Author: Vikhyaat Vivek

Astrobotic’s Tiny Rover To Test Endurance Of Small Robots On The Moon

Astrobotic, the Pennsylvanian aerospace company plans on sending a lander to the Moon within the next couple of years for various tests and studies. The main motive of the tests will be to test the operational life of small robots on the Moon’s surface. The toaster-sized machine was built by the Carnegie Mellon University and will pave the way for drone-based space exploration.

NASA (National Aeronautical Space Agency) had previously contracted Astrobotic with a sum of $79.5 million to carry the American space agency’s 14 payloads on its lander, which is dubbed Peregrine. The lander will reportedly carry another 14 payloads from various commercial companies, space agencies and research organizations. All the payloads will be hauled in a lander which is over 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide.

The reason for the rovers small stature is due to the lack of room in the cargo region of the Peregrine landers. Hence, an announcement unveiled the development of a tiny robot that can survive the low gravity, extreme temperature conditions, and high radiation environment on the lunar surface. An average rover is built to be large and sturdy to survive the gruelling conditions while carrying scientific instruments. Astrobotic faces a Herculean task of creating a fully functioning rover of this size.

The Peregrine lander will also carry a couple of other pint-sized rovers apart from the one developed by Astrobotic. For the lunar mission, ispace, a Japanese company is planning on supplying the lander with its own rover, similar to the Mexican space agency. These mobile platforms form one of the most crucial parts of Astrobotic’s Moon mission. Terrain mapping and reconnaissance around the lander on the moon will be provided by such tiny mobile robots while being tested for endurance.

The tiny robot will face numerous hurdles on its mission with many factors that can render it useless on the Moon’s surface. Some of the probable problems include rough surfaces, power generation, and temperature regulations. The small size implies that solar panels, radiators and outfitting scientific sensors will be limited. The gravity, however, plays in favour of the drones, making it easier for the 4-pound (approx. 1.8 kilograms) rover to traverse the lunar terrain.

Also Read: Dell Unveils Latitude 7400 Laptop With New ExpressSign-In Feature

The success of this mission will open up lunar exploration for other groups that seek to employ their own tiny drones, with cheaper cost of entry and easy building methods. The entire mission only has a small window of operational value due to the 2-week long night and day cycle on the Moon. All drones are expected to perish in the frigid dark conditions on the Moon 2 weeks into the mission. However, with their ‘sacrifice’, a new method of space and surface exploration can potentially be available for similar endeavours in the future.

June 6, 2019
Dell Unveils Latitude 7400 Laptop With New ExpressSign-In Feature

The advent of technological innovation has made human lives easier. A couple of decades ago, fingerprint sensor or facial recognition was a term pulled straight out of a science fiction novel. American multinational company Dell has launched a new laptop, the Latitude 7400 that takes another step towards the seamless integration of modern technology into our lives. The company introduced a new method of turning on a laptop and logging in without touching the keyboard at all.

ExpressSign-In

The new ExpressSign-in feature from Dell will now scan for the user’s face even when the system is in sleep mode to automatically sign in to the system. The feature is introduced in a recently unveiled business-oriented laptop, the Latitude 7400 2-in-1. Apart from the new login feature, the laptop features a slim form factor.

Dell achieves the new login method with the help of Intel’s Context Sensing technology and Microsoft Windows ‘Hello’ recognition system. The Hello recognition system and other fingerprint-based sensors have aimed towards making life easier with previously attempted hands-free tests. Dell’s new method, however, takes this a step forward with the Latitude recognizing the user’s face and boots up with no user input via keyboard or any other device.

Dell’s trick to the new login method is to simply look at the screen while proximity sensors enable two LED lights to strobe from either side of the camera. After the screen turns on, the Windows Hello eye icon will try to recognize the user. The entire process of recognition by the system takes less than 5 seconds, as demonstrated by the company.

Specifications

The Latitude 7400 2-in-1 from Dell is equipped with the i5 8th Generation Intel Core Processor with 8GB of RAM, which can be expanded up to 16GB. The laptop has various internal storage variants that start from 128GB PCIe/NVMe to 512GB. The battery pack also gets two variants: a 4-cell 52WHr and a 6-cell 78WHr. The laptop houses two USB 3.1, two Thunderbolt, HDMI, SIM, and a microSD card reader ports.

Also Read: Microsoft Renames The Windows 10 Xbox App To Xbox Console Companion

The aforementioned configuration is packed in 12.59 x 7.87 x 0.34-inch compact form factor, with an all-aluminium build. The laptop also has a backlit keyboard. Dell Latitude 7400 is currently available for purchase starting from $1,599 (approx. Rs.1,11,000) and going upto $2000 (approx. Rs.1,38,000) for the specced-up variants.

June 6, 2019
Microsoft Renames The Windows 10 Xbox App To Xbox Console Companion

Microsoft has always had its gaming console companion app pre-installed on every Windows 10 supported device. This was done in order to bridge the social gap between its PC and console gaming fans. In the latest Windows update, the company renamed its Xbox App to Xbox Console Companion. This update is a refresh right before the upcoming ‘new desktop experience’ by the company. Apart from the name, no functional changes have been made to the Windows application.

However, Microsoft has planned updates in the future that will lead to the revamp of the dashboard setup in the app. Furthermore, these changes will be made for an unannounced Xbox console settings menu. The future iterations may also team up with the launch of Microsoft’s xCloud, the online gaming and streaming service. It will also allow cross-platform game streaming amongst the user’s devices. However, no significant changes are mirrored in the Xbox apps for Android and iOS as of now.

When users will update the Microsoft store, they will receive a pop-up message from the company. The message will start with, “Pardon our dust.” and go on to describe the reason for the new name of the application. Xbox Console Companion receives a new icon and will be dedicated for Xbox users. An up-to-date version of Windows (10th May 2019 Build) is required to experience the new feature as promised by Microsoft.

The original Xbox app is made for managing games installed on the Windows 10 PC. It also provides a simple catalogue for users to browse games in Microsoft Store, or manage the Xbox Live profiles. The app has in-built functions like social chat. This allows for cross-platform chat with friends and participation in communities, sharing in-game achievements and tracking them, managing video clips and capturing screenshots. The latter two of the features were made possible to the users via the console’s DVR feature which also makes game streaming possible via an Xbox console to a Windows 10 PC.

Microsoft will hold a press conference at the gaming expo E3 2019 on June 9th. This event should unveil more details regarding the promised desktop experience and xCloud. The game streaming service will begin its trials in the latter half of the year 2019, as previously claimed by Microsoft. The rebranding of the desktop apps name after the overhaul of Windows 10 Game Bar lays the foundation for the future console’s framework. The Game Bar is now equipped with PC resource monitors, customizable widgets, and broadcast/game capture controls.

Also Read: Google Maps Will Now Provide Info on Trains and Buses In India

With social media now integrated directly with the GameBar, users will be able to access cross-platform voice and text chat. This feature is synchronized across Xbox devices, as well as multiplayer team management. Additionally, Spotify music controls can also be a part of Microsoft future plans to enhance user experience during gaming. The aforementioned features although, might be removed from the now repurposed Xbox Console Companion App.

June 5, 2019
Google Maps Will Now Provide Info on Trains and Buses In India

In a modern day world where time is money, information regarding an individual’s commute is extremely important. In Indian states like Mumbai where trains are the most common form of transportation for the masses, details regarding the status of various trains is quite crucial. In a new announcement, Google has unveiled its plans for adding practical (and much needed) features to Google Maps for its Indian user base.

With the new update, Google Maps can provide the user with real-time information on bus travel times derived from live traffic conditions. Furthermore, users will now also be able to track live statuses of Indian Railway trains. The update is set to be introduced to ten major cities in the country. A mixed-mode commute feature will also be introduced. This feature combines auto-rickshaws with public transport for a more detailed route to the user’s destination.

Bus & Public Transport

The aforementioned feature will work hand-in-hand with Google Maps pre-existing live traffic data and public bus schedules. This will provide accurate travel times regarding buses in real-time. Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Chennai, Mysore, Coimbatore, and Surat will be the first cities to receive this feature. The new update will be tested out for the first time in the real world and will help in relaying more detailed information regarding buses to the users.

Indian Railways

Trains will also receive a similar set of updates. Information regarding delays and travel times will now be available on Google Maps. Upon searching for the user’s current location and destination, the app will provide inter-state data regarding train routes. This feature was developed with the help of ‘Where is my train’ app, that was acquired by Google in the year 2018.

Mixed-Mode Commute

Also Read: How ARKit 3, RealityKit And HomeKit Will Help Developers In Creating Apps

With the inclusion of the new mixed-mode feature, route results now also highlight auto-rickshaws. This form of travel is popular in India for quick and short duration rides. Google Maps will suggest rickshaws during trips in public transport only if it is a viable alternative. This particular feature, however, will be only available in Delhi and Bangalore and will eventually spread to other cities as well.

June 5, 2019
Apple CarPlay Update Makes It A Better Travel Partner

At the WWDC 2019, Apple announced a planned refresh to its pre-existing CarPlay feature installed in vehicles across the world. The company also announced the iOS 13, tvOS, watchOS, the redesigned Mac Pro, and the iPadOS. With the new upgrades to CarPlay, Apple seeks to enhance the user-cum-driver experience with various practical functionalities.

The announcement for the aforementioned system focused mainly on upgrades from previous iterations. The company is giving CarPlay an aesthetical overhaul. With iOS 13, a new dashboard that can show multiple applications in a single view is now possible in CarPlay. Applications like Music and Maps will be more accessible by users. With the new updates, Apple’s CarPlay would have a more informative Calendar app that relays even more relevant details. The Music app will now highlight the featured album art more noticeably alongside favourites and music discovery.

With the refreshed visual design and UI, CarPlay will also feature improved support for Siri and a new ‘light mode’. Notifications and Siri suggestions are more seamless and cleaner with the new update. iOS 13 will feature numerous compatibility and utility integrations with the new CarPlay.

A significant change to the system is that apps launched in the connected smartphone will not be mirrored on CarPlay. As per the company, this change was introduced so that the smartphone can be used for more than one function at a time. Now, a passenger can simply play music without any interference with applications such as Maps. The new update also allows CarPlay to appear on other digital screens in the car. A new ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ mode will also debut with the new update that blocks notifications, a feature derived from iPhones.

Also Read: Samsung Collaborating With AMD For Radeon Graphics On Its Smartphones

With the new CarPlay, Siri will be able to run third-party applications for music and navigation. Apple has also integrated fully hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ support that works with the car’s in-built microphone. Lastly, Apple also announced the system’s ability to automatically adapt to different screen sizes and resolution. The company believes that the new CarPlay update will ensure that users can seamlessly make use of the various new features bundled with the same.

June 5, 2019
Samsung Collaborating With AMD For Radeon Graphics On Its Smartphones

The gaming industry is currently valued at an estimated $93 Billion, with mobile gaming accounting for the largest piece of the pie. American chip manufacturer AMD and Samsung have announced their partnership for upcoming smartphone graphics. Looking at the pace at which the mobile gaming industry is growing, it was only a matter of time until tech giants like AMD had the aforementioned sector in their sights.

Previously, the video game industry used to be a small part of the entertainment business but now, it is one of the major forefronts for digital media. In the year 2018, the gaming industry raked up the same amount of revenue as the US film industry. Unlike in the past when development teams and investment were low and the return profitable, now a dedicated highly qualified team works on a million-dollar project just for the sake of development.

Samsung alongside AMD confirmed the joint venture in a common report. The partnership will see the development of a new ultra-low power high-performance graphics technology. AMD is confirmed to have licensed its proprietary graphical technology to Samsung for use in future mobile chipsets. The South Korean giant will reportedly pay for AMD’s brand new recently announced RDNA graphics architecture.

This will mark a new market for AMD to capitalize on. The graphics technology from team Red will seek to replace the ARM-based Mali GPUs that are found in the Exynos chipsets. Samsung’s strategy to retail different chipsets in different countries may lead to certain countries not witnessing the aforementioned architecture. Most countries are receiving the Exynos chipset while US, Canada, China, Japan and Latin America receive the Qualcomm Snapdragon processors with Adreno GPUs.

Also Read: As Apple Retires iTunes, Here Is How It Paved The Way For Modern Music Platforms

It can be noted that AMD previously owned the Adreno GPU technology before it sold its graphics division to Qualcomm in 2009. Radeon graphics are renowned for its desktop GPU lineup and incorporation in game consoles like PS4 and Xbox One. Its architecture is also being optimized in upcoming Google Stadia, the cloud gaming service.

June 4, 2019
Here Is How Apple Watch Covers All Bases In Modern Healthcare

In a world where health concerns are on the rise, each step taken in the right direction may save lives. Apple recognised the need for a device that brings genuine utility for its consumers. Rather than making an entirely new product, it has added new layers of functionality that enables the device to be a small but impactful health partner.

Apple has focused on making the Watch a standalone experience with its own unique functions. With the inclusion of an ECG sensor on the Apple Watch series 4, health took an active role with the device. Incorporating many of the health monitoring features that have been popular in the mobile industry such as tracking the number of steps taken. With individuals becoming more self-aware and conscious with their health, the industry soon adapted to provide the market with their current demands.

Health partner bands and companion wearable devices are not a new concept now, but Apple with its inclusion of functions like noise detection and menstrual cycle tracking made the experience a lot more streamlined and rounded. ECG sensor that brought real-time monitoring of heart rate, in countries like India where heart conditions affect nearly one-third of the entire adult population, makes it more than a useful tool for everyday use. (ECG is presently only available in limited countries)

The latest update to watchOS 6 had Apple say, ‘why stop there?’ The company along with its new ‘faces’ has seamlessly integrated pro-health functions to the Apple Watch. The ‘Loud Noise’ detecting app is one such application that passively records and measure sound levels in the users surrounding ambience. Noise pollution has become a real epidemic in the modern world and areas where sound levels cross 90 decibels are immediately notified to the user as harmful and unsafe. This function has yet to be reproduced by other manufacturers that target health-conscious consumers.

Apple, for its women userbase, has added a uniquely interactive app that lets them track their menstrual cycles. With the new Cycle Tracking App, women can log important data related to their menstrual cycles. The application with data inputs is also capable of predicting future cycles beforehand along with current period flow, symptoms and results from ovulation prediction kits. Fertility and ovulation can also be tracked by Apple Watch.

Also Read: Apple Mac Pro Is The Productivity Machine Apple Promised

No wearable device/companion, even the ones specifically made for health monitoring feature such degree of functionality at this size. Apple succeeded in making the best wearable device in the market in this regard. Users can get a full picture of their health right on their wrist without ever needing an iPhone.

Apple has also made the Apple Watch a more stand alone device, which means it can function without requiring input from the iPhone. The Apple Watch offers Fall detection and emergency auto dial for the elderly, Heart Rate monitoring, and ECG, along with several other features like, Breathe reminders and fitness tracking which include auto exercise detection. The Apple Watch has already saved a lot of lives with some of it’s features and with more being added with WatchOS 6, the Apple Watch has now become the most well developed fitness and health tracker.

June 4, 2019
Apple Showcases The Updated watchOS 6 and tvOS 13 At WWDC 2019

Apple at WWDC 2019 has delivered on the many requests made by its consumers and fans. Many of the initial rumours were also confirmed within the event. With the company’s focus shifting away from its star player, iOS, and towards the improvement of its other products. In WWDC, the company officially unveiled the new and improved watchOS and tvOS to its audiences present in the event and those watching it live online.

Apple tvOS 13

Apple announced changes for its already revamped Apple TV app with its latest tvOS 13. The new redesigned home screen brought some welcomed aesthetical changes with live previews and cleaner organization. The biggest addition to the tvOS is the ability to add multiple users. Each added member receives personalized recommendations for both Apple TV app and Apple music.

The music app will also be fully synced with complete lyrics displayed alongside the music that is being played. tvOS is scheduled to launch this fall and will feature native support for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 game controllers for its Apple Arcade lineup of games. Apple is set to launch its streaming service later on in the year 2019. Showcasing the service with the reveal trailer of ‘For All Mankind’ as one of the first shows that will be in the streaming service.

Apple watchOS 6

WWDC saw the split of Apple’s core focus from iPhones and shift it towards other devices such as Apple Watch. However, it does make changes for a better standalone experience rather than being just an iPhone peripheral.

The company adds more layers of options and functionality to the new watchOS rather than radically redesigning everything. The biggest design changes are the new ‘Faces’, meant for showcasing the graphic designs with details added for more information on the screen. ‘Faces’ deliver customisation on supported apps with custom notifications.

One of the key announcements for watchOS was definitely the addition of certain apps such as Calculator, Audiobooks and Voice memos. With the latest update apps run natively on the wearable device. This means applications will no longer require a companion app on iPhones to pair with. The introduction of new streaming API will allow apps to stream audio directly to the watch.

Also Read: Apple Launches The All New Revamped Mac Pro Alongside The Pro Display XDR 6K Monitor

A notable announcement on-stage was the inclusion of the App Store integration in the watchOS 6. This will let users pay, browse and download apps directly from their wrists. Apple also made software downloads a direct process on the Apple Watch. Building on its pre-existing health-related features, the company has added a myriad of monitoring and informative functions that will also be available on iPhones. These include apps for monitoring sound levels and menstrual cycle tracking for women.

June 4, 2019
iOS 13 Launched By Apple, Features Dark Mode, Privacy Upgrades, Performance Boosts

At WWDC 2019, Apple finally launched the highly-anticipated iOS 13 operating system for iPhones. The new update brings a ton of improvements to the Apple ecosystem. It is touted to be the next great release that will bring improvements all across the board for popular iPhones alongside various UI overhauls and apps revamps. Here are some of the major changes that Apple introduced with the all new iOS 13.

Dark Mode

The feature that had been long rumoured and asked for by iPhone users was finally showcased. This has been one of the single most anticipated changes ever occuring on the the iOS. It marks the second major aesthetic change to the UI after iOS 7. The true system-wide dark mode is supported by all Apple apps such as Photos, Calendar and multiple others.

Reminders

Apple has introduced a new update to the Reminder application in iOS 13 at the WWDC 2019. Users can filter their tasks using various filtering options such as “Today”, “Scheduled” and “Flagged”. Additionally, the app has recieved a visual overhaul and will include AI integration, which will automatically suggest users when they would like to be reminded. Users can also tag their contacts and upon opening the respective thread in messages, they will be reminded of the same.

Performance Boost

Similar to the iOS 12 update, the company has designed iOS 13 in order to upgrade the performance statistics of older devices as well as upcoming iPhones. Apple has stated that features such as FaceID will operate 30 percent faster with the new update. Also, applications will open twice as fast on iOS 13 as compared to iOS 12. New updates will also be 60% smaller, while downloads will be 50 percent smaller than the previous OS.

Privacy

Since privacy forms an integral basis of Apple’s ecosystem, the company has introduced a multitude of security features to iOS 13 at the WWDC 2019. For instance, users can decide to grant access to location services “just once”, which will not send their location data every time they use the concerned application. Also, using the “Sign in with Apple” feature, users can log into applications and services using their Face ID and simply create a new account without divulging personal data. Furthermore, users can get new private email addresses made every time they log into a new app using Apple Accounts, which will reduce the amount of spam emails accumulating in users’ inboxes.

Revamped Photo And Video Editing Tools, External Storage

The company has introduced a new editing interface to iOS 13 for photos and videos, which will allow the users to enhance their clicks and snaps in a much detailed scenario. Users can edit vignette, brilliance, shadows, contrast, saturation, white balance, sharpness, highlights, definition, and noise reduction in their images. Videos can now be rotated directly in the new operating system update. The refreshed Photos app UI will ensure that duplicates and clutter-like images will be automatically removed from the storage. Talking of storage, iOS 13 will enable users to directly copy files from SD cards and USB drives to the Files application.

Swiping Keyboard And Memojis

Users familiar with third party keyboards like Swiftkey and Swype will be delighted to know that Apple has finally updated its own stock keyboard with a swiping functionality. Users can simply “glide” through the letters to draft a word and eventually, sentences. Apple calls the new keyboard the “Quick Path” keyboard, and it will help users replace any third party keyboards with the redefined Apple keyboard. Furthermore, Apple also added the option to use Memojis as a profile picture. Apple is also adding more options for customizing Memoji, as well as adding the ability to use Memojis as iMessage stickers in chat.

Availability

Also Read: Microsoft Teases A New Dual-Screen Surface Device

The developer preview of iOS 13 is available to the members of the Apple Developer Program. Noteworthy, a public beta program will be also available to iOS users next month. iOS 13 will be available this Fall as a free software update for iPhone 6s and later iPhones. This rollout is expected to occur at the same time when the company will reportedly announce the next generation of iPhones.

June 4, 2019
Microsoft Teases A New Dual-Screen Surface Device

Sources have uncovered that Microsoft has showcased a new dual-screen Surface device within the company. The device was demonstrated to the team working on the new 2 in 1 with the help of a video reel showcasing the new Microsoft Surface with dual-screen prototype hardware.

Codenamed Centaurus, Microsoft has been hard at work regarding the upcoming dual-screen device for about 2 years now. Microsoft Surface is set to pave the way for a new breed of dual-screen tablet and laptop hybrids with its unique new designs. The company had also had plans for a smaller pocketable Surface variant, code-named Andromeda, that had its development halted for Centaurus. The dual-screen laptop prototype (Centaurus) was first heard of in December 2018 with similarities drawing it closer to Microsoft’s Courier tablet concept.

The Surface team at Microsoft demonstrated the hardware, long before any official announcements, showcasing various dual-screen prototypes for it. Centaurus being openly shown to the employees does point at the possibility of the development stages reaching its final cycles with estimates putting the release by year-end or early 2020.

Microsoft’s Centaurus (latest version of Surface) will also be receiving the Microsoft Windows Lite version, making it one of the first devices to run on the Operating System. Windows Lite is a new slimmed down version of Windows for dual-screen devices and Chromebook competitors. Intel’s new stance on ultrabooks and push towards dual-screened devices with more added functionality and productive uses much like the Lenovo Yoga Book C930 is expected to popularise the idea of a dual display device.

Also Read: Xiaomi To Launch The Redmi K20, K20 Pro In India Within The Next Six Weeks

Microsoft besides the Centaurus has also showcased the fully functional xCloud, the cloud game streaming platform. More details on the online gaming platform will come on E3 2019 on the 8th of June. The company pitches the cloud gaming service, not as a replacement for Xbox consoles but rather a way to resume the games users were playing on any device, with these upcoming light and portable dual-screened devices.

June 3, 2019
Apple iPhone 2019 Lineup To Have 128GB Base Storage, Leaked Cases Confirm The Smartphone’s Design

Rumours regarding the latest generation of iPhones are countless and varied, however, certain reliable sources have come forward with more concrete information regarding the upcoming devices. The Apple iPhone lineup, in a market where most phones start with either 32GB (budget) or 64GB of storage (mid-range to flagships), is reported to start from 128GB of internal storage. This along with iPhone cases being seen out in the open, confirm renders that have been leaked.

Apple’s long-awaited flagship smartphone and its variants have already been making headlines all across the tech world. The latest iPhone XI is still four months away from being showcased to the entire world, yet half a year prior to the launch event and renders of the smartphone have already surfaced online. The leaks showcase an entirely unique triple camera setup, that has received mixed reception with Apple’s fan base.

Multiple sources had already confirmed the renders of the Apple iPhone XI design with a video being uploaded on YouTube, that had an unboxing of clear cases for the upcoming Apple flagships. The clear cases had cut-outs for the triple camera set-up that was seen prior with slight changes in button placements due to dimensional differences with the iPhone XS, on which the case was tried on for reference in the video. The three prototype cases received in the package may possibly be for the iPhone XI, iPhone XI Max, and iPhone XIR (names not conclusive).

Also Read: Under Display Selfie Camera Technology Showed Off By Oppo And Xiaomi

The Apple iPhone XI will probably have the same screen size as its predecessor iPhone XS that was equipped with a 5.8-inch OLED display. Reports also point towards a 12MP selfie camera, a welcome improvement over the 7MP sensor used in the current generation. Finer details can only ever be discerned when Apple finally unveils the smartphones, but the 128GB of base internal storage is one of the features that may have already been confirmed.

June 3, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Flagship Smartphone May Support 45W Fast Charging

Samsung’s long-awaited Note series flagship smartphone has yet again received more rumours and speculations regarding its specifications. Popular handsets receive numerous leaks claiming features that may never surface on the actual product. Only genuine and credible sources are to be taken seriously. A reliable gadget tipster of Samsung products, who goes by the name Ice Universe on Twitter has revealed the upcoming Galaxy Note 10 may support 45W fast charging.

Samsung Galaxy A70

The aforementioned information about the Galaxy Note 10 smartphone from Samsung was revealed by the tipster in a rather cryptic manner. Posting a picture on Twitter of Leonardo Da Vinci with a binary number at the bottom of the image. The code directly translates to the number 45. The previous leaks have revealed that the Galaxy Note 10 has been given a code name “Da Vinci”. The number, with the picture provided, seems to hint at a new fast-charging tech making an appearance on the upcoming Samsung flagship.

pic.twitter.com/8tvkvfvqdD
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) June 1, 2019

Other rumours and interpretations of the cryptic message have pointed at a variant of the Galaxy Note 10 being powered by a 4500mAh battery. The famous tipster had also revealed other information leading upto this leak, namely, the device retaining physical buttons but skipping on the 3.5mm headphone jack. Reports so far had pointed at the Note 10 removing the physical buttons, including the Bixby button, for some form of pressure sensing and capacitive functions. The rumour also had these pressure sensors be textured on the edge or be a raised bump.

As for the headphone jack, it is not optimistic. pic.twitter.com/BY2FWzK68m
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) May 31, 2019

Also Read: Spotify Tests New ‘Social Listening’ Feature That Lets Users Listen To Music Together

Ice Universe in his tweet refuted past claims of the removal of physical buttons as being just an initial prototype that did not make it through stress testing. From the multiple reports on the internet, one point towards the screen of the smartphone being a large 6.66-inch AMOLED display panel. Furthermore, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 may also be equipped with the Exynos 9820 SoC on the phone as previously seen in the Galaxy S10 in some regions while the rest would receive the Snapdragon 855 SoC.

June 3, 2019
Spotify Tests New ‘Social Listening’ Feature That Lets Users Listen To Music Together

The experience of jamming to your favourite tracks by your favourite artist is much more accessible in this day and age than ever before. Gone are the days of having to search for songs on CDs that were sold in malls or local stores. Multiple online music streaming services are now available such as Spotify, that now seek to make listening to great songs a shared and interactive experience. The Swedish music streaming company is reportedly starting to test a new feature by the name of Social Listening that would let multiple users add songs and make playlists in real time. This is a group feature that will allow users to share and listen to new tracks simultaneously. Spotify is supposedly testing this feature internally within its employees, however, no confirmation has been officially given by the company as of yet regarding the public release of the feature.

The leaked information has stated that ‘Social Listening’ lets users control music together with their own devices using the added function of scanning Spotify Codes or by opening links to pair with other users to begin sharing songs. Screenshots that were leaked show the screens of devices ready to be paired by scanning codes or shared links, in an Android version of the application.

Spotify’s only official response to the feature is that the company is always testing new products and experiences, but have no news that can be shared regarding this function. The company prior to this had revealed its tests on new hardware (a first for the Spotify) ‘Car Thing”, a voice-controlled music and podcast player for cars. The test was only limited to the United States, however, Spotify will invite a few selected premium users for the experience too. Again no confirmations on the company actually releasing the device for consumers.

Also Read: WhatsApp Profile Photos Now Can’ Be Saved, New Album Features

The new social feature that allows group-based interactive playlist feature by Spotify that has just been teased would most definitely be a welcome addition to the social functions within its application.

June 3, 2019
Apple To Focus On Devices Other Than The iPhone In The Future

Apple, in a bold step of decentralizing focus, has decided to shift its vision towards the ‘peripheral’ products with more operational independence. Since the dawn of the iPhone, each new generation of the handset saw the inclusion of new technology within or alongside it. Products made by Apple were only in rare cases focused on providing an entirely standalone experience overall.

The iPad serves as a great example, marketed as a laptop replacement with more freedom in mobility while not sacrificing power. In most other cases devices developed like the Apple Watch only seemed to exist for the sake of supplementing the iPhone and its user experience.

Apple’s upcoming developer conference seeks to draw a road map for the company’s plans on moving away from the iPhones glory, around which products were based. The keynote presentation will have the upper echelon of the tech giant showcase the latest generations of Apple devices and software in San Jose. Going forward Apple seeks to make the Watches more independent, iPads that will actually reduce the needs for laptops, and cross-platform applications to run on every Apple products.

Future Of Apple Watch

Made to be the next great leap in innovation after the iPhone in 2015, the device has yet to reach the level that the handset has achieved years prior. Apple Watch which had the potential to push computing to even smaller frames while still providing the functionality to users had ended up relying on the iPhone.

However, with the inclusion of cellular connectivity support to the device two years ago and the upcoming software update with watchOS 6, the company will further branch off the Watch and the iPhone. The new update will bring features like an on-board App Store with calculator and voice recorder alongside new messaging capabilities.

iPad’s Potential

As brought up previously, the iPad has been marketed often being tagged as the worthy replacement for laptops. Apple has a more than capable hardware lineup which has beaten laptop grade processors in the past in performance but lacks severely when discussed by the software aspects.

The company seeks to improve on the OS that’ll give users more functionality and not something that would seem like a tweaked version of the iPhone iOS. Planned updates to include features like using multiple apps simultaneously and a refreshed Home Screen have been announced.

Also Read: Alphabet’s New AI Defeats Human Players In A Multiplayer Game

Cross-Platform App Ecosystem

Seeking to aid developers, Apple will soon provide tools for iOS applications to be made available to other platforms within the company’s ecosystem. Applications will now be ported over to the Mac desktops and MacBook laptops, following the example of the iPad receiving its own versions of Apple’s News, Voice Memos, Home, and Stock apps from the Mac. This points towards a future with a single version of an App being available across every platform by Apple.

June 1, 2019
DJI Unveils The DJI Storm Drone Alongside Its Own Van And Crew

DJI, one of the most highly celebrated brands in the field of drone and cinematography has yet again outdone themselves with its latest professional-grade filming drone. The drone is as flagship as they get, so much so that the model is not even available for purchase. DJI has rather decided to employ its service of this drone alongside a van that is equipped with various tech and parts of the drone being manned by a team of professionals trained crew for filming.

Aptly named, DJI Storm received a rather uneventful reveal with the company discreetly uploading a video of the drone on YouTube. The drone is heavily equipped to tackle various scenarios and function at the optimum levels(operational parameters ranging from -10°C to 40°C). Carrying with it an eight-rotor blade, the drone has a maximum payload capacity of 18.5kg.

This opens up the potential for drones to carry various mid-sized and professional filming cameras like the Arri Alexa LF camera that was equipped with its lens as seen in the YouTube reveal video. The camera was also outfitted with one of DJI’s wireless focus system (that follows the subject in focus) along with DJI’s Ronin 2 gimbal for stabilization.

The video showcased a myriad of expensive hardware that is not exactly consumer grade but rather used for professional work or filming. Even DJI’s latest drone model available for sale, the Matrice 600 for professionals, costs $5000 (approx. Rs. 3,47,000). The Matrice 600 however, is only capable of carrying a load of upto 6kg. DJI Storm is also reportedly faster than the Matrice variant by 10mph, having a top speed of 80kmph. DJI has listed the capabilities of the drone to sustain flight for 15 minutes with a payload of 12kg, this depends on the batteries used to power the drone systems.

DJI Storm is working out to be one of the most expensive filming drone systems ever seen. The DJI Ronin 2 gimbal for stabilization carries a hefty price tag of $8000 (approx. Rs. 5,56,000) and the heavy duty drones like xFold Dragon X12 will put buyers down by $30,000 (approx. Rs. 20,87,000).

However, the company seems to be reserving the equipment for its DJI Studio Custom Aerial Cinematography Service, which is seen in the video with the special van, professionally trained crew, and many of the DJI’s top gears like Master Wheels and Force Pro remote control systems. These systems allow the cinematographers to move the drone’s camera as they would do in person.

Also Read: Mysterious Mid Range HTC Smartphone Certified By Bluetooth SIG, Launch Imminent

DJI Studio is not a relatively new department within DJI, having been working with Asian markets for a while now. What can be gathered by the company’s Chinese website show offerings for only the DJI Matrice 600 paired with the Sony A7S II camera or the DJI Inspire 2. It is unclear as to which markets would be hit with this service as no official announcements have been made so far.

June 1, 2019