Author: Vivek Umashankar

Samsung Launches The Rugged Galaxy Tab Active 2

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Tab Active 2 in the US, which is the successor of the Samsung Galaxy Active. There aren’t a lot of rugged tablets on the market, and this one from Samsung tried to fill that gaping hole. However, it doesn’t possess the best specifications out there by any stretch of the imagination. The rubber-like material will absorb the shock keeping the internal hardware and display intact. The tablet is priced at US$ 450 for the Wi-Fi version and is available on Samsung’s official website. Similarly, there is an LTE version, but the price is yet to be known.

Like most of the rugged devices, this is made to withstand various environmental conditions. Subsequently, the device is MIL-STD-810 certified with IP68 water and dust resistance rating. The retail package also includes a rugged S-Pen, which works even in wet conditions. The Galaxy Tab Active 2 can be mounted to a professional grade vehicle, which can charge via pogo pins. The pogo pins connect with the device magnetically to give a firm grip. In fact, the pogo pin looks similar to Apple’s MagSafe charger.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 Specs

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 has an 8 inch 1280 x 800 px resolution display with a 19:10 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Exynos 7870 Octa-core chipset with 3GB RAM and 16GB storage which is expandable up 256GB using a micro SD card.

The Galaxy Tab Active 2 runs on Android 7 Nougat with Samsung Experience UI on the top. It is powered by a 4450 mAh user replaceable battery with fast charging capabilities via USB type C port.

The tablet has an 8MP primary camera with a single tone LED flash, which can record 1080p video @ 30fps. Similarly, the device has a 5MP front-facing camera.

March 21, 2018
HTC Desire 12+ And Desire 12

HTC Desire 12 and the Desire 12+ are the first set of non-flagship smartphones from company to have an 18:9 aspect ratio display. These devices offer a glass back, glass front, and a metallic mid-frame. The Desire 12 has a 5.5 inch HD+ 1440 x 720px resolution display, powered by MediaTek Quad-core chipset, whereas the Desire 12+ has a slightly bigger 5.7 inch display powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 Octa-core chipset.

[section label=”Latest News”]

Latest News

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March 20, 2018
Xiaomi Mi Earphones, Mi Earphones Basic Launched In India Starting At Rs. 399

Xiaomi has launched two new affordable in-ear earphones in India on the 20th of March 2018. The Xiaomi Mi Earphones are priced at Rs 699 and the Mi Earphones Basic are priced at Rs 399.

These earphones are exclusively available on Mi.com and are on sale right now. The earphones are compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

Xiaomi Mi Earphones

The Mi Earphones are made using 20 steps process to create a metallic chamber with dynamic bass. Similarly, the headphones have undergone CD cutting and diamond engraving. These earphones use 3rd generation balanced damping system to enhance the sound quality. These are the lightest earphones from Xiaomi, which measures at 14 Grams.

There is an in-line microphone with a button to answer calls. Similarly, the built-in microphone has a 58dB(A) signal to noise ratio. The Kevlar fibre cable is supposed to be extremely durable and prevent tangling and discolouration. Additionally, the retail package includes three earbuds.

Xiaomi Mi Earphones

Xiaomi Mi Earphones Basic

The Xiaomi Mi Earphones Basic has the same metal chamber. However, unlike the standard version, it misses out on dynamic-bass. The ear tips have an angle to offer comfortable hearing. A user can pause, play, or answer a call using the single button with a microphone. The AUX jack has a 45-degree angular design to offer long-lasting durability.

March 20, 2018
Top 5 Smart Home Accessories In India

Making a transition from phone to smartphone is a difficult task. However, once if you have a smartphone, transitioning your home to a smart home is pretty easy. These are Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which once connected to Wi-Fi to give you control over different functionalities. It is worth noting that these accessories can be controlled from any smartphone running iOS or Android smartphone.So, here are the top 5 gadgets that can convert your run of the mill home into a smart home.

Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon Echo Dot can act as a hub to control other smart accessories. The Echo Dot is available on Amazon for Rs 4,499 and offers a plethora of features. The device comes with a compact form factor in black or white colour. This is a smart home assistant, powered by Amazon Alexa. The device comes with a speaker and array of microphones so that it can always respond to you when you say “Alexa”. The device can play songs using Amazon Music, Saavn and Tuneln. Similarly, a user can play music across the devices using multi-room music. However, if you are looking for a louder sound output, go with Echo Plus which retails for Rs 14999.

Xiaomi YeeLight

The Xiaomi YeeLight is one of the most affordable smart bulbs available in the market. This can be paired with a smartphone to control brightness and colour of the light. The LED bulb has an RGB colour profile with 16 million colour combinations. The company also claims that a bulb can last up to 11 years. As this is a smart bulb, it is priced at Rs 1,890. Similarly, one can connect more than one bulb to a single account to create dramatic colour effects.

Xiaomi YeeLight

D-Link Wi-Fi Motion Sensor

The D-Link Wi-Fi Motion Sensor connects to the Wi-Fi to notify users of any unsuspecting movements. The device comes in handy for monitoring a baby or a house while the members are away. Download the MyD-Link myHome app on iOS or Android device to complete the setup and turn on the motion detection feature. Similarly, the device can also be used to monitor power and temperature. The device costs Rs 849.

D-Link Wi-Fi Motion Sensor

TP-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug

Unlike a normal power plug, this plug delivers the power to the connected device. One has to complete the setup of the device using an iOS or Android smartphone, by connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Then, this plug can be used as any other plug. However, the admin will have the control over the power supply. A user can turn off or turn on a gadget that is connected to this device remotely with. Similarly, one can programme the device to turn on or turn off at a different time interval. This is priced at Rs 2,099.

TP-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug

Digoo Wireless Wifi Night Vision Smart Home Security IP Camera

In simpler definition, this is a smart CCTV camera. The device retails for Rs 4,200 and offers plenty of features like Motion detection, one button guard etc. One has to connect this to a Wi-Fi network for real-time monitoring. However, it is possible to connect this device using wired LAN network as well. The device is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows OS.

Digoo Wireless Wifi Night Vision Smart Home Security IP Camera

March 20, 2018
HTC Desire 12 And Desire 12+ With 18:9 Aspect Ratio Officially Launched

HTC has officially launched the HTC Desire 12 and Desire 12+ in Europe. These are the first set of non-flagship smartphones from HTC to feature taller 18:9 aspect ratio display with a premium glass design. The price of the Desire 12+ ranges between 235 Euros and 249 Euros (depending on the market). Similarly, the Desire 12’s price ranges between 185 euros and 199 Euros (depending on market).

HTC Desire 12

The Desire 12 and 12+ looks similar to the HTC U11+. Subsequently, both the mid-range smartphones sport an 18:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels. Although, the top and bottom bezels are quite prominent despite the tall display.

HTC Desire 12+ Specs

The HTC Desire 12+ has a 5.99 inch HD+ 1440 x 720px IPS LCD display with 18:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the device has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 Octa-core chipset with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. The storage is user expandable up to 400GB using a micro SD card.

The smartphone has a dual primary camera setup with a 13MP RGB sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. It is worth noting that the Honor 9 Lite has a similar design and primary camera setup. Similarly, the device has an 8MP front-facing camera. Both the camera units can record videos up to 1080p @ 30fps. Like most of the mid-tier smartphones, the HTC Desire 12+ has a rear-facing fingerprint sensor. The device runs on Android 8 Oreo with custom HTC SenseUI on the top with 2965 mAh battery, which charges via micro USB port.

HTC Desire 12+

HTC Desire 12 Specs

The HTC Desire 12 is a miniature version of the Desire 12+ with a few other changes. Unlike the ‘Plus’ variant, the Desire 12 misses out on a fingerprint sensor and dual camera setup. The device has a same HD+ 1440 x 720ppx IPS LCD display with a smaller 5.5 inch screen size. The device is powered by MediaTek 6739 Quad-core chipset with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. Similarly, the storage is user expandable up to 400GB using a micro SD card.

The smartphone has a same 13MP primary camera but misses out on the depth sensor. Even the front-facing camera has been downgraded from 8MP to 5MP.The smartphone runs on Android 8 Oreo with custom HTC SenseUI with a 2730 mAh sealed-battery.

March 20, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Vs Lenovo S5

Lenovo has officially launched the Lenovo S5 in China. The smartphone has a full metal unibody design with a dual camera setup. The smartphone comes in three storage and RAM variants. The 3GB/32GB model is priced at CNY 999(~Rs 9,999) and the 3GB/64GB is priced at CNY 1,199(~Rs 11,999) and the 4GB/128GB model retails for CNY 1,499(~Rs 14,999). The pricing is similar to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, which retails for Rs 9,999 for 3GB/32GB and Rs 11,999 for 4GB/64GB model in India.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is the successor of the Xioami Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. However, the difference between the Note 4 and the Note 5 are as thin as a lath. We feel the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro should have been the Redmi Note 5.

The Lenovo S5 is carved out of a single block 6000 series aluminium. Whereas the Redmi Note 5 has plastic antenna bands on the top and the bottom of the device. Both the smartphones have a tall display with 18:9 aspect ratio. The Lenovo S5 has a compact 5.7 inch display, whereas the Redmi Note 5 has a 5.99 inch display with identical 2160 x 1080px FHD+ resolution.

The Lenovo S5 has a dual 13MP camera (RGB + monochrome) while Redmi Note 5 has a single 12MP camera on the back. Similarly, the Redmi Note 5 has a 5MP front-facing camera compared to the 16MP sensor found on the Lenovo S5 with Face Unlock. The Lenovo S5 runs on custom ZUI 4.0 based on Android 8 Oreo, whereas the Redmi Note 5 runs on Android 7 Nougat based MIUI 9. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 has a 4000 mAh battery, while the Lenovo S5 packs in a smaller 3000 mAh battery.

Specifications comparision

Specifications	Xiaomi Redmi Note 5	Lenovo S5
Price	3/32GB: Rs 9,999 4/64GB: Rs 11,999	3/32GB: ~Rs 9,999 3/64GB: ~Rs 11,999 4/128GB: ~Rs 14,999
Display	5.99 inch IPS LCD 18:9 aspect ratio	5.7 inch IPS LCD 18:9 aspect ratio
Chipset	Snapdragon 625 Octa-core @ 2.0GHz	Snapdragon 625 Octa-core @ 2.0GHz
RAM	3GB 4GB	3GB 4GB
Storage	32GB 64GB	32GB 64GB 128GB
Primary camera	12MP 4K @ 30fps	13MP RGB + 13MP monochrome 4K @ 30fps
Front-facing camera	5MP	16MP
Battery	4000 mAh	3000 mAh
Additional features	Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor Face unlock

March 20, 2018

PUBG Now Available On Android And iOS In India
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is now available for smartphones and tablets running on iOS and Android OS. The game is developed by a China-based company Tencent, the corporation that owns WeChat. PUBG is a multi-player online battle royale game where around 100 players parachute into an unknown location. To survive in the game, one has to rummage for weapons to kill fellow players. The safe area decreases over the time, which forces the players to engage in a battle. The last player or the team that survives will be the winner of the round.

The mobile version of PUBG has an experience very similar to the PC version. However, the graphics have been toned down to support mobile GPU. Unlike PC or the Console version, the game is limited to a single map, which still offers a long-lasting gameplay. The game weighs around 670MB at the time of download and requires at least 1GB of storage space.

The game was originally released for Windows OS in the March of 2017. Later that year, the game was released for Xbox under preview programme. One can play this game on a PC or a console and now, a smartphone.
- Link to Android
- Link to iOS
Gameplay

As this is an online multi-player game, it requires an active internet connection. One can play as a guest player or can connect his/her Facebook account, which helps to save your gaming. One can customise the look and fashion of the character from the inventory menu option. After choosing the look of the player, he/she will be carried in an aeroplane and the player has to jump off the pane mid-way.

After that, you have to search for your opponent to kill them. Similarly, the game will let you know about your teammate’s condition. The gameplay looks smooth even on a two-year-old Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 smartphone (2GB RAM model). So, this game can be easily played even on a non-flagship smartphone.
March 20, 2018
Moto E5 Plus With A Glass Back Leaked In Hands-On Images

Motorola is expected to launch the Moto G6 and E5 series in the coming months. However, we are yet to receive any official statement from the company on these devices. Leaks and rumours have suggested that all the upcoming smartphones will have 18:9 aspect ratio display with a glass unibody design. This time someone has leaked the live images of the Moto E5 Plus, which reaffirms the aforementioned facts.

The leaked images show the Moto E5 Plus in its all glory. The smartphone has a glass back with a circular camera cutout similar to the Moto X4. However, even though it has two camera grills, the device has a single camera sensor. The moto logo is just below the camera cutout, which might house the fingerprint sensor. But, except for the Moto M, the company has never implemented a rear-facing fingerprint sensor.

On the front, we have a taller display, with 18:9 aspect ratio with rounded corners on all four sides, similar to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5. Additionally, there is an earpiece, front-facing camera and an LED flash.

Moto E5 Plus Specs

The Moto E5 Plus comes with 5.8-inch 1440 x 720px IPS LCD display with 2.5D tempered glass protection. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by an unknown quad-core chipset with 3GB RAM and 32GB/64GB onboard flash storage.

The mobile has a primary camera setup with dual camera cutout like the recently leaked Moto G6 lineup. However, it just has a single 16MP primary camera and an empty cutout. Similarly, there is an 8MP front-facing camera assisted by an LED flash. The smartphone will have a sealed 5000 mAh Li-ion battery.

Moto X4

The smartphone is expected to run on nearly stock Android 8 Oreo OS. In fact, there were rumours of Motorola adopting Lenovo’s custom skin for its upcoming line of budget smartphone. That, however, does not seem plausible.

March 20, 2018
Huawei P20 Pro To Have A 40MP Camera

Huawei all set to launch its trio of flagship smartphones in France on the 27th of March. However, the Huawei P20 Lite is already available in some countries. In our previous story, we covered a leak about the Huawei P20 Pro’s triple camera setup. And now, a new leak talks about the camera capabilities of the Huawei P20 Pro, that the smartphone will have a 40MP camera.

Slooow moootion #ImmaginaOOOltre #HuaweiP20
Congrats 4 u cats… @SofiaLehtimaki ?
?#catlover pic.twitter.com/AX3mxLvtg6

— Ricciolo (@Ricciolo1) March 18, 2018

The Huawei P20 Pro has a 40MP primary sensor, which supports 5x hybrid zoom. Note that, hybrid zoom is obtained with the combination of optical zoom and digital zoom. There is a secondary 8MP sensor, which offers 3x optical zoom, which also helps to create portrait mode. Similarly, there is a third sensor with 20MP resolution. Unlike the other two sensors, this is a monochrome sensor which helps to capture contrast and sharpness.

The sensor comes with f/1.6 aperture and f/2.4 aperture with Leica branding. Huawei recently released a teaser video, which arguably talks about the slow-motion video capabilities of the device. Going by the video, the device is expected to support 1080p @120fps.

The device will have a 4000 mAh battery with 20watt fast charging capability. The device is IP67 certified, similar to the Apple iPhone X. The leak also confirms that the device will not support wireless charging.

Huawei P20 Pro Specs

The smartphone is expected to have a 6.1 inch 2240 x 1080 px OLED display with a notch on the top. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by the Kirin 970 chipset with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. In fact, the smartphone is expected to support native face unlock algorithm similar to the iPhone X.

The device is also expected to offer a wide range of AI capabilities, which might improve the smartphone photography.

The smartphone is likely to house a triple lens primary camera setup with RGB + wide angle + telephoto lens combination. On to the front, the smartphone is likely to have dual camera setup. In fact, the dual front-facing camera can aid the facial recognition system as well. The device will run on Android Oreo 8.1 with custom EMUI on the top.

March 20, 2018
Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s Will Look Exactly Like The Mi MIX 2

Xiaomi will launch the successor of the Mi MIX 2 on the 27th of March in China. The company has been teasing different features of the Mi MIX 2s over the past few weeks. The company has now released new promotional images which confirm the design of the smartphone. Going by the teaser, the smartphone looks similar to the Mi MIX 2. This also means that all the rumours about the MIX 2s having a notch were false.

Mi MIX 2

As of now, the company has confirmed that the device will have a dual camera setup with AI capabilities. Similarly, Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi Note 5 in China with the dual camera setup with AI capabilities. So, we might see a similar camera implementation on the MIX 2s as well. Additionally, the company has also confirmed that the smartphone will be powered by Snapdragon 845 chipset.

Apart from being the first Xiaomi smartphone to be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset, it is also expected to have wireless charging. Recent teasers have hinted towards the wireless charging feature, which means that it won’t have a ceramic back like its predecessors. It will also be interesting to see if the wireless charging feature will impact the pricing of the device.

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s Specs

The smartphone is expected to have a 6 inch 2160 x 1080p display. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. However, the smartphone will not support memory expansion, just like its predecessors.

The Mi MIX 2s is expected to have a 4400 mAH Li-ion battery with fast charging. The phone will run on Android 8 Oreo OS with custom MIUI 9 skin on the top. Another interesting feature expected is gesture support. Similar to the Mi MIX 2 which recently got updated to Android 8 Oreo, the Mi MIX 2s will have gesture-based navigation system as well.

March 19, 2018
Who Is Thanos And What Are The Six Infinity Stones?
The latest Avengers: Infinity War trailer has extremely hyped up the upcoming movie. The Avengers franchise has so far had the core members playing a pivotal role. But, the new trailer gives a glimpse of what happens when the whole MCU is condensed into one film. From Guardians of the Galaxy to Spider-Man to Dr Strange, everyone made an appearance in the trailer. While the last Avengers film had the superheroes battle Ultron, this time around Thanos will be in the epicentre. So, who is Thanos and what are the 6 Infinity Stones he keeps rambling about?

Who is Thanos?

For the first time, Thanos was teased in The Avengers, which was released in 2012. In fact, he had a cameo in “Guardians of the Galaxy” as well. He was born with a malformation, which explains his oversized body. Thanos also goes by the name “Mad Titan,” because he was born on Saturn’s moon, Titan. Three things that Thanos preys on are power, death and killing.

Due to his oversized body, he has a rancour against the remaining universe. He rules the alien race Chitauri that invaded the earth in the first Avengers movie. As he is eternal, he has many super strengths. He has a skin which is impervious to heat, cold, electricity, and radiation. In fact, it can also withstand a psychic attack.

He can shoot cosmic energy from his eyes and hands. On top of that, he is cursed by death to be “immortal”. It will be very interesting to see the plans made by Avengers to stop Mad Titan.

The Six Infinity Stones

In the trailer, Thanos has a golden glove on his left hand, with six grills. According to Marvel Comics, the glove is called the Infinity Gauntlet, which has the space to house the six infinity stones. Those who possess those six infinity stones will gain infinite power. In fact, the six stone’s alternate name spells Thanos (Tesseract, Aether, Orb, and Scepter). Also, Dr Strange has one Infinity Stone in his necklace.

The Infinity Stones were formed when the universe exploded into existence and parts of the universe were intensified into six infinity stones.
- Tesseract is a space stone, which can teleport anything from one point of the universe to another point in no time
- Aether is a reality stone, that can attach to the host to make him stronger
- Orb is a power stone, which can give superhuman strength to the heir of the stone
- Vision is a stone that can let the heir control others mind
- Soul stone can trap souls inside it
- Time stone manipulates the time
March 19, 2018
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ To Get Android 7 Nougat Update
Samsung recently launched the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ in India. The smartphones resemble the Galaxy S8‘s design with a new camera setup with variable aperture. After launching its flagship series, the company is updating its older portfolio with the newer version of Android OS. Samsung follows the two-letter OS upgrade for its flagship smartphones. The Galaxy S8 was released with Android Nougat and the device has received an update for Android Oreo.

According to an official document found on Samsung’s website, the company is planning to upgrade at least 6 devices, which have completed the two year’s OS cycle. However, unlike the S8 or the S7, these devices will not receive the latest Oreo update. Instead, these OS builds will be based on an older Android version with security patch and bug fixes. Though these devices are listed to receive the software update, no time frame is mentioned.

Left to right: Update for Galaxy S6 Edge, Update for Galaxy S6 Edge+, Update for Galaxy S8

According to the document, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge will receive Android 7 Nougat update G9250ZCU2ERB2. The update weights at 1233.30MB, which upgrades the smartphone from Android Marshmallow to Android Nougat. However, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and the Galaxy Note 5 are expected to receive the incremental software update. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Note 8 will receive Android 8 Oreo update with Samsung Experience UI 9.0. In fact, the update for the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy Note 8 is already live in most of the countries.

Samsung Devices Listed
- Galaxy S6, S6 Edge
- Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+
- Galaxy Note 5, Note 8
March 19, 2018
Top Three E-Wallet Apps In India
For most of the transactions, we use physical currency. However, that goes out the window once most of your currency is demonetised. But, thanks to some really good e-wallet apps, transactions are not that difficult. So, let’s have a look at the top 3 e-wallet apps in India.

Paytm

Paytm is probably the first widely accepted e-wallet service in India. It can be accessed using an iOS or an Android smartphone. In fact, one can also access it using any of the standard web browsers. The platform comes with features like Paytm Wallet, where a user can use the wallet to make seamless transactions. Recently, Paytm has also started the Paytm payments bank, where the user can create a virtual savings bank account and get its own physical debit card. The platform also offers the ability to transfer money to bank accounts for a nominal fee. Paytm can be used to recharge mobiles, DHT, paying electricity bills, paying college tuition fees etc.
- Link to Android
- Link to iOS
Google Tez

Google Tez is the newest member of the e-wallet group. Unlike most of the e-wallets, Tez does not have the wallet service. The money sent/received will directly reflect in the user’s bank account. To use Google Tez, one has to have an active bank account with the Unified Payment Interface (UPI). Tez also offers coupons in return for the transactions. A user can win from Rs 1 to Rs 1,00,000by scratching those coupons on Google Tez. One can link the UPI account created on Tez to the third party apps like Uber. Similarly, one can invite others to Google Tez to earn Rs 51.
- Link to Android
- Link to iOS
Amazon Pay

Amazon Pay is similar to Paytm with an Amazon Wallet. As the name suggests, this feature is initiated by Amazon, which can be used to shop on Amazon. However, one can also use this feature to pay the post-paid account bills, recharge pre-paid numbers and can be used with other services like Bookmyshow and Tapzo. Amazon Pay comes with additional perks like 50% cashback on recharges, Rs 100 back by adding Rs 300 to the wallet and more. If you are an online shopping junkie, then this a must have e-wallet service.
- Link to Android
- Link to iOS
March 19, 2018
Asus ZenBook Flip S Officially Launched In India For Rs 1,30,990

Asus has launched a portable Asus ZenBook Flip S in India on the 19th of March. The company claims that the Flip S is the World’s thinnest and lightest convertible laptop, which is 11.2mm thin. The convertible laptop will be available via retail partners for Rs 1,30,990.

Arnold Su, Business Development Manager, ASUS India said:

We have seen a huge growth in the Stylish yet powerful notebooks in coming year & with the Zenbook Flip S UX370, it becomes a perfect companion for those looking for stylish & powerful notebook for daily use.

Asus ZenBook Flip S Specs:

The notebook comes with a metal unibody design, crafted from a single block of aluminium, which is lighter and stronger than a normal notebook. The notebook has undergone 40 painstaking steps with diamond cut highlights to give a premium finish. The new ErgoLift hinge offers 360-degree flexibility to the screen.

The notebook has a 1920 x 1080px touch-enabled display with a maximum brightness of 300nits. The display is capable of showcasing 72% of the NTSC colour standards. Similarly, the display supports an active stylus, where a user can use devices like Asus Pen for creating sketches. However, the retail package does not include the Asus Pen.

Under the hood, the device has an 8th Generation Core i7 chipset with 16GB RAM and 512GB M.2 SSD storage. The notebook has two USB type C ports, which can support external monitors with a maximum resolution of 4K UHD. Similarly, the company also includes a mini dock, which converts the USB type C port to an HDMI port, a USB 3.1 port, and a USB-C port. The notebook runs on 64-bit Windows 10 operating system.

The Asus ZenBook Flip S has a stereo audio system certified by Harman Kardon. The device also ASUS SonicMaster audio technology to offer louder and clearer sound profile. The notebook supports Windows hello login using an inbuilt fingerprint scanner, which can even read partial fingerprints. The notebook has a built-in 39Wh battery that offers up to 11 hours of battery life. Similarly, the battery can be charged from 0 to 60% in 49 minutes.

March 19, 2018
ACT Fibernet To Launch An Amazon Fire TV Stick Competitor Streaming Device

Buying an Amazon Fire TV Stick is one of the best ways to convert your standard television into a smart television. The only competition it has is the Google Chromecast. However, both devices suffer over copyright issues, as the Chromecast does not have access to Amazon Prime Video and the Fire TV Stick misses out from native YouTube support. ACT Broadband is getting ready to launch the Android-powered ACTTV+ streaming device, which might solve these problems.

Buying an ACTTV+ might be a one-stop solution, as ACT being an internet service provider (ISP) has partnered with different streaming services. The company has partnered with online content providers like HOOQ, Hungama, ALTBalaji, Yupp TV, and Fastfilmz. As of now, the company is offering a free trial for all these services.

As this is an Android-powered streaming device, users should be able to install apps like Prime Video and YouTube using Google Play Store. Services like ALTBalaji is already available for ACT Broadband users for a free trial. The company is beta testing the ACTTV+ in some of the metro cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. The brand is also inviting the existing customers to take part in a trial run. The company is yet to announce the price of the device and additional charges to access different services.

Conclusion

The recent launch of smart televisions from companies like Xiaomi and Vu might threaten the OEMs of streaming devices. However, the Smart TV market is still at a nascent stage. Existing TV owners are likely to choose an add-on accessory, instead of buying a new Smart TV.

This would be a huge blow to Amazon and Google. As ACT being ISP can offer ACTTV+ stick at a discounted rate to its existing customers. However, Reliance Jio is also gearing up for its’s broadband service launch, which includes free live TV streaming, Movies, and Music. However, pricing of the ACTTV+ will also play an important role in the adoption of this streaming device.

March 19, 2018