is a significant aspect as its direct competitor, the newly launched Google Stadia lacks support for this notable feature. The service will roll out in autumn this year and its pricing details are yet to be revealed. Exceptionally, family members can also share the subscription across different devices without an additional cost.
Apple Card
Apple card is a virtual credit card service which is developed for iPhone users and is an extension of the Apple Pay and Wallet services. The service is intended towards lowering interest rates, removing unnecessary fees and simplifying the process of applications in obtaining a credit card. According to the company, the service will simplify the use of existing digital payment mediums to a great extent.
Notably, it is just a credit card service and not a banking service. Apple has partnered with Goldman Sachs and MasterCard that handle its financial end. As previously mentioned, the user can directly sign up for a card right from the iPhone which is generated in minutes, unlike conventional service which can take days. Reportedly, the service makes use of machine learning which can precisely reflect the spending patterns of the user and also offer rewards in cash. Distinctly, the service will not charge late fees from the however, its functioning is unclear as of now.
Apple News Plus
As the name suggests, it is a news service from Apple that again requires a paid subscription. It showcases the content in a user-friendly and elegant manner which is enriched with photographs, animations and typography optimised for Apple devices including iPhone, iPad and Mac. The news service incorporates content from over 300 established newspapers, magazines and digital publishers some of which include Vogue, WSJ, GQ, Traveller, Wired and The New Yorker. The service is currently limited to the US and Canada where the users can subscribe it at a monthly fee of $ 9.99 and $ 12.99 respectively. Admirably, six members of a family can share one Apple News Plus subscription.
Apple TV Plus is the company’s attempt at a video streaming service which will take on the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime. The service is set to launch in over 100 countries which will roll out in Q4 of 2019. According to the company, around 30 original projects are currently in the works which will be exclusive to the platform. Additionally, content from renowned channels including HBO, Showtime, CBS All Access will also be available on the streaming service. Like the Apple Arcade, its price is also currently unavailable.
In addition to the Apple Plus subscription service, the company has also released an all-new Apple TV application which has a completely redesigned interface. The new version of the application is designed to serve on-demand digital content, without advertisement with the option of offline downloads. The new Apple TV app is now available for the Apple TV and iOS devices. While its support for third-party smart TVs from LG, Sony, Samsung and Vizio will be available some.
In the latest development to the story, it has since come to light that claims made regarding the demise of a 20-year-old boy named Sagar due to playing PUBG Mobile excessively were fake. As per Dr Raj Kiran, who treated late Sagar has clarified that the deceased was suffering from a serious infection and was undergoing treatment which was not caused due to playing the mobile game.
A video shared by friends of Sagar was misinterpreted which spread like a wildfire. It was revealed that friends of the deceased wanted to cheer him up while he was in tremendous pain. His friends talked about PUBG Mobile in the short clip which was mistaken to the cause of his sickness. Subsequently, the doctor has dismissed the previously made claims and has put an end to the sham news.
Original Story
Another day, another unfortunate news associated with the wildly popular PUBG Mobile is making headlines. A youngster based out of Jagtial, Telangana has died due to health implications caused because of playing PUBG mobile for extended periods of time. The deceased boy, Sagar who was 20 years old was addicted to the mobile game since the past 45 days. Reportedly, he played the game day in an day out which due to improper posture affected his nerves. Sagar, now deceased was admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad where he underwent treatment for 5 days. Sadly even in the hospital his condition did not improve and he subsequently passed.
Similar Instances Linked To PUBG Mobile
There have been numerous unfavourable cases linked to PUBG mobile in the past that have shaken the nation. Earlier this week two youngsters residing from Maharashtra were mowed down by a train while they were playing the highly engrossing game near the railway tracks late in the night.
Another instance was of a young man from Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh who drank acid mistaking it for water, while engaged in the PUBG mobile game.
Reaction Of Tencent, PUBG’s Developer
Although Tencent is yet to release a statement on the mishap that has taken place in the country, it had previously imposed a lockdown which prevents a user from playing the game for more than 6 hours in a day. Also, users under the age of 13 in some regions are being prompted to a digital lockdown which needs the guardian or the device owner to unlock. Furthermore, the company is also expected to take even resolute steps to curb its addiction in order to prevent a foreseen ban.
Can A Nationwide Game Ban Eradicate Its Obsession?
The question is profoundly complicated but banning the game altogether might not be the guaranteed measure to prevent such mishaps from occurring in the future. As if one game is banned completely, another might turn out to be more successful than the existing one. Therefore, users need to be reformed by educating them and making them aware of the ill effects that can be followed by digital unhygiene.
Apple is a leader in several fronts of technology, especially smartphones. Various features including the fingerprint sensor and notch display either originated on an iPhone or were popularised by the company. However, there is one remarkable technology that the company has been sluggish in adapting to which is wireless charging. Apple first introduced this promising feature with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models in the year 2016. However, it is now aiming towards fully embracing this visionary form of technology. A fresh report shared by a reliable Japanese source, Macotokara claims that the upcoming Apple iPhone models may also get the reverse wireless charging feature.
What Is Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging?
Wireless charging is a form of cordless charging that uses electromagnetic fields to transfer energy between two compatible devices. The Nokia Lumia 820 and the Lumia 920 from the year 2012 were one of the worlds first smartphones to feature this type of conductive charging technology. With ever-evolving smartphones, this technology has become highly prevalent and is seen on most flagship devices. The technology has grown so much so that devices like the Galaxy S10 and the Mate 20 Pro even support a remarkable feature caller reverse wireless charging. As the name suggests, the aforementioned devices are capable of wirelessly charging other compatible devices via their inbuilt battery.
iPhone With Reverse Wireless Charging
A reputed analyst at TF International Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo claims that the upcoming iPhones will support reverse wireless charging. Samsung with its latest Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Buds has demonstrated how useful this feature can be. Accordingly, the upcoming iPhone with reverse wireless charging support can be used to charge the Apple Watch Series 4 and the newly launched AirPods 2019, both of which support cordless charging.
Earlier this week, Cupertino based Apple silently launched a slew of products which include the updated iMac, AirPods with wireless charging support, the iPad Mini 5th Gen and the iPad Air 10.5. The company was also expected to launch the iPod 7 during the week which has not yet happened. It is now expected to be unveiled at the upcoming Apple event on the 26th of March alongside the anticipated subscription-based news service. Days before the event, a Chinese source has made some fascinating revelations about another long awaited device from the company. Chinese website, IT home claims that Apple will also launch the budget-oriented iPhone SE 2 at the upcoming event. To support its claims, the blog has shared Amazon listings of a screen protector and case for the predicted smartphone. Pleasingly, the accessories listing of the iPhone SE 2 also reveals its design and features.
iPhone SE 2
According to the leaked tempered glass listing of the iPhone SE 2, the smartphone will have a significantly different front design in comparison to its predecessor, the iPhone SE. The front of the smartphone accommodates a rounded edge display with a high screen-to-body ratio which is enclosed with negligible bezels. Notably, it also has a notch up top like the latest iPhone models. Like its predecessor, the left side of the device houses the volume rockers and the mute switch.
Albeit the listing does not show the bottom and top view of the iPhone SE 2, it is assumed to have the same layout as its predecessor. The top of the smartphone is expected to house the power button while the bottom is expected to house the lightning port, 3.5 mm jack and loudspeaker grille. The rear of the upcoming smartphone has a similar design as the original iPhone SE with a single camera setup placed on the top left side.
According to the source, the iPhone SE 2 will feature the A9 chipset which is also present on the iPhone 6s. Other details including the camera resolution, the screen size and the battery capacity will be publicised once the company officially launches it. Fortunately, we won’t have the wait for long as the Apple event is approaching fast.
Every month we scavenge the internet to compile a list of top tech gadgets that can make your life a tad bit easier. Like every other Top Techarticle, the products in this listicle are highly utilitarian which can come in handy for readers of all age groups.
Rugged Speaker
The rugged multi-function speaker is a perfect companion for the people who are always on the go. It has several gadgets that are consolidated in a portable unit which is easy to carry. It has a 4000 mAh rechargeable battery that powers the LED torch and the dual Bluetooth speakers. In addition to Bluetooth, it can also play songs via auxiliary input and a microSD card. It can also be used as a power bank to charge other devices and is waterproof.
Portable Fan
The summers are approaching fast which will be accompanied by scorching heat and temperatures upwards of 35-degree Celsius. The portable fan has a 2600 mAh inbuilt battery which can provide a run time of up to 9 hours. It has five-speed options which can be toggled by pressing the power button present on its front. The main fan body connects to the cylindrical battery unit with the help of USB Type-A connector which is standard on most power banks. Therefore it can also be powered by other power banks. It has a circular docking station which stores and charges the unit when not in use.
Fingerprint Secured Padlock
With the introduction of fingerprint sensors on smartphones, biometric authentication has started gaining popularity even to other devices. This small fingerprint secured padlock has a robust feel as it is mainly made of metal. It has a side mounted micro-USB charging port which can be used to recharge its inbuilt battery. The user can record up to 10 fingers on the device which is plenty. It is easy to set up with fast fingerprint recognition.
TP-Link USB Hub
In an effort to shrink the size of a modern laptop, OEMs tend to kit them only with a limited number of input-output ports. Out of all the I/O ports on a computer, the USB port is undoubtedly the most versatile one. The compact TP-Link USB hub allows the user to connect upto 4 different peripherals in just one USB port. Laptop users who travel frequently would surely understand the need for one such gadget. Coming from a brand like TP Link, it has a robust build and a well sought design which is small enough to fit in a pocket.
Bluetooth Earphones
As smartphone OEMs tend to eliminate the 3.5 mm audio jack from their mobile offerings, the need for a pair of Bluetooth earphone becomes unavoidable. However, it is hard to choose an earphone which has worthy performance and can be acquired for cheap. The Chkokko wireless earphones appear to be replicas of high earphones. Nevertheless, under Rs 800 mark they are a reliable option that even offers features like magnetic backs of the earbuds.
Sticky Phone Mount
Though 2 in 1 silicone mobile holder from Baseus has a tiny form factor, it is big in terms of functionality. As the name suggests, it has a sticky silicone surface whose one end can be stuck to a flat surface and the other end can be used to attach a mobile phone. However, it is not limited to one particular gadget as the silicone top has reliable sticking properties which can also hold several other accessories like keys. Notably, it has a washable surface which can be rinsed to restore its stickiness. It also has a groove in the centre which can be used to wrap and carry a charging cord.
Anti-Theft Laptop Bag
Finding a good laptop bag can be hard and the ones that are offered as a freebie with the machine cannot satisfy the needs of every consumer. The anti-theft backpack has a number lock that can be used to secure its contents. The backpack has separate pockets and compartments which are purposely designed to accommodate gadgets like a tablet, headphones, laptop and many more. It has an easy to grab plastic handle that allows it to be carried even for extended periods of time.
Multi Function Wireless Charging Mat
This gadget is essentially a mouse pad which has several other peripherals built into it. It has a built-in battery which is claimed to provide a playtime of up to 10 hours. It has dual speakers on either side which are quite loud and connected with the help of both Bluetooth and auxiliary cable. Praiseworthy, it also has a wireless charger which as the name suggests can be used to charge wireless charging compatible devices. It has a textured surface which prevents the mouse from sliding around involuntarily.
Camera Desk Organiser
The desk organiser does not have any electronic components but is a static accessory which can be placed on tables and countertops. It has a sturdy build with a fascinating appearance and it can be used to hold several items ranging from pens to keys to even mobile phones. The organiser has a removable partition which can be easily removed to accommodate wide objects.
The wireless charger has an attractive design with a glossy black plastic build which is encircled by a translucent LED ring. The LED ring can is movable can be set onto different angles dependent on the choice of the user. The wireless charger can recharge a compatible device with up to 10w of maximum power which is what most devices support. The rear of the unit has a touch sensitive panel which can be used to control the LED ring light which has three different presets.
Korean Electronics Giant, Samsung showcased its first 5G smartphone, the Galaxy S10 5G at the MWC 2019 event which was held in the month of February. The aforementioned device was unveiled alongside the other members of the S10 lineup which include the Galaxy S10e, the standard Galaxy S10 and the Galaxy S10+. The non 5G compatible S10 trio was already available for purchase whereas the Galaxy S10 5G was not. A fresh report published by a reliable South Korean news agency, Yonhap states that the 5G smartphone is set to launch soon. According to the report, the Galaxy S10 5G will go on sale in Korea on the 5th of April and is expected to cost around 1.5 million won (Rs 91,200). The customers who purchase the smartphone between April 5 and April 16 will get a complementary pair of company’s wireless earphones, the Galaxy Buds.
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
The Galaxy S10 5G measures 162.6 x 77.1 x 7.94mm and weighs in at 198g. The design of the smartphone is reminiscent of the Galaxy S10+ with Gorilla Glass 6 protection on the front and Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the rear. It sports an Infinity-O, 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a resolution of 3040 x 1440 px. The display panel has a pixel density of 505 ppi and 19:9 aspect ratio. For safely unlocking the handset, it features an ultrasonic on-display fingerprint sensor.
The Galaxy S10 5G features a quad rear camera setup which consists of a 12MP f/1.5-f/2.4 sensor, 12MP f/2.4 Telephoto sensor, 16MP f/2.2 Ultra-wide angle sensor; and a Time Of Flight(TOF) camera for capturing depth information. The device also has a dual front camera setup which is comprised of a 10MP f/1.9 sensor and a secondary TOF sensor.
The Galaxy S10 5G is kitted with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC which is manufactured using 7 nm fabrication process. The chipset consists of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 640 GPU. The handset also features the Qualcomm X50 modem which provides it with 5G capabilities. In terms of memory and storage, it has 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB ROM which is non-expandable.
The Galaxy S10 5G is powered by a 4,500mAh battery which supports 25W fast charging via the bottom mounted USB Type-C port. Additionally, the premium smartphone also supports wireless charging with support for reverse wireless charging.
Huawei’s upcoming smartphone, the Enjoy 9e has leaked before its official unveiling. The upcoming device will be targetted towards the budget segment and its specifications propose the same.
Huawei Enjoy 9e Design and Specifications
The Huawei Enjoy 9e has a contemporary design with front glass and rear plastic build. The front of the smartphone accommodates a 6.08 inch display with a notch up top that houses an f/2.0 aperture equipped 8 MP selfie camera. The display panel has an HD+ resolution of 1520 x 720 px and 70% NTSC coverage. Under the hood, the handset packs the MediaTek Helio P35 chipset which consists of an Octa-Core CPU and IMG PowerVR GE8320 GPU.
In terms of memory and storage, the Huawei Enjoy 9e has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage which is expandable upto 512 GB via a microSD card. Although not yet confirmed, the source suggests a variant with 64 GB ROM is also expected. The rear of the smartphone has a typical Huawei design with vertically inscribed company branding and capsule-shaped camera setup. The device has an f/1.8 aperture equipped 13 MP rear camera which is accompanied by an LED flash.
The Huawei Enjoy 9e will launch on the 25th of March. It will be available in three colour options which include Blue, Black and Gold. The source does not provide any information about the price of the upcoming device, however, its specifications suggest a price tag of 100 to 150 US $.
The market for smart speakers and audio devices is gradually picking up the pace. Products ranging from Amazon Alexa to Google Home and Apple HomePod are in high demand due to their smart capabilities including voice-guided commands. The American chipmaker Qualcomm, on the 19th of March 2019 launched a new lineup of SoCs, the QCS400 which are developed to provide a unified and simplified user experience across a wide variety of audio devices. According to the company, the QCS400 SoCs are designed to underpin smart audio devices which can range from portable smart speakers to home assistants to a high-end audio/visual receiver (AVR).
Benefits Of The QCS400 SoCs
It is obvious that a common chipset across several smart audio products will uncomplicate the process of its usage and operation. As per Qualcomm, the following are the reasons that lay the foundation of the QCS400 lineup of chipsets:
Improvement in the voice-guided user interface (UI) that has faster response times and enhanced sound pickup even in loud environments.
Support for multiple channels- As the name suggests, this would allow users to connect various speakers together with extensive control over audio playback. The chipsets are designed to be highly power efficient and deliver reliable performance.
Providing a cinema-like experience- The newly launched chipsets have built-in support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X that help in providing high-quality audio output from any device that incorporates the chips.
QCS400 Developer Board
Initially, Qualcomm has launched four chipsets all of which fit the needs of distinct modern day audio products. The QCS403 and QCS404 chipsets are developed for smart speakers and smart assistant. Both the chipsets use Bluetooth 5.1 for connection and support Zigbee which is a high-level communication protocol developed by IEEE. Notably, the former comprises a dual-core CPU while the latter comprises of a quad-core CPU. Irrespective of the chipsets, CPU cores on the both are clocked at 1.4 GHz that.
The QCS405 chipset is developed for soundbars and home theatres while the QCS407 is developed for AVRs (audio/video receivers). Both the chipsets have quad AIE CPU cores and Adreno 306 GPU. Another distinctive feature of these chipsets is the 2x Qualcomm Hexagon DSPs. Prominently, the QCS 407 is the only chipset out of the bunch that supports up to 32 audio channels while the rest max out at 12.
OnePlus is a considerably new company in contrast to competitors like Samsung and Apple. Nevertheless, the company has made a lasting mark in the heavily crowded smartphone industry. It is soon expected to launch the OnePlus 7 which will succeed the OnePlus 6T from the yesteryear. The upcoming smartphone is believed to be significantly different both in terms of design and features in comparison to its predecessor. The device has previously been subjected to several leaks which revealed its key specifications and price. A fresh leak claims that the company will launch its next flagship with new gradient coloured back panels.
OnePlus 7 Design And New Gradient Panels
The latest leak of the OnePlus 7 reveals a smartphone with a popup selfie camera which is reminiscent of the Vivo V15 Pro. The right side of the smartphone houses the power button and the sound profile slider while its left side houses the volume rockers. Surprisingly, the upcoming device features triple rear cameras which have been bumped up from two on its predecessor.
Noteworthy, the rear panel of the OnePlus 7 which is assumed to be made out of glass has an attractive look with gradient finishes. The leaked images show three different coloured gradient finishes which include yellow, purple and cyan. The purple coloured gradient looks similar to the OnePlus 6T Thunder Purple, while the two other colours are brand new. The probability of OnePlus 7 being offered in these gradient colours is quite high.
Not long ago, a YouTuber named Arun Maini got a chance to visit the OnePlus factory in China from where he revealed several intriguing facts. He shared a video in which he showcased a whole bunch of prototype glass panels with gradient finish for OnePlus smartphones which never made their way into the production handsets. Both the newly leaked renders and the previously shared video can be taken as a serious indication that OnePlus is likely to launch its upcoming flagships in the aforementioned gradient panels other than the traditional colours.
OnePlus 7 Leaked Specifications
Display: 5-inch AMOLED
Operating System: OxygenOS 9 based on Android 9 Pie
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
CPU: Octa-Core, Upto 2.84 GHz
GPU: Adreno 640
RAM: 8GB/12GB LPDDR4x
Storage: 128GB/256GB
Rear Cameras: 48MP + 20MP + 5MP, LED Flash
Front Camera: 16MP Popup Selfie Camera
Security: Face Unlock + In-display fingerprint scanner
Xiaomi launched the Black Shark gaming smartphone in the month of April last year which was followed up by the slightly specced up Black Shark Helo. After teasing its successor for a long time, the Black Shark 2 has been officially announced. The newly launched device has proper gaming pedigree with up to date features from the year 2019.
Black Shark 2 Design and Specifications
The Black Shark 2 like its predecessors has an unconventional design with a distinctive design on the rear and a large screen display on the front. The smartphone measures 163.61 x 75.01 x 8.77 mm and weighs in at a hefty 205 grams. It sports a 6.39 inch AMOLED display which is surrounded by thin bezels on all sides. The smartphone’s display has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px and a pixel density of 403 ppi. The display panel can reach brightness levels of upto 430 nits and has an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.
Noteworthy, the AMOLED display also supports pressure sensitive controls which means the amount of pressure applied to the screen while playing games would affect the on-screen controls. For securely and swiftly unlocking the device it also features an on display fingerprint sensor. Talking further about the design of the Black Shark 2, its right side houses the power button and a shark slider which when toggled turns on gaming mode for optimised performance while the left side houses the volume rockers. The bottom of the device houses the USB Type-C port that can be used for charging and data transfer. To keep the temperature of the device under check while running heavy gaming it also has a vapour cooling chamber.
The rear of the Black Shark 2 has a unique design with green coloured lines that run along the sides. The rear panel also harbours the company logo and dual camera setup. The dual camera setup consists of a 48 MP sensor, 12 MP sensor and an LED Flash which can also capture 2160p videos at 30 fps. It also has a 20 MP front-facing selfie camera which is placed in the bezel above the display. The front camera can also capture 1080p videos at 30 fps.
Under the hood, the Black Shark 2 features the Snapdragon 855 SoC which consists of an Octa-Core CPU along Adreno 640 GPU. The smartphone is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery which supports fast charging upto 27 W. Connectivity options on the device include 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Dual 4G VoLTE and GPS.
The Black Shark 2 is available in two colour options which include Frozen Silver and Shadow Black. The price for different variants of the smartphone are as follows:
6 GB + 128 GB – ¥3199 (Rs 32,600)
8 GB + 128 GB – ¥3499 (Rs 35,700)
12 GB + 256 GB – ¥4199 (Rs 42,800)
Even though the company has not shared any details about its launch in India, it is likely to be launched soon in the country.
