Author: Sahil Kapoor

Apple Launches iPad Air 10.5 & 5th Gen iPad Mini

Apple has silently launched the iPad Air and the iPad Mini 5th Gen tablets. The company has sent out a press release that details about the newly launched tablet duo.

Features

Both the iPad Air and iPad Mini have an aluminium clad design with curved edges which are similar to previous iPad models. The bottom side of both the tablets is occupied by the lightning port which is flanked by dual stereo speakers while the top side houses the power button and the 3.5 mm audio jack. The right side of the devices house the volume rockers and the SIM card slot on the LTE variants. The front of the tablets has thin left and right bezels while the top and bottom bezels are quite prominent. The bezel above the display on both devices house the selfie camera while the bottom below the display houses the home button which also doubles as the TouchID fingerprint sensor.

The iPad Mini sports a 7.9 inch display while the elder iPad Air sports a 10.5 inch display. The display panel on the former has a pixel density of 326 ppi whereas the display panel on the latter has a pixel density of 264 ppi. The display on both the devices have a brightness level of 500 nits and are covered with an oleophobic coating which minimises the appearance of fingerprint marks and smudges on them.

Both the tablets run on the Apple A12 Bionic chipset which was introduced with the current iPhone models including the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and the iPhone XR. The chipset is manufactured using 7 nm architecture which helps in boosting the battery backup of the device. The chipset also consists of a neural engine and an M12 coprocessor. The neural engine helps in boosting AI operations on the tablet while the coprocessor collects data from the sensors including the accelerometer, compass and gyroscope which are further sent to the CPU for additional calculation.

The iPad Air and the iPad Mini also share the common camera sensors on both the front and the back. The front camera on both tablets has an f/2.2 aperture equipped 7 MP sensor while the rear camera sensor is an f/2.4 aperture equipped 8 MP sensor. The tablet duo can also capture 1080 HD videos from both the front and rear facing camera. Noteworthy, the rear cameras can also capture slo-mo videos at 120 fps and time-lapse video. Additional camera features on the devices include Live Photos, HDR for photos, burst mode and auto image stabilisation.

The iPad Mini is powered by a 19.1 watt hour battery while the elder iPad Air is powered by a 30.2 watt hour battery. Apple claims a battery backup upwards of 10 hours on both the tablets. The tablets run on the latest iOS 12 and have a host of sensors which include three axis gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer and ambient light sensor. Exceptionally, the new devices also support the Apple pencil (sold separately). Therefore, taking notes and drawing masterpieces is now possible on the smaller iPad models other than the iPad Pro. The iPad Air 10.5 inch also supports the folio-style Bluetooth keyboard which is again sold separately.

Price, Colour, Storage Options and Connectivity Variants

Also Read: Dell Launches The Alienware Area 51m Gaming Laptop In India

Both the iPad Mini 5th generation and the iPad Air 10.5 are available in three colour options which include Gold, Silver and Space Gray. The price for different variants of the newly launched tablets are as follows:

iPad Air 10.5	iPad Mini 5th Generation
64 GB Wi-Fi – $ 499 (Rs 44,900)	64 GB Wi-Fi – $ 399 (Rs 34,900)
64 GB Wi-Fi +Cellular – $ 629 (Rs 55,900)	64 GB Wi-Fi +Cellular – $ 529 (Rs 45,900)
256 GB Wi-Fi – $ 649 (Rs 58,900)	256 GB Wi-Fi – $ 549 (Rs 48,900)
256 GB Wi-Fi +Cellular – $ 779 (Rs 69,900)	256 GB Wi-Fi +Cellular – $ 679 (Rs 59,900)

Apple Pencil (1st generation) is available for purchase separately for INR 8500. The Smart Keyboard for the 10.5-inch iPad Air is available for purchase separately for INR 13900 with layouts for over 30 languages, including simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish.

iPad Mini 5th Gen Specifications

Display: 7.9-inch Retina LED, 2048 × 1536 pixels, 326 ppi
Operating System: iOS 12
Processor: Apple A12 Bionic
RAM: 2 GB
Storage: 64 GB/256 GB
Rear Cameras: 8 MP, f/2.4
Selfie Camera: 7 MP, f/2.2
Security: TouchID, Screen Lock
Connectivity: 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, Lightning Connector
Battery: 19.1 Wh
Dimensions: 203.2 × 134.8 × 6.1 mm
Weight: 300 G (Wi-FI), 308 G (WiFi + LTE)

March 18, 2019

Worlds First Side Sliding Smartphone, The ZTE Axon S Surfaces Online

ZTE is a less known smartphone brand which is based out of Shenzhen, China. However, it must be noted that the company has launched several innovative devices in the past including the ZTE Axon M. Another remarkable device from the OEM, the Axon S has leaked online which is perceived to be the worlds first side sliding smartphone. The smartphone has an exciting and futuristic design with several distinctive elements.

ZTE Axon S Design and Features

The front of the ZTE Axon S accommodates a large screen display which is surrounded by insignificant bezels on all sides. It also features an on display fingerprint sensor which is slowly becoming the industry standard. A close look at the notification bar reveals that the smartphone supports 5G capability. It is the second smartphone from the company after ZTE Axon 10 Pro to support this standard of telecommunication.

As above mentioned, the ZTE Axon S has a side sliding mechanism which distinguishes it from every smartphone currently available in the market. Noteworthy, the slider is not just a cosmetic element but it provides the device with several necessary features. Sliding the Axon S reveals two sections one of which is on the front and other is on the rear. The front section when in an unrestricted state reveals a dual selfie camera setup and volume rockers which seem to be operated via touch controls.

The sliding section on the rear of the ZTE Axon S accommodates triple rear cameras along with an elongated Xenon flash. Also, the rear of the slide carries the ZTE branding and some details about the cameras. The phone supports 5x optical zoom technology and at least one camera out of three uses a 48 MP sensor. The rear of the Axon S has a neat look which lacks any sensors or markings.

Also Read: Redmi 7 Launched In China With Snapdragon 632 SoC

Specifications including the chipset, display size and battery capacity of the ZTE Axon S will be revealed after the company officially lifts the curtain from it. We will have to wait patiently till the time company talks out loud about the visionary smartphone.

March 18, 2019
Xiaomi Poco F2 Running Android Q Spotted On Geekbench

Xiaomi launched the Poco F1 last year which due to its flagship features and aggressive pricing turned a lot of heads globally. The company has been long awaited to launch its successor with upgraded features. Pleasingly, the Poco F2 with up to date features has been spotted on the benchmarking website, Geekbench.

Xiaomi Poco F2

The Geekbench listing of an unreleased Xiaomi smartphone was uploaded on March 16 which clearly mentions its name, the Xiaomi Poco F2. The device registers a single core score of 1776 points and a multi core score of 6097 points. Shockingly, both the single core and multi core scores of the Poco F2 are significantly less in comparison to that of the Poco F1. For reference, the Poco F1 registered a single core score of 2451 points and a multi core score of 8998 points in our tests.

Intriguingly, the Poco F2 runs on the Android Q operating system which is the successor to Android Pie from the yesteryear. It runs the “msmnile” SoC which is the codename for Qualcomm’s latest flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 855. Surprisingly the device only has 4 GB of RAM. The considerably lower Geekbench score and only 4 GB of RAM hint that this could be a lite variant of the Poco F2. To further strengthen the claim about this being a lite variant, it must be noted that even the Poco F1 was offered with at least 6 GB of RAM. Therefore, the feasibility of this being an affordable lite variant is quite high. Other details including the battery capacity, camera resolution, screen size and price of the upcoming device will only be publicised once it is officially unveiled by the company.

Xiaomi Poco F2 Launch Date

Also Read: Apple Told To Pay Qualcomm Over $31 Million In Patent Infringement Case

It is hard to speculate a launch date of the Poco F2 or the Poco F2 Lite as Xiaomi has maintained silence about the launch of these devices till now. However, going by the company’s annual update cycle they are likely to be launched in the second half of 2019.

March 18, 2019
More Sources Claim That 2019 iPhones Will Have Triple Cameras

Days after the launch of the latest iPhone XS & XS Max, reports started surfacing that their successors will have a considerably different design and features. Notable leakster, OnLeaks has previously shared renders of the 2019 iPhone models that reveal a smartphone with triple rear cameras. The revelations were intriguing as Apple has desisted itself from following market trends and an unusual number of cameras on a smartphone is currently at its peak.

The renders revealed that the triple camera setup of the upcoming iPhone is housed in a square-shaped module which also accommodates an LED flash. A few days after the arrival of the render, Bloomberg also published a detailed report that supports the claim of an iPhone with triple cameras. As of now, Apple has maintained a silence on the aforementioned leaks and claims. A piece of freshly shared news from a trustworthy Japanese blog, Macotakara reassures that the possibility of a 2019 iPhone with triple rear cameras is quite high.

Macotakara states that Chinese suppliers have confirmed that an iPhone with triple cameras is in the works. It is noteworthy that such suppliers are an integral part of the production of iPhone models and information shared by them has a high tendency to turn into reality.

What Could The Third Camera Be Used For?

Also Read:Whatsapp Co-Founder Urges Students To Stop Using Facebook

The alleged third camera on the upcoming iPhones is likely to be a TOF (Time Of Flight) sensor. This sensor allows in capturing depth information around the subject in the frame of the camera which produces lifelike three-dimensional pictures and videos.

Sony, one of the world’s largest supplier of camera sensors for smartphones, previously declared that it will bump up the production of its 3D TOF sensors which is due to the anticipated boom in demand of these sensors. Executives from Sony explicitly stated that Apple is in talks with them for the supply of a 3D sensor. The collection of all the leaks and reports suggest that the 2019 iPhone will indeed have triple rear cameras.

However, we will have to wait patiently as the next iPhones are due to be released in the month of September this year.

March 16, 2019
Google Pixel 4 XL Renders Reveal A Smartphone With Punch Hole Selfie Camera

In order to accommodate a large size screen on a mobile device, OEMs have begun to minimise the bezels surrounding the display. Although static bezels that don’t serve a purpose can be shrunken, the need to house the front-facing facing selfie camera persists. Consequently, companies including Samsung and Huawei have launched smartphones (1,2)with a punch hole in the display. This feature has allowed manufacturers to significantly boost the screen to body ratio of these smartphones. Google, the developer of Android who also markets a lineup of smartphones under the Pixel brand is reportedly working on a smartphone with dual punch hole selfie cameras. According to the source, the aforementioned smartphone is the Pixel 4 XL which will succeed the Pixel 3 XL from the last year.

Is It The Pixel 4XL Or Not?

The Google Pixel 3 XL was launched along with the Pixel 3 in the month of November last year. Even though both devices are from the same generation, they have significantly disparate front fascia. The Pixel 3 XL has a symmetrical design with prominent bezels on top and bottom of the display while the elder Pixel 3 XL has a wide notch above the display. The wide notch on the top of the Pixel 3 XL was not well received due to its asymmetrical design and highly obstructive nature. Therefore, Google might rethink the design language of its future flagship smartphone and the leaked image of the Pixel 4 XL has a high probability of turning into a reality.

Features Of The Leaked Pixel 4 XL

If the alleged images of the Pixel 4 XL are to be considered accurate, it will be a significantly upgraded device in comparison to its predecessor. As mentioned before, the alleged Pixel 4 XL has dual punch hole selfie cameras which are reminiscent of the newly launched Galaxy S10+. Also, the render does not exhibit a rear mounted fingerprint sensor, therefore, the upcoming device might have an on display fingerprint sensor.

Google Pixel 3 XL

Surprisingly, the renders reveal that the Pixel 4 XL also has dual rear cameras. As of now, Google has only marketed Pixel smartphones with a single rear camera which are highly appreciated for their camera prowess. Consequently, the camera capabilities of a Pixel smartphone with dual rear sensors is expected to be groundbreaking.

Also Read: Xiaomi POCO F1 Lite Spotted On Geekbench With 4GB Of RAM

Google has not made any comments about the accuracy of the leak. Hence, we will have to wait patiently till the company spreads some light on the existence and launch date of the Pixel 4 XL.

March 15, 2019
Samsung Is Developing A Smartphone With An Invisible Punch Hole Camera

Korean electronics Giant, Samsung launched the Galaxy S10 lineup of smartphones last month which are packed with top tier specifications. Out of all the remarkable features, one evident feature that stands out is the punch hole selfie camera. This feature has allowed Samsung to manufacture smartphones that have a considerably high screen-to-body ratio. As of now, Samsung has only released a handful of smartphones with a punch hole camera, a fresh report claims that the company wants to push the boundaries of this technology even further. According to a senior Samsung executive, the company is working towards developing a smartphone with an invisible punch hole camera.

In simple words, the smartphones with this type of display will have a punch hole camera which would stay concealed during regular usage. The light pixels on the display in front of the camera will have a clear back. Given that the user turns on the selfie camera on the smartphone with this type of display, the pixels in the concerned area will turn off. Due to the transparent back of the pixels, the camera underneath them will function as a regular punch hole camera which can unobstructedly capture videos and images.

In addition to the display with a hidden selfie camera, Samsung is also working on another praiseworthy technology for displays of future smartphones. The company is developing displays which will have an inbuilt speaker eliminating the need for an additional earpiece. This technology has already been seen on the LG G8 ThinQ which was launched at the MWC 2019. Such a display would have a piezoelectric sensor mounted underneath with whose help the entire display will function as an earpiece.

Also Read: A Comprehensive Look At All The Android Skins

Although Samsung has not announced a date for the launch of a device with the aforementioned technologies, it is reported to make its way into the market within the next 1-2 years.

March 15, 2019
Firefox Send Allows Users To Share Files Up to 2.5 GB With End-to-end Encryption

Mozilla, the developers of the Firefox browser has introduced a service that simplifies the process of sharing large files securely over the internet. The service is called Firefox send and it originally debuted back in August 2017 as a ‘Test Pilot’ experiment. The company has announced that the service is now available for general public use.

Firefox Send Features and Benefits

The concept behind the service is to allow users to share files electronically via a secure and simplified platform. The newly publicised Firefox send allows users to send files up to 2.5 GB in size in an end-to-end encrypted manner. Other notable services including Gmail only allows sharing files which are much smaller in size in comparison to Mozilla’s platform. Specifically, Gmail only allows sharing files that have a maximum size of 25 MB. Files greater than this size are shared via Google Drive which again takes up allotted cloud storage.

Another advantage that Mozilla send offers is automatically expiring links. The automatically expiring links can be set on the basis of two different facets. The user can either choose a period or the number of downloads before the link goes void. Users have an option of choosing between 1 to 100 number of downloads or 5 minutes to 7 days in terms of time period. Also, the user can set a password which they can share with other users they intend to share the files with.

Also Read: PUBG Mobile 0.11.5 Beta Update Introduces New Weapons, Vehicles & More

Noteworthy, the user must log in with a valid Mozilla account in order to set the time period to 7 days or the number of downloads to greater than 1. Overall, it is a simple and nifty tool that is free to use and can come in handy at times.

March 13, 2019
Huawei P30 Pro Stops By Antutu Revealing Its Key Specifications

Huawei will soon launch another lineup of flagship smartphones which will carry the P30 branding. The upcoming devices will supersede the P20 lineup from yesteryear and like their predecessors will have a focus on photography. The company is expected to launch three smartphones under the P30 branding which include the P30 Pro, the standard P30 and the P30 Lite. The upcoming devices have been subjected to several leaks in the past which revealed some features about them including a camera with 10x optical zoom capabilities. A Huawei smartphone with top notch features has been spotted on the benchmarking website, Antutu uncovering its key specifications.

Specifications and Benchmark Scores

The freshly listed Huawei smartphone on Antutu website carries the model number “VOG-L29” which is assumed to be the P30 Pro due to its top tier specifications. The device records a score of 286152 point which is slightly lesser than its cousin, the Mate 20 Pro. However, this score can vary depending on the software. Therefore, the company can give the numbers a boost with an optimised update.

The Antutu listing reveals that the smartphone runs on the latest Android 9 which is destined to be skinned with EMUI. The device is kitted with the HiSilicon Kirin 980 chipset which consists of an Octa-Core CPU and the Mali G76-MP10 GPU. Praiseworthy, the chipset is manufactured using a 7 nm fabrication process which results in a highly power efficient computing chip. In terms of memory and storage, the handset has 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of inbuilt storage. However, Huawei is expected to launch the smartphone in other storage variants as well. The resolution of the device’s display is 2340 x 1080 px which will result in a sharp and blur-free output. Other details including the resolution of the cameras, battery capacity and price of the smartphone will only be broadcasted once the company officially unveils it.

Huawei P30 Lineup Launch Date

The Huawei P30 lineup is set to unveil at a launch event on the 26th of February which will be held in Paris, France. India launch of the smartphones is expected to follow soon after their European launch.

March 13, 2019
PUBG Mobile 0.11.5 Beta Update Introduces New Weapons, Vehicles & More
The immensely popular PUBG mobile keeps on getting better with each passing day. Bluehole Corporation, the developer of PUBG has released yet another beta update for the game which brings several new changes ranging from new weapons to vehicles to dynamic weather. The latest update has the version number ‘0.11.5’ and the update consumes 1.7 GB of data to download for the Android operating system. Currently, the update is only available to download from Tencent’s website (download here) and will soon make its way to the Google Play Store.

PUBG Changelog With 0.11.5 Update
- New G36C Rifle- The new weapon fires 5.56 mm rounds which are also used by the might M416 and M16A4. However, it will only be limited to the Vikendi map and will replace the SCAR-L.
- New Tukshai aka Auto-Rickshaw- The new vehicle will be exclusively available to the Sanhok region and it will replace three other vehicles including the Jeep, Dacia (sedan) and the Mini Bus.
- Reformed Zombies- The fictional undead creatures will now be able to enter the area where they previously could not. Also, they will now enter a weakened state from time to time during the match.
- Pre-selected “I got supplies” message- The update will add the aforementioned message as the default option in the message bar. This is a feature which will be highly appreciated by squads rather than solo players.
- Dynamic Weather In Two Areas – The most popular Erangel and Miramar maps will now support dynamic weather. In simple words, the weathers in these locations will be ever changing. Weather conditions like rain reduce the visibility conditions making the game harder and more indulging.
Also Read: Redmi Note 7 Pro To Go On Sale For The First Time In India Today

A few other changes that are accompanied with the update include tuning of fuel level in vehicles, outfit preview notification if one piece covers another and feedback button in the main menu.
March 13, 2019
Samsung Announces NU6100 UHD TVs In India
Samsung has launched a lineup of online exclusive UHD TVs in India which carry the Super 6 Series branding and NU6100 moniker. The newly launched TVs will compete against the likes of Mi LED TVs which have gained a lot of popularity due to their low price. The Samsung UHD TV lineup includes three sizes which are 43-inch, 50-inch and 55-inch.

Samsung NU6100 UHD TV Features

Click here to buy the Samsung NU6100 UHD TV

The NU6100 UHD TVs feature the PurColor technology that aims to deliver vivid colours with high levels of sharpness and optimized levels of contrast for an immersive experience. Also, the TVs are bundled with Smart Hub and Smart Convergence features. They allow the uses to stream content wirelessly on the large screen TV directly from their mobile phones or tablets.

The Super 6 Series UHD TVs from Samsung are equipped with a Quad Core processor which in combination with the UHD picture engine allows playing 4K games without lag from consoles on the device. The TVs run on Tizen OS which supports several media streaming services including Netflix, Hotstar and Youtube.

The inbuilt media streaming service on the NU6100 UHD TVs has access to over 60,000 international and national movie titles which can be viewed in 10+ local languages. All three variants of the UHD TVs have 20w speakers and a standard refresh rate of 60 Hz. The UHD TVs have two HDMI ports and one USB port for playing content via a thumb drive or an external hard drive.

Price and Availability

Also Read: ASUS ROG Launches RTX Powered Gaming Laptops & Desktops In India

The Super 6 Series UHD TVs from Samsung will be exclusively available from online channels and will be available for purchase from the 12th of March. Flipkart will sell all three models of the TV while Amazon will only sell the 50 inch variant. In addition to Flipkart and Amazon, the UHD TVs will also be available from Samsung’s online store. The price for different variants of the UHD TVs are as follows:
- 43 inch – Rs 39,999
- 50 inch – Rs 49,999
- 55 inch – Rs 59,999
Click here to buy the Samsung NU6100 UHD TV
March 12, 2019
Google Pixel 2 Spotted Running Android Q Beta On Geekbench
Mountain View, California based Google is soon expected to release the first Android Q beta for Pixel smartphones. Before its official rollout, a Google Pixel 2 smartphone running the aforementioned version of Android has been spotted on Geekbench. The device secures a single core score of 1856 points and a multi-core score of 6307 points which is comparable to a device running Android 9 Pie.

Although Google has not yet confirmed the date of the rollout, the listing indicates that the update will be dispensed soon. Last year, the company released the first Android P developer preview for Pixel smartphones on the 7th of March. For at least a few weeks, the developer preview will only be exclusive for Google Pixel smartphones which will later be followed by devices of other OEMs. Notably, a Google executive in a podcast announced that updates of Android Q public beta will be rolled to several other devices as well.

What Features Will Android Q Bring To The Table?

With every Android update, Google strives to make the mobile OS smooth and bug-free. Therefore, the first and foremost change with Android Q will be speed and performance optimisation. A notable feature, that Android Q is confirmed to bring is system-wide dark mode. This feature will especially be useful for users of smartphones with an OLED display as it will prolong the battery life of the device. Other possible features that the upcoming Android update is believed to improve or add are as follows:
- Inbuilt Screen Recording Support – As the name suggests, it allows the user to record the media or games that are being displayed on the screen. With the surge in mobile games streaming, this feature has been in high demand. Although this feature could have been added to any Android device running versions below Android Q with the help of 3rd party applications, an inbuilt screen recorded would surely be appreciated.
- Desktop Mode – This feature will allow the user to project the display the contents of their Android device on a large screen. Hence, an Android device could be used as a desktop computer. Companies including Samsung and Huawei in the past have included a similar feature on their Android devices. However, the integration of this feature on a deeper level will result in better performance. Also, it will end the exclusivity which the users of a handful of companies are able to enjoy.
- Improved Facial Recognition – Facial recognition is not a new feature that Android Q will bring. However, the latest update will further enhance the feature so that it is faster and more secure than before.
Also Read: OnePlus To Launch A Pair Of Truly Wireless Earbuds With The OnePlus 7

Other features of the Android Q will only be revealed once Google officially lifts the curtains off its latest software offering.
March 12, 2019
Samsung Is Working On An Ingenious Foldable Phone Claims Patent

Late last month, the Korean Electronics giant, Samsung launched its first foldable smartphone called the Galaxy Fold. The device has an unconventional design with a large foldable inner display and a primary cover display. Soon after the launch of the Galaxy Fold, Huawei launched its first foldable smartphone that carries the Mate X moniker. The key difference between the two newly launched devices is the type of foldable display. The Samsung Galaxy Fold has an inner folding display while the Mate X has an outward folding display which the company refers as a falcon wing design. A freshly granted patent to Samsung proposes that the company is working on another foldable phone with an ingenious design. The patent also raises the question of whether the device is a successor to the Galaxy Fold or an entirely different smartphone.

Patent Disclosures

Samsung filed the patent for the aforementioned foldable smartphone with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) on the 21st September 2018 which it was granted on the 4th of January 2019. The front of the device houses a large screen foldable display which is stabilised via a complex spring-loaded mechanism. The left and right halves of the foldable device are consolidated with the help of a flexible material which conceals the previously mentioned mechanism.

The spring that drives the mechanism stays in a rested position when the device is in its folded state. However, to maintain a flat unfolded state the user must turn a small latch at the rear of the device which tenses the spring to present a smooth and wrinkle-free display. As the display of the device from the patent stays exposed it is highly susceptible to scratches and scuffs. Therefore, the company is also expected to develop a protective case for the device. Surprisingly, the patent does not exhibit any camera sensor on the front or the rear of the device. Any details about the specifications of the foldable smartphone are currently unavailable. We will have to wait for the company to spread some light on the foldable smartphone from the freshly granted patent.

Is It The Galaxy Fold 2?

Also Read: Indian Government Implements cVIGIL App To Prevent Devious Voting

The answer to this question is not certain, however, presumably the freshly patented device will co-exist alongside the Galaxy Fold. The market for foldable phones has just started to bloom and Samsung being a leader would want to take full advantage of the market that is soon expected to explode. Accordingly, the company is likely to launch several foldable phones with disparate sizes and forms to examine the choices of the consumers.

March 11, 2019
Indian Government Implements cVIGIL App To Prevent Devious Voting
For a long time, the Indian government has been stressing on the importance of digital technologies for the betterment of society. It had previously launched several applications that intend to achieve the same. An application called, cVIGIL which was launched last year has now been implemented on pan India level. The cVIGIL app is dedicated to maintaining the Model Code of Conduct of the voting process. In simpler words, it is a digital tool that can be used to desist devious practices which can be used to manipulate voting. The application has begun services before the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 which will be conducted from the 11th of April to 19th of May.

About and Purpose Of cVIGIL Application

According to the Government of India, the cVIGIL application has been developed to act as a medium that can be used to transmit and track complaints on MCC (Model Code of Conduct) violations. Due to the delay in the reporting of these violations, culprits in the past have escaped detection from the squads of election commission which are entrusted to ensure enforcement of the code of conduct. Additionally, the lack of evidence in the form of pictures or video has been a major hurdle in investigating a reported complaint.

The purpose of the cVIGIL application is to curb or desist the unfair practices that the affiliates of an organisation use to alter the voting patterns of the voters. Some methods that are used to manipulate the voter behaviours are as follows:
- Money/Liquor/Drugs Distribution
- Firearms Display
- Fake News
- Communally Hateful Speeches
- Intimidation
How Does cVIGIL Application Work?

The cVIGIL application has a sophisticated mechanism which with the help of both digital devices and media intends to prevent the aforementioned methods used to influence voting. Users of the application can capture photo or video evidence of an MCC violation. The application uses the inbuilt GPS module of the smartphone to stitch the location of the crime with digital evidence. The location and digital evidence is anonymously sent to the government headquarters from where the officials can take necessary actions. Noteworthy, the application also provides a cVIGIL ID which can be used to track the status of the complaint. All in all, it seems to be a great move by the Indian government which has been pestered by these issues for a long period.

Also Read: Google To Add More Smartphones To The Android Q Beta List In 2019

The application is currently available only for Android smartphones that run the version Jellybean 4.1 to 4.3 or above.

Click here to download the cVIGIL Application
March 11, 2019
USB 4 With Faster Speeds And Thunderbolt Support Announced

USB or Universal Serial Bus is an industry standard that sets specifications for connectors, protocols and cables for communication and power supply between computing devices and their peripherals. USB, first introduced in the year 1996 has seen several iterations during the time of its existence. Its latest standard, the USB 4 has been freshly announced which is capable of transferring data up to 4 times faster than its predecessor.

How Fast Is USB 4?

USB 3 certified devices usually have data transfer speeds of 5Gbps, 10 Gbps or 20 Gbps depending on its certification. Whereas USB 4 is capable of transferring data up to speeds of 40 Gbps which is a significant boost. This improvement in the speed of the new standard will open up new possibilities for devices with this port. Notably, it will allow the connection of multiple 4K monitors flawless.

The new USB 4 standard will further advance docking stations that use a single port to connect to several peripherals including monitor, storage drives and network cables. Noteworthy, not all devices can transfer data at a rate of 40 Gbps. Distinctly, smartphones will support slower speed which is fine as they are not generally connected to multiple devices simultaneously like a couple of 4K monitors.

What Else Does USB 4 Offer?

USB C Port On The Samsung Galaxy S10

In addition to the highly appreciated speed boost, USB 4 will also incorporate Thunderbolt technology. Thunderbolt is a type of hardware interface which was developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple. Like the USB interface, it is also intended to allow connection between a computer and external peripherals. However, it is capable of transferring data at much higher rates than USB. Noteworthy, the Thunderbolt 3 standard which was previously announced shares the common connector as USB Type-C.

USB Type-C Port On The Honor View 20

The aforementioned port is the latest standard for physical ports for the USB interface. The USB Type-C port is much more versatile and convenient than both USB A ports which are present on computers/laptops and Micro USB ports which are present on older Android smartphones. Also, the new physical connector can carry heavier electrical loads in comparison to the previous generation. The USB 4 standard also improves the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) system which governs the amount of power to supply to a connected peripheral.

When Will USB 4 Make Its Way To Consumer Ready Products?

Also Read: OnePlus 7 Listed Online Confirming Price & Specifications

OEMs that take part in USB IF (USB Implementers Forum) are expected to release the details of USB 4 in the Q4 of 2019. The first consumer-ready device will take about 12 to 14 months to make its way to the market. Accordingly, the first commercially available device with USB 4 standard will be seen in the second half of the year 2020.

March 11, 2019
Best Smartphones To Enjoy PUBG Mobile In Every Price Bracket

PUBG or Player Unknowns Battleground Mobile has become a global phenomenon in the mobile gaming industry. The game is undoubtedly entertaining and captivating. However in order to have an enjoyable PUBG experience, one must have a smartphone that is powerful and has a long battery life. We have compiled a list of top smartphones that churn out the maximum performance in different price brackets.

Under Rs 10,000- Redmi Note 7

The Redmi Note 7 was first launched in the month of January in China and it turned a lot of heads due to its worthy specifications. The device has now been launched in India and is currently the only smartphone under Rs 10,000 which packs the Snapdragon 660 SoC. Due to its chipset, the device is capable of playing PUBG mobile on medium settings comfortably without any noticeable frame drops. It packs a large 4,000 mAh battery which supports 18 w fast charging. Its 3 GB RAM + 32 GB ROM variant is available for Rs 9,999 which also supports memory expandability up to 256 GB. One notable drawback of the Redmi Note 7 is its plastic frame. Not much can be said about its sturdiness only time will tell how it fairs against day to day usage.

See Full Specs Here

Click Here To Pre-book The Redmi Note 7

Under Rs 15,000- Redmi Note 7 Pro

As the name suggests, the Redmi Note 7 Pro is a beefed up variant of the Redmi Note 7. It made its global debut in India on the 7th of March. It is one of the first smartphones that is kitted with the Snapdragon 675 SoC. At a price of under Rs 15,000 it is currently the only device that has the aforementioned chipset. The Snapdragon 675 chipset is capable enough to run PUBG mobile at high graphics settings. It is praiseworthy that such an aggressively priced smartphone can manage to deliver this type of performance. Worth mentioning, the weak plastic frame issue cripples its way to the Redmi Note 7 Pro like its younger sibling.

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Under Rs 20,000 – Galaxy A50

Samsung launched the Galaxy A50 along with the Galaxy A30 on the 28th of February in India. It is remarkable what Samsung has achieved with the newly launched device in terms of price and features. The device has a stunning 6.4 inch Super AMOLED display which also houses an On-display fingerprint sensor. The display is kitted with the Exynos 9610 SoC which is manufactured using 10 nm fabrication process. It is powered by a large 4,000 mAh battery which supports fast charging. Pleasantly, Samsung ships the device with a 15w fast charging. Due to the 10 nm chipset, it consumes less power, therefore, prolonging the battery backup. It has a triple rear camera setup which consists of 25 MP + 5 MP + 8 MP. The device is powerful enough to easily run PUBG mobile in high settings and simultaneously capture praiseworthy photographs and video.

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Under Rs 30,000 – Asus ZenFone 5Z

Even though the Asus ZenFone 5Z was launched about a year ago, it is still a great value for money product. It is one of the few smartphones under Rs 30,000 that features the Snapdragon 845 chipset. In addition to the powerful chipset, it has a Full HD+ 6.2 inch display which is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass. It is powered by a 3,300 mAh battery which supports 18 w fast charging. Running PUBG mobile on high settings is no big deal for the device and 8 GB of RAM is more than enough to deliver a lag-free experience. The device has 256 GB of inbuilt storage which is further expandable upto 512 GB. This enormous inbuilt storage is another factor that makes it a lucrative option.

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Under Rs 50,000 – OnePlus 6T

OnePlus 6T has turned as a device that needs no introduction. Like the ZenFone 5Z it also has a Snapdragon 845 SoC. But, the device runs on the OxygenOS which is one of the best Android skins due to its fast animations and stock Android-like experience. A handful of praiseworthy features that the OnePlus 6T offers is a Super AMOLED display, 20W dash charge, and quick Android updates. Running PUBG is like a walk in the park for the OnePlus 6T accrediting to its specifications. The 8 GB RAM + 256 GB ROM variant is available at a price of Rs 45,999.

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Under Rs 80,000 – Samsung Galaxy S10+

The Galaxy S10+ is one of the most exceptional smartphones of the year 2019. It is kitted with the Exynos 9820 SoC which is manufactured using 7 nm fabrication process making its highly power efficient. It has an edge-to-edge Super AMOLED display with QHD resolution and a pixel density of 522 ppi. It is powered by a large 4,100 mAh battery which supports billateral wireless charging. Bilateral wireless charging means it can both receive and transmit power, therefore, users can also charge their other wireless charging compatible devices. The Galaxy S10+ certainly delivers one of the best PUBG Mobile experience on any smartphone there is. The 8 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM variant of the Galaxy S10+ is currently available at a price of Rs 73,990.

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March 8, 2019