Author: Souradeep Roy

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ To Get Android 9 Pie Based On One UI

Samsung recently announced that their flagship phones; the S9 and S9+ will get the new Android Pie update that is based on the new One UI, in January. The announcement was made at the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC 2018) in San Francisco, California. There have been several complaints from consumers stating that Samsung’s UI has a lot of clutter and is confusing. Apple on the other hand has always kept their user interface simple and made it very user friendly. This is one of the many reasons that consumers have accepted Apple so readily in the past.

What’s New?

Samsung’s new UI is clean, simple and looks very much like stock Android with a personal touch from Samsung. The landing page is very clean, the home screen is clutter free and the icons looks quite good as well. We also expect this lighter UI to make the phone perform better. But our guess in that department is as good as yours. At least until we get our hands on the UI. The new UI will make one- handed use better. This is easily visible in their Settings page, Dialler, Clock, Albums and more, which starts from the lower half of the screen.

They are calling the top part the ‘viewing area’ and the bottom part the ‘interacting area’. Apart from this, the gallery has been completely redesigned as well, with bigger icons making it easier to identify the image you are looking for. The overall design cue seems to find a lot of influence from Stock Android, infusing their old TouchWiz UI.

Also Read: Samsung Showcases Its Foldable Smartphone With Infinity Flex Display

Samsung’s S8 which saw it’s release early in 2017 will reportedly not get the new user interface. The open beta program for Android 9 Pie will reportedly start to roll out in the US, Germany and South Korea later this month. Other Asian and European countries will receive the beta at a later stage but no date has been mentioned as of now.

November 9, 2018
Sony ‘Silently’ Introduces New PlayStation 4 Pro Which Is Much Quieter

It has been two years since the launch of the PlayStation 4, and Sony has introduced a version which is quieter than the old models. The new PlayStation 4 bearing the model number CUH-7200 is significantly quieter. Now this may not seem like a big deal to people who have never owned a PlayStation before but it is. PlayStations are extremely noisy and can reach an unbearable decibel when used.

A few websites did a test on the new PS4 Pro and compared it to the older one. The new PS4 reportedly runs a bit hotter than the original model, but its fan remains a lot quieter. A reputed gaming website also recorded the decibel count. The new Sony PlayStation 4 Pro recorded 48 decibels at its loudest, compared to 55 decibels in the original. PlayStations have been known for their loud noise and the ‘Jet Engine Effect’ which can be extremely distracting for gamers. This move from Sony is a welcome change. They are generally loud because they generate a lot of heat and thus the fans have to work a lot to cool it down, causing a lot of noise. Playing games like Marvel’s Spider-Man and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey which have high graphics requirements makes the PS4 extremely hot and noisy.

Also Read: Red Dead Redemption 2 Online Release Announced

One More Thing

Another significant change includes a new power adapter. It is a figure eight power adapter, like the ones used in Xbox models. There is very little else that has changed. Some websites have also reported that the PS4 Pro will be bundled with Red Dead Redemption 2. The Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4 Pro bundle is currently available for $ 399 on Amazon. With Black Friday and Christmas coming up, there will be massive discounts on gaming consoles. Since both models look similar, it is best to check the model number before buying.

November 9, 2018
LG Patents Phone With Under-Display Camera

Everyone thought the future had arrived when Apple showcased the iPhone X with the notch and the almost bezel-less display. But there lies the beauty of technology, as it never remains stagnant. After the launch of the iPhone X, and it’s huge demand, other phone manufacturers understood that bezel-less and notch-less screens are the way forward. But all these companies faced two major issues in making a 100% screen-to-body-ratio phone; the front camera and the connector that attaches the screen component to the motherboard. Apple patented a technology where they could solve the issue of the screen connector by folding the screen underneath itself. But the front camera issue still prevailed.

The Way Around

Many manufacturers made the notch smaller, a U-shaped notch, a V-shaped teardrop notch and more. Many decided to make mechanical and physical moving parts so that the camera could slide out when needed. But the latest trend in hiding the small front camera has been patenting phones with the cameras hidden underneath the display. Samsung was rumoured to have been working on such a phone. But now it seems LG has patented a phone with a similar technology as well.

Also Read: Samsung Working On An In-Display Front Facing Camera

According to a news website, the patent has been filed in South Korea and has two different designs. One of the designs has a curved edge and the other one has a straight edge. The notch placements also vary on the patent. It can be in the middle or the top left or top right of the screen. While LG has already worked extensively on curved displays, this may be new territory for the company. Even through they have patented the designs, it is not clear when we will get to see these phones. But we look forward to technologies like this in the years to come as we truly move into the future of smartphones.

November 8, 2018
Samsung Succumbs To The Notch

Remember Samsung’s advertisement mocking Apple when the iPhone X came out? Well, it seems that Samsung has finally given in to the notch and has decided to go with the general flow of the industry. Albeit, the notches are not as big as the iPhones’ but they are notches nonetheless. Samsung was one of the very few companies that did not have notches on their phones but now it seems the company has changed it’s stance as they revealed three different notch designs at a developer conference recently.

Notch Specifications

The fact that Samsung is looking into notch designs was in the rumour mill since a long time and the event confirms that truth. In the conference, they showed three different types of notches – the V-notch, the O- notch and the U- notch. The V- notch is in the shape of a V. It is located in the middle of the screen on top. The U- notch aptly looks like a U and is located on the middle top. It is similar to what we have seen in the Essential phone and a few other phones. The most interesting of the three is the O- notch that is in the shape of a circle. This notch is on the top left side of the screen. It looks like a hole, a cutout inside the screen.

Also Read: Samsung Mocks The iPhone X Notch And Other iPhone Things In New Advertisement

Screengrab of Samsung’s advertisement mocking Apple’s notch

It is still unclear as to how Samsung is going to utilise this notch if the consumer is going to accept the weird position of the camera or not. We really like this position as it provides an unobstructed view when it comes to watching videos or consuming other content. The New Infinity panel is the most interesting thing showed by the company. It is a notch-less, bezel less design that everyone was waiting for! If rumours are to be believed it might even have an under display camera and will be seen on the upcoming Galaxy S10!

November 8, 2018
Red Dead Redemption 2 Online Release Announced

What do you get when you mix Rockstar Games’ open world gameplay with the wild west? A perfect brew of mayhem, horse-riding and amazing gameplay. John Marston, the hero of the first Red Dead Redemption game is back and the stakes are quite high this time. Gunslingers, outlaws, horse drawn carriages and a lot of savagery awaits in this game. Rockstar Games are known for the Grand Theft Auto series, L.A. Noire and Max Payne and Red Dead Redemption 2 is nothing less in terms of quality. The game has sold 17 million copies to retailers worldwide which is more than what Red Dead Redemption’s first instalment sold in eight years! The game launched for Xbox and PlayStation on October 26th and the sales haven’t slowed down yet.

Strauss Zelnick, President and CEO of Take-Two Interactive, recently revealed that the online beta for the game will arrive sometime in the end of November. According to a news website, which later deleted the article and agreed to donate over £1 million to charity on behalf of Take Two interactive for their leaks, had mentioned about a battle royale mode in the Red Dead Redemption 2 Online game. If it is indeed true then it will pose a fierce competition for other battle royale games such as PUBG, Fortnite and Call of Duty 4. We are eager to see how things pan out. But for all the PC gamers who are not watching the gameplay walkthrough, so as to not spoil it, here is a chronology of trailers and first looks that the game has brought out till date!

Chronology Of Trailer Releases

The first trailer saw it’s release on Oct 20, 2016, shortly after the announcement of Red Dead Redemption 2. It gives us a general look and feel of the game and the landscapes that the game is set in.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmA6MrX81z4[/embedyt]

The second trailer dropped almost a year later on Sep 28, 2017. It gave us a glimpse of its new protagonist Arthur Morgan. This trailer features snow clad mountains, fights on trains, dark forests and a lot more!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F63h3v9QV7w[/embedyt]

The third trailer hit the internet hard with it giving us a fleeting glimpse of John Marston in it. It saw its release on May 2, 2018, again almost a year after the second trailer.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaW0tYpxyp0[/embedyt]

Also Read: PUBG Mobile Update To Bring Auto-Rickshaws & Snow

As part of the notorious Van Der Linde gang, Arthur is projected as an outlaw. He has to constantly change locations to stay ahead in the game. He has to set up camps everywhere he goes and this camp is where gang members eat, sleep, play, games, and do chores. Red Dead Redemption 2 promises to be more interactive and detailed than ever before and the entire game is populated with a diverse range of characters from the turn of the century. You can watch the gameplay trailer that saw its release on Aug 9, 2018 to find out more.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw_oH5oiUSE[/embedyt]

November 8, 2018
Facebook Messenger To Soon Introduce ‘Unsend’ Message Feature

Ever had moments when you sent a message to your friend or your ex and regretted it? Well, we all have. Facebook messenger is going to fix that for you with it’s new unsend feature. You will now get a window of 10 minutes to delete your message. This feature has been written about in the “coming soon” section in the release notes of Messenger on iOS. The note states that if someone has accidentally sent the wrong photo, incorrect information or message in the wrong thread, they can delete the message in the next ten minutes. WhatsApp also has a similar feature but the message can be deleted in a time frame of an hour and also has to be an unread message. Even though the 10 minute window does not seem much but it is still a great feature to have.

Also Read: Hackers Post Private Messages Of More Than 81,000 Facebook Accounts Online

Facebook’s New Move

It is also well known that the top brass in Facebook have had the unsend feature for a long time. What prompted Facebook to add this feature for regular users is unclear. However, there have been speculations that it is being added after the controversy of Facebook deleting messages sent by CEO Mark Zuckerberg from other people’s inboxes. Many had considered this act to be a breach of trust at the time. It will be interesting to see if the receiver of the message gets a “message deleted” notification or not. WhatsApp shows a similar notification at the moment.

For the uninitiated, Facebook Messenger is a messaging application that is free to use and allows users to send and receive messages, calls, video calls and so on via the internet. It also allows one to send photographs and videos to their friends and family once they are connected through Facebook. WhatsApp, which is also a messaging application, is also owned by Facebook.

November 8, 2018
Xiaomi Launches Wireless AirDots And New Mi Notebook Air

Xiaomi has been on a roll, launching products that are affordable, yet have great quality. In an event in China, Xiaomi recently launched two new products. A wireless Apple-styled white earbud and a new notebook powered by the intel i3 processor. Xiaomi is known to take their design cues from Apple, previously having launched products that look very similar to iPhones and MacBooks and the earbuds are no different. Even the name of the product AirDots sound eerily similar to AirPods by Apple.

AirDots

The AirDots have tappable controls and a compact charging case just like the AirPods from Apple. They costs around 199 yuan which is about $29 and they look quite good too. They are slightly rectangular in shape compared to AirPods and have silicone tips that allow for better sound isolation and a better fit. There are speculations that they might soon be added in the box with Mi phones, just like the wireless chargers that were recently announced as well. The AirDots run on Bluetooth 5.0. They also connect to the last paired device automatically once they are taken out of their case. The standalone battery life is around 4 hours and the battery time with the case is around 12 hours.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 With 10 GB RAM & 5G Support Launched

Xiaomi Notebook

Xiaomi also launched two new laptops in their Notebook range. A 13-inch and a 15.6-inch screen laptop. One of them costs RMB 3,099 and features a Core i3 processor that has two cores and four threads. Clocked a maximum turbo frequency of 3.9GHz, the laptop has 4GB of RAM and 128GB storage. It also features an SSD drive. It also has a dual fan cooling system to keep the heat down. The other laptop is priced at RMB 3,799 and features a 13.3-inch display with Intel’s 8th generation Core i3 processor. The difference is in the memory as it is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB SSD storage. This laptop also has a fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication.

The laptops will go on sale in China on November 1 but it is unclear if they will be launched in India or not. It is reported that Xiaomi intends to launch a few models of it’s notebooks in India soon but no specific dates have been given yet.

November 8, 2018
You May Soon Be Able To Play PUBG On Your PlayStation 4

With PUBG hitting Xbox One, there are strong rumours that PUBG may soon feature on PlayStation 4 as well. The full release on Xbox One also had a label stating “console launch exclusive”. Reading between the lines, this can only mean further console releases at some point of time. Members of a video gaming forum recently unearthed the existence of promotional PUBG images that were sitting on the PS4 servers. These images were linked to an apparent digital game ID code. Searches with the code do not bring up anything on the Play Station website. However, the Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea has apparently rated PUBG. This strongly hints at the game’s Play Station version’s existence.

PUBG is a battle royale game that first launched on PC on the Steam platform, which has since taken the world by storm. It has found success in its mobile version. It has faced tough competition from games such as Fortnite and very recently Call Of Duty Black Ops 4 which also are, or have Battle Royale modes. PUBG has been dealing with the competition by introducing regular updates, patches and new maps. It recently introduced the Night Mode that allows a user play the game in complete darkness, increasing the difficulty level.

Also Read: PUBG Mobile: Tips And Tricks To Become An Ace Player

PUBG was released on Xbox One in December 2017 and the PS 4 release is long overdue. The game retails at $30 for the Xbox One at the moment. PUBG has suffered quite a bit since it’s first console release from certain performance issues. But now, it seems to be much more stable. There are strong hints that the game might drop on PS4 in December 2018 during The Game Awards 2018. Some are also speculating that there may have been a console exclusivity contract with Xbox One which may expire in December. There are also rumours that Tencent Games may announce the game in November itself but release it in December. It will be interesting to see how PUBG maintains it’s daily user base and if the user base increases significantly with the PS4 release.

November 6, 2018
Best Budget Diwali Gifts On Amazon

With the festival of lights almost here, it is the time to give gifts and spread joy. While many of us want to, certain budget restrictions might stop us from giving the best gifts to our loved ones. Here’s a list of some really cool gifts, within a budget, to make your Diwali better.

Camera Lens Coffee Mug

This is for the photography buffs who also like a nice hot cuppa in the mornings. A replica of the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, this looks exactly like a lens but is actually a coffee mug. It features an air tight cap with open/closed lid for small sipping. The cup is made from food grade ABS plastic materials outside and extra-fine stainless steel insulated interior and is sure to keep your coffee warm on the go. The food grade plastic keeps your hands protected from hot liquids. It is available for a price of Rs 249 and is a steal at this price!

Lenovo Smart Band With Heart Rate Monitor

This fitness band if for the exercise freak who is on a budget. At a price of Rs 1,299, the fitness band can make for a perfect gift for people who like living a healthy lifestyle. The smartband features a dynamic heart rate monitor. The band can be set to automatically check your heart rate every 15 minutes with 24-hour real-time heart rate monitoring. The activity tracker has features like sedentary reminder, workout tracker which records your steps, distance, calories burned, sleep quality all day. The best part of this band is you don’t have to worry about liquid damage since it is liquid splash and dust proof. It has a Pedometer, Calories and Sleep Monitoring, Bluetooth Enabled and boasts of an OLED Display.

Beauty Lights With USB

What better gift for Diwali than rice lights with a twist! These Beauty lights are made of high quality 0. 4mm copper wire and LEDs. It is also battery powered. This makes it easy to use in areas without a socket nearby. One can plug in their USB port to a power bank, USB adaptor or socket as well! It has a low power consumption and heat insulated copper wire. The light features a warm white and has 20 pcs of LED. The copper wire length is 16.5ft/5m. It is also extremely reasonable at a price of Rs 399.

BoAt Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Some good speakers never go to waste! The Boat Stone 200 is is a waterproof speaker for the active, outdoorsy lifestyle. The construction of the speaker with durable rubber matte finish makes it shock proof, which offers all around outdoor protection against dust and water. You can swim, camp, hike, cycle and do pretty much all you can imagine with it. It’s small, lightweight and handy as well. The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.1 transmission with no loss of audio performance and can be paired with all types of devices that use Bluetooth technology and you can also connect the speaker with aux which is a good thing if you own an Amazon echo or any other device with Alexa support. It is priced at just Rs 1,099 on Amazon and makes for a great Diwali gift for your close ones.

Self Adhesive Led Strip Light

Tech enthusiasts always appreciate good lighting in their studio. This LED strip is a great way to get some ambient lighting in your home, office or studio at a very cheap price. The length of the strip is 5 metres and is warm white in colour. It has self adhesive tape which sticks to your furniture and the light nicely reflects on your walls to give great lighting. Priced at just Rs 336, this is a great option for a Diwali gift.

Noise DSLR Backpack

This is a lightweight DSLR/ Action Camera/ Mobile camera case with adjustable, padded dividers which allow you to customise the camera compartment. It can be a great addition to a photographer’s arsenal and any photographer in your family will be happy to receive it as a gift. It has two internal mesh pockets for accessories which is very handy. Apart from that there are two internal mesh pockets for batteries and an extra memory cards as well. The bag is light weight and has a comfortable soft handle and shoulder straps with softened bands. The camera case in the bag has adjustable padded dividers which helps your camera and equipment fit snugly. With a price of Rs 799 on Amazon, it is very reasonable if we compare it to other camera bags in the market.

November 6, 2018
DJI Drones Restricted Temporarily In The UK

The Civil Aviation Authority in the UK has restricted DJI drones due to certain issues of the drones failing mid- air. The authorities have issued a safety notice (SN) for operators of the DJI Matrice 200 series multi-rotor small unmanned aircraft. This notice came about after several in-flight battery problems which have led to a complete power loss. The DJI Matrice 200 and Inspire 2 use TB50 and TB55 DJI batteries that are failing specifically. Detection of the power loss was made when there was sufficient battery time still left on the device.

DJI’s Response

In a press release, the company has said that DJI is investigating the reports regarding the batteries showing incorrect power levels that have led to loss of power mid-flight. They have also issued a statement regarding the battery problem. Stating that flight safety and product reliability are their top priorities. They have advised customers to fly with caution when operating their drones equipped with these batteries. In addition, DJI is working on a firmware update that will provide improvements to flight safety for the affected drones. DJI is reportedly urgently working on a mitigation plan to allow customers to confidently use these batteries again.

According to DJI, the best way forward is to constantly keep checking the voltage of the battery before and during the flight. This is a temporary solution till they resolve the problem. A firmware update push to all the drones is underway that use these two batteries. This update will ‘provide improvements to flight safety’. The company has urged customers who have experienced these problems to contact DJI immediately. This is so that they can understand and work on the battery problem.

Also Read: DJI Launches Mavic 2 Enterprise For Commercial Use

The company urges customers to also keep the flight within visual line of sight to support a safe return to home. Users should not fly the drone over people, moving vehicles, or other property that is susceptible to damage. CAA has suspended permissions to fly these models over or within 150 metres of any congested area. Instructions were given to refrain from flying within 50 metres of any persons, vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the SUA (Small Unmanned Aircraft) Operator.

November 5, 2018
A Mobile Phone That You Can Build Yourself

We have all wished that we could build a phone ourselves. Well, the MakerPhone brings you a step closer to this dream. It is a fully functional mobile phone that you can build and code yourself. The kit contains parts and instructions to make the phone yourself. It is meant to be a fun learning experience for beginners who like to use tools and see how every technology functions. This is an interesting concept and the company is currently looking for support through a crowdfunding website.

What You Can Learn

You can learn what a resistor does and how it functions. Leaning about the basics of electronics is a great experience and can get you interested to make more things. You can learn how to solder which can be a great life lesson – something you can use for a lot of different purposes as well! It teaches how to code in Python and as well as the children’s coding application called Scratch. Arduino (which is based on C/C++) is also a part of the learning experience.

They previously have built another DIY gaming console called MAKERbuino and the company says that the DIY phone is different in more ways than one. The MAKERphone includes a color screen and a better micro-controller with their custom software. The phone also has Python programming language compatibility and Scratch programming language compatibility. Other significant changes are dedicated DAC and electronic volume controllers for sound regulation and mp3 playback , 8 individually programmable RGB LEDs and better PCB architecture for easier soldering. And it isn’t all just for show! It can now make calls, has a SIM card, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

One can also play games such as space invaders, pong, or snake on the phone once the assembly is complete. Apps such as a custom media player that only plays cat videos, programs in Arduino, lines of code in Python are some of it’s many attractions. According to the company, the DIY Kit is made for anyone above 11 years of age. The average build time is around 7 Hours.

What’s In The Kit

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S10 To Not Have The Iris Scanner

These are the items that the Kit will contain:

MAKERphone circuit board – the main board that connects all the components in a uniform device that can work as a mobile phone

MAKERphone casing – multiple sheets of acrylic cut with the power of lasers. They protect the innards and give MAKERphone this sleek look

128 x 160 full colour TFT LCD – for playing games, displaying phone numbers and everything in between

GSM module – a tiny module responsible for everything related to calling and texting other people

Main microcomputer module – a dual core processor with built-in Wi-Fi, BLE, and a charging circuit

Sound module – a board with a DAC (digital to analog converter) chip and a headphone jack for music playback (responsible for ringtones, alarms, game sound effects)

Amplifier module – makes loud buzzes, bleeps and bloops

Stick-on antenna – for superb phone signal (a.k.a. send text messages while in the bathroom)

A bag with other tiny electronic components such as pushbuttons and coloured button caps with a 128 MB SD card preloaded with games and apps included

November 5, 2018
Best Tech Gifts On Amazon This Diwali

Diwali is the festival of lights and at this time of the year, people all across the country buy gifts for each other. It ranges from sweets, chocolates, home appliances to lights and tech. This diwali we list a few items that can be great gifts for the tech enthusiasts in your family. Let’s find out more!

Kindle E-reader

Everyone has a family member who is a voracious reader. And what better gift for them than the Amazon Kindle?! The Kindle has an all-new design which is thinner and lighter than it’s previous models. It is also now available in a choice of black or white colour. The Kindle e-reader is easy on your eyes and does not have a built in light. So, one might not be able to read in the dark. It has a touchscreen display and reads like real paper. There is no screen glare even in bright sunlight and the feel of reading is almost like a page in a book. A single battery charge lasts weeks and can hold thousands of books. There is also a huge selection of books available for download, both free and paid in several different languages. The device is available on Amazon for a price of Rs 4,799.

JBL Wireless On-Ear Headphones With Mic

The JBL on-ear headphone can make for a great gift for the audiophile in the family. It has a pure bass sound and is great for listening to music with a great bass-line. Unlike many other headphones in the market, this headphone claims a 11-hour battery life which is a lot more than most of its competitors. The headphone supports Bluetooth 4.0 and weights just 145 grams. It sits comfortably around your neck when not in use and is quite comfortable to wear for long periods of time as well. It is priced at Rs 2,948 on Amazon.

Amazon Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote

This nifty accessory is for the family members who are addicted to their TV programmes and love watching streamed content as well. You can connect Amazon Fire TV Stick to your HDTV and start streaming movies, TV shows and songs from Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, Netflix, Gaana and many more services as long as you are subscribed to them. The device is easy to set up and use and can be a great addition if the person you are gifting it to has an Amazon Prime membership. Amazon Fire TV Stick comes with a voice remote. Press the voice button and say the name of the Amazon Prime Video title you want to watch and it will stream it on your TV directly. You can plug the Fire TV stick into any TV’s HDMI port, connect to Wi-Fi and continue watching. This can be great for use in hotels and other places while travelling. The TV stick is available for Rs 3,499 on Amazon.

Yeelight Candela

How can a Diwali gift list be complete without an amazing lamp! This lamp is a visual comfort light that holds an 1800K colour temperature. It is the same colour temperature as that of a candle which is extremely soothing. The Yeelight Candela features a built-in 2100 mAh battery. This allows for up to 8 hours of continuous use on a single charge. It has adjustable brightness which leads to a similar colour as the warm copper colour of the candle. It is bluetooth controlled and works with the Mi Home app. The company has also indicated on a crowdfunding website that they are working to make Candela Alexa, Google Home and IFTTT compatible. Priced at Rs 4,199 it isn’t exactly cheap, but it can definitely make for a great gift!

Bose Sound Link Micro Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Another great gift for audiophiles, the Bose Sound Link Micro is a smaller, more compact version of the Sound Link Mini. It might be smaller in size, but still retains the great quality sound that one can expect from Bose speakers. Having an IPX7 rating, this speaker is thoroughly water proof. The speaker is easily portable and can be tied to your bag or belt with a tear-resistant strap.The Bose Sound Link Micro has up to 6 hours of play time from a rechargeable battery and a wireless range of up to 30 feet. It also features a speakerphone allowing you to take calls through the device along with allowing voice access to Siri or Google Assistant. Available on Amazon at a price of Rs 8,089, it is a great gift for sure!

Also Read: Top 5 Air Purifiers To Buy This Diwali

Echo Dot (3rd Gen) With Alexa

This small device is a great addition to any home. Elders can use it to play songs, listen to the news, know about the weather, youngsters can use it to control lights, other appliances and so on. It does so much for its value. The Echo dot can also help you to turn your normal speakers into voice activated speakers in a jiffy! Easy to set up and use, the Echo dot works on Wifi and can control compatible smart lights, plugs, and remotes from Philips, Syska, TP-Link and Oakter just by using your voice. Ordering a cab, food, or even ordering regular items from Amazon are just some of its skills. Priced at just Rs 2,999, it is a gift that everyone can appreciate!

November 5, 2018
Yongnuo Teases Android Mirrorless Camera With 4G Connectivity

Chinese camera and lens manufacturer Yongnuo has teased a mirrorless camera with 4G connectivity and the Android operating system loaded on it. According to a photography rumours website, the new camera will have features such as 4k 30 fps video, GPS module and a headphone jack. The camera has memory card slots and will sport a full HD touchscreen. This is the first time that a camera will have Android 7.1 loaded into it.

Possible Features

The screen will reportedly be a 5 inch 1080p INCEL multi-touch screen. Other similarities to a phone include 4G/3G data network and WiFi support, a 4000 mAh battery, dual LED flash and 3 GB + 32 GB of memory. This camera has been codenamed “YN450,” and Yongnuo is looking for name suggestions on it’s facebook page. The last date for the submissions is January 2019 which leads us to believe the camera may see its launch at CES 2019. The card has support for Canon EF lenses and has an 8 megapixel sensor. They have also not let videography take a hit and have included a dual mic for stereo sound. The images of the camera suggest it will be very slim and handy. It will also feature a dual LED flash and will support RAW shooting.

Being an Android device, the camera will be easy to use. Speculations also suggest that it may be a micro four thirds sensor. In May of 2018, the company had created a buzz around a lens that can turn a smartphone into a micro four thirds camera. The YN450 seems to be the next logical step into merging the two mediums together. Some photographers are also speculating that it will have a selfie cam at the back of the camera and a dedicated SIM slot but it is still unclear if it will or not.

November 2, 2018
Top 5 Air Purifiers To Buy This Diwali

With Diwali right around the corner, everyone is decking up their houses to welcome guests to celebrate this auspicious occasion. But with Diwali comes a natural hazard that can cause a lot of harm to the human body and sometimes can even be fatal. Air pollution is a massive problem in India with metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Mumbai being hit hard. So, we are listing five air purifiers that are great in their own ways and we will explain how each one has features that can be useful for your home. These air purifiers range from as low as Rs 8000 to as high as Rs 38000 and can make for a considerate Diwali gift as well!

Sharp Air Purifier

This air purifier is available for Rs 16,690 on Amazon and is in the mid-range price bracket. The Sharp air purifier promises to eliminate smell, toxic gases, VOC, pathogens (mould, virus, dust mites, fungi etc. particles up to 0.01microns) from both air and surface. It features a passive HEPA system that traps PM 2.5 particles, smoke, house dust and pollen. PM 2.5 is the most hazardous particle and that is what is measured when testing for pollution. The Sharp filter has a pre-filter that traps heavy dust particles. It also promises to combine active and passive purification systems much better than only filtration systems. Measuring a mere 73.2 x 35 x 27.1 cm and weighing at 6.66 Kg the purifier is easy to tuck-in, in a corner of your house.

Mi Air Purifier 2S

The Mi Air Purifier is one of the cheapest purifiers available in the market and is sold quite a lot. It features a PET primary filter, Ultra dense EPA filter and Activated Carbon. It has a range of 400 sq. ft. / 37 sq. metres. The 3- layer filtration is meant to remove harmful PM 2.5 and clean the air 400 square feet around, in 10 minutes. The air purifier also features smart control through the Mi Home App and Alexa which is a blessing as you can turn it on and off with just your voice. The OLED display allows you to check PM 2.5 levels in the room and keeps track of how clean your air is.

It also shows the temperature and humidity levels which is great for someone who is health conscious and wishes to monitor the air quality constantly. The filter for this air purifier costs Rs 2,199 on their website and requires to be changed once every 6 months at least, depending on the use. It has a CADR (Clean air delivery rate) of 310 m³/hr.

Philips 1000 Series Air Purifier

The Philips 1000 series air purifier has a range of 677 sq. ft. / 63 sq. mtrs. The air purifier works on 11 to 50 watts depending on the fan speed. It filters out PM 2.5, viruses, harmful gases such as formaldehyde and TVOC. It also has a very useful night sensing mode that prepares your room with clean air for your sleep. The air purifier has a CADR (cigarette smoke) of 270 m³/h and filters out bacteria as well. At a price of Rs 8,799 on Amazon this air filter is definitely a great deal!

Philips Series 3000 Air Purifier with Humidifier

If you are looking for a much more powerful air filter or you have a bigger room then you will need to shell out a little more. Priced at Rs 30,500 currently on Amazon, this air filter has a larger range and is more powerful. This filter claims to remove 99.97 percent of common pollutants and traps particles as small as 0.003 microns. It has a range of upto 861 sq. ft./80m² which is useful for common living rooms and halls or office spaces. It features three auto modes: General, Allergen and Sleep. The CADR is the same as that of the Mi air purifier at 310 m³/hr.

Also Read: Lenovo Z5 Pro With 95 % Screen-To-Body Ratio Launched

Dyson Pure Cool Air Purifier

Dyson is known for its quality home products and is infamous for it’s prices but the Pure Cool air purifier is worth every penny. It automatically senses and reports air quality levels (PM 2.5, PM 10, VOC, NO2 & overall AQI) on an LCD screen and Dyson Link App in real-time. The company also claims that it is the only purifier to report all of these separately. According to the company, the 350 degrees oscillation ensures proper circulation throughout the room. It is a 40W air purifier with Air Multiplier technology. This technology projects over 360 litres of purified air per second across the whole room.

It also boasts of a 360 degree Glass HEPA Filter and a Tris Impregnated Activated Carbon Filter capture of 99.95% of harmful ultra-fine pollutants & allergens as small as PM 0.1. It has nine different sensors that collect air quality data throughout the room. Another useful feature is the night-time mode that monitors and purifies using the purifier’s quietest settings, with a dimmed display. It also has a remote. The purifier is priced at Rs 37,900.

November 2, 2018
OnePlus 6 Starts Receiving OxygenOS 9.0.2 Update With Nightscape And Screen Gestures

Oneplus 6 users were wary of whether the new software updates on the OnePlus 6T will bleed to the older model or not. At the launch the company declared that all the new software features will arrive at the Oneplus 6 as well. Now the new update is here and lets go over the features once more!

New Navigation Gestures

In the last update, there were several issues that users complained about. Using the Gesture Navigations made it difficult for the user to summon the Google assistant. Now with the new update, you can access the Google Assistant using the power button. Many new gestures are also added. The gestures are now much more fluidic and looks better. The overall experience is completely different. Switching between apps is also quite different.

Improved UI

The user interface has been changed quite a bit. Although it is not apparent at first glance, the User Interface has smaller changes that make using the Oneplus 6 on a day to day basis much easier and smoother. According to the company, it has a dedicated team that solely focusses on making the machine Fast, Stable and Efficient and this team is aptly named Team FSE. This includes a Reading mode that makes the screen darker and makes it look like it has a matt finish. The dark mode now also darkens the notification panel, menu and everything else to go dark. For the reading mode, specific applications such as Google Play Books and Kindle can be preset to open in reading mode only.

Night Mode and Studio Lighting

A massive change in terms of the camera include the addition of Night Mode and Studio Lighting. The night mode, through software changes, enables better night mode photography. The improved night time camera capabilities will enable the Oneplus 6 to take better low light images. The nightscape reduces the ISO and the shutter speed and compared to the usual 5 seconds required to take a night shot, the Oneplus will take 2 seconds thus reducing the chance for camera shake. The studio lighting enables normal portraits to get a better lighting that does not make it look unnatural. This mode accentuates the facial features and allows for better portraits.

Also Read: OnePlus 6T Receives Oxygen OS 9.0.4 Update

Other changes include the usual updated Android security patch which OnePlus is quite regular with. The screenshot experience has also received an update. The update also implements a new Google quick search box design. The zooming gesture and magnification in the gallery also improves with this update.

According to OnePlus, the update will roll out in stages. A few users will receive the update today while a broader rollout will begin in the next few days.

November 2, 2018