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OnePlus Mini: Leaked Specs and Everything Else

Here’s the thing you need to know about the upcoming OnePlus phone – it’s going by two different names. There have been many leaks over the past few weeks about a new OnePlus phone that is a miniaturized version of the OnePlus 2. The phone is being called OnePlus Mini or OnePlus X, depending on which source you follow. Recent discussions about the phone are tilting more towards OnePlus Mini now. But we discussed OnePlus X last week so it’s anyone’s guess, really.

We have brought out some rumoured spec leaks of the OnePlus Mini/X a couple of weeks ago that was spilled by AnTuTu Bencmark, and now we have an anonymous source that’s backing it up. Since the new reports come as an anonymous tip, you should not completely trust the authenticity of it. However, some specs do seem right for a phone that is said to fall below the $250 price tag.

As previously mentioned, the OnePlus Mini will feature a 5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution cloaked in 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3 or Gorilla Glass 5.The Mini will be powered by MediaTek’s Helio X10 chipset with a 2.2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU.

2 GB of RAM and 32 GB expandable storage can also be expected. So far so good. In the camera department, however, there are changes to earlier rumours. Now it is suggested that the phone will not feature dual camera set as earlier renders have shown. Instead, there will be one 13-megapixel Sony IMX258 rear sensor with f/2.0 aperture, 4K @ 30fps video recording capabilities, and a Dual-Tone LED flash.

It is likely that the OnePlus Mini camera and display will be similar to the recently launched Xiaomi Mi 4c. There have been no changes concerning the design of the phone as shown in the renders above (except the dual camera). It is very likely that the company is steering clear from recreating a OnePlus 2 design as it has received some flak for it.

The battery is said to be either a 3000 mAh or 3100 mAh, which you’ll charge through a USB Type-C port and is also said to come with Quick Charge support. Other features include a fingerprint sensor on the back, an FM radio, a MT6630 wireless SoC, Bluetooth 4.1, an IR Blaster, a 1.2W front-facing speaker and a NFC chip for Android Pay, which was missing from the OnePlus 2. Both the NFC chip and Quick Charge support are likely to come with the Mini despite not having been featured in the bigger device.

The device is expected to be priced at $250. The anonymous source has also revealed that the phone is likely to make an appearance in November or December, though other sources say it could be launched this month. So keep your eyes open and ears to the whispers as we bring you more on the upcoming OnePlus device.

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October 6, 2015
Here’s How You Can Watch the Windows Event Live

Tech year has kept its hand full for a while now with all major brands coming out with their flagship devices and significant updates to their offerings, one after another. Taking a look at the recent past, Apple is an important name which triggered a new season of sorts in the technology circuit just a couple of weeks ago.

Come September and 2015 would see not only Apple, but also the Google Nexus event. We were just done drawing comparisons between these two events when Microsoft has now arrived with its contribution to the events song and dance. Both Apple and Google events offered the latest in technology, showcasing top-drawer devices, updates, software and accessories. Hopes ride high as we sit back to see if Microsoft too will follow the league of its counterparts.

There is much to expect from the company as it comes out with its first high-end smartphones of the year at event today. There are lots of hardware updates in store, along with additions to the Lumia phones category, a new variant of the Microsoft band, and the Surface Pro can be expected to found at the launch among other things. We might also get to see smartphones and tablets compatible with Windows by the end of the event.

Windows will be hosting the event in New York today at 10 AM ET. The event can be watched live here at 7:30pm IST.

October 6, 2015

iPhone 6s is Four Times More Popular Than the 6s Plus

If the research conducted by Localytics is to be believed, iPhone 6s is faring way better than iPhone 6s Plus with about 1.5% of all Apple users using it. This is in contrast with a puny 0.4% of 6s Plus. The heftier price tag of the latter could be one of the reasons why customers are reluctant to opt for the device, along with its increased physical size as well.The two devices have set unprecedented records in terms of sales at Apple. Just the first three days of the launch of the two smartphones brought with it 10 million sold devices. However, statistics also show that the most popular iPhone so far is iPhone 6, followed by 5s and 5.

Here is a specification sheet comparing the two:

Specifications	iPhone 6s	iPhone 6s Plus
Display	Retina HD display with 3D Touch, 4.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen	Retina HD display with 3D Touch, 5.5-inch LED-backlit widescreen
Resolution	1334 X 750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi	1920-by-1080-pixel resolution at 401 ppi
Processor	Embedded M9 motion coprocessor	Embedded M9 motion coprocessor
Chipset	A9 chip with 64-bit architecture	A9 chip with 64-bit architecture
OS	iOS 9	iOS 9
Internal Storage	16GB/64GB/128GB	16GB/64GB/128GB
Exapandibility	N/A	N/A
Rear camera	12-megapixel iSight camera with 1.22µ pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture	12-megapixel iSight camera with 1.22µ pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture, Optical image stabilization
Rear Camera Video	4K video recording (3840 by 2160) at 30 fps	Optical image stabilization for video, 4K video recording (3840 by 2160) at 30 fps
Front Camera	5-megapixel photos, ƒ/2.2 aperture, Retina Flash	5-megapixel photos, ƒ/2.2 aperture, Retina Flash
Front Camera Video	720p HD video recording	720p HD video recording
Body Dimensions	143 grams	192 grams
Special Features	Fingerprint sensor, 3D force touch, live photo	Fingerprint sensor, 3D force touch, live photo
Connectivity	23 LTE and faster Wi-Fi	23 LTE and faster Wi-Fi
Battery	1,715mAh	2,750mAh
Variants	Silver, Gold, Space Gray, Rose Gold	Silver, Gold, Space Gray, Rose Gold

As far as the price goes, iPhone 6s is expected to arrive with a price tag of Rs. 53,500 for the 16GB variant. The expected price of the 64GB version is Rs. 60,500 and Rs. 67,500 for the 128GB. Coming to the iPhone 6s Plus, the base model (16 GB) is expected to be priced at 62,500, 64GB at Rs. 69,500 and 128GB at Rs. 76,500.

All major retailers in India have begun with pre-bookings for the new iPhones – 6s and 6s Plus. As per an official statement by the company the smartphones go on sale 16th October. In addition to pre-booking with retailers across the country, the MobileStore has announced it will begin taking orders starting this Friday. Based in Mumbai, MobileStore has over 800 outlets, and pre-orders can be placed at any of these for Rs. 2,000 each up to 13th October. The devices will be made available on the night of 15th October.

October 5, 2015

YU Relaunches Yuphoria With Android Lollipop and a Cheaper Price Tag

Yu Yuphoria is now available at a price of Rs. 6,499 on Amazon, following a Rs. 500 price-cut. The phone was launched in the country in May with a price tag of Rs. 6,999. Another update the smartphone comes with is that of the operating system. The older Android Lollipop-based Cyanogen OS 12 custom ROM has now been replaced with stock Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Yu Yuphoria

Additionally, the company made Yureka Plus available at a price of Rs. 8,999 on Amazon. Cyanogen OS 12 of the phone has been replaced with Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Yunique is another smartphone by Yu which has been updated in a similar fashion. It’s priced at Rs. 5,499 and runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop.

Yu Yureka: Alabaster White and Moonstone Grey

The Yu smartphones have taken the circuit by storm with their competitive prices and have provided the consumers a wider range to choose from. The lowest priced 4G LTE smartphone in the market is Lenovo A2010 at a price of Rs. 4,990. However, the Yu phones are highly likely to tip the buyers’ interest in their favour now, away from brands like Lenovo.

According to the rumour mill, YU has something interesting in store for its fans. A always, we’ll update you with the details.

October 5, 2015

Lenovo Launches the Phab Plus With a 6.8-inch Display in India

A third party online retailer has made the Lenovo Phab available in India at the price of Rs. 18,490. The device was launched in China in August and is now available in the country via Amazon. Though there has been no news of an official launch by Lenovo, buyers can find comfort in this third party website.

The specs of the device include a 6.8-inch full-HD display with a resolution of 1080x1920p. An octa-core of 64-bit and Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset together constitute the processor. Take a look at the table below for all of the other features of the Lenovo Phab Plus:

Specification	Lenovo Phab Plus
Display	6.8 inch full-HD
Resolution	1080x1920p with 326ppi
Processor	64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 marked at 1.5GHz
GPU	Adreno 405
RAM	2 GB
Primary Camera	13 MP
Front Camera	5 MP
Storage	32 GB
Expandability	With microSD card
Battery	3500 mAh
Connectivity	4G, 3G, GPS/ A-GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Micro-USB
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Price	Rs. 18,490

October 5, 2015

India’s Anti-Trust Probe With Google at a Glance

Amidst a struggle of dealing with anti-competition claims laid down by EU, Google’s tryst with turbulent waters continued as India followed suit and accused the California based company of rigging search results in August this year. The preliminary findings of the three year old probe were submitted to both Google and Competition Commission of India by early September. Allegedly, the search results benefit many of Google’s own businesses, making its other customers lose out on online attention. Here’s a quick look at the story so far:

Main Concern:

The possibility of Google using the search engines to promote its own services without the users even realising it is a little more than disconcerting. Similar to the European investigation, Indian authorities are also convinced that the search engine is being used to favour Google’s maps service, travel sites, and advertising products. This inevitably means that the customers using Google’s advertising services are losing out on opportunities and suffering loss in business.

Names of Companies Involved:

There are various prominent names blaming Google of being close to ignoring their existence on its search engine. These names include Flipkart, Facebook, Nokia, Bharat matrimony, nonprofit Consumer Unity and Trust Society.

Sundar Pichai, the Google CEO.

However, there are websites within the country which have refused to participate in this complaint. These companies are Times Internet, Make My Trip, Group M, and Rediff.

Possible Consequences for Google:

Last year Google had paid a fine of $166,000 after having failed to cooperate with a probe. If this year the company finds itself itself in a similar situation, it may have to pay 10% of its revenues. Google’s net income is $14 billion on $66 billion in revenue for 2014 according to what the company revealed last year.

European Union’s Competition Chief, Margrethe Vestager speaks about Google in a media conference in April, 2015.

Rumours and accusations of Google catering primarily to its own self-interests have been floating around since forever. More recently in April this year, European Commission launched a statement which accused the company with similar allegations like the Indian authorities, and stated that Google:

“…abused its dominant position in the markets for general internet search services in the European Economic Area (EEA) by systematically favouring its own comparison shopping product in its general search results pages”

It formally charged Google of violating EU competition and antitrust laws by exploiting its foothold in the virtual world. Google responded to this in September by claiming the accusations are false and unfounded. While both sides have their own respective arguments to offer, no conclusion has been reached so far. Google has courted legal entanglements for over a decade now, and prominent names like Microsoft and TripAdvisor have been among the complainants. Let’s see how the company sails through the choppiness of Indian and European turbulence this time.

October 5, 2015
Nokia 1100 is Still the Biggest Selling Handset in the World

How surprised would you be if we told you that the world’s best selling phone is not the iPhone but something very old and not a smartphone at all? Remember the classic old Nokia 1100, the phone we all perhaps began with? While the iPhone 6 may have sold 71 million units in about three months, the numbers have nothing on the Nokia 1100.

The Nokia 1100 was an entry-level handset that came out in 2003. At the time it was perhaps the best thing to ever hit the mobile market. Lets consider this a 2003 post and talk of the specs that makes the phone a true badass. The handset does not come with two cameras, a curved screen or a snapdragon processor. What it does feature is a torch-light, a pair of no-slip grips, dust-proof case, monochrome graphic with, wait for it, 96 x 65 pixels, monophonic ringtones (36 pre-installed, 7 user-made), interchangeable covers, and an unbreakable will (we mean it).

This smooth handset can also store up to 50 contacts and 50 messages (25 sent, 25 received) and gives a whopping 400 hours standby time between charges. But the one thing that really tied this phone together was Snakes II and Space Impact – those 8-bit games that were played by 250 million people around the world.

We say 250 million because that’s how many units of the Nokia 1100 were sold by 2008, becoming not only the world’s best selling phone, but also the best selling consumer electronics device. There are many reasons behind why the 1100 was the craze at the time. For one thing, the phone was highly affordable at about $100 with all the features mentioned above, which were all that one needed at the time.

The phone was discontinued in 2008 because of the next wave of phones that were coming in, However, in 2009, the obsolete device became something of a collectors item as they were being sold for obscene amounts of money – say $32,000 a piece.

But if you thought you had seen the last of the Nokia 1100, think again. There are rumors that the classic handset might come back with a technological makeover. In March this year, the Nokia 1100 was seen in a GeekBench’s database and suggested that the 2016 Nokia 1100 will feature a quad-core 1.3GHz MediaTek MT-6582 processor and will reportedly run on Android 5.0. However, this could all be an elaborate ruse by Nokia to use an old model since under the terms of its deal with Microsoft, Nokia cannot offer a new smartphone under the last quarter of 2016. It would be fun, though, to see what the 1100 would look like fitted with all the new toys today.

Would you like to see the classic Nokia 1100 back in the market? Let us know in the comments below.

October 5, 2015
Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Could Release Next Month

Xiaomi Mi Note 2, the successor to Xiaomi Mi Note Pro, is expected to arrive next month. The tentative date for the release is 5th November. Since Note Pro never made it to Indian markets, we can only hope for Mi Note 2 to release here.

If sources are to be believed, the phablet is expected to have top drawer specs which include a 5.7 inch display with 1440 x 2560 resolution. A 4 GB RAM accompanies a 32 GB internal memory, along with 16 MP camera and pre-installed Android 6.0. However, since November 5th is too early for a Snapdragon 820 chipset, if Xiaomi goes ahead with the launch, 2016 would perhaps bring with it another version of Mi Note 2 with an updated chipset.

October 5, 2015

Nexus 5X and 6P Arrive in India on 13th October

The two latest Google phones are all set to arrive in the country. Reportedly, the two smartphones would be launched in India on the 13th of this month, just two days shy of the day the iPhones go on sale.

The prices of the phones and their variants have been revealed by Google on their India website. Nexus 5X will cost Rs 31,900 for the 16GB version, and Rs 35,900 for the 32GB. This is followed by the Nexus 6P, which will cost Rs 39,999 for the 32GB version, Rs 42,999 for 64GB and Rs. 47,999 for the 128GB version. Additionally, prices for the Nexus 6 have been brought down to Rs 33,800 and Rs 37,600 for 32 GB and 64GB variants respectively.

Here is a quick look at the specs of the two phones.

LG Nexus 5X:

Specification	LG Nexus 5X
Display	5.2-inch Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080 / 423ppi)
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels (~424 ppi pixel density)
Chipset	1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
CPU	Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU	Adreno 418
RAM	2 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Front Camera	5 MP with F2.0 Aperture
Rear Camera	Up to 12.3 MP with F2.0 Aperture
Storage	16 or 32 GB eMMC ROM
Expandability	NA
Battery	2,700 mAh (embedded)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / Type-C USB
Operating System	Android OS, v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Price	Rs. 31,900/ Rs. 35,900

Huawei Nexus 6P:

Specs	Nexus 6P
Display	5.7-inch QHD Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Resolution	2560 x 1440 pixels, 518 ppi
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core 810 v2.1
GPU	–
RAM	3 GB
Storage	32 GB/ 64 GB/ 128 GB
Rear Camera	12.3 MP
Front Camera	8 MP
Expandability	N/A
Battery	3450mAh battery
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac; Wi-Fi MIOMO support; Bluetooth 4.0 LE; GSM bands 850/1900; 3G bands; GPS with AGPS; NFC, USB Type-C
OS	Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Price	$499/549/649

October 5, 2015

Google Might Be Trying To Turn Robots Into Domestic Helpers

Google-owned robots are somewhat like YouTube stars, however, Google still is not ready to discuss their robotics operations publicly. Reports suggest, that they are currently laying a foundation for ‘intelligent and multipurpose robots’.

Further reports also have suggested that Google wants to separate their internet services from their research arms and unrelated businesses. So, going ahead with that goal, they will be creating a separate robotics division for robotics within Alphabet. Boston Robotics, which is a company that makes robots for the US military will be operating within Alphabet with some independence.

Google’s robotics division has made great strides towards their goals especially with the autonomy they get under Alphabet. They have eight robotics acquisitions including Boston Dynamics and are using their resources to build domestic helpers or security droids for the future.

To update us on what they’re working on, Google sometimes publishes research papers and one of these papers was recently published in Cornell University’s Arxiv repository. This particular paper revealed that the company has been “experimenting with feeding short video clips into machines’ electronic brains to improve their vision.”

All signs point to the fact that Google is making an effort to make robots a part of our domestic lives soon. Till then, let’s just hope we don’t really have to ever be in an I-Robot type situation ever.

October 5, 2015
Here’s What You Can Expect From Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4

There’s an event happening on October 6 and invites for it are already out. Microsoft is gearing up unveil the new Surface Pro 4 along with the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. We’ve already spoken about the Lumia phones and what you can expect. Now we have some dirt on the Surface Pro 4 as well.

Whispers suggest that Microsoft is planning to come out with two variants of the Surface Pro 4. While one is expected to have a 12-inch display, much like the Surface Pro 3, the other is rumoured to feature a huge 14-inch screen with a 1440 x 2160 resolution and 185 ppi. The Surface Pro line are known for their sharp displays and the Surface Pro 4 looks to maintain the name. This could be Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s new iPad Pro, but we can only confirm this once the device is out in the open.

Other features of the upcoming Surface Pro 4 suggest that the tablet will use the new Skylake Core chipset from Intel. Up to 16 GB RAM will be available, with internal storage as high as 500 GB, and will run on the latest Windows 10 OS. We could also see a better battery backup as that’s one area that has been wanting.

In terms of design, makers at Microsoft have expressed that they are likely to stick with the current Surface Pro 3 look. You can also expect to see a new stylus in the offing considering the new Microsoft Edge browser on Windows 10 uses some new handwriting functions.

No information of what the Surface Pro 4 will cost, but it is expected to be priced similar to its predecessor, which means you could see a base price tag of $799. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 6th in New York City. Follow this space for updates on the announcements.

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October 3, 2015
Flipkart Begins Teasing Nexus 6P’s Arrival in India

The Nexus 5X and 6P had been revealed at the Google event held on the 29th of September, 2015. Both devices were announced to arrive with the new Android Marshmallow version along with many other upgraded specs. Today, we’ve come to know that the Nexus 6P will arrive in India, sooner than expected.

Flipkart has already put up a small teaser of the device, however this time it does not have a ticker that shows the pre-order date. But, what we do know is, that the device will be shipping for pre-ordered customers later this month so, we can expect the pre-order to begin in India around the same time. Reports also suggest that it could go on sale next month.

The Google Nexus 6P could be priced at Rs. 39,999 for the 32GB, Rs. 42,999 for the 64GB, and Rs. 47,999 for the 128GB variant. It also comes in three colour variants – Aluminium, Graphite and Frost White.

October 3, 2015
Motorola Says Moto X Style is ‘Coming Very Soon’ To India

New reports have suggested that Motorola will release the Moto X Style in India soon. There are no confirmed dates for the said device, however this is what was tweeted by the company :

Get ready to live life to the fullest & party in 15 minutes flat with the Moto X Style. Coming very soon! pic.twitter.com/7b9JgGtPPP

— Motorola India (@motorolaindia) October 2, 2015

That doesn’t seem too bad at all, since they’re already tweeting about it, we can probably expect the process to begin soon.

Why should you be excited about the new Moto X Style? Well, apart from being a high-end phone, it is an upgrade from the X Play that Motorola has brought to India in September. It is powered by the Snapdragon 808 processor, contains a 3GB of RAM and flaunts and display that is larger than 5.7 inches. The display is further enhanced by a QHD (2560×1440) resolution too. The Moto X Style will come with a 21MP rear camera and dual SIM support. The only down side of this phone is that it features a smaller battery.

Till now this is all we know. However, we will bring you the latest updates and official announcement of the release dates as soon as it’s out.

October 3, 2015
Motorola Ditches Some of its Bloatware with the Latest Android Upgrade
Motorola is removing bloatware in a big way, keeping its current lineup of smartphones something special for Android enthusiasts. The company plans to keep the phones light and clean without stuffing them with their own software and application. In an attempt to make the phones more Android pure, Motorola has announced which of its devices will be getting the Marshmallow upgrade and also announced that it would be deleting a few of its own software.

Specifically, Motorola will be removing in-house apps and services like Moto Assist, Motorola Migrate and the Motorola Connect (Chrome extension) and won’t preload them onto devices anymore.

Here’s why this is a good thing – Bloatware takes up a lot of storage space and resources. The extra weight causes slower upgrade process. Many OEMs have taken advantage of Android’s wide scope of applications and have generally stuffed their phones with applications that not only take up space but also don’t particularly enhance user experience since most of the apps are hardly ever used.

Motorola senior VP of software engineering Seang Chau understands why the company doesn’t need to add bloatware to its phone – because if users want an extra application, they can download it from the Google Play, that likely does better than what OEMs offer.

“The release of a new Android version is a great time to take a fresh look at our signature Moto Enhancements to ensure we’re complementing Android (not competing with it),” Motorola explains. “Both of these products were valuable in their time but the world has moved on and they no longer add enough value to justify taking up space in your device.”

This is how Motorola is finding acceptance among Android fans. Not many companies out there would accept that their own services don’t actually improve the overall user experience. Motorola has come to stand out as one of the very best Android OEMs when it comes to not taking up storage space and resources with its own applications.

For existing Motorola users, here’s a full list of devices that will be getting the upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow with the deleted bloatware:
- 2015 Moto X Pure Edition (3rd gen)
- 2015 Moto X Style (3rd gen)
- 2015 Moto X Play
- 2015 Moto G (3rd gen)
- 2014 Moto X Pure Edition in the US (2nd gen)
- 2014 Moto X in Latin America, Europe and Asia² (2nd gen)
- 2014 Moto G and Moto G with 4G LTE² (2nd gen)
- DROID Turbo
- 2014 Moto MAXX
- 2014 Moto Turbo
- Nexus 6
The company will be releasing more information on the timing of these phone upgrades in the coming weeks.
October 3, 2015
The USB-C Cable of Nexus 5X is Incompatible With Most Computers

Earlier this week Google launched two new phones at the official event in San Francisco – Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. As retailers and buyers gear up for the pre-order of these new devices, what comes as a wet blanket is the connectivity problem of 5X – it comes with a USB cable that is not compatible with most computers.The Google website shows that Nexus 5X comes containing a USB Type-C 15W charger and a USB Type-C to Type-C cable. This implies the user would have to spend an extra $13 (about Rs. 900) approximately for a USB Type-C to UBS Standard cable in order to be able to connect the phone to an average computer.

However, buyers of Nexus 6P won’t have to face this problem as it comes with a cable that lets you connect to all standard USB ports.

October 3, 2015