Samsung is known for innovating with its smartphones in order to provide a better user experience. The company became the first one to launch a foldable smartphone in the market, which is the Galaxy Fold. Previously, a smartphone with dual display panelswas patented by the South Korean organization. In March 2019, Samsung was granted a patent for a device which had a spring mechanism for the foldable display. As per latest reports, the company has patented a rectangular display device can be conveniently folded.
About The Patent
The patent was granted to Samsung and published on May 7 2019 in the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) and the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) database. It clearly depicts a device that has one large single flexible display. When the device is unfolded, it reveals an elongated tablet-sized panel which has 3 folding creases, indicating the lines around which the smartphone has to be folded. Once it is folded, the resulting device has a screen on all the four sides.
Users can choose what to display at each face of the folded display. For instance, one side can showcase the time and date, whereas the other side can display the incoming notifications. Furthermore, such a design can be very handy at meetings, where the user can simply unfold the device to convert it into a tablet to convey necessary information to multiple people at the same time.
The images in the patent exhibit that the foldable device has a power button at the front alongside the USB 2.0 port. Additionally, no technical specifications and functionalities of the device are spoken of in the patent. Considering that Samsung has applied for the patent both in Korea and America, the company may have plans to manufacture such a device in the near future.
The detailed patent can be viewed by clicking here
Xiaomi’s sub-brand Redmi is headed towards the launch of its first ever flagship grade smartphone. The device has been densely surrounded in rumours and leaks, but the latest information revealed regarding the handset is not a leak at all. Rather, the General Manager of Redmi, Lu Weibing has confirmed a couple of new features that will make their way into the company’s upcoming smartphone, which include an in-display fingerprint scanner and an excellent battery life.
Redmi Flagship Device: All We Know So Far
As posted on the popular Chinese social website Weibo, the alleged Redmi K20 Pro will feature a fingerprint sensor that will be embedded beneath the display. The GM of Redmi posted a screenshot of the unlocking screen of the smartphone, which clearly depicts the spot where the supposed optical fingerprint scanner is located. Furthermore, Lu Weibing also commended the battery performance of the device, which he deemed to “exceed his expectations”. Although the battery capacity of the Redmi handset was not revealed, previous leaks suggest that it will be 4000 mAh with support for 27W fast charging.
Redmi X Render
The smartphone runs on the 7nm Snapdragon 855 SoC which comprises of the Kryo 485 Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 640 GPU. In terms of optics, it sports a triple camera module consists of a 48 MP sensor , a 20 MP sensor and a third unknown sensor, which may be a depth sensor. In terms of the front camera, the smartphone is expected to house the same in a pop-up camera mechanism. However, the specifications of the front camera are still unknown.
Former leakshave suggested that the Redmi device sports a 6.39 inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution. Other details including the price, resolution of front-facing selfie camera and storage variants will be publicised once it officially launches. The company has not revealed any other information about the smartphone as of now, so an official statement is highly awaited. As per reports, the Chinese company is expected to make an announcement regarding the Redmi device on May 13 or May 20.
OnePlus is gearing up for the launch of its latest smartphones which will succeed the OnePlus 6T from 2018. The upcoming devices include the OnePlus 7 and its beefed up elder sibling the OnePlus 7 Pro. Previously, the renders of both the handsets were leaked which revealed their design. Now, the specifications of the high end OnePlus 7 Pro have leaked ahead of its official announcement which is set for the 14th of May.
According to the leak, the highly anticipated OnePlus 7 Pro sports a 6.67 inch Fluid AMOLED display. The panel has a resolution of 3120 x 1440 px and a pixel density of 516 ppi. Noteworthy, the OnePlus 7 Pro has a 90 Hz refresh rate display which provides for enhanced viewing experience. The smartphone runs on OxygenOS which is based on the latest Android 9 Pie. As previously confirmed, the flagship smartphone packs UFS 3.0 storage and will be available in three storage variants which include 6 GB + 128 GB, 8 GB + 256 GB and 12 GB + 256 GB.
OnePlus 7 Pro Almond Colour
Under the hood, the OnePlus 7 Pro will be kitted with the Snapdragon 855 SoC which is manufactured using 7 nm fabrication process. The same chipset is also present on devices like the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 and the Lenovo Z6 Pro GT. The chipset consists of the Adreno 640 GPU and eight CPU cores. Out of the eight cores, one Cortex A76 core is clocked at 2.84 GHz, three Cortex A76 cores are clocked at 2.42 GHz, while the remaining Cortex A55 cores are clocked at 1.8 GHz. In terms of connectivity, the OnePlus 7 Pro has Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11 Wi-Fi, USB 3.1 Type C Port and NFC.
Talking about the cameras, the OnePlus 7 Pro has an f/2.0 aperture equipped 16 MP Sony IMX471 front facing camera which is housed in pop up style mechanism. The device has a triple camera setup which consists of an f/1.6 aperture equipped 48 MP sensor, f/2.2 aperture equipped 16 MP sensor and an f/2.4 aperture equipped 8 MP sensor that has 3x optical zoom capabilities. The OnePlus 7 Pro can also capture 4k videos at 30/60 FPS, Slow motion 1080 p video at 240 FPS from the rear cameras setup while the selfie camera can record 1080p videos at 30 fps.
Unlike any other OnePlus device in the past, the upcoming OnePlus 7 Pro has stereo speakers which will provide for an enriched media consumption experience. The handset will be powered by a 4,000 mAh battery that supports 30W warp charge. The said fast charging technology was first introduced with the OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition which was launched last year. The smartphone measures 162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm and weighs in at 210 grams. As previously mentioned, the OnePlus 7 Pro will be available in three storage variants. With the new device, the company will also introduce new colour options. The European pricing for different variants of the device are as follows:
South Korean technology giant Samsung is planning to make a bigger impact on the smartphone camera market this year. On the 9th of May 2019, the company announced its upcoming 64 megapixel ISOCELL Image Sensors that will reportedly be the highest resolution sensor in a smartphone camera. As per the company, the new sensors will enable users to capture vibrant high-res images.
Samsung ISOCELL GW1 Image Sensor Features
Samsung Electronics introduced a total of two new 0.8? (micrometre) pixel image sensors. One is the 64 megapixel ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor and the other is the 48 megapixel ISOCELL Bright GM2. Samsung claims that its 0.8? (micrometre) pixel size is currently the smallest in the world, and this expansion in the lineup will also be incorporated in existing 20 megapixel sensors, all the way up to high-resolution 64 megapixel sensors.
As stated by the Executive VP of the company, Samsung’s new advanced pixel technologies will enable considerably thin devices to house top-of-the-line image sensors so as to enhance the level of photography. The South Korean company claims that its 64 megapixel image sensor features Tetracell technology (where four pixels are merged to work as one to increase light sensitivity) and the Remosiac algorithm (which is used to generate full resolution images in bright light conditions). Furthermore, the sensor is claimed to support HDR (High Dynamic Range) of up to 100 decibels.
Samsung ISOCELL GM2 Image Sensor Features
As mentioned previously, the second announcement by the company is the ISOCELL Bright GM2 48 megapixel image sensor, which adopts similar technologies to the ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor. Additionally, both the sensors sport DCG (Dual Conversion Gain), which covers the light received into an electric signal which is dependant on the illumination of the surroundings.
Samsung says that the ISOCELL Bright GW1 and GM2 are currently undergoing testing and will be available via mass production later in 2019. This implies that smartphones that launch in the early 2020s may boast of Samsung’s new sensors.
Taiwanese electronics giant Asus will launch its latest flagship smartphone, the Zenfone 6 on the 16th of May at an event in Valencia, Spain. While previous leaks revealed the specifications of the device, its design had been shrouded in a cloud of mystery, until now. A known gadget leaker has shared the case renders of the upcoming Zenfone 6 smartphone which unveils the handset in its full glory.
Asus Zenfone 6 Design
The upcoming Zenfone 6 smartphone from Asus will be the company’s flagship offering; and will succeed the Zenfone 5Z launched last year. Leaked case renders of the device showcase what it could look like once it is official. The images exhibit a design reminiscent of its predecessor, complete with an all-glass build on the front and the back. The front of the handset is dominated by a large display with minimal bezels on the side and a wide notch up top. There is a minimal chin at the bottom of the display which may house the display components inside it.
The images further reveal the back of the Zenfone 6 will have a horizontally placed dual camera setup with an LED flash between the two lenses. A rectangular shaped fingerprint scanner is also visible on the rear of the device which will be used to rapidly unlock the smartphone. The right of the handset has the volume rockers and the power button, but at the top, the Zenfone 6 will also have a third button. Unfortunately, it is not known what function will be assigned to the additional key, although it may be used as a mute switch; which will help in switching the smartphone to silent, ringer and vibrate mode. A similar switch has been available in devices from Apple and OnePlus for a while. The leaker also claims while the basics layout will be the same, the Zenfone 6 may end up looking different than the one present in the renders.
Specifications
Even though the teaser does not reveal any specifications of the Asus ZenFone 6, the information can be derived from past leaks. The previously uncovered Geekbench listing of the smartphone states that it will feature the Snapdragon 855 which is manufactured using the 7nm fabrication process. The chipset is comprised of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 640 GPU. The listing also revealed that the device packs 6 GB of RAM, however, Asus is likely to launch the handset with higher RAM capacities as well. It is expected to run on the latest Android 9 Pie which may be skinned with Asus’s custom ZenUI on top. As previously mentioned, the company will launch the Zenfone 6 on the 16th of May when all the details about the smartphone can be confirmed.
Apple is likely to launch three iPhone models in the month of September this year. The upcoming devices will succeed the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR from 2018. While the details of the flagship grade iPhone XI and iPhone XI Max were previously leaked online. There was limited information about the affordable iPhone which will replace the iPhone XR. Now, renders of the 2019 iPhone XR (not the official name) have been shared by renowned leakster OnLeaks.
2019 iPhone XR Design
The renders of the 2019 iPhone XR shared by the source are sufficiently detailed to exhibit what the upcoming smartphone will look like from all angles. Like the original handset, the upcoming device has a large screen display that has minimal bezel on all sides. Like its predecessor, the updated device has a wide notch above the display that houses the earpiece and front facing selfie camera.
The rear layout of the 2019 iPhone XR is also identical to the original device. Distinctively, the updated smartphone will have a dual rear camera setup instead of a single camera on the 2018 variant. Similar to the iPhone XI & iPhone XI Max renders, the affordable 2019 iPhone has a square camera module which slightly protrudes from the back panel. Furthermore, like the flagship devices, the glass on top of the rear camera module is likely to be transparent. The placement of ports, grilles and switches also remain unchanged from the 2018 iPhone XR.
2019 iPhone XR Features
Reportedly, the 2019 iPhone XR will be sport a 6.1 inch Liquid Retina display which is the same as the original device. Like its elder siblings, the device will feature a 7 nm based chipset which according to the chronological order will be named A13 Bionic. Noteworthy, the smartphone is expected to have an improved selfie camera that has a resolution of 12 MP. Notably, the company is reported to ship the 2019 iPhone models with an 18 W fast charger. Like the original iPhone XR, the upcoming device will be available in a variety of vibrant colours.
Huawei has listed its latest smartphone, the P Smart Z on its official Spanish website. The device boasts of being the first from the company to sport an elevating mechanism to house the front-facing camera, implementation of whose was first seen with the Vivo Apexsmartphone last year.
Huawei P Smart Z
The P Smart Z features an all-glass design on the front and rear with two-tone colour design on the back. It has a large 6.59-inch display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px and a pixel density of 391 ppi. To maximise the screen real estate of the smartphone, a pop-up camera mechanism is implemented on top of the device. The technology is also seen in smartphones like the Vivo V15 Pro and the rumoured OnePlus 7 Pro. For biometric security and rapidly unlocking the handset, it has a rear mounted fingerprint sensor with support for face unlock technology.
Under the hood, the Huawei P Smart Z is kitted with the 14nm HiSilicon Kirin 710 chipset, which consists of an octa-core CPU and the Mali-G51 MP4 GPU. In terms of optics, the smartphone has a dual rear camera module, which consists of an f/1.8 aperture equipped 16MP primary sensor and an f/2.4 aperture equipped 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, the pop-up mechanism houses the f/2.0 aperture equipped 16MP selfie camera. For memory and storage, the device features 4GB of RAM and 64GB of Internal Storage.
The Huawei P Smart Z is powered by a 4000 mAh battery which can be replenished by the bottom mounted USB Type-C port on the device. It runs on the latest Android 9 Pie, which is topped off with the company’s custom skin EMUI 9. The smartphone will be available in three colours, namely Sapphire Blue, Midnight Black, Emerald Green.
While the Huawei P Smart Z has been listed on the company’s official Spanish website, details about the pricing and availability are not known yet. But, previous leaks reveals it will be priced at EUR 279 (Rs. 21,600). As it has officially been listed by Huawei, it is expected to be made available for purchase in the following weeks.
Chinese manufacturer Huawei has been making a lot of progress over the past years. The company is the second largest smartphone maker in the world after Samsung. Huawei’s latest flagship, the P30 Pro received positive reviews for its innovative camera system, which provides 5x Optical Zoom capabilities. Furthermore, the company is planning to release the Y9 Prime 2019 smartphone in the not-so-distant future. Huawei has patented a new smartphone which has a unique selfie camera design.
About The Patent
The patent reveals a device which does not feature a notch, yet has a full screen design. The aforementioned patent was first filed with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) in the month of March 2018 and was published on the 7th of May 2019. Interestingly, the depicted smartphone does not have a notch or a pop-up style camera. Instead, the patented handset is slightly rounded on the top, which is the real catch here.
The rounded top ensures that there is just enough space at the top to accommodate the front camera sensor and the earpiece. The patent addresses a major drawback in smartphones with pop-up cameras, stating that such devices cannot be deemed waterproof. However, with this new design, Huawei claims that its smartphone can be waterproof and fullscreen at the same time.
The rear panel of the Huawei device from the patent has a traditional layout. It sports a dual camera setup and an LED flash with a fingerprint scanner placed just below them. Bottom renders of the device suggest that it will also feature a 3.5mm headphone jack. Clearly, the dual cameras on the handset indicate that it is intended to be a budget smartphone. Since Huawei hasn’t hinted about such a device in the immediate past, chances are that it may be released in the early 2020s or late 2019. However, as of now, all this information should be taken with a grain of salt.
After the phenomenal success of the Redmi Note 7 and the Note 7 Pro in the country. Xiaomi is gearing for the launch of another feature-rich device whose posters have been shared on the Mi community website. The said poster questions ‘Guess What’s Coming’ which is accompanied by a diagram. Closely inspecting the image suggests that the company might actually launch two smartphones instead of one.
Apparently, the diagram from the poster is hinting the features of the upcoming handsets. Allegedly, the inner ring in the aforementioned diagram denotes the single selfie camera on upcoming devices. While the second ring denotes a double camera and a triple camera setup which the smartphones will feature. It is assumed that the upcoming smartphone duo includes the Mi A3 and the Mi A3 Lite. To further strengthen the claim, the company is long anticipated to unveil the successors of the Mi A2 and the Mi A2 Lite (aka Redmi 6 Pro) from last year.
Even though precise details about both the Mi A3 and the Mi A3 Lite are unavailable, key features can be drawn from their predecessor. Being members of Xiaomi’s A series, the Mi A3 and the Mi A3 Lite are destined to run a stock version of Android along with Android one certification. Late last month, Xioami India head, Manu Kumar Jain shared a Tweet which notified that the company will soon launch a smartphone with the Snapdragon 730 SoC. And the Mi A3 might be kitted with the said chipset.
Furthermore, smartphones in the Mi A lineup are recognised for their camera performance and the upcoming handsets are expected to follow suit. All in all, to get more details about the smartphones we will have to wait patiently until we hear next from the company.
On the 7th of May 2019, Google held the I/O developers conference in Mountain View, California. As expected, it unveiled the long-anticipated Pixel 3a smartphone duo. The other notable product launched at the event was the Nest Hub Max which is the companies second-generation smart display. Other than the aforementioned hardware and software announcement, the company showcased new features for Google Assistant which are nothing short of groundbreaking.
Offline Centric Update
With the latest update, Google has primarily focussed on providing the existing features of the Assistant application without the need for an active internet connection. The company states that the new update completely changes how the data processing on the assistant is achieved. Previously, the inputs provided to the assistant was computed on the company’s data centres. But, following the update, all the data will be processed locally on the device itself. Noteworthy, Google has managed to shrink 100 GB of speech recognition and language understanding data to a bite-size 0.5 GB. Therefore, it can be locally stored on a smartphone or tablet, resulting in a reduction of latency to a greater extent.
The company claims that the updated Assistant can process requests up to 10 times faster. Furthermore, users can even multitask across different applications with the help of the voice assistant. The requirement for saying ‘Hey Google’ prefix before every command has also been eliminated. Consequently, users can have a human-like conversation with a virtual assistant. However, the next generation Assistant which rolls out later this year will only be limited to Pixel phones for an uncertain period.
Duplex Makes Its Way To The Web
Last year Google introduced Duplex technology, which is intended towards simplifying tasks that are usually performed manually. Originally, it could make phone calls on behalf of the user which in itself is a praiseworthy feature. After the update, it will also be able to handle certain processes which are a common affair like buying movie tickets online or booking a taxi. Duplex is able to achieve the said tasks by auto-filling the details of the users which greatly reduce the effort and time that it normally requires. The updated abilities will make their way to the app later this year in the US and UK for Android devices.
Assistant Becomes More Up Close
As the title suggests, Google assistant, after the update will be able to provide answers or execute tasks based on the personal references of an individual. For example, if the assistant has been informed about a particular contact, the assistant can answer questions about events like birthday or other relevant events based on the provided information. Another reference could be asking whether details of a friend’s place. Given, the assistant is aware of their location.
Furthermore, the assistant can also recommend suggestions based on past choices and decisions. The newly launched ‘Nest Smart Hub’ with the help of updated assistant will provide personalized suggestions starting with recipes, events and podcasts. For example, If a user asks for dinner recommendations, the assistant would answer based on past choices. Therefore, would suggest food dishes from a particular cuisine if the user had previously ordered a particular dish.
Driving Mode Built Into The Assistant
Even though driving mode has been available on Android devices for quite some time, its adaption has been rather limited. With the updated Google assistant, the company intends to change that. The driving mode built into the assistant can be easily toggled with the help of voice command “Hey Google, let’s drive”. The mode when turned on displays the on-screen content in a particular manner which custom tailored to the user.
Impressively, if a contact calls while driving, the assistant will speak aloud their details based on which the user can accept or decline the incoming call with a voice command. In addition, other tasks like messaging or asking for navigation can all be achieved with voice command, hands-free.
Furthermore, the updated Google assistant can turn on the air conditioner in the user’s car before they reach, implied the vehicle supports the functionality. Last but not least, an ongoing alarm can be turned off via the ‘stop’ voice command.
Lenovo owned technology company, Motorola is gearing up for the launch of the One Vision smartphone. Previous leaks and rumours have already divulged a major chunk of information regarding the device. The device is a part of the Android One program, which means that it is guaranteed to receive software updates for at least two years. Fresh leaks regarding the Moto One Vision suggest that it will be launched in two colours, and will sport a punch hole selfie camera.
Motorola One Vision: Specifications & Features
As per reports, the Moto One Vision will feature a 6.2 inch FHD+ display with 21:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone has a glass sandwich design, and the glossy back panel of the device features a fingerprint scanner for biometric security, which is housed in the Motorola Logo. The design is different from Motorola’s conventional method, since this will be the first Motorola handset to feature a punch hole cutout.
Unlike other Motorola smartphones, the Moto One Vision will run on the 11nm Exynos 9610 SoC, which is manufactured by Samsung. The chipset comprises of an octa-core Cortex CPU (up to 2.3 GHz clock speed) and the Mali G72-MP3 GPU. It will be available in two storage variants: a 3GB RAM version and a 4GB one, which will be paired with either 32, 64 or 128GB of internal storage.
In terms of optics, the Moto One Vision has a f/1.7 aperture equipped 48MP primary sensor, which will feature quad pixel technology and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), and a secondary 5MP depth sensor. For selfies, a 12MP camera will be housed in the aforementioned punch hole cutout. As per reports, the Moto One Vision will pack a 3500 mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. The bottom of the smartphone will accommodate the speaker grille and the USB Type-C port. The renders of the smartphone, however, do not exhibit the presence of the 3.5mm headphone jack on the device.
The Motorola One Vision is expected to be unveiled on May 15 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Noteworthy, the same device is speculated to be marketed as the Motorola P40 in China. It will be available in two colours as per reports, which are expected to be Gradient Blue and Gradient Brown.
May 7 was the first day of the much-awaited Google I/O event, and Google introduced a variety of new features and devices, such as the Google Pixel 3a series , the Nest Hub Max Smart Display and the Live Caption feature, which is a part of Android Q. Talking about the aforementioned OS, Google plans to release the full version of Android Q by this fall (somewhere between September and November). However, the latest beta version of the 10th iteration of Android is available on multiple Google devices as of now. The American technology company introduced a host of new features that will accompany Android Q.
Dark Theme
The dark theme is being adopted by an increasing number of operating systems and applications across various devices. As announced at the event, the dark mode will be activated by simply pulling down the notification bar and choosing the “Dark Theme” option from the Quick Settings menu. The mode can also be activated by turning the battery saver on.
Google stated that the dark theme will especially help in conserving battery on those devices which feature OLED displays, since only selected pixels on the screen are lit up during the operation of such panels. Further Google adds that all its first party apps will be dark theme compatible. This implies that Google Clock, Google Calendar and Google Photos will be able to take advantage of system-wide dark theme to preserve battery.
Support For Foldable Devices
As Google states, multiple OEMs will release foldable smartphones this year, and all of them will run on the latest Android OS. In a demo showcased by the company, the user was seamlessly able to switch from the game running on one screen to the foldable screen by simply unfolding the device. Supporting application continuity over the UI can help app developers work with APIs in a different way, Google says.
Gesture Navigation
Google is finally shifting away from the navigation bar and adopting a single white bar at the bottom of the screen. Users can swipe up to go to the home screen. To go into multitasking mode, users can swipe up and drag across the screen. If you swipe across the bar quickly, users can directly switch between adjacently running applications. Directly swiping up from the home screen can direct users towards the application drawer. Google further stated that animations across Android Q will be drastically improved in future updates.
Security Upgrades
Google plans to integrate new security features into Android Q. The company will add a new “Privacy Section” under Settings, where users can adjust multiple security settings regarding their smartphones. The company states that users can now choose to share their location data with specific applications as per their requirements. Google will also add a feature to use the Android Q enabled device as a security key for logging into third party applications. The update system overhaul will ensure that users receive all the security patches and updates in the background, which will be installed without having to reboot the smartphone.
Live Caption is another interesting feature that was brought to light. When the said feature is enabled, users will be able to see transcribed captions for the respective audio/video on the screen in real time. The feature is not just limited to Google application, instead, multiple media apps like YouTube and Instagram can make use of this feature. Furthermore, the feature also works with live video calling apps like Google Duo and Skype. Noteworthy, an internet connection is not required for Live Captions to function.
As mentioned before, Android Q will make its way to supported devices somewhere between the months of September and November. Note that the beta version 3 of the same is already rolling out to 21 devices from 13 smartphone brands, including the Realme 3 Pro and Nokia 8.1.
At the Google I/O 2019 developers conference, the company showcased a variety of new services(1) and the long-anticipated Pixel 3a smartphone duo. Additionally, it launched the Nest Hub Max smart display which succeeds the Home Hub launched last year. The company has announced the products under the home category that will be branded in the Nest lineup starting with the new Nest Hub Max.
Nest Hub Max
The new Google Nest Hub Max is a smart display with a built-in speaker and Google Assistant. Unlike the previously launch Home Hub, the device features a front facing camera which can be used to make video calls via the company owned Duo video calling service. The camera uses a wide-angle Sony IMX277 sensor which combined with software algorithms can track and keep faces in the centre of the frame during video calls. Notably, this is the same sensor present on the GoPro Hero 7 Black action camera. The key highlight of the product is the 10 inch LCD display with an HD resolution; which is significantly larger than the 7-inch one found in its predecessor.
The Nest Hub Max also supports gesture recognition which can be used to play/pause the music or video without the need of speaking out a command. It also has a switch on the back which can be toggled to disable both the camera and the dual microphones on the device. The company has implemented the feature to address the ever-increasing security concerns of installing a microphone and a camera in a household gadget. Additionally, the Nest Hub can play videos via YouTube and is capable of recognizing individuals in a family. The device can then give out individually specific briefing relevant to the person interacting with it.
The Nest Hub Max will be available for purchase in the US, UK and Australia later this summer. It has been priced at US$ 229 (Rs. 15,900) and can be purchased from the official Google Store. Furthermore, the company is also launching the last generation Home Hub in 12 new countries including India. The device has been discounted to US$ 129 (Rs. 9,000), down from its original price of US$ 149 (Rs. 10,400).
Google’s I/O 2019 isn’t all about the new Pixel devices. The American Multinational Company added a new feature to Android Q, which is called Live Caption. When the said feature is enabled, users will be able to see transcribed captions for the respective audio/video on the screen in real time. The feature is not just limited to Google application, instead, multiple media apps like YouTube and Instagram can make use of this feature. Furthermore, the feature also works with live video calling apps like Google Duo and Skype. As per Google, around 500 million people around the world are either deaf or have some forms of hearing problems. Such a feature may help in making content more accessible and easily available to hearing impaired people. Google CEO Sundar Pichai further stated that the company is constantly working on products that enable a multitude of people to access Google services along with others.
An interesting feature of the same is the ability to work offline. As per the demo showcased at the event, Live Captions are powered via on-device machine learning. As per Google, no data is sent regarding the user’s activity while he/she is using the feature. The text transcription appears in a box that can be moved around the screen, just like any pop-up video player.
The demo also exhibited the ability of the feature to analyze the video/audio source even when the audio was muted. The feature can be used in a multitude of scenarios, for instance, in meetings. Users can access the Live Captions by pressing any volume rocker on the device. The feature has to be switched on via the accessibility settings in order to show up though. The Live Captions feature can prove to be useful to hearing-impaired people in the long run.
After much leaks and speculations, American technology giant Google has launched the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL smartphones. Both devices are the watered down variants of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL flagship smartphones respectively which were launched last year. The handsets feature a modern design with competitive specifications at a lucrative price.
Specifications:
The Pixel 3a and 3a XL are the first mid range smartphones from Google. In terms of design, both smartphones are reminiscent of their elder siblings but instead feature a polycarbonate construction instead of metal and glass found in the more premium Pixel 3/3XL. While the Pixel 3a has a 5.6 inch OLED display with a resolution of 2220 x 1080 px, the larger variant has a bigger 6.0 inch OLED display with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. The smartphones have a considerable bezel on the top and bottom of the display. For biometric security and swiftly unlocking the smartphones, there is a rear mounted fingerprint scanner on both handsets.
Under the hood, the Google Pixel 3a series is kitted with the 10nm Snapdragon 670 SoC which is comprised of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 615 GPU. In terms of optics, the devices feature a single rear camera which is an f/1.8 aperture equipped 12 MP sensor and is the same one found in their elder siblings. For selfies, an f/2.0 aperture equipped 8 MP front camera is present on top of the display. Like the Pixel 3/3XL, both the smartphones have innovative software features on the camera including Night Sight, Super Res Zoom and Optical Image Stablisation (OIS). For memory and storage, both devices will be available with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage.
In terms of battery capacity, the Google Pixel 3a is powered by a 3000 mAh cell while the larger variant is fueled by a 3700 mAh battery. Both devices support 18W fast wired charging with the bottom mounted USB Type-C port. Surprisingly, the handsets mark the comeback of the 3.5mm headphone jack, which was removed starting the Pixel 2 lineup back in the year 2017. The handsets will be available in three colours, Just Black, Clearly White and Purple-ish.
The Google Pixel 3a series has been launched in a total of fifteen countries globally where it will be available starting May 8th (IST). The smartphone will be available in India starting the 15th of May exclusively on Flipkart. The price of the Pixel 3a is US$ 399 (Rs. 27,700) while the Pixel 3a XL will cost US$ 479 (Rs. 33,300).